Welcome!

This site is dedicated to my model railroad, the HO scale Virginia Midland Railroad. This layout comprises a 12X9 room with two levels. The upper level is complete and the lower level scenery has just begun.

I do a handful of train shows in the Virginia/Maryland region with Makin Tracks.
I also can help you find that freight car/locomotive or other hard to find item.

Email: virginiamidlandshops@gmail.com
You tube videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/Virginiamidlandrr/

Saturday, January 2, 2016

The new year is off to a good start!

Being off the last 2 weeks you would think I would have time for lots of model railroading right?  Not so much.  Been busy on the homestead with shopping, cooking and the holidays.  Modeling time has taken a back seat and really I haven't been feeling the MR vibe.  I've done a few things, but nothing major. The last two days have been productive and I'm probably realizing I have to go to work on Monday!  I also have been rolling out of the bed at 8:00 or later too so that doesn't help much.  So in the last two days, I've installed a Tortoise on the lower level on the Mine Run Branch, removed a Lok sound decoder from a loco and installed a Tsunami, and for some reason started to install a valiance over the layout.  I've wanted to do this for a while now and just got started yesterday.  It will greatly improve the look of the layout room, like the floor has.  It's a two person job for a bit but my wife is gone shopping so the main 7 foot section will have to wait until this afternoon.
First section is done.  The blue bags are for debris from drilling holes.  It will hopefully give the layout a more professional look.  Do I do anything professional?

The next section is the longest part.  It will hide the light fixture and the all the wiring.

Last section to be installed.  Not idea what to do for the yard since it has no shelving above it.

GP39-2 #274 is back in service.  This is one of my newest engines that for some reason I put Lok Sound in.  Lok Sound sounds great but but adding a capacitor like a (Keep Alive) is not possible.  Even tried to add it but still the sound was in and out.  I believe Lok Sound has their own KA, but I believe it's in the $50 range.

5 comments:

  1. Shannon, which LokSound decoder are you working with? The Select Direct and Micro Select can easily accommodate a keep alive, either TCS or home brewed. Drop me a line with any questions about this if interested. All the best, mike-g.

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    1. Thanks Mike! It was a Select direct that I wired a KA in but it never preformed like the Tsunamis.

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  2. Shan, hope you are feeling better, my friend! I'm curious about the grass in the foreground... is that just laid down as a whole, or is that using a flock applicator? It looks great!!!

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    1. Norm, that actually a grass mat that been cut to fit the area. I think it did a great job of representing grass of the edge of the yard. Glad you like it!

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  3. Hi Shannon I just started following your site after a visit to the tube and must say love what you've done in a moderate space, Looking to watch more videos later on. Also glad to see and hear you are bouncing back. As for space above the yard have you thought about L shaped shelf brackets and a 1x2 pine strip to attach your face board to?? Harry

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