DCC, DC, DUH.

So, I've been quickly learning that HO locomotives are almost as hard to find as limited run structure kits. I thought I could just look on the Athearn or Atlas website and just order what I was looking for, only to find out that the runs are short, get sold out, discontinued and require reservations. I guess I haven't picked up many locomotives in the last couple of years and hadn't payed attention. I also have a habit of skimming text when I read ads, because this past week I acquired two new locomotives from Broadway Limited's Blue Line, a BNSF SD40-2 and a CSX AC6000, my seemingly walnut sized brain failed to read "DC Sound, DCC Ready". I was too excited by the fact that these locomotives were even available; I assumed they were DCC Ready with Sound. A slight distinction discovered when I tried to program them...anyhow, in the future I'll read more carefully., maybe take a Hooked on Phonics class... in the meantime I've sent them off to have decoders installed.

The above pic is from the layout, Photoshop background...once some more scenery is in, I'll take some wider shots. I'm also still trying to decide if I'm just modeling a region in Illinois were BNSF and CSX roam together, or model two areas, Illinois and New Mexico, even though they would be a few feet apart...

Outdoor Modeling

We set up our outdoor modeling tent again this summer. It's great to be working outside. The only drawback is having to tote supplies back and forth. Still, it's nice to have canopy glue on windows drying in the sun in less than an hour and getting as much fresh air as possible when using paints and washes. We've even hooked up a 20 watt solar panel to run the laptop and lights. Here on the table you can see a few wall sections from our next Limited Run kit #140, due out in November, H.T. Gordon's...that's all we'll say about it for now. In the meantime, I'm headed back to the tent.