I think what would've gotten the attention of the train crew was all that wheelslip!

That was genius, it really was.

I hope I'm not up-playing the obvious here, but are you possibly connecting the track and the switches both to the DC side of the controllers?

Quick question Ken.
Who's the woman on the train pilot, reply #10, picture 4?
Just a random train climber?

A lot of times, cheaper places would just paint the entire door, knob and all, to keep replacement cost down slightly.

Every time there's a bad storm, I'm surprised that lean-to shack of a roundhouse doesn't give up the ghost.

Well, even the relatively busy B&O railroad always used humans to turn their 60' TT under the 22-sided roundhouse in Baltimore.  Then again, it would've been mostly used to turn small engines and cars.

Gonna need some context here...

Looks good!  Keep up the good work.

Just remember that since you're going to light it, any ceiling underhangs will be visible through the fat gap along the eaves.

I have a fairly cheap and very effective way of reducing track noise.

Cardboard, like from boxes.

Just regular corrugated cardboard, cut to fit the full width of the roadbed.

Get a few from a train show, if you can.  Try your hand at slowly heating and flattening them.

I'll be in Illinois in time for the Big Boy to stroll on in.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get at least one really good picture...

Standard Super Glue (plastic adhesive [Krazy glue]) ought to work.  If that fails, there's always double-sided tape. Tape bonus: If you ever decide to change your mind on exact placement of the turntable, or replacement with another, you can pull the clay chunks off.

Generally, the 'range hoods' would be large enough to completely cover any position the smokestack may end up in.  Also, notice the wood roof.

Just remember that, even vented and sealed like leftovers, there is still air in that tub of clay, and it will harden if you don't use it...

Unless you vacuum-pack it...

Yeah, they would use wood shingles (cedar, if any).  That's what the smokestacks are on the door and back ends of the roof.  Under those smokestacks is something that looks like a range hood in a restaurant's kitchen (exhaust vent).  Besides, your walls are made of 'wood', aren't they?