Archive for December, 2009

Final layout update for 2009

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Sometimes I get emails from people who think I am a train store and they give me a list of things they are looking for. I don’t think my site looks like a train store, but maybe that’s just me. Anyway, now the update….

I’m still doing a bunch of tunnel work. I expect that the main level tunnel work on the right side of the main room will be complete within another week or so. Once that tunnel work is done, I will do a new layout update video.

Also, in the main room, I’ve been doing a lot of hardshell work around the tunnels that are already complete. It’s starting to looking pretty cool in those areas.

Finally, I’ve been ballasting a lot of track in the back rooms. I find ballasting to be a very mindless and relaxing activity that allows me to decompress after a long day at work. I put on a movie, ballast some track and just let go of all the day’s stresses.

Happy New Year, everyone. See you in 2010.

Mohawk Video (HD)

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

I’ve just uploaded a video of my new MTH Mohawk. This video is the first to be filmed with my new camera. The video is widescreen and HD, so the quality is really nice. Enjoy!

Mohawk Fever

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

My first steam engine, an NYC Mohawk from MTH, is set to arrive tomorrow via UPS. I can’t wait!

I’m back

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

So I’m back home from my 2 weeks on the road and I’m slowly getting back to work. I’ve eased back into things by ballasting some track. I’ve also started making a few new rock molds to do tunnel interiors as well. It always takes me a little bit to get back into the swing of doing tunnel work, mainly because it’s such a pain in the ass.

Coming home, finally

Friday, December 11th, 2009

After almost 2 weeks on the road (vacation + work), I’m on a plane flying home as I write this. Yeah, in-flight wifi rules. It’s going to be really nice to walk down into the basement later tonight and smell the familiar smell of the train room. It will probably take me a couple days to get into the swing of things again and get back to work. Completing the East Tunnel construction will be top priority. I’d like to have the tunnel completed by early January at the latest.

New Camera

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

While on our Black Crowes road trip in San Francisco, I picked up a new and better camera. I got a Canon Powershot SX20 IS with 20x optical zoom. It’s really nice and it will allow me to take better pictures of my trains for sure. Even more importantly, it takes HD widescreen videos, which means much higher quality videos than before!

On The Road With The Black Crowes

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

My wife and I are in San Francisco for the week to catch The Black Crowes for their traditional 5 night run at the Fillmore that they usually end each tour with. 3 shows down, 2 to go.
The Black Crowes at The Fillmore San Francisco.