It has been two weeks since I took pictures of the BS&T. As you can see, there have been some minor changes and some major changes.

In the minor changes department, the Stevenville engine service track is starting to take shape. The little building was scratchbuilt in two evenings. I’m hoping to have enough space between tracks to put a fence and gates around this area to make it more secure. The second photo (right) shows the developments on the oil dealer’s track with a loading/unloading platform.

In the moderate changes department is the harbour area in Chappellton. Chappell Seafood has been relocated to this area and will have part of the siding on a warf. The barge will have a small yard to facilitate loading and unloading freight cars. I’ll likely build a small freight house for this area. The barge has not been built yet.

Derwin Coal & Oil has been relocated as well. It’s right up front now so will require lots of detailing. The little bit of detail I have from the original Derwin Coal doesn’t go far in the new version. One things operators may not like about switching this area is that to get a coal car off the ramp they will have to pull one or two other industries to clear a lead and then pull tank cars spotted at the oil tanks.

FredEx has a foundation so cars now fit under the awnings. It hasn’t moved much from its original location.

I think I’ve come up with a name for the rural area between Chappellton and Kenville. I think Shiner’s Road might be fitting. The one idea I will incorporate into the layout resulting from our trip to Saint John last week will require some changes to this area. The moonshine still will have to be moved to make way for tracks from staging

In the major changes department, Kenville is a mess! You can see the tunnel entrance in the upper right of the photo where trains will enter the layout from staging. You can also see the future location of the east bound main to staging under the paint cans. Ugh! More blue foam to cover up!

So, there you have it. This weeks summary of the continuing saga of the construction of the Bayside & Tidewater Railway. Hopefully I’ll have more next week.

Scott

I almost didn’t make an entry this week. There haven’t been any big changes in the last week so I didn’t take any new pictures of the layout. Just so you don’t think I was lazy all week …

I built a little shed to put at the end of the engine storage track in Stevenville. It’s a little too big, I think, so I’m going to build another one. The new one will have a couple side doors that will be open to view a slightly detailed interior. I have some etched brass tools and some welding equipment that would look really good around a workbench. Because this area is close to the aisle it’s a prime candidate for some extra detailing. I also assembled and painted a Woodland Scenics fueling station kit and placed it beside the track.

The big hole in Chappellton where the harbour will be now has a bottom. I still have to seal all the gaps before I start detailing the seawalls, bridge abutments, and building the warf. There will be lots of track in this area since I’ve squeezed in a small yard for the barge and Chappell Seafood. The siding for Chappell’s will actually be out on the warf.

I’ve completely rearranged the industrial sidings in Chappellton. I am much happier with this arrangement than I was with the previous 4. It makes way for a nice arrangement of streets and buildings. I moved every building I had to this area and started moving them around until I had something I liked. Then I figured out how I could get tracks in there to serve the businesses. There should be some interesting switching challenges here.

Tomorrow (Feb. 24th) the Half Nuts gang will be hitting Saint John, N.B. for a day of layout visits and operating. It’ll be really nice to operate on a couple of new layouts and see some different scenery techniques. I’m sure we will leave there with lots of new ideas. It may even result in a little bit of destruction on a couple local layouts.

The guys are coming over Sunday evening to continue scenery work, so I’ll have lots of pictures next week.

Later,

Scott

There are a few scenes finally starting to take on some semblance of life. It’s amazing the difference a few hours can make, once you get beyond a certain point. Getting things ready for plaster and waiting for the plaster to dry take time and scenes don’t look a whole lot different afterward. But an hour or two with paint and ground foam really makes a BIG difference!

Brian started working on his section of the layout. He’s decided to construct a road crossing over the tracks by bridge into hilly country where there will be some rural type structures and lots of trees. There will be a small brook also crossing under the road bridge. The hill will continue over to the large river which will feature a two tiered waterfall (behind the tressel bridge).

I’ve been working on the river area playing with carving foam to simulate rocks. So far the results are promising.

Streets are starting to appear in Stevenville. I’ve been using black craft foam for the pavement. With some painting and weathering I think they’ll look pretty good. Banjo Bob’s is a structure from one of my UMG modules. It normally sits across the street from Keepemphartin Natural Gas. Hence the sign “Free Beans for Keepemphartin Employees” over the window.

These are some of the more complete scenes. GM Metals is really getting a junkie look to it. Still needs more junk and other details for the complete junkyard effect. Dickie Clothing is getting a little more presentable looking, and GMac Transfer has some colour around it at least.

So, now I’m only one post behind. Almost up to present day. Stay tuned!

Scott

Almost a week has passed since the last pictures were taken.

Derwin and Greg got Stevenville’s industrial area pretty much all ballasted. Greg got a start on some details in the junk yard area. It’s appropriate that Greg work on this area since it is called “GM Metals”. So, the blue lagoon look is now gone and has been replaced by white fields! Sure will be nice to get rid of the bland colours!

Meanwhile, Clayton and I have been busy working on the city side of Stevenville. The plan for this area has changed a bit since the last update, and I’m sure it will change more than a few more times before it is complete.

Hopefully next week will see a bit more colour added to the layout. Stay tuned!

Scott

After I cleaned up a little from the onslaught of the scenery crew Sunday evening, this is what I managed to pull together. I made some quick and dirty foam block buildings to help give me an idea of what Stevenville might look like, someday. They certainly help.

Later!

Scott