Benchwork

Haven't stopped much in the last 2 weeks so things look a good bit different. The ceiling is now painted. I want everything to be black except the skyboard and scenery for a shadowbox appearance.

Have the benchwork on the peninsula and most of the walls. The benchwork is around 48" high and 24" wide except where Linwood's Spencer Yard will be. I left it 30" wide to fit in as many class tracks as I can and still have room for the mains behind it and the forwarding yard to the front.

Rear corner, Yadkin River

Winston Salem Southbound's I-85 crossing

Right side benchwork

Right side from the front.

Ceiling and Lighting

That's about it for the last few days. Robin helped me put up the sheetrock for the ceiling. That took us 2 nights. Another 2 nights to mud and sand the joints.

I started putting up the light bars around the center peninsula. I wanted to keep the heat and amperage to a minimum. Did some experimenting with a variation of Joe Fugate's single bulb idea, but used compact fluorescents instead of incandescent bulbs. I can use a 13W CFL to get 60W of light. I tried them every 24" end seemed to have a good bit of light.

I came up with a framework that would also work as something to attach the upper fascia to. It just takes a while to mount individual octagon boxes, and wire the lights in series.

More Inside Work

Temps are at above 100 most days. Still hasn't really rained since May. The outside temp is still 96 at 9 pm, but the 2 AC units are getting the inside temp down to the low 70s.

Still working on the backdrops and lower wall paneling.The Entrance thru the pit is mostly done. Still a little bit of trim work to do.

This is from the right front corner looking towards the back of the room.

From the right rear looking back toward the front.

Working On The Inside

Have added a side exit door, insulated the walls and ceiling and am putting the background boards in place. I am using the pre-primed masonite boards and leaving the white side out. The primed side will not hold brushed or rolled on paint, but spray paint will adhere just fine.

I want to stay away from brush marks plus the spray will allow me to touchup as needed. Am using Rust-o-leum's Traditions Aqua.

I talked to some HVAC folks and they calculated I should be okay with (2) 8000 BTU window AC units.