Big John and we attack the track again

Lots bubbling away here but a lack of posts.

One thing I've acquired in the past week or so were my first Woodland Scenics G scale figures via Ebay.   The resin has that tough but brittle feel to it but size wise and anatomically I'm happy so far.  I managed to get the Hilow Surveying Company (Pack A2556) cheap and I'm very pleased.

First up is "Big John"

When Ann first saw the pack then she said "Ooo, is that a Trainspotter figure....?".  I pointed out that the answer was not and suggested that she look at the rest of the pack, but I have to say that I admire the hat and the pose.  A long time ago I had a friend who was taken away at a young age by Cancer and whilst John would never have worn a (stylish) hat like that, he was most certainly a train spotter.  For me the figure has the aura of the silent, quiet, strong type.  

I was also reminded of one of ht songs that was on the radio as I as growing up...

Big Bad john...

This is from 1961 and yet somehow its one of those songs from my childhood.  

 

Here's the full gang...

Part of me feels that there's a "Hank" in the man with the pole.   The figures don't come with bases and on one of the forums there was talk about miniature railroads and why run and model trains (with some lovely staged photos that might, just might, be real railways).   Another post talks about running sessions.  

I think for now the Hilow Surveying Company will end up with another name, and if I can pick up a cheap caboose then I fancy a respray job and re-lettering along the lines, say of "ATSF, Pagoso Springs, Engineering department" and a man with a coffee pot on the balcony....  I have no idea if in reality the survey teams had dedicated cabooses - from a space viewpoint then a drover's caboose may be more likely but given the size/cost issues then in Iscatalbahn land a "bobber caboose" may have to be settled for.

Today also saw another attack on the track. 

My problem is that  I want to have a "temporary" layout down whilst I learn and perhaps ultimately move house.   The initial weed barrier on its own after the last lot of garden improvements suffered and ended up somewhat shredded.  There is a need to put some sort of topping down keep the light out = and also keep the barrier in place.  The Mk2 answer is stone chipping.   The pictures below show two sets - larger (say 2-3") green stones, and small (say quarter inch) white chippings, just because I'd run out of the green stones and had some weed barrier left.  I think putting in a barrier of plastic lawn edging both sides is the way forward - to stop the stones being washed away in the rain/winter...  More news (much later) if this works, unless its a complete disaster when there will be something in a matter of weeks.  

Also trying out Ann's new camera - as light was fading - hence the blurry close up picture.