Whistlestop Junction

 Whistlestop Junction

(Bar Mills Models)

I had a busy week of building models while I had some time in LA, this is the Whistlestop Junction made by Bar Mills.

The roofing shingles on this model were applied as individual rows, and while the corner in the roof was a little difficult it came out looking great.

A great thing about this Bar Mills model was that it came with all sorts of small detail parts that really make the building look so much more complete.

Roscoe Store

Roscoe Store

(Branchline Trains)

I have been busy here while in LA.  This is the first of a few of the buildings I was able to mostly complete.  Im not really sure where on the layout it is going to end up, but once it gets home, it needs some store interiors place in the store fronts, and then can find a home on the layout.

While every model seems to have a slightly different method for the roof, I was very disappointed with the roof on this Branchline model.  It may take what seems like a year and a half to apply each row of the laser cut shingles, it looks much better than this molded roof that came with the Roscoe Store.  Everything else about the model is very much what I wold expect from Branchline.

I have already added a base to the model and set up the woodland scenic checkers players outside.  Now a little weathering and the interiors and this model is good to get place on the layout.  Well all of that and about a 1500 mile trip back to Kansas City.

Layout Expansion!!

Massive expansion of the layout!!

It has been quite awhile since we have really posted anything, but I was able to be home for a few weeks that past July and just worked non stop on the layout.  Once we got a difficult switch machine installed at the start of our incline leading to Sedalia, all sorts of things started falling into place.

Jefferson City Industrial District
and Grain facility on Left

Jefferson City Yard

Bridges crossing over river
toward Sedalia

Sedalia Mining on right,
Sedalia industry will be on left

Helix Construction to get to second level

Warrensburg, MO

A small area at the top of the helix with enough space for a siding and a station is all that Warrensburg consist of, but it adds a nice scenic spot while the train finishes its climb to the second level.

Pleasant Hill, MO

This town on the layout with have a few different industries; Grain, Petroleum, and a yet to be determined warehouse.

Lees Summit, MO (sorta)

We wanted to put our town on the layout, but really its only there in spirit.  Between Pleasant Hill and Independence we are putting a small farm scene on the end of the peninsula and calling it Lees Summit.

Independence, MO

While only taking up a small area on the layout, Independence will have two industries; a oil facility and LaFarge.

Kansas City, MO

Continuing around you enter Kansas City.  The first area will become a industrial district, followed by the KC yard, and finally near the yard will be some industries served via the yard.