My dream Nscale layout heralds the KVL (Kaw Valley Lines). The KVL will be a freelanced line set in the fall of 1985 that shares trackage rights with the ATS&F, along the Kansas River through De Soto, KS. with a terminal in the river bottoms of Kansas City, MO. The layout will be a 4’x12’ island, built on #2 pine 1"x4" framework, with a 1/2" MDX base, topped with 2" extruded foam board. The table legs are 50" (48") 1"x4" #2 pine from floor to base on 2" caster wheels. The KVL will have a hand painted scenic divider constructed from a 1" thick 8’x16" piece of extruded foam.

I have decided to start out with a basic 3’x5’ table-top ‘practice’ layout to test scenery and construction techniques before tackling a larger layout and minimizing mistakes. I will be using Bachmann Nscale EZ Track on the KISS (Kaw Industrial Spur System). Although I have been building/detailing structures and rolling stock in HO for my brother, I am going to give Nscale a shot, this is my first attempt at an actual layout.

I really enjoy making my trees from twisting 220 wire into a shape of a tree and lightly coating them with crack spakling caulk. This gives them the appearance of live bark when painted and dry brushed with acrylics. I then bake-dry and then crush leaves of varying shades of yellow, red, brown, and green for scale sized fall foliage.

I have kitbashed a 100’ bridge by cutting down two Kato viaduct bridge pieces to 45 scale feet, then trimming out a 10’ span from the discarded parts and glueing the three sections back together. This is made an