Well another kit leaves my workbench not looking anywhere near the picture on the box nor the size. 100_5212-2 by John Moore posted Feb 10, 2018 at 5:00 PM The trestle on the canyon line that crosses the creek at the water fall. I got creative with the bents and the spacing. Also with the bracing that is angled under the bridge to leave a clear channel. Finished laying cork roadbed on the entire incline and now figuring how to get some more vertical clearance where the incline crosses the canyon line.
Yet another problem solved, that of enough clearance under a bridge next to the mills. Decided to build it up with cork roadbed. Once I temporary lay the track and mark its location then I will go back and re-slope the sides with a Dremel and a sanding drum. 100_5215-4 by John Moore posted Feb 10, 2018 at 9:04 PM No high cube boxes and the containers are all single stacked. That turnout is right next to the loco that I was inquiring about the footprint of a ground throw. Space prohibits me from moving it and that solves it my problem. Tomorrow I will move the mill siding whose stub end is conflicting with the incline. And if I am going to use that trestle I will have to again use the Dremel cutoff wheel to lower it some. Unfortunately that Cornerstone trestle is very limited by the size of the bents. I would have been better off using the old Campbell wood trestle kit I have to have much more flexibility in a custom build.
Compromises, the Devil resides in compromises. Everything ends up assuaging both sides to the determent of none. (where's a crossed finger emoticon?)
Applied the Dremel cut off wheel to the trestle and then re-glued the original bases back on. Then using strip styrene I applied simulated concrete pours around the pilings. Fast running stream. Then I notched out the roadbed to accept the ends of the trestle, and walla a trestle on an incline. 100_5216-1 by John Moore posted Feb 11, 2018 at 12:48 PM Three bridges in about a square foot and they all will be different as soon as I replace that bridge in front of the trestle with a truss bridge. Have a lot of scenic work needed in this area not counting the stream and waterfall. Ordered my Caboose Industries ground throws today along with some HO pine trees that scale out to a nice 80 foot in N scale.
Today was a get your ducks in line day. Once I got the trestle modified and the landscape notched out for the bents I broke out my roll of plaster wrap and did a little of the incline. Then I got the bottle of Tempera paint and tried a tint of it on a small section.The brown lightened as it dried and is not too bad for an earth fill portrayal. 100_5219-3 by John Moore posted Feb 11, 2018 at 7:38 PM Then it was get to work on relaying the track so I can use those ground throws. 100_5218-2 by John Moore posted Feb 11, 2018 at 7:38 PM Moving the whole thing gives me enough space to locate two of them inside the incline and much easier to reach. Of course work is stopped right now as I await some short sections of curved track due tomorrow. I definitely like the texture of the plaster wrap which I have used before. It makes adding scenic material better and takes paint easily and the slight bumpy texture is more like real ground, and I can glue anything to it using white glue. On the original Turtle Creek a lot of the rock castings were directly glued to it.
John, how does Plaster Wrap compare to Woodland Scenic Plaster Cloth and Sculptamold? I crinkle newspapers, apply Plaster Cloth over, forming as desired, then apply Sculptamold to fill in before painting earth tones.
I am using the Scenic Express product which is the same as the Woodland Scenic product just a tad cheaper. In order to stay away from the paper mache or newspapers that can possibly not dry adequately, or absorb moisture, and then mold, I use foam to get my basic shape. and have basically nothing that holds, or attracts moisture, or critters. It is lightweight construction yet strong. I favor the rigid foam panels used to insulate garage doors that come in a pack of 2 foot by 4 foot by 1/2 inch thick, when I can find it.
One aspect of John's work I am enjoying, is reminding me of years ago. Anyone else recall the Samuel Pinsly operations, where he used the center cab diesels on various short lines? Old issues of Trains Magazine or Railfan & Railroad......
I initially used foam blocks, but got lazy since newspaper was quicker and less messy to shape. Hadn't considered moisture retention of newspaper, or of Sculptamold for that matter, which also is a paper product. The train room is part of the central HVAC system, so have been lucky.
The hot knife foam cutter saves a lot of mess. It just melts it's way through the foam and I am now on my 2nd one. I got too much in a hurry with the first one and broke the thin rod.
I've heard pink and blue should be heat cut outside as it releases toxic fumes. But white foam (think EPS coffee cup foam) doesn't. Just to be safe I cut in well ventilated areas or outside regardless of what type of foam.
Any foam when exposed to high heat emits toxic fumes, same for all plastics. I have the good fortune to have a door within 5 feet direct to the outside, and the benefit of a fan. Busy now going through the P. I. A. process of wiring turnouts to the control board. Have to solder extension wires to all the leads and then soldering spade terminals to the other end. So far I have been lucky with no holes burnt in the foam or me. The Big Guy and Toby have wisely kept away from the room during this process. Can you imagine the havoc if a drop of hot solder was to drop on his big tail, hole knocked in the wall, furniture overturned, and I gain an instant entry to his Sh$#t list and that is no place to be. 100_5220-1 by John Moore posted Feb 12, 2018 at 1:27 PM Well I finished and hooked some temporary wires up the the AC side of the power pack and flipped the switches. Nothing happened, pause for a moment of despair, frustration, and anger. Then I remembered, slide the button and then quickly push the button in to energize. These are the first two powered turnouts I have installed in my modeling life.
Credit belongs to Toby, he is the chief engineer overseeing the construction of the road. That is his serious I'm gonna kick some butt look. 100_5202-5 by John Moore posted Feb 12, 2018 at 8:09 PM My track supplies came in this evening and I got the mill siding moved back an additional inch and lengthened both ends of the siding. 100_5222-4 by John Moore posted Feb 12, 2018 at 8:01 PM The gray foam in the back is pre-painted before installation as part of the canyon staging area wall. I don't bend anywhere like I used to, so the pre-painting saves a lot of grief and a sore back.
If Clive Cussler, David Baldacci, and Jack DuBrul only knew how their books are getting used. 100_5223-1 by John Moore posted Feb 13, 2018 at 9:30 AM The construction forces are really cranking on since Toby got after their butts and threw the worlds biggest hissy fit. Staggered height foam now extends to the end of the HC door and more plaster cloth has been applied up at the top of the incline. While the glue is setting up on the foam layers I will be applying more plaster cloth and starting some more vegetation installation. In a few more hours I have to stop and get myself transformed from a scruffy crochetry old geezer, into respectable senior citizen, and take the Missus out later to get some baby back ribs for her birthday.
I think it is a noble thing that you treat your wife to an extraordinary meal on Fat Tuesday. Happy Mardi Gras, Laissez Les Bon Temp Rouler.
