A crisis of faith and deadlines..

I have to be blunt and honest: Updates have been slow in coming here because I've been searching my heart whether to continue on with this layout or move onto something else.  There are a few problems I'm having trouble fixing, some personal issues that need resolving, and a growing interest in other areas of the hobby that have been effecting my desire to keep moving forward with the Ma & Pa layout.  Long time readers of this blog know I have an affinity for getting sidetracked.  Lately my interest in traction has been blossoming up, and I actual have picked up a few traction models.  I might try my hand in building a small test module to see if I can handle the trolley wire and special track work.  Proto 87 Stores has a bunch of neat products that promises to make it easier to model traction.  All this has played a big roll in sidetracking me from the layout which in turn has me wondering if I should continue with it.

So I've taken the last few weeks off from doing anything on, or thinking about the layout, and also the planning of the test section traction layout.  In the interim I had a chance to run again after a few month's absence on my friend Ted Pamperin's steam era C&O and I took the hostler's job.  I enjoyed doing that as a change from my usual assignment of running the west end of Hinton Yard. I marveled at the steam power big and small and that in turn re-lit a small fire in me to work on the layout as it exists now.  So with the small kick in the ass of inspiration Ted's layout gave me along with the deadline of the joint GSD/NJ Division meet coming up this Saturday in Wall NJ (The Ma & Pa will be open from 1-5pm for the layout tour) I actually cleaned up and organized the layout space, and did some scenery work in Yoe.  

 
As you can see I finished the basic ground cover on the helix and hopefully I'll be testing out the static grass gun soon.

If you are free this weekend I suggest heading to Wall and participating in the joint meet.  It's usually one of the best meets of the year for both divisions.

GSD Spring Meet May 14th, 2016 We're having another dual meet with the NJD and will take place at InfoAge in Camp Evans 2201 Marconi Rd, Wall Township NJ 07719 This is the location of the Garden State Central Model RR Club. Clinics & Meeting: 9am to 12 noon Layouts 1-5pm.