Plunder!!!

Today I received a shipment of the final (I hope!) track pieces for the four Trans-Tropics Rwy modules. 

And, along with them, the double-deep module set (6).  Add to that a few unfinished modules - track, but no scenery, yet. 😟

With summer arriving in fill force, working hours are limited.  I just don't handle the heat like I did 50 years ago.  So, it's well past time to reorganize the small indoor work space and bring in modules, one at a time, and FINISH SOMETHING!  Sorry, just yelling at myself.

Anyway, nothing shattering in news, just minuscule steps forward.  At least they are forward. I think.

Spreadin' paint

I been working on the first (of two, hopefully) coats of paint on the big modules. Here's a couple pictures whilst in progress.  I had to pause and open more paint, so I grabbed the camera, too.

They are fully covered with the first coat, now.

From this end, the new modules built by Ken B. are visible, as well.  I'm thinking the brown is good for bare farm dirt, but these are for the Taki-Tiki.  So, being island or beach scenes, I'm wanting a more sand-colored paint for areas where the ground cover may be missing.

In addition, I've some other modules in severe need of scenery.  So, I guess that I've at least a dozen and a half of the buggers to keep me busy through the summer.

Another project is almost done - the fume hood for the work desk.  That'll be on point after lunch.

Hmmm, just enough time for a quick nap before lunch.  Bye ...

Two steps forward, (only?) one step back

I started to paint the six modules for the double deep set.  Yes, I knew, I should have painted them before applying track, but I was in a bit of a hurry to try my "great" idea.  And, I was right - it works as envisioned.

Then came the move, and the shoulder injury, and two surgeries, ending with a reverse joint replacement. And therapy. And therapy. And, did I mention  therapy?

But here in late spring, I'm feeling like doing the next step in building the module set scenery.  At first I thought I could, carefully, paint the box with the track in place and not make a mess. Ha, what fool me!

So, yesterday and today, I removed all the track on all six modules.  Now I can repaint them at will  and not worry about tracks, turnouts, yada-yada.

One of the Tomix turnouts was damaged in the move here.  A replacement has been obtained. 

Before I start to reapply the tracks, I need to sit down and make a detailed diagram of how the set will be wired.  Any one module will be capable of being used in a layout, separate from the others.  But, when used together, they are the end of a TTrak loop.  As such, I intend that power junctions be concentrated to one, or perhaps two places, the Outer and Inner loops. Or red/yellow, or whatever your preference is.

On the "other" project, with the Taki-Tiki loops behind the mains, most of the track pieces are in hand.  The rest will be here, once they "swim" the Pacific - ha.  I'm expecting them when they show up, and not before.  Once all that is in hand, Track laying can begin.  Oh, fun, two major module projects in progress at the same time.  This is from "Mr. Can't-Multitask-Very-Well."  We'll just see how I do with this.  But at least, all track pieces for the 10 modules is/will be here.

I'm a bit short on Tomix rail joiners, and forgot to order any.  But I did discover, a while back, that Atlas joiners work just fine.  Especially when mixing brands of track.  So, no problem there.

I guess I should go paint some in what's left of the afternoon, but I think a nap is going to win that scheduling battle.

All you guys, have a great Father's Day!  And you gals, I hope your Mother's Day was great, too!