With the new year, I am going to do something new: this whole post of being created from my phone! I figure I should start working my way into current technology uses. This could be the new thing.
Anyways, on to the subject of the post. I finally finished the ground cover scenery and ballast on my first module!
The scenery is the same stuff and technique as before. I was really worried that the little corner left would not blend with the existing, but even I cannot tell where the new begins and the old ends. I'll call that a win.
The ballast is real stone made by AZ Rock & Mineral company. I followed the techniques that regularly show up in MR or MRH. It took four good glue soakings though as I did not have a good base secured. Lessons for next time!
Here are some closeups of the signals. The electrical cabinets are from BLMA and a pain to build for a novice structure guy like myself but they are nice and accurate. The switch machine is by Details West. It was simple install and build, but is non-functioning. The Blue Point below the decking handles the control. I also added exposed electrical conduit for effect.
Here are the signals past the turnout. One head is turned away from the tracks on purpose. The set of these I purchased had a double head that is commonly used in ABS or block territory. I decided that the SRR left the block signal when it added the siding to keep costs down. This turnout is controlled by a Caboose Industries stand. I cut off the lever normally on these and added a more modern looking handle. Might not look so bad or obvious now.
And now for the random pic of the day!
I hope I haven't used this one before but anyways, this is one of the test units for the ES44AT locomotives. It is the first of the Tier IV locomotives and is made by GE. They are currently producing these engines for BNSF, UP, and CSX. I have not yet seen a UP one. I caught this bad boy heading East out of Englewood Yard one afternoon when I was heading home from work, and was lead by a Citirail ES44. A train with no class one engines!
