Good things come in narrow packages

[Steve]

Thanks everyone    

Looks good...!! Love that out-of-gas car....

What are you using for throwing that switch..??

Gus, I will be getting small non-working switch stands for the turnouts. I will be fashioning my own simple springs to keep the turnouts thrown when I do it by hand.
This method has been around forever, but for those who aren't familiar with it:

I will be using these two pre-existing holes for the spring:



A stiff piece of wire (a paper clip can be used) is then formed to this general shape, with a bend in the middle. It is sized so that there is a little tension when the switch is thrown to hold it in place. It is upside-down in this pic:



I don't think that it looks too bad. It is only me running the trains and it won't show in pics unless I do extreme close ups..........in short I like it because it is simple and it also works great!

As i look at Steve's and Kurt's layouts, I am often consumed with "exactly what is it that makes these layouts look so good?" Aside from the masterful execution, Is it also a combination of the colors and lighting that make the layouts look just "oh so good"?

Gary, thank you for the very kind words
My work being mentioned with Kurt's is a huge compliment all by itself!  

I have learned two things:
1. You can't have too much lighting......and
2. You can't have too much lighting
I wish I had more, because although it is great in person, taking pics is a real challenge!    

I am very slowly learning more about colors, textures, and just modeling in general. There are plenty of things that I would do differently if I were starting this layout now......but that is the fun..............learning and improving