In keeping with my commitment to myself to work on the layout every week, I have finished the track laying on Section 1.  If you recall from my first post, the main line is code 83 Atlas flex track with Atlas and Peco switches.  I have glued the track to the cork with no-VOC caulk, and the cork is also glued down to the pink foam with the same caulk.

This is my first attempt at editing a video short and it is composed from a series of captures on our Great Smoky Mountain Railroad excursion what was on Friday, November 28, 2008.

EDIT: Based on initial reviews I have added some audio and commentary to the video and have replaced the original with this new version.

Here is some software news that might make your model RRing more productive.

There is a new free plug-in for internet browsers that makes searching for images and movies on the web a whole new experience. It is called cooliris.  The plug-in uses existing search technology such as google, youtube, yahoo, etc and displays the results in an animated 3D wall effect. It works in firefox on macs and PCs. They even have a iPhone version. Check it out at www.cooliris.com

As 2008 draws to a close, I'm finally running trains after a 3 year layout-less period.  Like many of you, I'll be posting periodically to share my work, seek advice, and generally add to the fun of model railroading.

I was digging around and found this photo of the first Bear Creek & South Jackson layout. This shot from sometime in 1999 shows downtown in South Jackson, the depot (perched above the alternate lap's tunnel - must've made for some interesting subterrainean sensations when a train was running below!) and a bit of the control panel. The two throttles perched atop the control panel give evidence of a shift from cab-control to Digitrax DCC (I just replaced one of the two regular cabs with the Digitrax command station/booster).

So, having read about every discussion on the various threads on layout planning, and some layout planning publications, and having had my thinking stretched hither and yon, I am going to try to verbalize where I'm at presently.

Physical givens:

Geesshhh, I just sat down in my easy chair with a soda and popcorn. All ready for this Monday's movie action.

I guess I will go back to work now.

Happy New Year John

p.s. Super job on this web site, can hardly wait to see the magazine.

About 1990 at my module “Naumburg” were the first operating gates. It was very amusing to look at visitors.  They recognized the gates opening and you could count to three, their heads went under the module – or they didn’t look carefully.
The Model Railroader staff had made an excellent drawing in project illustrated, May 2006, p. 122.

Here's the latest version. You find more at my http://www.westportterminal.de/moving_gates.html site.

I am finally settled in Yuma, AZ - Have all of my model railroad equipment with me. Lots ofteain watching and work bench tiding going on. Rented a small studio apartment, family still in CA. Happy holidays and congrats to MRH on the first gala issue just days away.

Chuck Geiger

Yuma, AZ