Putting in Another Section of Backdrop

 So, working with Backdrop Junction' owner, Dave Burgess, he came up with another nice scene that did a good job representing central Pennsylvania. Here I am trying to see where to start the scene.

 It has a nice look at this point.

 I draped it over the hill to get the best perspective I could before I cut anything.

 This is the preceding scene. Not a match but around the corner and somewhat consistent.

 After careful measuring and making a mock up, the photo is cut and this is how it will look.

 Not bad and will look better with some foliage added.

 Still looks good.

 Now we begin with me explaining what I have in mind and what I have marked on the wall. It is an all hands exercise as it is a longish photo.

 Work begins with the crew in place.

 More measuring to be sure.

 I take one last look before we start.

 I prepare the end of the piece to go on to the wall. Tension is high - at least on my part!

 Everyone is holding their section as I start to place the photo onto the glue.

 Ed reaches out for a small adjustment as the photo appears to be rising slightly.

 Alan checks how it will get around the coved corner.

 Ed is rolling as Alan is smoothing with his hand.

 Ed is totally involved and I supervise and check for appearance. It is looking good. I cut the end at a reasonable spot.

 Phil is positioning that last piece.

 Here it goes as we finish it up.

 Okay, how will it look as we go around the curve??

 Not too bad

 Telling the guys where we have to do our next photo - over the other side.

 The finished product. I have to build some scenery to cover the bottom of the photo where the blue is.

 We all admire what we have accomplished!

 Looks good

 from a bit of a distance.

 At the coved corner - looks good!

 Fits well with the hill. I was worried about this.

 Buildings go well in front.

Finished scene, awaiting some plaster to fill in the rear.

A couple of Work Nights

 We have to finish the mountain on the grade out of Milton so Alan and Mike are painting the Scupltamold coat with ground cover before putting the grass coat on.

 The ground coat is a latex base color diluted 50/50 with water . Mike is in the hatch we built previously.

 Jack is scoping out the electrical work that has to be done.

 Phil and Paul are readying themselves for more plaster work.

 While the guys are working on the scenery, I have been soldering drops for each of the turnouts in the east end of the yard. There are about 30 turnouts to do here. First, I drill the holes for the wire (I use a 19 gauge solid wire drop) and then I place each wire which I color code by turnout to avoid cross wiring. Then I go along and solder each one to the side of the rail on the other side of the view line.

 Wires are now soldered in.

 Now the underneath work begins.

 Meanwhile, it is all hands as we work on scenery. Gale in the back is putting ground cover in a hard to reach area. Thanks Gale!!

 Jack is working with Rich on a project with Ed and Tim to put connectors on tothe Circuitron turnout motors that we installed earlier.

 Phil and Paul are laying the paper on to the grid for plastering the grade out of Northumberland. Mike  has his back to us as he does the same for the banks of the Susquehanna River.

Rich is watching Tim as he supports Ed who is under the layout. This is a beginning to a big electrical offensive.

Finishing the Coved Corner

 Well, now we have to mud in the seams of the plastic sheet. Tools are at the ready!

 First heavy coat is up and water handy for some mild leveling.

 Putting more light on the subject to ensure level work

 Bouncing the light around as we place the final coat of mud.

Painted to match the wall. Close to ready for the backdrop.