MTH 6200 Bicentennials

As mentioned in the previous post, i just obtained a set of MTH 6200's in the MTH version of the Bicentennial paint scheme. The paint scheme really isn't prototypically accurate, but the price was right and the detail is actually pretty good on these cars. Maybe one day I will repaint to something more my liking.

I still need to do some paint touch ups on the new two flat as can be seen in the close up photos.

One last:

I am still experimenting with depth of field and exposure for the "under the tracks" shots.

Thanks again

The other side of the street

I just finished the other side of my residential street. I built a duplicate two flat and another background apartment building. I still need to add some detailing, but its done enough for pictures.

And I added a sign to the Cabrini playgound

Its now football season, so most weekends for the next 8 weeks will be busy attending games across the Chicago region, so not sure how much I'll get done. 

I did pick up a set of the Bicentennial 6000's, as seen in the above pictures ... so the roster is slowly growing!

Expansion - turning a corner!

I finally turned a corner ... literally. I have started the expansion of the current layout. So far, its just a 2 x 4 foot corner module, but its a start.

Since this corner is full of utilities, the module is removable. Its a little (half inch) lower than the rest of the benchwork so I can access the main fuse panel without needing to remove the module. I will add some plywood to act as a transition between the module and the existing benchwork.

In the above pictures you can see the paper templates of Ross sectional track that I used to make sure I could turn the corner. The curve fits barely. 

I don't think I'll have a backdrop here as I still need to build a shelf above this for the basement TV (a must have for Cubs and Bears games). I'm thinking I'll just do some building flats.

The track will be on elevated structure that will be removable for easy access to the fuse panel if needed, plus the whole module is removable.

I'm not sure how I will connect the existing structure to the new curved structure. I may just line the two up and use the track as a guide ... or maybe some type of tab or key. I want to make the elevated curved structure easy and quick to remove for access to the fuse panel. I need to clean up the wiring to my home network stuff that can be seen in the last picture.

This is one big advantage of rapid transit 3 rail modelling ... I can turn an O scale corner is less than two feet and still look like the prototype!