On the Layout: Lantic Sugar

     I had this fairly large piece of real estate in one corner of VIA's Toronto Maintenance Centre that was going unused.  I had always planned on using the turntable as part of my operation plan, but it just never happened.  I really liked the turntable and that's why I waited for years to make any changes to the scene. 

 This past summer, it came time to make a change and make better use of the space.  That's when Lantic Sugar arrived on the layout.  I'm glad I saved the plywood that was cutout for the turntable.  

After removing all the scenery products and old tracks, it was time to build something new.  

I was able to learn a lot about the Mimico facility from a Trackside Treasure blogpost from 2018.  I used a Walthers Magic Bakery kit and added the loading/unloading shed.  I really wanted to include a truck scale to the scene, but it would have looked too cramped and out of place.  

One benefit of this facility is the ability to use my Trackmobile for on-site switching.  It's not quite finished.  I still need to weather the paved spaces, and I'd like to add lighting to the loading/unloading shed.  I also need to add a small crossing for access to other tracks nearby. 

On the Layout: The Brockville Railfan

 I bought this railfan photographer figure from East Coast Circuits a few years ago at Springfield.  

I finally got around to installing it on the layout.  The setup was very easy.  I installed the sensor on the turnout just west of the Brockville VIA station.  

The railfan figure is at the station waiting to get some great shots of VIA trains arriving and departing the station.  When a train passes over the sensor, the LED on the figure replicates a camera flashing.  The flashing continues, at a realistic rate, until the sensor is uncovered. It's a great addition to my growing obsession with all things East Coast Circuits.

Workbench Wednesday: A Dog's Life

    At the start of the summer, my wife and I brought home a yellow lab puppy.  He's been a lot of fun and quite a handful.  The dog not ready to hang out with me in the basement.  ...bull in a china shop comes to mind.

5 months old

It was time to add him to the layout.  I was looking for a quick project and here's the end result.  The 3D print is from Miniprints.

He'll be hanging out with HO versions of our first dog and cat in Port Hope.  Can you see the three of them?