Friday News Flash

Today's report will start with work on the North Shore roof mats, but we have something even more exciting to follow, so don't go away!

I started by cutting out more saddles for the #2 end, until I ran out of wood.  But only one more piece is needed for this end.

I have my own private labeling system for the various parts, but it's very complicated and you'd need an Enigma machine to decipher it.

By the end of the day, four out of the five saddles are temporarily attached.  Some more sanding and fitting will be needed, but it will go more quickly if I can get a sander hoisted onto the platform.

But for a break, let's look at the Model Railroad building again.   The new 3-rail O gauge layout has just arrived and is pretty much complete and operational.  This is really a stunning installation.  

Among other things, it has a large number of accessories visitors can operate by pushing the buttons located along the side of the platform.  I don't know how many trains can run simultaneously, but it's a lot.

Part of the layout has wintertime scenery, with a large mountain for the Polar Express.

At the other end of the table is a city with a double-track elevated loop, and lots of other things.

And behind the O gauge layout is the HO layout we saw previously.

Each section has a list of things to find within the complicated scenery, ranging from everyday objects to dinosaurs and Santa Claus.  This ought to keep the kids busy for a while.

These should really be a great asset for the Museum.

Lots of other projects are continuing, of course, but that's our news for today.

Brought to you by Hicks Car Works -- an oasis of sanity in a crazy world.