Utility Poles Installed and Wired

I completed installation of 72 utility poles in the Proviso, Clinton and Fulton area of the layout.  The poles have four wires each using .003 charcoal EZ Line.  I figure that comes to 2800 scale feet of wire or over 5 scale miles.  Definitely make the scenes look more complete, congested and detailed.  I definitely recommend the elastic EZ Line from Berkshire Junction.

Telephone Poles or "Spot the Telephone Wires"

   I added a bunch of telephone poles to the layout in Proviso, Clinton and Fulton.  Wires were also added using EZ Lines from Berkshire Junction.  I used the .003 charcoal line which scales out to 1/2 inch wire.  I figured that was pretty close to most common telephone line.   I've got to say .003 inches is really, really small.  I had no difficulty working with it as it installed in a snap using fast setting CA glue. But once installed, its pretty difficult to see from normal view distances.  Depending on the background, some lines were easier to see than others.  And as you can see from the photos they don't show up much at all. 
   So, I am considering moving up to .006 which would scale out to 1 inch wire. 

Proviso Overpass Area Detailing

Added some trees along the backdrop and striping to the road.  Probably could use some weathering and graffiti, too.  For the road striping I used pinstripe tape from line-o-tape,  7911 S. Suburban Road, Cleveland, OH 45458

Proviso Yard Office

I put in a parking lot and added some roof details to the Proviso Yard office. 

Wheat Field Update

I was driving to DeKalb the other day when I glanced at a number of wheat fields that had been harvested.  I immediately noticed that the fields still contained some wheat chaff on the ground.  The ground was not just dirt like I modeled on my wheat field.  So, I went back and added some leftover chaff on the areas of the field harvested.  Below are the results.

Now on Twitter!

  Yes, I'm going to give Twitter a try.  I'll be posting train related stuff, N scale modelling as well as prototype stuff.  Follow me @UPRRGenSub or use the button to the left.  I'm very new to this so it could be interesting.  I will be posting pictures from a very famous N scale layout tomorrow.  Watch for it.

Kudos to Fox Valley Models for ES44 Gevo Improvements

Over three years ago, I purchased a couple of the first run Fox Valley Models ES44 Gevo locomotives. The models are beautifully done with a great paint job, nice added decals and painted safety handrails and steps.  They are a step above the Kato Gevos in looks and run nearly as smoothly.  There is one major problem with the Fox Valley Models Gevos that stopped me from purchasing more then the initial two.  The ditch lights are way too dim.  The first picture below shows them right out of the box while the second shows them with some fiddling with the aim of the LED and replacing the LED.  Fiddling made them acceptable,but they still were not as good as Kato ditch lights.

   Then last week a friend brought over a Fox Valley Models ES44 Gevo Norfolk Southern "Nickle Plate Road" Heritage unit to run on the layout.  The first thing I noticed was the the ditch lights were as bright as the headlight and the number boards were also lit up nicely; enough to be seen, but not too bright.  The second thing I noticed it that it ran as smoothly if not smoother than my Katos.  I was impressed.  Fox Valley Models had obviously made some improvements since the first run.

  So, I purchased a  couple of Union Pacific units from MB Klien that happened to be on clearance for only $79.99 along with a couple of Digitrax DNZ125IN decoders.  These too are a great improvement over the first run units I have.  Thank you Fox Valley Models for making improvements in an already good model.  I am disappointed that your GP60 and SD70Ace are not being offered in Union Pacific.

Now I off to do some weathering!