Earlier this year, I copied my blog to a new site - mashinos.com Please check out this new site, I'll be keeping it more up to date.
I have moved my site
2021 Update
Big change for this year, my wife and I have decided to retire, or at least semi-retire, anyway. We will continue to work a few hours a week until we are no longer needed or until we no longer want to, whichever happens first. I especially like not going to work on Mondays! So now… Continue reading 2021 Update
Progress Little by Little
I have been quietly working over the last month or so on the layout finishing up my river scene with a wooden truss bridge. There is still much to do there, I need more vegetation and need to add trees, but I think I'll come back later for that. I am working on one of… Continue reading Progress Little by Little
Just Add Water
Ready to finish the river I added some gravel, sand, and rock to the riverbed. I tried to vary the textures and colors. This would be somewhat obscured by the depth of the water which would be Envirotex Lite with some pigment added to murk it up a bit. I tried to keep what should… Continue reading Just Add Water
Adding Some Color
After finally finishing all the plaster work for the West end "no-lix", I was finally able to start adding some color to the scenery. I used acrylic craft paints to make some washes. A yellow brown and a rusty color were spotted on the rocks. This was followed by a gray wash with a hint… Continue reading Adding Some Color
The White Mountain and Mystic Falls
The coronavirus has been a terrible thing for the world to endure, I certainly hope some of the vaccines that are being tested turn out to be the answer to our prayers. Not being able to get out much and socialize has been a test of our human spirit, for sure. I am lucky to… Continue reading The White Mountain and Mystic Falls
Work Continues (cont’d)
Work is progressing on the west end non-helix (nolix). The Masonite facia is in place. That stuff is some of the messiest material to cut, a close second to Homosote. Fine dust goes everywhere and sticks to everything. Most of the tunnel portals are in place as well. I've noticed that the Chooch brand portal… Continue reading Work Continues (cont’d)
Work Continues
This month work is progressing on the WVR, a little slower due to the nicer weather outdoors, though. I just finished installing five turnouts and the associated decoders and servos a couple of weeks ago. The four that are on order for the main line through the yard on the south side along with another… Continue reading Work Continues
Animated Individual
I'd been looking at some other modeler's efforts at animating figures and objects lately, especially work by Laurie McLean from Australia. He does some really amazing animations using small gear motors, Wow! This got me thinking I'd like to try my hand at it. I recently got some unpainted HO scale figures so I selected… Continue reading Animated Individual
Jordan Miniature
Over the last couple of years, I've been collecting a few of the Jordan HO scale models on Ebay. They're a little expensive, but for an early 20th century layout, they're irreplaceable. I am waiting on some track and turnouts to continue my track laying effort, so I thought it would be a good change… Continue reading Jordan Miniature
Wildcat Valley Railway Co. 