PICS

Here are the latest pics for the layout. The tracks in the first pic on the far right are for the HFCS terminal that will be at Fort James. The other three tracks represent a small yard.

Progress Update

I took down the hollow door that was going to be Fort James and replaced it with 1X12X6 foot plywood board. I did this so I can simplify operations and not worry so much about how I'm going to fill in the extra space. Looking back at the door I now know that the one I chose isn't wide enough to get any type of layout going so it will be used either for a staging yard or a work bench.
After taking a look at Lance Mindheim's website ( ) I'm starting to think that 12 inches isn't wide enough even for N scale. Lance says he uses plain closet doors and the next chance I get I'll see how much they cost at Home Depot.
On a final note I will be taking some pics of what I have so far and adding them to the blog. Any crtiques are greatly appreciated.

Benchwork Thoughts

Right now my hollow core door is sitting on milk crates about 44 inches off the ground. I'm thinking about switching to a 2x4 3/4 inch plywood top and making a frame to go underneath it so the layout can be moved if need be. I keep going back and forth on this because I really like using the doors but I'm not sure which way would be cheapest in the long run.

It's Been A While

I know it has been quite some time since I updated this but there wasn't a lot of progress going on with the layout. But since the middle of January I was able to aquire some new track along with my first DCC ready engine so now I feel like I can get things going again. The engine that was purchased is a GP15-1 by Atlas and it will stay undecorated until it get's official PHT Freight colors on it which will be some time down the road. With the track that was purchased I was able to complete my four track yard at Fort James but I now find myself needing my second hollow core door so I can get my arrival depature track down and my yard lead.
Also while there was a lull on the railroad I have been doing a lot of reading in regards to yard design and other operational aspects which will help the further along I get on the Easterrn Division. I would have to recommend ( if you don't know these names already) Craig Bisgeier's Housatonic Railroad and his 10 commandments of yard design, and Byron Henderson's layoutvision.com. These two sites I find myself going to quite a bit for inspiration.