Made an early trip to Wally World this AM and bought several bags of Reindeer Moss at about 1/3 the cost of a bag of discounted WS Lichen. Same stuff and half again more. Added some more to the Macie Moly Mine. Two tailings chutes, one for car loading, and the other for a pile on site to the left. Also glued in place the elevator to the top from track level on the right and went to my parts box and found a suitable loader for car loading. 100_5195-1 by John Moore posted Feb 7, 2018 at 11:53 AM Started the first part of the upper level and it is now built up to 4 inches. Holding there while awaiting the incline to see what more I need to do. I also applied Modge Podge gloss to the stream and when I came back from the store my blue and white water had turned green. Oops, did something wrong so I think I will revisit the Dave Frary video. Think I know what it was. I should have sealed the Acrylic first. Glad I made that mistake early, and now just have to let the stuff dry, apply a seal coat, so the reaction doesn't occur again, and then repaint and finally seal it again before I apply Modge Podge. 100_5196-2 by John Moore posted Feb 7, 2018 at 11:54 AM
Well the order was delivered to my doorstep about an hour ago, overboxed and over peanuted. Borrowing my neighbor's mini front end loader I finally made my way to the goodies. Man is that Kato bridge big compared to the same bridge by Atlas. But it will bridge the canyon with some to spare. The Woodland Scenic's incline set is here but before I use it I have to narrow it down for at least two sections. I am running a single track rather than the two it will accommodate. Wish they made their versions in N scale rather than HO.
Slow progress waiting for glue to dry, but at least it is progress. A shot of the Kato bridge next to the Atlas but its length is what I need. 100_5197-1 by John Moore posted Feb 8, 2018 at 9:42 AM And made some more progress on the mine. More landscape material in, a lunch room and showers for the miners, I took a chicken coop which I had an excess of and did a modification. Stairs are in and an office at the upper level plus fencing. Two houses have been installed and the tailings pile has been installed. 100_5198-2 by John Moore posted Feb 8, 2018 at 9:44 AM Now fighting with the incline installation but I am up the the stream area where the line to the upper level crosses over the canyon line. It may seem like I am absent my considerable feline pride supervising but I am not. Back door is open letting the sunlight stream through the outer glass storm door and the Big Guy is sprawled in the middle of the Sun, with all 30 plus pounds of him impeding my movements. 100_5199-3 by John Moore posted Feb 8, 2018 at 9:44 AM And Tobias, aka Toby Tech, seen through the door from the man cave to the living room, is wanting in RIGHT now to inspect the trackwork.
I seriously do not like your percent of grade on that incline. Okay not fixing it, then I will go get the King to make you. 100_5200 by John Moore posted Feb 9, 2018 at 10:27 AM See I told him now you tell him King Wesa. 100_5203-3 by John Moore posted Feb 9, 2018 at 10:27 AM Meanwhile up before the crack of dawn with my first cup of Java and listening the smooth Jazz I set about building a bridge that fits my needs out of three Atlas bridges kit bashed and some styrene. 100_5204-2 by John Moore posted Feb 9, 2018 at 10:27 AM 100_5205-1 by John Moore posted Feb 9, 2018 at 10:37 AM And look long enough and you find something similar. OurBridgeDesign by John Moore posted Feb 9, 2018 at 10:27 AM
We had a smooth jazz radio station here. But about five years ago they changed format to #$%&%$%^!!!!! I loved having it on, while doing model RR things.
Have Google Chrome on the computer and I am listening to it on You Tube. They have several live 24 hour stations. And earlier posted that was the Big Guy, at 30 plus pounds, next to a regulation 14 pound adult tomcat, my constant companion, and the famous Deekus the Cat's younger brother.
Well I have the grade partway at 4% but I am going to probably have to settle for the last part at or near 8% which is no problem since I am going to run most locos in a lash-up of 2 or 3 and the trains are going to be short, However still fighting with the installation of the incline and probably will be this weekend too. At one area the incline is right on the front edge, but since I am going to install a plexiglass barrier of at least 4 inches tall again no chance of a loco taking a swan dive to the floor.
Well the grade is in but not glued in place yet. Kept the upper half to a 7 %. Had a lot of trench work cutting into that foam structure but the hot knife mae the going a little better. Those are bamboo skewers holding the foam in place while the glue sets. 100_5206-5 by John Moore posted Feb 9, 2018 at 4:48 PM 100_5207-6 by John Moore posted Feb 9, 2018 at 4:48 PM A shot back where the incline starts and then crosses the canyon line and the stream. Once I lay my cork roadbed I will trim away the excess incline foam on both sides. There will be about 1 inch from the outside rail of the track to the edge of the layout which is why the Plexi glass or clear Lexan barrier is going up, not to mention Grandkids. The black round object in the photos is my % of grade meter.
John, the relative size difference between a normal sized feline and the Giant is astounding. I now understand why you do not move while Wesa is compressing your lap into the marginally compressible furniture. I am surprised you still have blood coursing through your Femoral Arteries. LOL
When setting in front of the TV and he is on my lap and arm it is usually a struggle to get my arm free to change the channel. And there are four more that are approaching his size either younger or older brothers and sisters. Tiger Tabbies get huge. And they can do some damage to a layout if they get an urge to chase motorized meeces.
I can't imagine the terror of the little meeces as that Tiger is chasing them! Or the owner of the meeces horror at the damage!
Deekus the Cat, also a Tiger Tabby and older sister of Wesa is the real threat. When they say faster than a speeding bullet they hold up a blurry photo of her. She is sort of like that fast draw in Blazing Saddles when it comes to swiping a loco off the track.
Oh, that is quick! That calls for banishment from any train operating area! But she could probably knock the door down!
I haven't identified which of them opens doors but shortly after moving here I had to go out and buy child proof latches for my cabinet doors in the kitchen. They are held by a catch that you have to push a button in the handle to open yet they were getting opened each night. And in the old house several were able to open the typical room door by turning the knob. So the cabinets beneath the layout are simple childs play for them. I can lock the door from the living room into the man cave, they haven't figured that out yet but I would not place that past Toby. My layout is 36.5 inches above the floor, easy reach for these big guys and gals.
Setting this morning with a cup of Java, some Cream of Wheat flavored with butter and Maple syrup, and the door is open and the Big Guy is setting outside, with the attitude of come on anything mess with me, while I am tweety boid watching. So I was trying to assemble a trestle when in he strolls and has to inspect very close up, and I mean close up, like in my lap and rubbing the bents. Needless to say I only have three bents glued up so far. Trying to work with a bottle of Pro Weld when a big paw keeps reaching up and pulling my arm down for a head scratch. better part of valor says I put the cap on the Pro Weld and scratch that big head. 100_5210-1 by John Moore posted Feb 10, 2018 at 8:31 AM
Keep rebuilding their scratching posts by going to the store and buying sisal rope. The big guys and gals tear one up in about 6 months time but it definitely saves the furniture. And I have 6 of them spread about the house. Big Guy's claws are so wicked that about a year ago I had to load him in his king sized carrier and take him to the vet to get them trimmed, due again and it saves me some accidental blood letting.
