Unfortunately, no, I’m not done with benchwork. This post is mostly for my own future reference, to record the methods and recipes I used to paint and stain the shelves used for the layout benchwork. If you need some good Continue reading Finishing the Benchwork→

The benchwork has been coming together. It began with a block of 12 IVAR shelving units, placed back-to-back. Once those were in place and roughly leveled (it’s impossible to get them perfect since the wood uprights are not perfectly straight), Continue reading Benchwork→

After deciding to change directions on the layout and finishing the room earlier this year, benchwork is finally starting to take shape. Just in time for 2021… (I had an unspoken goal to at least get something done on the Continue reading The New Plan→

It’s been almost 2 years since posting an update (and even longer since working on the layout to any significant degree), mainly due to other commitments, the ProtoThrottle, and questioning my basic layout plan. While I’ve come up with a Continue reading What A Difference A Floor Makes→

For the next step in building the module, I assembled and soldered together the mess of trackwork at the center of everything. These three turnouts and two crossings are the center of all the trackwork on the module and were Continue reading Module Trackwork→

My “side project” module is constructed using a box frame, overlaid with plywood and 1/2″ light weight drywall.  The box frame began life as a sheet of 3/4″ birch plywood.  This was ripped into 3.5″ wide strips and screwed together Continue reading Module Construction→

Progress on the layout has mostly stalled over the last year with most of my “hobby” time being spent on the ProtoThrottle, though I am 1/2 turn away from completing the helix.  As I’ve started looking ahead and planning for Continue reading A Side Project→

Today, the 3rd loop of the helix was completed.  This marks just over 50% complete.

The full layout plan requires a helix at the west end of Altoona, representing the line to Des Moines.  Fortunately, there is a hill coming east out of Des Moines, with a ruling grade of 0.8%, so the climb represented Continue reading Helix Construction→

I recently completed one turn of the helix and installed the track today, all 10ft of it.  Here’s the first train to run on it: