July 10, 2026
After nearly 8 months, I am back to working on the layout.
The Ridgway Roundhouse
The initial roundhouse build was covered in Construction Update #44 (May of 2025). While the roundhouse was inspired by the prototype, it is by no means an accurate representation of the prototype. Due to space limitations it only has four stalls and the stalls are only about 60 scale feet deep. The exterior of the two walls facing the backdrop are blank and the interior walls are covered with brick paper. The exterior brick walls that are visible were made with Monster Model Works laser cut brick work. At the time the roundhouse update was published, the roundhouse still lacked roofing and doors.
Not wanting to spend a lot of time on a model full of compromises, I decided to try using a combination of Rust-Olum automotive primer and Textured Multicolor. Putty was applied to the seams in the styrene roof, sanded smooth, and given a coat of the automotive primer. The process was repeated followed by a coat of the Textured Multicolor. The roundhouse roof vents are from Grandt Line (HO). the results are OK.
The roundhouse door were built using scribed sheet stock and scale lumber. Since they can only be seen on one side, they only got detailed on one side.
The finished doors with hinges made from scraps of styrene strip.
The finished roundhouse ready for installation on the layout.
The Monster Model Works laser cut (wood) brick material is great stuff. The pilasters and lintels come as separate components and can easily be trimmed to size.
Measurements were made and weathered flex track cut to the required length. The leads were soldered onto the track at the bench.
The track was glued in place with clear Polyseam Seal and holes were drilled for the leads. Normally, I would solder the leads to the bottom of the rails and drill the holes directly beneath the rail. In this case, since the wires can't be seen, I took the path of least resistance. The footings for the interior posts and the concrete foundation for the back wall still needed.
Note: Starting from this point forward, all the layout pictures will be taken using Helicon Focus for increased depth of field.
The roundhouse scenes as of July 13, 2026. Scene still needs some additional ground cover.
Additional Scenic Upgrades - July 15, 2026
There were three areas in and around Placerville that didn't have ballast and or ground cover. The two tracks and ground cover in front of Warehouse A/B was added.
The ground cover around the Placerville outhouse was installed.
The parking lot next to the Placerville depot and in front of Warhouse C got its initial layer of the ground cover.
