Here’s something that was suggested on one of the online forums I follow, a kite flying kid to go with the picnickers.

Added figures and logs to the crane by the sawmill

Working on a picnic scene

Continue reading Picnic Scene →

I’m working on indoor projects at the moment, as the weather hasn’t cooperated for outdoor/train running time. A couple buildings are being fixed up (and a new one built) and I’ve managed to make some more progress on my crossing gates. I’m also working on a Z scale on G scale flatcar, that will be pulled by my LGB loco while a Marklin Z scale loco goes around it. More when it gets warmer.

I’ll have to get some better pictures. But since my wife’s new camera takes much better low-light pictures, I thought I’d post this test shot.

 🙁

Came home from Christmas with the family in Nebraska to find that my Koi had died. I suspect ammonia poisoning–though they’d been in that tank for almost a month, it was pretty small for three medium sized Koi. Now I have to decide if I’ll put more in the pond in the spring, or just leave it fish-free.

Someone asked about this, so I updated it to match what I actually have.

Things have slowed almost to a stop on the layout. Mostly because I’m almost done, but also because I’m so busy. There’s just not enough time to do much more than keep the weeds down.

I have purchased another building for the motorcycle factory: the side building.

My original plan was to put full-sized buildings on the mountain(s) for a Rigi Duo system. Unfortunately, that didn’t look right, as the mountains are really too rugged to be that “size.”

My next idea was to put smaller houses on the mountain to create a “forced perspective.” Here’s a go at that

Continue reading Forced Perspective →

Here’s my plan for the Rigi Duo setup on my layout

Continue reading Rigi Duo Setup →

The first logging wagon is now out next to the “stumps” and sawmill.

I built some logs for my logging wagon from ABS pipe.

First, I cut it to length. Then I applied adhesive to the outside, in lines parallel to the length of the pipe.

I smoothed the application with a toothpick–catching any drips.

I cut pieces of sintra to fit the ends, then inserted them. Then I filled the ends with adhesive.

Once it was all dry, I dipped them in outdoor paint–a dark slate, almost black color I have.

Next I applied a dry brushing of lighter browns and then washed with a darker brown.

Finally, I painted the ends light brown to represent fresh-cut wood and added some light brown spots along the “trunk” to simulate where branches were removed.

I think they look pretty good. We’ll have to see how they stand up outside.

I’ve been fiddling with this for quite some time. My initial experiments didn’t work out too well as the IR sensors didn’t like the waterproofing and the “stainless” steel wire I was using rusted out.

But here’s some progress

The servos are mounted in the bottom of a set of LGB crossing gates.

The servos are controlled by an Arduino board.

Continue reading Servo Activated LGB Rail Crossing →

One of the really neat things about my layout is that I can see most all of it from the dining room window. And at night, it’s really cool to look out and see the miniature town all lit up. I just like being able to admire how cool it looks with all the lights on.

Continue reading Adding more lights →

So, in the Kansas climate (summers in the 100s, winters in the 10s) buildings really take a beating. It’s now time for me to bring some in (into the air conditioned house) and work on ones that have deteriorated.

My oldest building is this Piko station. I enjoyed building it–it’s one of the few “new” kits I bought, but it’s definitely in need of some work. The base is a piece of Sintra laminated to a piece of acrylic, which seemed like a good idea at the time but has started to separate. Also, the “street” lights need work and the interior needs to be cleaned out.

First I’ll tackle the lighting: the LEDs in it are cool white. And after three years they’ve started to dim. Which means that it’s time to trade them out for new, warm white ones. That includes the interior lights, the light that highlights the passenger and station employee, and the two exterior post lights.