Zigzag Canyon

Thanks! And the exhibition layout looks terrific!

Have you managed to run a Slomo + RC steamer on a switching layout that includes a small grade? I'm used to trying to keep my garden railway dead level, but those were before the Slomo. Now I'm building an indoor layout - inspired by Hambleden - and a small switchback is enticing. Thanks!

How did you manage the seam at the borders of the roller? It looks terrific but there must be a joint somewhere...

I'm really excited to see how this develops - especially toting a growing system from the garden to shows. It would be nice to have growing plants on my indoor line. Thanks for the inspiration!

Looking really good! I changed my plan a little to use my space better. Here's how it's looking now:

Hostler controls were minimal. In the early diesel days, booster units were often considered a sub-unit of a locomotive. For example, an FT locomotive might have an A-B-B-A arrangement, but it would be considered a single locomotive and would be numbered that way. Some FTs were semi-permanently linked together with drawbars instead of knuckle couplers.

Anytime! Head-end operation can be as varied as freight traffic. Have fun!

Sorry for the resurrection, but there was a series of articles by Robert A. Clark in the January - April 2002 issues of "Model Railroading" on passenger terminals in large American cities that you might find helpful. The articles cover switching and servicing and also the facilities located distant from the headhouse and platforms, like express, commissary, Pullman, and mail buildings. The articles are available online at trainlife.com (here's a link to the first article of the series: http://magazine.trainlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/mrr_200201.pdf).

Here is a picture of the C&O's Sportsman leaving Detroit's Fort Street Union Depot in 1958. The arrangement of the single slip and some curved turnouts reminds me of Minories. And here's a link to the photograph: https://historicdetroit.org/galleries/union-depot-old-photos

Really nice! And the lubricators added to the smokebox add a nice touch.

Doh! And I totally forgot to ask this: What's the best thickness for DAS clay that is to be carved or stamped? Too thick and it cracks? Too thin and it peels? What's a good range? Thanks!

"A: I’m sorry to say the original factory building that you spotted in primer was consigned to the bin! I convinced myself that the building was flawed and didn’t stand up to scrutiny - the arches were out of sync with windows and it looked wonky. I should have kept it as something that could easily have been painted, weathered and placed among other buildings where the measuring mistakes would have been concealed. I remember taking some online criticism badly and was a bit wounded. I’ve since decided not to be so sensitive!" I'm sorry you feel like you choked a little on that building. I liked it and followed it with interest, though I also like what you've done now. For what it's worth, I hate it when that happens to one of my projects, especially after hours and noodling and money. I never feel like I can build my way out of something gone awry. Yet a clean sheet is intimidating in its own way. It's too bad that the internet was so internet-y about it. Thanks for getting out there and creating something new and inspiring (among so many others) me. Please keep building.

The trunk is 16 x 3 foot. The branch is 3 x 4. I don't have a build thread. I suppose I should start one...

Starting my own modular indoor live steam layout, inspired by yours! The modules are in place. Each one is 3x4 foot. Now it's time to lay some track. Thanks for posting your progress!

Nice shunting! And the backdrop looks great.