Progress Report 02.23.13 - Ballasting & Decaling

This evening, I had a short window of time to work on the layout.  I managed to spread and glue ballast at Joliet Grain Company, Electrolux and GE's rear spur.

Later this evening, I worked on decaling.  I haven't decaled anything in probably 15 years.  I wasn't that great at it back then either.  I did managed to get the large "R" decal applied to one side of the six coal hoppers.  As with anything I have done on the model railroad, more practice makes perfect.  By the sixth car, it was looking pretty good.  I figure what doesn't turn out well can be heavily weathered to hid any imperfections.

Here's a photo of one of the decaled cars.

Progress Report 02.22.13 - New Signage

Some industries on the layout received new signs late last night.  Photos are below.

Progress Report 02.21.13 - Truck/Coupler Replacement Project

This evening, I replaced 45 trucks/couplers.  Nothing too exciting, but will hopefully help with performance next operating session.

Progress Report 02.20.13 - Coupler/Truck Replacement

This morning, I returned the buildings and rolling stock to their original locations so I could snap a few photos of the progress.

I replaced 13 more trucks/couplers this morning.

Photos of the most recent progress.

Progress Report 02.19.13 - Ballast Work in Joliet

This morning, I worked on ballasting the Main 1 Storage Track in Joliet.  I also painted the rails for all the industrial trackage in Joliet in preparation for ballast.

Today at lunch, I assembled many of the yard and industry signs I made yesterday.

This evening, I worked on the layout for two hours.  I spread and glued ballast for all the industrial trackage in Joliet.  I had some extra glue leftover so I continued to work.  I ballasted (and glued) Farmer's Grain spur in Bureau as well as the General Electric and Consumers Coal & Ice spurs in East Moline.

I finished installing the chain link fence around the Nabisco Main Carton Plant except for one gate at the rear of the plant.

I replaced 11 sets of trucks/couplers on freight cars in Ottawa.

It was a good productive day.

Progress Report 02.18.13 - Industry Name Change

So, today, I was bored at lunch and was reading through some old Rock Island information I had downloaded.  At some point, I got it in my head that the paper mill at Marseilles was a Federal Paper Board plant (possibly later in history or current day).  That is wrong.  It's actually the Nabisco Main Carton Plant.  On my layout, I have it located in Joliet as I don't have the space to model Marseilles too.  So, as of today, the Federal Paperboard plant is now the Nabisco Main Carton Plant.  All signage, waybills, etc. will be updated.

Speaking of signage, I created some new track ID signs as well as a few industry signs.

Other than that, it has been a busy weekend, so no progress.