Here's a updated final version of the track plan. Changes are the changed east staging yard leads, three additional staging tracks that will improve the operation of westbounds, and the final town will be Floyd, MO (looks like I forgot to delete the "Mendon" tags). On google maps, it looks like the track that served 5 spouts and an Amoco hose was torn out off the south main and a new track was added to the north main. But on my layout set in 93, I'm keeping the south main double ended spur. Just a lot more industry spots that way. The final change is the inclusion of the Frisco! This road really has grown on me, and I'm going to have them operated under the Santa Fe, although still seemingly functioning as a separate railway, instead of being absorbed by BN. It'll kind of be like how SP was under DRGW, but it seemed they weren't merger at all, lol. Thinking of doing C40-8's in red and white; maybe even some bought power from other roads like CN SD40-2's etc.
All benchwork for the rec room is done. Now waiting on some Sweepsticks from Fast Tracks. In a couple weeks I'll order a sheet from Backdrop Junction and get started on the Medill scene. Installing the bluepoint manual throws for the turnouts will be interesting. They're not designed for material over like 1/2" and ours is 2'' thick foam. So we're gonna try using a big spade bit or hole cutter drill attachment and going in half an inch from underneath. They should work pretty slick tho if it works. Hope the tension will hold the points over enough so nothing derails. Some of the ME turnouts I got don't close enough.
Train show the 11th. I'm scouting out Frisco power right now till stuff starts showing up in the mail. And there wont be major progress for a few weeks to order and receive backdrops and Arizona Rock and Mineral ATSF ballast.
