NTS&B All roads lead to Jo Ann's

Finally got the road crossing laid in, the lines added, and Jo Ann's lighting installed.  Could not believe how long it took to finish the roads.  Here are a couple pictures of the progress.

NTS&B Tunnel liners complete

Have been working on tunnel liners (dividers) under the Winter, Mainline, and Spring layers so that you couldn't see all the way through the layout and so trains would actually disappear when they went into a tunnel. I used a variety of material which included: 1) the hardboard back off an old book shelf, 2) a corrugated plastic sign, 3) blue Styrofoam sheeting,  and 4) stacked blue Styrofoam shaped like  rock layers.  The problem with all of these attempts is that they must be painted, and the backing is rigid which is hard to bend and install and makes it impossible to get to a derailed train if both sides of the tracks have the lining.   I have also seen molded Styrofoam and painted paper used as liners, which share the same access problem as the liners I used.

I recently stumbled on a good alternative (for me) at Hobby Lobby that is flexible, cheap, and fast and easy to install.  The product is 60 inch wide blotchy gray felt, about $6 per yard.   The label on the felt said that the material was flammable,  but when tested with a cigarette lighter it melted like nylon rope.   Felt is slightly sticky when held against plywood, so holds itself in place for stapling (which came in handy when working with only 1 good arm).  It is also fairly heavy, so it blocks out most light under the layout, and stays in place pretty well.  I stapled the material only at the top so the bottom could be easily move in case a derailment occur.  Here are some pictures of the finished product.

          Felt between top and lower left layers, stacked Styrofoam on right between the bottom 2 layers

 Felt is easily curved to follow track contour by stapling on top

Felt between top 2 layers, stacked Styrofoam between the bottom 2