Today it happened. I put knife to foamcore and started construction on the structures for the layout.

The research pictures I've posted earlier in the week have shown that the structures in the area are all big concrete boxes faced with diiferent materials so construction of those is going to be pretty simple. Todays mission then, was to cut all three shells in preparation for facing them with styrene sheet. Really it was just a question of cutting the foamcore to size and fitting the shells in place and seeing if I was happy with the finished result. So after a couple of hours of measuring, cutting and sticking I got to here.

Overall, I'm liking what I see. The structure front left could be a little less tall I think. Perhaps it was a bad idea to measure it up against an excess height box car. The rear of this building will be a spot for a boxcar. You will be able to see its roof when correctly spotted like in this view. I'm thinking that the office annex added to the main structure should go too.

The structures at the rear feel OK.

The main structure rear right is planned to be a steel distribution company. Watching the local steel distributors from my office window I have seen that deliveries come in flat cars and coil cars. With my artistic licence I'm adding a loading door on the outside wall to give another spot for switching cars to. With another spot (or more) "inside" the structure. That gives three (or more) spots for cars to play your switching games. Another thing to consider is that more than likely a hulking big Class 1 railroad locomotive would not be allowed inside the building so a reach car would be needed to access cars inside the structure. Your reach car could be anything in your freight stock collection

The principal reason for the tall structure at left rear will be to hide the operating mechanism for the Atlas #5 turnout in front of it.

Oooh... Now look here. I like this view. A lot. The road receding at an angle is a very powerful device from this view and will benefit from well created perspective on the backscene. Working crossing lights will look pretty effective here. Also in this view you can see that the grain hopper makes a very believable view block hiding the entrance of the trains into the scene.

This view looking towards the right side shows the grain hopper view block works well. Perhaps an excess height box car would work better. But I like my excess height boxcars and would be loath to cut one up.

There you have it then construction underway. Time to check my supply of styrene for cladding materials.