Boston Mountains Sub-Division

I had a few minutes to spare this afternoon so I installed roadbed on modules 06, 07 and 08. Will install track tonight.

Joe

 

I bought a 30 Watt soldering iron tonight at Walmart for $9.97. My old one needed to be replaced, it was probably about ten years old.

Joe

 

This evening I bought another soldering iron, this one is a Weller butane type. I've never used one so if anyone has any tips please let me know.

Joe

 

Yeah, the bright shiny end get real hot......

 

Well, I finally got to work on my layout tonight. It's been about three days since the last time, installed one piece of track on module 07. There is a slight mismatch in track level between modules 07 and 08. To compensate for the mismatch I put some tooling shims between roadbed and track.

Joe

 

I received a Frisco passenger train and a E-8 locomotive from Gary, gna, last Saturday. It is the original release that is all Silver with no Red stripes. I've been looking for one for a long time. Will change the number to another E-8.

Joe

 

Glad you can use them. Let's see 'em run!

I wish my HO E8 was 2020 Big Red--I have 2022, Middleground.

 

Very nice Joe, it will be nice to see it in action on your layout! You are making good headway, you should have in service in no time!

 

While Cynthia was getting ready to go to the grocery store I finished installing the mainline trackage on modules 06 and 07. It was just a few minutes but made a little progress. Next is installing track and a turnout on module 08 South. Also cut some lumber for a extension of the L-Girder supports for module 01. Sometime in the near future I'll start working on the valence, it will be 16 inches wide and go around the room.

Now it's time to go to the grocery store.

Joe

 

This afternoon I cleaned up solder on several turnouts to get them ready for installation. Will install them along with track on modules 03, 04 and 08 South tonight.

Joe

 

I got the mainline and passing track on modules 07 and 08 installed along with a turnout. Now I will move over to modules 02, 03 and 04 to install the mainline and passing track along with three turnouts. Some of the track on module 04 has already been done on the north end, just need to install a turnout on the south end and the spur for the MFA grain mill. When I get finished with the track on all of the modules listed above the mainline will be half way done. I guess it will be time to start installing ballast soon, a job that I do not like very much, but it has to be done.

Joe

 

Thank you Jim!!! I'm glad you are enjoying my layout build thread, hopefully other members feel the same way.

Really dislike doing ballast for the same reason as you, it's tedious and boring. All of the other model railroading projects are fun and some are exciting like running trains and doing scenery for me anyway.

How is your layout coming along? Looking forward to seeing your layout work soon. You do such a great job with your projects.

Joe

 

I bought some trees for $10.99 plus tax from Hobby Lobby tonight. They have white trunks and medium green foliage between three to three and half inches tall. Also they look pretty good, similar to Super Trees and they will go good with the trees I made from Nandina seed stems.

Joe

 

Here's a photo of Nandina seed stems that I use to make tree armatures and Woodland Scenes green foliage.

Joe

 

Today's activity was installing insulated rail joiners to several turnouts. I ran into a problem with installing them so I heated them up in the microwave oven for 40 seconds and the rail joiners slide right on!!! The rail joiners are clear plastic, the yellow ones don't have a problem with installing.

Joe

 

Hey Joe, are you making any progress? Inquiring minds want to know!

Take care buddy!
Dale

 

As a matter of fact I worked on the hobby room just a few minutes ago. Tonight's activity was to remove the closet door to make room for module 01. Besides I don't care for OU, I do like OSU, so the sign has to go.

I spent the last two weeks recuperating from a three car wreck on August 03. Cynthia has heavy bruising across her chest and left forearm, I have three broken ribs and our Ford Escape was totaled.

Still did some work on cleaning turnouts and installed insulated rail joiners, on and off, during the two weeks. Other than that not much has been done to the layout.

Joe

 

Dang Joe! Sorry to hear that. I’m glad you guy were not more seriously hurt!