So, just an update on progress - yes, actual real progress.  May not look like much but it is an important step along the way.  A layout is, after all, an ongoing project, never really a finished item.  Here goes:

Here is the first scene as you enter the room.  That large piece of foam is there to show just how tall the mountain here will be.  Well, at least the part closest to the wall will be pretty close to as tall as that piece.  Those clamps represent where tunnel portals will be, the open end being the entrance to the tunnel.  

Here on the other side of the mountain will be the mining area.  Of course, this is covered below.  What is really new is that the plywood base is now firmly fixed in place so you can get a better sense of how things will be.

Behind the short section behind the turntable is a grade that still needs some minor adjustment - as does the underlying table at this point, just some minor tweaking.

In the back is the farm town and industry area and towards the front of the raised area is another grade that needs some supports put in place.  This is the longest grade on the oval, a one inch change in elevation from the 2" area to the left rising to the 3" area on the right.  The farm town is at 2 1/2".

Here, again, is the roundhouse, turntable, and engine service area.  The closest track is part of the actual longest grade, from the yard area up to the trestle. 

And here is the freight yard area - though hard to tell from this view. 

Imagine that, here is the passenger yard - and the icing platform.

Have you been paying close attention?  If you have then you'll note that there are now eight tracks from front to back: the main, the passing and engine access lead, the three freight classification tracks, the stock resting track, and the freight depot and team track combined.  That paper at the back is the outline base of the freight depot

The missing track here would be the MOW track which would be back near the leaning piece of rock wall.  The paper here represent the icing platform on the left and an ice house on the right.  And, no, that is not the station that will be there once the layout is in operation. 

Just a shot of where the transition from farms to logging operations will be on the upper level.  Have your eyes noted the difference in height here versus the earlier photos?

The sawmill area, not two more tunnel portals.  "Above" the portals will be logging area served by geared locomotives. 

The commercial town with just one row of buildings in place at the moment. 

An alternate view showing the seven buildings in place, again not the final buildings - well, maybe one or two might make it.

Those buildings on the window sill?  Those will be in the empty space closest to the camera in the previous image - part of the upscale residential area near the port.

Speaking of the port, here it is with a couple of boards at back to give a sense of how things will be.  Naturally, those tracks in the "water" will be on piers.

Different angle of the port.  Not the rock wall piece at the back;  The gap between the painted backdrop and the layout base will be "filled in" so it won't be so glaring later.

Last is an overall shot showing most of the layout.

It is easy to say not much has been done but the reality is quite a bit has been accomplished.  The bases have been adjusted to their proper heights and fixed in place (after painting so it isn't just plain plywood - who knows how long before scenery will follow track work!?), and the grades have been given some of their necessary adjustments.  The tunnels nearest the door will have easy access through side doors.  Still working out access to the logging area tunnel, likely just a removal bit of scenery.

Now, if life away from hobbies will give me a break then the next step will be getting the cork roadbed in place.  Alast, it might not be done until fall since the hot weather is due to begin next week with the 100's on their way.

Until next update...