05-03-2010, 11:16 PM
Call me crazy, just don't call me late for an op session on that railroad!
Let's see...Texas...If I recall, I was blown away by one thing I saw in Texas that I'd never seen anywhere else - acres and acres of sunflowers. I've NEVER seen that on a layout. You just may have to be the first. Now all you have to do is order a truckload from scenic express, or figure out a way to make 'em cheap, and start planting. Of course, that would set your layout in the late summer, right? August sometime? Not sure what the window of blooming is on sunflowers grown for seed & oil, but it'd make a nice commodity for grain hoppers or tank cars, and a possible industry.
Also, even though I support organic agriculture and small farms, processed food is a pervasive reality in our world and the railroads are a part of that picture. How about a corn syrup facility? Or maybe an industrial sized bakery? Or perhaps a charcoal facility? Do they ship by rail? Just thinking about mesquite.
Not sure what to do about your balast color....but I can tell you are vexed by it. Could a balast train be in your future? Are there quarries in that part of Texas?
Will there be passenger operations on your layout?
Also, tell me again why you paint the benchwork? Is it because of the spiders? I've heard they don't like white.
Galen
Let's see...Texas...If I recall, I was blown away by one thing I saw in Texas that I'd never seen anywhere else - acres and acres of sunflowers. I've NEVER seen that on a layout. You just may have to be the first. Now all you have to do is order a truckload from scenic express, or figure out a way to make 'em cheap, and start planting. Of course, that would set your layout in the late summer, right? August sometime? Not sure what the window of blooming is on sunflowers grown for seed & oil, but it'd make a nice commodity for grain hoppers or tank cars, and a possible industry.
Also, even though I support organic agriculture and small farms, processed food is a pervasive reality in our world and the railroads are a part of that picture. How about a corn syrup facility? Or maybe an industrial sized bakery? Or perhaps a charcoal facility? Do they ship by rail? Just thinking about mesquite.
Not sure what to do about your balast color....but I can tell you are vexed by it. Could a balast train be in your future? Are there quarries in that part of Texas?
Will there be passenger operations on your layout?
Also, tell me again why you paint the benchwork? Is it because of the spiders? I've heard they don't like white.
Galen
I may not be a rivet counter, but I sure do like rivets!