It’s been a while since I’ve made an update here, so I figured I’d check in and let everyone know how things have been moving forward. I’m still collecting information on the Georgetown Branch, via friends, acquaintances and online sources like eBay. I’ve found a handful of great images, some of which I’ve shared in the Gallery and others which I’m trying to find ways to scan (odd-shaped negatives). My real focus over the last several months has been working on the model railroad. Well, the room that will house the model RR and the workshop next to it, actually. Between being laid off in November, saving money, planning, buying materials and having friends and family assist in the actual construction, I’ve made some real progress. The layout room and the workshop are nearly complete. Right now I’m in the process of moving back into the rooms and fitting all my tools, model kids and other junk back into them. My layout room is functioning as staging while I outfit the workshop first. One step at a time.

I’m also working out a whole new track plan. The initial track plan I drew up for this new house incorporated nearly all of the GB elements I wanted to include; Georgetown Jct., Rock Creek trestle, Bethesda, Dalecarlia tunnel and the reservoir facilities, C&O Canal bridges and Georgetown. I’d like to include Chevy Chase, but I have to work hard to fit that in. The current space is slightly larger and allows for me to put the helix outside of the room, giving me a whole new approach to the design. As such, I’m attempting to modify the original plan to fit the new space, and hopefully fit Chevy Chase into the design. We shall see.

I hope you all will stay tuned to my progress. I hope to share some stories here as I move forward. I’ve been inspired by similar blogs and sites that outline layout construction and design and if I can find/make the time, I will. I’ve learned so much through this process. From gutting the room right down to the studs, removing and re-routing all of the electrical lines and designing and building the new room from scratch. Learning to frame, install insulation, drywall and electrical, it’s all been awesome. But now the real fun begins. The layout is about to be started. Thanks!