NTS & B A couple preliminary logo attempts

June 2008 - A couple attempts at a logo. I tried using the top one for a billboard, and it was a little too busy. Will probably use a derivation of the top one for the final logo.

NTS & B Start of Suspension Bridge

May 2008 - I decided that instead of having a plain shelf crossing the middle of the room, I would try to build a suspension bridge. The towers are 1x2's that had edges rounded with a router. Wire between towers is speaker wire to get an idea how it will look, while I try to figure out how to make rest of the bridge. Bridge will have O and G gauge tracks. Shown is an LGB G Scale ICE train being used to test clearance.

NTS & B Passenger Yard Progress

May 2008 - Got in more Ross Custom Switch switch tracks, and finished laying the most of track on one end of the mainline passenger yard. Engines are pointed in planned direction when mainline loop is complete. The wood boards laying between the will eventually be passenger platforms.

NTS & B Another Delay, to Denmark

Sometimes its hard making progress on the layout, when 'little' interuptions keep popping up. This one was a short trip to Allborg, Denmark, and surrounding area. A couple pictures attached.

Allborg, Denmark

Grenen, Denmark.

North most point in Denmark, where the Baltic and North Seas come together, as seen as the waves clashing in the middle of the second picture.

Skagen, Denmark

So many of the houses in Skagen are the same color yellow, that it was givin the official name of 'Skagen Yellow'

Lokken, Denmark

Nature is re-arranging the sands around the light house and old church. The light-house is almost totally engulffed in a sand dune. The area next to the old church is being erroaded away, and the church is in danger of falling into the sea, and as you can see from the picture after the church (from the front step), is a long ways down.

NTS & B North Pole Loop benchwork progress

Apr 2008 - Benchwork (shelfs) for the ceiling loop are painted and hung. Changed layout from plan. Originally had 2 passing sidings on shelf on wall next to helix. Decided this was bad idea. If have any problems with derailments, would have to climb over lower level to reach problem. Moved sidings to other side of room. The top picture shows the center room crossing, which is held up by 4 all-thread rods hung from the ceiling joists. The bottom picture shows the outside wall (opposite wall from helix) shelf, which will hold a 4 track passing siding. The shelf for the passing siding had to leave access to the outside water cut-off located in the above the ceiling tile that is removed in the picture, hence the odd shape.

NTS & B North Pole Loop started

March 2008 - Now that the Helix is up, have to give the trains somewheres to go. Started shelfs at door top height. Shelf will go half way down the side of the room, cross the room in the center, then back up the other side, and re-cross the center, and meet up with the inner track of the helix. Shelves are 1 inch boards, notched to overlap for added strength at joints. Corners are 1x12 cut at 45 degrees, and notched to overlap the shelves.

A G-scale shelf layout is planned for the other half of the top of the room.

NTS & B Helix in position

March 2008 - The 2 winter modules are in place and braced, and the Helix is finally positioned on the layout. It only took five of us to get it up there. Top exit just clears the doorway by 1/4 inch :)

NTS & B Post War Loop Started

March 2008 - Finished Post War track under the Mainline Yard. The exposed track is temporary for testing the completed track. This is to make sure there are no problems with it BEFORE it is totally covered with the remaining mainline module.

NTS & B Temp Passenger Yard Layout checks

March 2008 - Laid in temporary track for outside loop to check planned yard clearances. Track will be replaced with Gargraves later.

NTS & B Second Winter Layer Module Added

Feb 2008 - The second module on the winter layer is complete. One more to go on this layer. Close to being ready for Helix. Model is shown for reference. Also, experimented with foam scenery and tunnel portal on area between subway and mainline levels.