OVERSIZED MOVEMENT

The recently seen Schnabel car PTDX 202 passed back through Hillsdale recently, this time with a large transformer!

Extra MBx202 slows to a halt as the yard workers wait for it to come in. Three gondolas and a Engineering Dept. caboose fill out the train, which has attracted a bit of interest. Meanwhile, a bunch of Union Pacific reefers sit in the background after stocking-up the food processor plant in Dale City. They'll soon be headed back west to sunny Southern California.

As Sam looks on, the other men get ready to get to work.

The problem; a burned out ditch light. Replacement is under way.

As big as the car alone is, it gets even bigger with a big transformer between the two halves! The transformer is actually bolted to each half of the car, making the whole thing a solid unit. One of the car's operators is sitting on the near unit, taking a break while the train is stopped. As noted before, the load can be raised and/or shifted side-to-side a few inches to help clear obstructions along the way.

Another man stands on the caboose, keeping a close eye out for clearances along the way. If necessary, he -and the others inside the caboose- will help guide the massive car and its load past any tight spots. So far, so good; however this load will be going to Baltimore, Md. for overseas shipment, so close shaves are in the VERY near future!

TOWN LIFE PT15

Another day in the life of Hillsdale...

An old, beat-up Mercedes Benz sits in front of the Kibri Apartments. Judging by the loaded roof-top rack, it looks like a college graduate is looking for a place to stay. Given the city's location in south-eastern Pennsylvania, it's not surprising to find students from both Pitt and West Virginia in the area; when the "Backyard Brawl" between the two schools football teams is played, things can get quite lively around town!

A tractor-trailer brings a load of rolled steel mesh into town for a building under construction; the mesh will be used to reinforce the concrete floors.

A lawyer opens the door for his client. Are they taking legal action over the lack of pavement markings on this section of Main Street?

Among the cars at Tony's this morning is this customized Ford Focus, now complete with a two-tone paint job and new rims.

Also at Tony's is this rare 1959 El Camino. The car's owner wants to make sure this car stays in mint condition! Speaking of mint condition, how about that AC Cobra next to the Focus? Or the Porsche 928? What other vehicular treasures are hidden in the Hillsdale area?

BACKDROP FINISHED!

At long last, I've finally finished the backdrop on the layout!
This is the 'before' shot; the backdrop ends short of the corner, leaving the bare wall visible.

The 'after' shot; now the backdrop extends all around the wall and back of the layout.

The long view. Now the sky goes further in Hillsdale! Too bad the ceiling is so low.

Another 'big picture' view. The backdrop really makes a difference.

Now the east end of Hillsdale Yard has a horizon to look to! I added a small battery-powered light to this end, but it doesn't put out nearly enough light; I plan to replace it with a more powerfull plug-in lamp to provide adequate lighting in this area, which has always been a 'dark spot' on the layout (in more ways than one!).

2011 UPDATE PT7

Some of the latest changes to the layout...

After installing the new light on the west end of Hillsdale Yard, the bare cork became even more noticeable. While I had placed a stack of rails to hide this, I finally decided to finish this area, since the yard track obviously wasn't going to be extended.

The solution? Add dirt! The same Scenic Express dirt that I've been using elsewhere in the yard I applied here. I also added a pair of Noch grass strips to provide the commonly seen 'weeds' in places like this.

The finished result, with the rails back in place. I will probably add some 'vegetation' to the left side to help hide the exposed foam board; as it is, this scene is starting to resemble what I once photographed around Montview Yard here in Lynchburg several years ago with stored rails sitting among the weeds. (Check my other blog for the photo, it was an '08 post.)

Another change was done to the MOW shack. Now, two roof top vents help keep the air fresher amid all the grinding, welding, etc. that goes on. The container is divided into two rooms; the right side is the office (hence the a/c unit [not visible] mounted in the rear container door), the left side is the workshop. In addition to an internal door between the two, there are also entry doors on both ends of the container.

There will be at least one more update this year -the final extension of the backdrop!