We have a young couple in my family that suffered thru the same. But now they have a beautiful little girl to celebrate. I am confident things will get better for your family too.
Progress report: though not visible, some progress has been made. (Let me get this out of the way. Papaw's princess, Mabel Dawn Fletcher is here, mother and daughter doing fine. Our daughter is expecting again, Dr gave them the thumbs up for another go. Praying this time goes well.) In between babies, finishing the trim in the family room and preparing the master bath grout for sealing, I've been watching lots of YouTube vids of selecting the benchwork types, track planning, assembling benchwork, etc... While in Knoxville TN, I checked out Dans Trains, Randy was very accommodating and helpful, and I left with a caboose kit which will become Arkansas and Ozarks #301. On our way home to STL from Knoxville, we checked out Classic Trains and Ferraris in Paducah KY. Left with some axle gears for E8 #2016 Citation and I ordered a pair of re-rail frogs for the A&O caboose. During the A&O years they were necessary items. Both stores get a "thumbs up" with helpful, knowledgable, staff. If you're in their areas, check them out.
Not exactly layout progress, but I built a portable paint booth. It was inspired by a YouTube video build. It is basically two plastic tubs one nested inside the other. The outer tub has a bathroom fan mounted in the bottom, the inner tub has a grid cut into the bottom and a filter placed across it. This allows removal for cleaning and keeps the fan assembly clean.
Dremel with a cutting wheel. Its kinda slow, but it worked. Switch is from a box fan. (Only uses one speed.)
Our sympathies, Tom, Bill. Our daughter is expecting again. Ultra sound scheduled for Sep 11. Blessed.
Ultra sound didn't happen on the 11th, she experienced another miscarriage, it was confirmed today. We'll bounce back, though admittedly, the world seems a little less bright today.
Not direct layout progress, but recent acquisitions for it. I humbly invoke Rule #1 for the transfer caboose. I doubt they traveled down the Ft Smith Sub, but I liked it and Carla did too. ;-)
Craig, I too want a transfer caboose for my Ft. Smith sub layout. It will handle traffic between Van Buren and Ft. Smith with the Missouri Pacific. Rule #1 is the best!!! I also want a brake sled for my coal train as it makes the trip down the mountain. Will have to scratch build it because I've never seen one for N scale. Again Rule #1 will have to apply. Joe
Those Blueford transfer cabs are great aren't they? All those handrails, the axle generator and all. Just nice cabooses.
Though its been quiet on the construction front, I have been researching track planning and dcc (I think I'm getting it, what a great time to return to the hobby) and watching bench building "how to's" on YouTube. There have been a few delays, such is life. I fixed up an '87 Dakota pickup for my daughter and son in law. I also have to fix a leak in the master bathroom's shower. Its always something... Lol.
To quote Tom Holley. "The hardest part was picking up that first board cutting it and getting started, the rest will take careof itself." Well, here go my first steps... outer frame of open grid bench top. This is for the 4'x8' section that will hold the generic yard/staging. (Looking fwd to Ken M's workshop in SGF for planning.) Most benchwork will only be 24-30" wide. Sectional as opposed to modular. I am using screws so it can be disassembled and moved if needed.
Craig, have you considered using ripped strips of 3/4" plywood? It is more stable in terms of warping, bending and shrinkage.
Craig, Looks like you are on the way, a couple things you need to bear in mind, your gonna make mistakes, your gonna want to make changes, and it is never gonna be perfect. Whatever build method you use, it's OK. A great deal of my particular build and satisfaction has been figuring out how to fix or change a layout. Folks that make a plan and seem to want to strictly adhere to that plan are setting them selves up for disappointment, part of the build is to overcome these changes. So your not likely to make many mistakes or progress if you don't start. I am glad you are started my friend. Please keep us posted and updated on your build, however it is progressed.