Julian and Andrew (The Proto:87 Posse) were by again this week. Almost the first thing on the agenda was to test-fit the sections in place in the basement.  Sadly, all hands were busy holding sections of layout, and so I have no photos to share; below is the space sans layout.  I'm delighted to report that the two main sections fit into the space with about an eighth of an inch to spare.  How's that for precision engineering?

Julian and Andrew came over again last night, and we had a most productive evening. We had a good job list, and so, there were very few times when one of us was standing around with our hands in our pockets. Poor Julian only managed to have one beer, which must mean he was busy!

Andrew came by last night and we made a start on assembling the benchwork for Pembroke. I'm planning to do as much assembly as possible out in the garage to keep the mess out of our newly finished basement. So, while it's not a modular layout, it is being built in three sections - the town, the corner with engine shed, and the staging yard.

Pembroke II officially got under way with a visit from the local Proto:87 Posse this week.  Here are stalwarts, Julian (of http://vrdays.blogspot.ca) and Andrew cutting some of the roadbed.

I should come clean: Pembroke I, the layout I described in Model Railroad Planning back in 1999 never really got off the ground. Oh sure, I built enough to take some photos for the article, but for a number of reasons, Pembroke it was unsatisfying. It languished in my new basement when we finally bought a home for it, and I could always find excuses not to work on it - there were other projects; I was unhappy with the height of the dam and the water; the modules weren't straight. You get the idea.

Chief among the excuses was that the room was not comfortable. I have just spent the past year and a half renovating and insulating the basement, and now it is a comfortable room. The renovation isn't quite finished, but the garage is cleared out, and the Proto:87 Posse has been itching to get started on construction, and so, we're making a start.