Postcard showing the Isleta Pueblo. One of nineteen (19) Native American pueblos in New Mexico. The rail lines modeled run a short distance from the Pueblo.

Cutting the foamboard to form the basic loop shape has begun. These question mark shapes were each cut from whole 4' x 8' sheets of 2-inch thick Dow extruded insulating foamboard. They will be sectioned later to form four module sections.

The keystone module foamboard has been cut and added to the mock-up.

Part of the neck of Isleta has been and added to the mock-up. Another 4-foot long straight section is also part of the neck and is added later to the mock-up.

Early framing of the two curves that form the loop.

Early framing of the two S-shaped sections that form the loop.

Two curve sections framed with support stringers.

Two S-sections framed with stringers and with leg pockets. Inspired by the Discovery Channel's "American Chopper."

Two curve sections up on legs.

Two curves and two S-sections together up on legs.

The curved section in the module neck is up on legs and added to the loop.

All of the Isleta module sections are now up on legs with the addition of the 4-foot straight module section in the neck. Look closely at the TV and you'll see the program "Dirty Jobs" on the screen -- highly appropriate for module building don't you think?

Another view of all of the Isleta module sections up on legs.

1/8-inch thick hardboard fascia has been attached and contoured.

Foamboard scenery base has been contoured. The Tortoise switch motor has been installed. Cork roadbed has been laid. UP5 faceplates and the turnout control housings are in the fascia. Isleta is ready for some paint.

First coat of Glidden Great Desert has been appliead to all exterior surfaces. Not only is Glidden Great Desert a fantastic fascia color, it makes a wonderful scenery base paint. This way your fascia will always match the scenery base at the interface edge of the fascia and the scenery.

Central Valley Model Works #9 turnout built, Micro Engineering Code 83 flextrack laid, and feeders dropped.

The track at the module joints has been cut and the modules separated slightly. First coat of scenery powder has been applied: an alchemist's mix of sifted New Mexico silt/dirt and Arizona Rock & Mineral products.

Kevin Hughes of SouthWest Free-mo works on wiring for Isleta. The center-most leg pockets were used only for the construction of the keystone module section. The DVD "Santa Fe Warbonnets Through Raton Pass" plays on the garage television.

The module sections are still unclamped and separated slightly. Several coats of scenery powders have been applied including a coat to model the loose aggregate that accumulates around the tracks. Ties have been added where needed and touch-up painting of the track has been performed. Isleta is now ready for ballast.

Although the scenery is not yet complete, Isleta is now operational. Transport ends were built for Isleta so that it could be taken to and set-up at a group smoke test.

Isleta loaded in a U-Haul with Dalies for Isleta's first road trip to a local smoke test set-up. Everything fit in the trailer except for a 4-foot long straight section that will ride in the back seat.

Getting Isleta ready for battle at its first set-up. Left to right: Joe Rogers, Chuck Aylward, Kip Thompson, and Tom Trodden.

Steve Emerson's train circles the work-in-progress Isleta reversing loop at Isleta's private shake down cruise.

UP Geeps grab a reefer block at the 2007 Winslow set-up. This was Isleta's public debut. Still more scenery work to come.