Author Archives: timf

Layout Progress Update – Wiring and First Train Run!

Posted on April 24, 2024 by timf

Today I soldered all the feeder drops onto the rails and turnout frogs and then hooked them all up. I realized that since the layout was just on saw horses and there was no scenery yet, I could stand it … Continue reading →

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Layout Progress Update – Trackwork!

Posted on April 20, 2024 by timf

After doing some work on the house (and messing up my back, twice) I’m finally able to do some track laying! I soldered the joints and glued the track down with white glue in five sections.

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Layout Progress Update – Roadbed

Posted on January 27, 2024 by timf

This morning the postman dropped off the cork and rail I ordered. So that meant I could get to work! I laid down all the rest of the cork roadbed.

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New Year, New Layout!

Posted on January 14, 2024 by timf

Since the basement is still full of boxes to sort out and find locations to put stuff (including model railroad stuff) I decided I’d build a switching layout on a shelf in my office for the time being. I should … Continue reading →

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Moved, Again

Posted on November 8, 2023 by timf

The last update had us moving to a new house and building out a room for the layout. Unfortunately we decided that the house was not quite suitable for our needs and moved again about 11 months later. Our new … Continue reading →

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New House, New Room for the Layout

Posted on March 3, 2022 by timf

As I mentioned in a previous post, we have moved. This means that I have torn down the old layout and will build a new one. This is actually good news because I learned a lot building the first layout … Continue reading →

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Building the 120 Ton Wrecking Crane – Finished

Posted on March 2, 2022 by timf

I seem to have neglected to post the final steps and images from this build. Not too unusual for me. I also didn’t take a ton more photos during the final steps. But I have a few to share and … Continue reading →

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New steam power for the Blackwing and Western

Posted on October 6, 2021 by timf

The Great Northern Historical Society had an auction recently and I put bids on two Sunset Models brass GN O-8 class locomotives. I won both of them for a very reasonable price!

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Moving!

Posted on June 17, 2021 by timf

We just had an offer accepted on a new house. The good news is that there is lots of basement for a much larger layout. The bad news is that we have to move. Which means tearing down the current … Continue reading →

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Building the 120 Ton Wrecking Crane – Part 2

Posted on March 15, 2021 by timf

After the last blog post I spent some more time on this build. So I’ll make another progress post. Step five is to assemble the pulleys and boom forks. The pulleys are three pieces each and I had to sand … Continue reading →

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