Looking Ahead

As track laying progresses, some things I'm pondering...

Backdrop:
It seems that the preferred procedure is to install a backdrop first, before any track laying, etc., is begun. And that's what I'd normally do, except that I'm still debating what sort of backdrop material to use. On past layouts I've used Masonite, with the smooth side painted sky blue and then with white to create light haze and clouds. Masonite doesn't bend that readily in corners, so I experimented with using the smooth side of a linoleum runner for the corners. Both materials were okay, as long as they were properly braced.

My current layout is "semi-modular" in that it is designed to be easily broken down into sections in the event we ever move; each section is 28" wide and section lengths range between 28" and 48", connected with carriage bolts. After the pain of completely dismantling my last two layouts, I have learned my lesson and have vowed "never again." Even if, years from now, we move to some type of senior housing small apartment, I hope to be able to use some of these sections.

Anyway, with this approach it seems most practicable to have the backdrop in sections as well. I may wind up using Masonite again, but I'm looking at other materials, such as the smooth foam boards sold (in this area) at Hobby Lobby. That would be a light and cheap option if the material takes acrylic paint without warping. Also, there is the matter of curving material for corners, which the foam board simply won't allow.

Structures:
I think I've settled on a plan for my depot. The plan was published in Kalmbach's Easy To Build Model Railroad Structures and is a combination freight and passenger station. In S scale it will occupy a space roughly 5" x 20".

I'm going to rebuild my roundhouse, which suffered some damage in our move last year from Idaho to Texas, despite my best packing efforts. The basic framework and roof are fine, but the sides and windows didn't fare too well and besides, I think I could improve on my work. I've already purchased some Plastruct brick sheets for this purpose. The roundhouse will probably be the first structure installed on my new layout, with the depot closely following.

Other structures survived the move with little or no damage: houses, businesses (lumber company, retail stores, coal dealer, grain elevator, feed dealer, Texaco station, etc.), a freight house, tool house, and a church. These can be quickly installed on my layout. However, this being 1947, the coal dealer will become a fuel dealer with both coal and heating oil. Also, a Texas seaport has no place for an inland Northwest grain elevator or feed dealer, so I'll probably wind up partially dismantling these structures and incorporating the materials into something more fitting.

Before we knew we were moving, my next project would have been a 25-ton coaling station. Fortunately, I never got past the thinking stage. Texas steam locos were generally oil-fired, at least in this part of the state.

Rolling Stock:
My Rex 0-6-0 is coal-fired, but will be modified to represent an oil-burner, again, much more accurate for Texas. I have a great billboard reefer, but these disappeared in the late 1930s and so this car will have to be repainted and relettered. Finally, my scratchbuilt cinder car, which had spent much of its time on my prior layout's depressed ashpit service track, will become a piece of maintenance-of-way equipment. Other than some relettering required on various pieces of equipment, all else should be fine for the new locale and era.