A milestone on the Kirtland Route

I have finished drywall work on the peninsula and with that the backdrop is completed and primed.
It is ready for paint but first theirs a few loose ends to finish up.
I have a few more pieces to install on the bech work and only Four more lights to install and wire!

No news is good news?

Not in the case of a model railroad, all that means is no progress has been made and thus; the story of the Kirtland Route for the past few months.

The latest project, and what will be the last of the drywall work, has been rounding off the end of the peninsula backdrop. My original plan was too cut some 3" PVC in half and wrap the 1x4 in it. I thought it would bend enough to fit, however it proved to be too rigid. I use some 3" pipe that we use for sleeve at work much more flexible and does not shatter like PVC. It worked out perfectly once I remembered to bring a section home.

I realized theirs not many photos of the trains on the track so here's a few.

 

Current events

Major headway being made in the construction department is leaving me very optimistic and hopeful, i can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.  This was a 4 day weekend for me, gun season is piratically a holiday. But having Monday off the goals heading into the weekend where set high.
Friday


The shortest track holds two
 C44-9W's and 25 coal cars



Reconstruction of hidden staging behind the backdrop was due up if anymore progress on the backdrop was to be made. All of the track their was previously used, some improperly gaped and was the first track installed to get trains up an running and some had seen its fair share of bumps. I intend to have block detection and signals. So the insulating gaps at the turnouts are placed far enough back so no equipment can hang into the turnout without that turnout being shown occupied. 

With the track fixed the backdrop could be hung and muding proceeded.

Saturday
Not much time into the layout Saturday. Did some cleaning up in the room and wired the staging tracks.



Sunday

 My goals for the weekend where to place hardboard above the top level lighting, give that area a more finished look, finish drywall work, and paint the yellow room something other then yellow.
By Sunday the drywall work was nearly finished, so my next agenda was to give the upper level lighting a finished look. The first thought was a drop ceiling with the frosted plastic stuff. First glance at parts seemed reasonable, but after a quick estimate i realized that i wouldn't be going that route. Instead i simply painted the visible bench work and hardboard flat black.

Leaving Sunday the hardboard was cut & painted, half the bench work painted and only one more drywall seam to finish up.

Monday

The goals of the weekend where all met i am extremely pleased with how everything turned out. Painting of the room is done the backdrop is up most is primed and only one joint to finish sanding and muding. But finally it looks like something!

Progress on the Kirtland Route

My how time flys, I found little of it to spend on the layout over the summer.

I know the golden rule is to not make the bench work deeper than one can reach. I made that mistake in both corners! I corrected one of the corners by moving the backdrop away from the wall allowing access to the back of the loop and one end of the staging.

As for more of an official update:

 I am closing in on finishing the bench work, only need a few more boards. also a few more sets of lights and then I will be done with bench work and lighting! In the meantime work will commence on the backdrop.