Fun with FPVC

A recent structure building article by Alan Jockmans in Voie Libre #126* reminded me that I have some 3mm Foamed PVC sheet laying around (Komatex brand).  I had purchased it for structure bases since it doesn't warp, is light and strong, and cuts easily.  Somehow I had never really played with it as a carving material, until now.

First I impressed the board lines with a dental tool then scribed the surface with a razor saw and hobby knife.  Next I primed it gray and gave it a dark wash of Agrax Earthshade from Citadel.  When that had dried I stippled on Antique White and finished the bottom boards with some green shade for a little mossy grime.  I'm pleased with the result of this little test and hope to make use of the material on other projects, perhaps on Orange Avenue.

*The reason I purchased that issue of Voie LIbre International was to check out Jim Lowe's latest article on his Mt. Lowe trefoil-shaped layout.  One of the most innovative designs I've seen in a long time, creatively envisioned and skillfully executed.

Garage (Shop) Update

What better time to rearrange the garage storage than a sunny, breezy day?  A few weeks back our warming summer gave way to spring temperatures so I opened the garage door and started rearranging.  Sure, I am committed to the Summer Challenge 2026, and I have a handful of household projects lined up...so the challenge keeps getting pushed back.  However, since the deadline is self-imposed and I feel little pressure to keep it, I decided to go with the impulse to organize on such a lovely day.

Here's where I started.

Stuff schlepped, shelving deconstructed.

Shelves reconstructed and reloaded.

While the sorting iron was still hot I struck again, relocating the wood storage as well.

With this work complete the garage now feels more balanced.  I've got a shop with tools and supplies on one side, and storage for projects and holiday decorations on the other.  Of course there are still a few other things to sort but all in good time.  The immediate goal is to create a functional space that can be kept clean easily and "debugged".  (I've killed two large Black Widow spiders out there just in the last month).

Today I was out there grouping the structure kits and kitbash parts as well as the rolling stock and locomotives.  One of my medium term goals is to take an inventory of my trains and organize them enough to make it easy to find what I'd like to build.  With this major rearranging done I'm one large step closer to achieving that goal.

Alright...back to the Summer Challenge.  

Happy Birthday John Allen

I don't usually remember John Allen's birthday - July 2 - until after the day has passed.  This year I happened to notice the announcement in the G&D group (former Yahoo group) and decided I'd celebrate with a special train.  I assembled a short consist of cars from John's friends who had contributed rolling stock from their railroads to run on the Gorre & Daphetid.  These cars are actual equipment from those roads, not reproductions or tribute cars, though they may not match the car types seen on the G&D.

I shot a short video of a run-by, but here are photos of each car as they appear in the train:

Bud Sima's PURR, from the Milt Moore collection.

Frank Murray's Seaford & Oyster Bay.

Malcolm Vordenbaum's Caruth and Central

Bill McClanahan's T&RGW

Ken Vere's Caribou Southern

Hey, how'd that get in there?!?

And here's the video:

Happy Birthday, John.