Great to see the photos Rusty. The place looks terrific! It sounds like you're going to have quite a set up there when you're done...!!

Rusty it looks really nice. It has been a long time since I was able to walk out of the farmhouse, turn off the security light and set up the scope. To be able to do that with generally steady seeing must be pretty nice.

Nice! But the catwalk is not in yet for Cagle to redo his lights when they come a callin. G gauge- you the man.

I modelled HO for years. Then (with a 25'x45' layout room at this house - and a layout designed), it occurred to me that:

1. With 1500' of track and some 170 turnouts, my railroading was going to consist of layout maintenance, and

2. I can see the G-gauge locos and rolling stock MUCH easier.

3. Scenicking a G-gauge layout requires far fewer structures and other trackside details.

Rusty. The man cave and rv spot looks great. I am not familiar with the framing on your man cave. could you give more info on this building technique.

It's a pre-engineered steel building (pretty much generic, as a lot of contractors use the technique). I would call the design "semi-monocoque", as it's designed to withstand 130 mph winds, and the structure depends not only on the studs, rafters, and purlins for strength and rigidity, but also the steel skin.

This fairly new approach uses 2+" square stock on 5' centers as contrasted to other designs using formed I beams on 12'-16' centers. Distributing the load in this design results in an equally-strong structure without the weight and cost of the classic brute-force approach.

Thanks Rusty. I'm still searching on line for this style of building. Do you have any links or websites I could look at?

Here's who I used. They do travel, but I doubt to CO.

Pic of both structures together:



Better interior shot of...





First photo of a star

Awesome pad! I'm green with envy. I'm sure you will make a ton of great memories there

Here Rusty is at McBarth's:

Nice shirt!!!

I had a great time at McBarths'; they're great hosts (feed well too!) and have collections of classic stuff that defy imagination.

The trip from home via DAV/UBRVRAPE/McBarth was without incident. The new transmission/TC has yielded a 10% mileage improvement.

Here at Aquia Pines RV Park near Stafford, VA (and Quantico Marine Base). Strange but large park - built on the side of a hill, only a few pull-thoughs. Guy next to me will have to back his 38' with trailer out when he leaves. Weird wi-fi - if trouble-free connections are needed, find another park. Like yesterday's park (Florence [SC] RV Park - no longer Florence KOA) - can't enter the chatroom.

On to my cousin's in Strasburg, PA tomorrow, then to sister's in Atlantic City area, then to the NE GTG via Bill N Y.

The trip is coming to a close; I'm here at the New Green Acres RV Park near Walterboro, SC. Home tomorrow.

Will have accumulated 2,745 miles (so far uneventful) on arrival home.