Good Morning All. Clear and 75° right now. Afternoon temperatures are staying in the lower 90's until Wednesday. Then up to a more normal upper 90's. Still no triple-digits in the forecast. With the exception of last year (1 day) we historically have 30+ days of triple-digits. Had a wonderful visit from all of the grandkids and my daughters and their husbands yesterday. My two grandsons remain until Wednesday, and they brought the granddog to stay with them! Matchbox cars have taken over as a focal point for the boys, and they barely spent ten minutes in the train shed. My granddaughter was a lot more interested, but Daddy had to hold her up to see anything, she's only two and a half right now.
In the quiet time that I had after most folks had left, I applied decals and signs to the structure that I am building. All that's left is some small details and it will be completed. I installed lighting although it will be a while before power makes it to that portion of the layout.
Eric - You seem to be moving right along with an actual layout. I know that you were somewhat limited for space back in GA, so that longer run that you are designing will seem like utopia when you get it running. Regarding the decal solutions, I use "Solvaset". It basically softens the decal (don't touch) and helps it settle into crevices and over rivets etc. I don't usually use it when I am applying decals to absolutely smooth surfaces. I do however spray or brush paint some Testor's "Dullcoat" over them as soon as the water evaporates. That feed store may be one of the kits that some European company makes for Walther's. I don't recall their name, but they include those lighting kits in all of them and their instructions are much better than Walther's. Of the three Walther's kits that you mentioned, I have two of them, but have only assembled the forklift. The third one (933-3222) is the "N" scale version of the "MiJack" kit. Edit I see that Ken has already pointed this out. The forklift was used in the 70's at mostly smaller intermodal yards. It has some delicate parts that I broke when I built it 20 years ago, that I had to refabricate with styrene at the time. I haven't built the overhead crane yet, mainly because I am not ready for it.
Garry - I build just the opposite way (nothing wrong with either method). I build out most of the benchwork, roadbed, track and wiring first and get trains running and then go back and do the scenery. That explains why I have 300'+ of mainline (as well as 800' of sidings and spurs) done, but only about 45' of completed scenery. Trouble is that there are gaps between the scenery and it is not continuous. I too have picked up some lumber at construction sites and some other salvaged stuff from where I used to work; lumber, wire, electronics etc. It's always amazed me what companies discard.
Chet - Porch looks great now that you're finished. In this area, mockingbirds will dive-bomb things and pets, and will attack their own images reflecting off window glass.
Ken (D&J) - Fortunate catch on the wheel bearing. It sure could screw up an otherwise enjoyable trip.
Johnny - Just saw your station pictures. Great work for a newbie! Kidding about the newbie part.
I hear young voices, so it's time to go. Everybody have a wonderful day.
Willie