Soyokaze, Shizuka, and Kiwamura June 2016

 A quick photo update on Soyokaze, Kiwamura, and Shizuka. I like taking a snapshot series every once in a while to make note of what I'm making progress on and what I'm not touching. :)

Some detail work was done of Shizuka. I may still rearrange the area at one point.

I plan to have a ton of details like this one. (Tomytec)

Soyokaze Town Side

More scenery started in Kiwamura. I need to add more in.

Soyokaze

Kiwamura Station. The basic idea is in, but not much else.

I have the back foam pieces in place in Soyokaze.

Another shot of the pink foam. :) Panel 02 (center)  is sprayed now and ready to detail up!

Shizuka

Kiwamura Yard

Another shot of Kiwamura Station with the factory in the background

A train rolling through Soyokaze passed Soyokaze Temple.

There are LOTS of deer at Soyokaze Temple. Very tame. :)

Soyokaze Harbor train being loaded up.

The Kato NEX passing through Kiwamura

I'm happy with Shizuka from this angle! :)

Some Shizuka building signage

More Shizuka track work needed

STILL picketing! These folks are ALWAYS angry about SOMETHING!

Kiwamura Station

Shizuka and Soyokaze Stills

I'm not sure if there are reposts in this posting or not. I apologize if there are. I've been so caught up in the extension that I've neglected Shizuka and Soyokaze, honestly. I have so much work to do on these areas that it's mind blowing in a fun way. Details, details, details.

I was actually giving thought to selling my HOT TOYS Dark Knight (Batman) figure to get some additional train funds, but my loving wife talked me out of it and so did a friend of mine who runs a shop that sells these hi end figures. They basically said 1.) I was going to miss it moments after selling and shipping it and 2.) They didn't really want to have to listen to me crying about it when it was gone. LOL   Try on all counts. 

I am selling some other items, however, that have been on the chopping block for a long while now. Some old, collector toys that I might be able to get some good coin for. "Management" still has a budget plan for my train stuff as well.  There's nothing like having a partner who is actually on board with your Hobby Madness®. :)

So, more shots of Shizuka and Soyokaze...just because.


I really enjoy this little section. It looks like a busy and active little spot.

The subway section is almost ready to be started up again now that the extension is in place and almost set. More on that in another post later. I want to do a LOT of detailing in the subway area including signage and more people. Little items that are featured in Japanese subway shots will be flowed into place as time goes on.

People, people and more people....and cars...will have to be acquired for Shizuka. Where the majority of my time and budget will go later in the layout's life span. 

I like the interactions here. Again, it seems like something is really happening. People are talking and doing little things on the layout. Love it.

I've moved this train ovr to the expansion for the moment until my other purchases are made later. I'll bounce it around a bit I'm sure - I really enjoy it and like seeing it run through Soyokaz and Shizuka.

Again...stuff going on. Scenes like this make me happy. More and more of this on the layout.

"I heard something that you may be interested in...."

Another are that will look much better with people is the temple area. And...yes...I've said all this before. hehehehe

STILL KISSING???   Get a room, honeymooners! :)

I still need to work with levels here in Soyokaze. And, stairs up to the sidewalks. It changes things drastically when these details are addressed. Adding people into the mix will help here as well.

This is more like it - street action.

More good times in December

Well, November and December have been pretty lovely times.
My in-laws got me a few cool trains and trams which I love. The Kato 1-421 Hiroshima-Hannover Tramis a cool piece. It has a nice, lean look I like.

This KATO train is something I've been looking into for a LONG time. Years, I think. But, it needs a wide radius, so I had to wait until I had a space to run it. So, it was the prime time for my subway idea.

 I had space under the two tables that make up my current layout, so I thought that a subway would be perfect. Larger radius curves and some additional running area - perfecto. Yes, I still hold knocking through my wall close to heart, but that will happen later. For now, a subway will be perfect. So, I grabbed some wood and started planning.

I'm not a woodworker, but I manage. I have square corners and I can get things working. So, I just started putting stuff together.










I started with the track plan, laying track to work with the wood I purchased. Again, flying by the seat of my pants. :)

My two year old assistant :)

I'm sure there are hundreds of better ways to make this happen. With the power of groove music and thinking about my late Father helping me, I managed to get this wonky idea to work! heheheh  My back is still sore from the lifting. Ask for help? BAH! :)

This KATO train runs like a dream. Now I need to implement the ideas I called out in my last post. I think things will work out.

 In other news....

I love my Modemo. I just wish it was running better. I need to look into recent advice about removing the traction rubber on the tires for better electrical pickup.

 There's going to be a heli-pad in the harbor area. I got some fun copters recently and want to use a helipad to show them off.

LOCATION: Alameda

There's a fun bridge here in the East Bay that I thought people might be interested in. It run along side a auto bridge and isn't in use anymore - least I don't think so. But it's fun. The auto bridge can lift up and out of the way and so can the train section. It's a fun piece and might be an interesting addition to a layout.

It's been nice making time to work on this stuff again. I missed it. It's a great departure from my work - getting away from computers for a while.

I want to do my backdrop and I was playing around with the "HOW" today. I think I'll use the existing brown paper as a base, then measure the space and match things up that way - using the brown paper as the template. It's already there - why not use it as the base for my background project.

I'll measure where things are - harbor, temple, villiage, roadways etc - then draw in what I want.

Next, I'll pull the paper and roll out the canvas I have. I'll sketch in the areas I need, then start paining. The whole thing will be around 15 feet or so. It should be an interesting project and one that will really add to the layout. I have been seeing some coo backdrops being done, so I can't wait to see what a proper, painting backdrop adds to my layout. I just hope I still have my painting chops! 

Lastly, I wish you all a happy holiday filled with things you love. I still count myself lucky to have a space like this to play in and a wife that gives me the space to play within it! :)

Merry Hollowdaze to you! :)