Week 475

 Sun, Sep 3, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 9, 2023

Sun, Sep 3, 2023

Just a little work on the RR (30 mins.)

Finishing up the last "walk ways" at UP Engine
Facility. Just a couple more to go.

Mon, Sep 4, 2023

Happy Labor Day!

Some work done during the day...

Cutting out the final platforms at the UP Engine Facility.

Between the rails.

Laying out the pieces to see how they fit.

Used the hot glue gun to put all the pieces in place.

Mission accomplished.
Time to weather...

Sprinkle with gray "mortar" powder.

Add tire marks.

Fill in "mortar" to be used as the base of landscape.

Apply the glue...

"Paint" the glue to spread it over the landscape.

Add medium mixed ground foam.

Drone view.

Finally, add some black cinders used as ballast.

Train Day!

w/Rob Fair 6-8pm 2 hrs.

Taking out the Atlas Snap Switch and replacing
with one of Marcus's #4 switches.

Rob begins the replacement project by inserting
the plastic rail joiners at the base of the switch.

Next he fits and cuts the piece tracks at the other end.

Looking good. Time to test out the power continuity.

We had some problems with the switch, which we
will take a look at more closely next week.
We will solve this dilemma.

I took some videos tonight of the Unit Coal Train 2A going WB.

You will see them later in the Sep 2023 Monthly Video Update

We ended the evening switching
the first part of the Unit Coal Train 2A
at Powder River Basin.

Tue, Sep 5, 2023

No train activity today.

Wed, Sep 6, 2023

Jan had book club tonight so I worked on the RR.

Here's what I was able to accomplish

I removed all these characters from the employee
stop platform.

These are the three characters I will use to take their place.

Here are the other characters which I will set at
the three different engine facilities.

Here are the three workers placed in such a way
that they look like they are either coming or going.

Here they are from the opposite view.

A better picture of the steps leading to the CNW
Engine Facility.

I moved the locomotives around to make sure they
fit either before or after the walk way down the middle.

Since the steam platforms were too close to the walk-
way I need to extend this platform for Track #6.

I cut out the cork pieces on either side of the track.

Using the hot glue gun, I
secured the cork in place.

Since the left side is the tarp
paper to look like "asphalt"
is dry I went ahead and weathered it.
I won't be able to weather the right
side of the track until the paint is dried.
Hopefully overnight.

See you in the morning...

Thu, Sep 7, 2023

Extending tracks 1 & 2 at UP Engine Facility

Also weathering Steam Engine platform...

There's not enough room at the end of Track 1 to
fit the GP50 #53 between the bumper track and the
"walk way".

So, I extended both tracks 1 & 2. Now both SD60Ms
can fit between the bumper and the "walk way" on
track 2. And plenty of room on Track 1 for #53.

Finished project - mission accomplished.

I found this sign so I installed this in one of the bumpers
for Track 1 right on the edge so viewers can read it.

Finished ballasting.

Now it's time to weather the 
extended platforms on Track 6.

Time for dinner.
I started the crosswalk for the maintenance workers
going from one platform across the tracks to the other.

Fri, Sep 8, 2023

This morning I was up early and finished the crosswalks across the tracks to both platforms.

What do you think of that?

Later that same day...

I came home for lunch and put down some ballast on Track #6

BEFORE

AFTER

Spraying on the water and then
gluing down the ballast.

Putting the platforms back in place.

Time to put up the Track signage.

I'm getting ready to build a fence.

I added a tree and showing you where the fence will
be installed. Along the sidewalk.

Beginning the fence construction.

Ready for the cross beams and then I'll cut it down 
on the top and bottom. The bottom I'll keep a few
toothpicks long for the support posts.

Later that day...

Laying down the glue for the cross beams.

Laying the cross beams on the glue.
Next Step: Let it dry overnight and then paint.

Sat, Sep 9, 2023

It's a brand new day...and time for more fence work...

Cutting off the bottoms except the supporting posts.
Almost finished cutting off the tops.

All trim work complete.

Front side facing the sidewalk.

Ready to stain.

Finished.
Next step: Install the fence.

I drilled the holes for the support posts.
This shows the front of the fence towards the sidewalk.

This picture shows the back of the fence with the
cross beams facing the Engine Facility.

A drone view of the newly installed fence.