Greyson & Herb Cotter
HERB'S BLURB HERE
Herb's grandson Greyson recently added more scenery to the layout. Check out the process! First he preps the area for dirt and grass by adding a layer of 33% white glue, 66% water and 1% dawn solution. Next he adds a dirt layer for texture using leftover sifted driveway stone dust to simulate the dirt. Last he adds a grass layer of Scenic Express ground foam to complete the area.
Area where Greyson was working
Area to the right of trestle now with grass
Area to the left of trestle
Herb's layout in operation - July 2025
Freight Yard
"Greyson Spur" leading off to the right from Track 3.
Inspired by grandson Greyson who observed there was no easy way to get to the Freight / Passenger yards from Track 3 or 4 (lowest levels on the layout)
Custom Roundhouse Extension to the rear to fit a Challenger. Produced by Bob Spaulding.
Sand Tower - the "Ferguson Engine Service Facility" named for fellow CT S-Gauger Art Ferguson who did the detailed airbrush masking and painting.
Trestle over "Davis Pass" named for fellow CT S-Gauger Bob Davis who showed me how to build a template. Trestle made from a 3 " thick board cut to 3 x 1/4 on table saw and then 1/4 x/1/4 on band saw.
Future automated passing siding on Track 2 (2nd level down from the top). Arduino coding in process with IR detectors.
Ski Mountain - never in the plan - until 7 grandkids decided one holiday season the layout needed a ski mountain. Once the mountain was built (by them) fellow CT S-Gauger Jim Shea spotted a ski lift under a table at a train show.
Summer 2025 projects by grandson Greyson - New Backdrop (clouds not yet painted) and new mountain range connecting existing Davis Pass & Ski Lift mountains (no more cement block, water tank, electric panel background)