Click on images below for larger pictures

	Jay Mudge installs a Tortoise switch motor at East Derby at the new switch location (A) for the switch (B).  A new single track bridge will be located at (C) taking the high line across the gorge (D) to the main line grade (E).  The Lower Level Loop (F) is barely visible near the tape covered main line (G).  Road Master E. Don Petit supervises.
	Dave Spakousky reworks the foam blocks under the land forms at East Derby.  Using the same key from above, the new switch (B) has been installed.  The high bridge (C) will span the gorge (D) and connect the high lines between (A) and (E).  The lower level loop (F) and main line (G) will also have bridges across the creek at the bottom of the scene.
	Dave vacuums up some foam debris on the opposite side of the mountain shown in the view above and just to the left of the view at the top of this table.  He's made some plywood steps to stand on.  Foam blocks will be fitted into these steps and then fitted to blend in with the surrounding, non movable, terrain.  This will enable access for maintenance and repairs without risking damage to the scenery (and club members) once the scene is complete.
	Amidst a storm of foam debris, Dave fashions land forms for the Gorge at East Derby.  Plywood temporarily fills in for the high bridge (C) above the gorge (D).  Hard board fascia has been installed with a profile of the land form.  Construction Note:   A mixture of white bead board and blue and pink extruded foam was used in this and other scenes.  The extruded foam is superior to the bead board in being stronger, easier to work and much less messy.  We found that solvent based adhesive is superior to latex based ones.  But, be sure to get an adhesive with a solvent that's compatible with foam.  (Hexane base  is safe and less toxic than ketone and xylene bases. )
	The gorge scene takes shape.  Areas marked "X" were smashed with a hammer and reworked several times to get the scene right.
	Foam  piles support the through truss bridge and deck girder approaches.  Trees were "staged" in the gorge to check out the effect of the two lower tracks disappearing into a forest.  It worked!  The trains just go away without a tunnel portal.
	Dave's grand daughter Katie admires Grandpa's handiwork.
	One of the goals we'd set late in 2006 was to have the new layout back together enough to operate during the semi-monthly "Run Days" at the Railroad Park.  By April, we'd accomplished that goal.  Also note the painted backdrops.  In a few short months, John Gerritsma mastered the art of painting backdrops that resemble actual scene along the P&E AND blend in very well with the modeled scenes in the foreground.  Still missing from this scene is about 500 trees...not to mention bridge abutments, rock castings, brush, a creek, etc.  Shown here is a westbound freight out of Butte Falls approaching the high bridge.
	A close-up of the above scene crops out most of the unrealistic elements.  The look of things yet to come.
	Coming across the high bridge.  .
	Twin crossings of the creek on the lower level posed another challenge.  The line to the left is the lower level loop and purports to be the old main.  The line on the right is the main starting up grade to Derby and the track on the high bridge.  Both lower tracks are on curves and at angles to the creek below.  After much study and collaboration, we decided to make the old main a skewed  through girder bridge with steel girder approaches.  The new main will be a deck girder bridge with longer spans with go directly onto abutments.  In other words, two types of bridges, from two eras, of different lengths and different angles to the creek below.  Each bridge will feature two main spans skewed so that the piles are set parallel with the flow of the water.  The center piles of both bridges should line up.
	Photographer Mike Lindsay, of Model Railroad News, brought his skills and equipment to the Club and shot this photo of Walther's Empire Builder on the high bridge.  Do check out the larger version of this picture (click on photo).  It's awesome. Photo by Mike Lindsay and © 2007 by Model Railroad News  Used with permission.
	The above picture is nice, but it conveniently excludes the bridges under construction below.  Building the skewed through girder bridge was a challenge.  In addition to modifying the kit, the track had to be carefully bent and set on the bridge to allow allow operation of all rolling stock.  A 90' box car was used to test clearances.  Also, a short approach span (white in the photo) was scratch built.  It will have a center trestle bent when completed.
	The deck girder bridge was easier to build although it did require skewing where the two spans met in the middle.  The abutments were made from MDF (medium density fiberboard) and painted.  With the bridges finished, attention turned to finishing the creek bottom with rock castings, real gravel and finally water.  Next: weathering, brush and trees will complete the scene.