Sunday, March 8, 2009

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• started laying cork roadbed on the staging yard
• glued scenery supports to the base
• penciled in rough sketch of distant hills on backdrop

This has been one of the most unproductive weeks I have had since November of 2008. I worked very little on the layout this past week, but I did get some things accomplished, so it wasn't a complete washout. I am still trying to decide what scenery elements I want on this section of the layout. I penciled in some rough lines of distant hills with a road running through it on the backdrop. I am letting it sit for a few days and then I will decide what to do this upcoming week. I plan to paint the backdrop with a base coat of sky color and cover the foam supports with plaster cloth this week.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Saturday, February 28, 2009

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• started planning scenery details for section 3
• installed cork roadbed and decided to scrap drop-leaf fiddle yard
• created new permanent section for fiddle yard/Oak Hill, Missouri

I was going to start some scenery work on section 3 this past week, but I needed to finish some track work first. I also needed to decide what to do with the drop-leaf fiddle yard. I decided to remove the drop-leaf fiddle yard and replaced it with a 1' x 4' section with a full set of legs for better stability.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Friday, February 20

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

Back to Work!!!

I took a much needed break over the last three weeks, but now it is time to get back to work on the layout.

I am still not 100% sure what I am going to include on section 3, but I am leaning to it being a rural, countryside scene with a country road and some rolling hills. This section should not take as long as section 2, so my overall goal to finish the layout to 95% by August 1, 2009 is still attainable. Here is a list of my goals for section 3:

1. Begin work on section 3 by February 21, 2009 and complete it by March 31, 2009.
2. Work on at least one small project each night whenever possible. Dedicate some weekend time to work on larger projects as needed.
3. Post progress reports w/ photo(s) on the web site for each week.
4. Evaluate progress on March 9--Will I reach the completion goal date I set in step 1?
5. Evaluate progress on March 31--Did I reach my goal? If not, what do I need to change in order to meet the goal I set in step 1?
6. Post before and after photos on March 31.

I am also giving some thought to moving the Layout News page to a blog hosting site. I have many regular visitors to this sight, and a few of them have sent e-mails and/or signed the guestbook with their comments. I appreciate all of the feedback I get (good or bad), and I believe a blog site will give people a more convenient way to post feedback.

• If you think this is a good idea, would you be willing to let me know?*
• If so, please click on the e-mail link* located in the left panel and send me an e-mail* with the following included in the Subject line of the message:
  • OTRR BLOG-YES

*Special Note: If you respond to this request, the webmaster of this web site assures you that you will not be added to any e-mail mailing list or have your address included in this web site's e-mail address book. You will not receive a reply in response to the above, unless you request it. All e-mail votes received will be deleted immediately after the response is tallied. The webmaster of this site does not support Spam or unsolicited e-mails. Likewise, any Spam or unsolicited e-mails received by this web site will be reported to the appropriate host server.

SPECIAL UPDATE

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Section 2 Goal Reached!!!

Before: After:

Monday, January 26, 2009

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• finished track ballast for section 2
• started placing texture layers on section 2
• detail work on structures

I finally got over the worst part of my cold and got back to work. My deadline for this section is this Friday, so I will have to work hard to finish on time. I do believe I will make it, although I know I will be adding a lot more details to this section in the future. Here is small sample photo of a part of section 2:

Monday, January 19, 2009

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• started ballasting track for section 2

Again, I did not get to work on the layout much this week due to other commitments. I have also come down with a cold which is limiting my work time on the layout, but I still believe I can make my January 31 goal.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

JANUARY 15 EVALUATION

Progress is being made on section 2 and it looks like I will reach my goal of having the section 95% complete by January 31. Overall, the two-month window I am allowing for each section is working out very well.

You also may be wondering what I mean by 95% complete. The remaining 5% of work that needs to be completed will involve detailing the section with all the little extras that make a model railroad come to life. I do plan on adding some basic figures and clutter to each section by the January 31 goal date, but I will leave the other fine details to be completed as time, money, and interest allow.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Monday, January 12, 2009

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• Continued with assembly, painting, and detail work on structures

I did not get to work on the layout much this week due to other commitments. I did work some on the structures and they are coming along nicely. It looks like I will have a day this upcoming week to work on the layout for several hours, so I hope to get a big chunk of work completed this week.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Monday, January 5, 2009

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• started detailing structures
• started adding additional layers to scenic base

It has been a good week with working on the layout. I worked on it just about every night this past week. Detailing work on the three industries for this section of the layout has begun in earnest. I am hoping to get the detailing on the structures to about 80% complete by the 15th of this month. I may start ballasting the track this week, but I am also looking at possibly finishing the ground cover before I begin with the track ballast.

I am waiting to get section 2 finished before I post any more photos on the web site. I know I have not posted any new photos for some time, but I will be posting some by the end of January (regardless if I finish section 2 or not). If you want to see a “before” photo of section 2, please scroll down this page to view the photo.

I also need to make some label changes regarding my layout on this web site. This is technically not a “modular” layout, but a sectional layout. I believe a “modular” layout can be repositioned into different arrangements where my layout “sections” can only be arranged one way. I will be correcting the terminology on these web pages in the near future.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Monday, December 29, 2008

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• finished initial base coat of ground cover
• painted track--ready for ballast

I am not going to meet my goal for this month. I am pleased with the fact that I am working on the layout on a regular basis. I really see no down side, other than not meeting my original goal.

To recap the last month, here is my original goal with my grading for each step:

1. Spend one month on one module completing scenery, structures, and details for this module. [fair]
2. Begin work on first module by December 1, 2008 and complete it by December 31, 2008. [poor]
3. Work on at least one small project each night whenever possible. Dedicate some weekend time to work on larger projects as needed. [good]
4. Post progress reports on the web site for each week. [excellent]
5. Evaluate progress on December 15--Will I reach the goal I set in step 1? [excellent]
6. Evaluate progress on December 31--Did I reach my goal? If not, what do I need to change in order to meet the goal I set in step 1? [excellent]
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for each successive module changing goal dates accordingly. [n/a]
8. Finish Layout (at least 95% complete) by March 31, 2009. [poor]

Below is my modified goal for finishing the layout to at least 95% complete:

1. Spend two months on one module completing scenery, structures, and details for this module.
2. Begin work on first module by December 1, 2008 and complete it by January 31, 2009.
3. Work on at least one small project each night whenever possible. Dedicate some weekend time to work on larger projects as needed.
4. Post progress reports on the web site for each week.
5. Evaluate progress on January 15--Will I reach the goal I set in step 1?
6. Evaluate progress on January 31--Did I reach my goal? If not, what do I need to change in order to meet the goal I set in step 1?
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for each successive module changing goal dates accordingly.
8. Finish Layout (at least 95% complete) by July 31, 2009.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Monday, December 22, 2008

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• continued with grain elevator kit construction

Last week, I said I believed I would make my goal of finishing this module by Dec. 31. This week, I am not so sure I will make it. I have been working on the grain elevator kit and it is going a little slower than I had planned. It looks good, but it is only about 70% complete. I need to do some work on the other two buildings as well, so I may not make my original goal. On the plus side, I have been working on the layout a little each night which is much more than I have been doing in the last three months combined. Ultimately, my main goal is to work on the layout each week a minimum of 1 to 2 hours per week, instead of letting it sit idle for weeks at a time. I am achieving this goal.

I believe I will finish the scenic base covering this week, and I also hope to begin weathering and ballasting the track.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Monday, December 15, 2008

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

I believe I will make my goal of finishing this module by Dec. 31.

I was not able to find a local supplier of Sculptamold, but I did find a good substitute. It is a product called, “Mold-A-Scene” and it is made by Woodland Scenics. I could have ordered Sculptamold online, but I decided to give my support to a local hobby shop. I also discovered a new hobby shop in my area and I gave them my business. I plan on finishing the scenery base this upcoming week with Mold-A-Scene and a base coat of ground foam.

• I have worked on the layout more this week than the last two. I have been working on a new structure I am adding to the layout. It is a grain elevator kit made by Con-Cor and it is going together smoothly. I am adding it to the siding at Cuba (the inner loop). I have decided to break the inner loop between module 2 and 3 by replacing the 3” track section with two bumping posts. I will utilize this arrangement for home use, but will remove the grain elevator and reconnect the inner loop for continuous running at train shows.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Sunday, December 7, 2008

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• I completed the sky backdrop (no details) and began working on a grain elevator kit that I plan to add to the siding at Cuba. I have not finished the initial layer of the scenery base due to a supply problem with Sculptamold. I am having trouble finding a local dealer who carries it. I may have to order it online directly from the manufacturer.

Overall, the progress is slow, but work is progressing. I did not get to work on it every night, but at least the layout has not sat idle the whole week. In the past, the layout would sit idle for several weeks in a row. I am trying not to let that happen with the goal I have set to complete the layout by March 31, 2009.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Sunday, November 30, 2008

WEEKLY PROGRESS REPORT

• Applied first layer of scenery material over base coat of Sculptamold on module 2.

My goal is to work on something each night, but I was not able to do so this past week. A full schedule kept me from reaching this goal, but I did manage to do at least one thing this past week. The upcoming week looks promising, but you never know!

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Sunday, November 23, 2008

BACK TO WORK!

Wow, it has been a long time but I am finally in the mood to work on the layout. I have been extremely busy and I hardly even looked at the layout over the last three months, but I have been recently motivated to get started back to work.

I read David Popp’s final installment on his project, 4 Weeks to a Bigger Layout, in the December issue of “Model Railroader” magazine (This series begins in the September 2008 issue) and it got me thinking about my layout. I could do the same thing with the four modules that make up my layout. I don’t plan on finishing the layout in the next month, but I think I could get it to a reasonably finished state (at least 95% complete) in four months. With this motivation, I set up a plan to reach my goal:

1. Spend one month on one module completing scenery, structures, and details for this module.
2. Begin work on first module by December 1, 2008 and complete it by December 31, 2008.
3. Work on at least one small project each night whenever possible. Dedicate some weekend time to work on larger projects as needed.
4. Post progress reports on the web site for each week.
5. Evaluate progress on December 15--Will I reach the goal I set in step 1?
6. Evaluate progress on December 31--Did I reach my goal? If not, what do I need to change in order to meet the goal I set in step 1?
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for each successive module changing goal dates accordingly.
8. Finish Layout (at least 95% complete) by March 31, 2009.

The good news is I was able to start early on this plan. I was able to work on the layout this past Saturday (Nov. 22) and got started with painting the backdrop and placing a layer of scenery base material over the surface of the module. The image below shows what the module looked like before I got started. My plan is to place progress reports on this web page each week. I hope you will check back each week to see the progress I am making on the layout. Feel free to e-mail me any suggestions or encouragements you may have (see left panel for e-mail link), and I thank you in advance for your input.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Friday, August 22, 2008
It has been a very mild summer here in southeast Missouri, so the layout has been idle most of this time. I have decided to make some changes to the layout that does not involve tearing anything out or rebuilding the current four by six oval. I am making some operating changes that require re labeling the towns on the track plan. The Stephenson Branch was originally the inner loop of the four by six oval with a siding that had three industries located on it. I have decided to move the Stephenson Branch to the extension that leads to the fiddle yard (see track plan). I am working up plans to expand the layout off of this extension to include more industries for this branch. The layout will now focus on local traffic from Cuba, Missouri to Oak Hill, Missouri instead of covering operations over the entire Bourbeuse District. I tested this new operating scheme on 8/21/08 with good results. I will post the new extension track plan when it is ready; however, construction of this extension will not occur for several months. I will continue to use the fiddle yard until the new extension is built.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Thursday, May 29, 2008
I started building and detailing the elevated town of Das back in early April, but with the arrival of warmer weather, the layout has gone dormant.

I am having some difficulty with creating homemade decals (transparency issues) and the first few have been 'flops.' I did squeeze in some train operations a couple of days ago. I am still 'tweaking' operations and trying to come up with a system that gets the most action out of the limited space I have with this layout.

I am giving thought to building another module with legs to replace the drop-leaf extension that currently exists on the layout. This new module will probably stay home when I take the railroad out to its first train show (hopefully in March of 2009). If I do go with this new module, I will still use the drop-leaf extension for train shows (I will need to reattach it for train show use), but I will make it shorter and use it as an industry siding.

The layout will probably continue to be dormant until the heat, humidity, and horseflies of Missouri kick in and force me back inside the house.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Saturday, March 22, 2008
I have been developing a new paint scheme and herald for some time, and I have finally settled on the one posted on this page. I have printed up decals with this scheme and should have them applied to my GE 70 tonner in a couple of months. I will post a photo of the locomotive as soon as it is ready. I have been concentrating on scenery for the last few months and I have completed the lake on the first module. This is my first attempt at a water feature, and I am pleased with the results. I have also painted the removable fascia panels with a coat of green paint (see Layout Photos Page). My plans are to continue with scenery work, and I am getting ready to paint the backdrop I just installed behind the town of Das.

I do need to clean the track and run some trains---maybe in April.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Saturday, December 15, 2007
The layout has been on hold for some time, but I finally had an opportunity to work on it today. I was really in the mood to work on some scenery, so I started covering the embankments around the lake with ground foam and coated the base of the lake with joint compound. I also painted the area underneath the elevated section black as well as the module base. The removable fascia boards will be painted green. I posted photos of today's work on the Layout Photos Page (see links on left). I also painted the lake base black, although I did not take a photo of it yet. I will post photos of the lake when it is finished. I plan on using gloss medium to represent the water.

I did run some trains in November, and I am having good results with the four-cycle waybills and switch lists. These useful tools really enhance operations and make the layout feel much larger.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom

Saturday, June 16, 2007
It has been a very busy spring. I have not worked many days on the layout these last two months; however, my work time has been very productive when I worked on it. Some of the backdrops are installed, but they need to be painted. The elevated town (Das, MO) has been fastened to the layout. I am still thinking about the placement of the structures, but I like the current configuration and will probably stick with it.

I am still not sure about the fascia. I am experimenting with foam board and Velcro and so far it is working out. The only concern I have is durability. The idea is to be able to remove the foam fascia before transporting the layout. I may still switch to hardboard before it is all said and done.

I installed a drop leaf fiddle yard at the end of the spur track which represents several locations on my layout (see Layout Photos Page for more details). I discovered during operations that several cars would route to the spur track at the same time. The spur track quickly filled up, even with 'fiddling' the cars off the track. The new fiddle yard will really help with operations. I wasn't sure I would like using a "fiddle" yard verses a "staging yard," but it has worked out very well. I "fiddle" the cars on and off the spur track while the train is running off the miles on the main loop. It really makes the layout feel much larger than it is.

I also acquired a new locomotive for the layout. It is a Bachmann GE 70 ton unit with DCC On Board. I was surprised at how well this engine runs. It is a little noisy, but it has adequate pulling power and its short length is really handy on a small layout. With the new locomotive, I am considering changing my color scheme for the OTRR. It is currently black with white lettering, but the green and yellow of the 70 tonner looks really good. I may switch the colors since I have not lettered or painted anything in the black and white scheme yet.

Thanks for visiting and happy modeling!
Tom