No new construction updates, but a couple of new additions were spotted playing it cool on the head end of a train headed into Atlanta: Jamie
After about a six month layoff, I have started working on the layout again. To kick things off, I created this video of the newly completed Allatoona Road grade crossing: [video=youtube;4oMwCRdGfBY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oMwCRdGfBY[/video] The grade crossing features working lights and gates activated using DCC block detection and JMRI software. I will soon be posting more information on how I got everything installed and working. This is also my first HD video on YouTube. I originally created the video using my SD camcorder but was not pleased with the quality when compared to other videos I have been watching recently. This got me thinking about my new smart phone, an HTC Sensation. I remembered someting about it having HD video when I purchased it a few weeks ago, but did not realize until yesterday that it actually has a full 1080p HD video camera...nice! So I reshot the video using the smart phone and was amazed at the quality. Not bad for a feature that just came with the phone. I guess my camcorder will be relegated to collecting dust from now on. Hope you enjoy! Jamie
Bravo, Jamie! Well done. I especially like the way you added autos when you switched camera angles...nice touch!
Great! Love the addition of a few cars between shots too. Definitely gives the appearance of reality.
Glad you guys liked it. I was wondering if anyone would notice the traffic building up waiting to cross. Good eyes! Jamie
About a year ago, I installed a working grade crossing on the layout as seen in the video a few posts above. After that, I pretty much shut down construction of the layout. I had been meaning to add a post on my blog describing how I got the grade crossing to work, and after finally writing that post over the weekend, I remembered why I stopped working on trains for so long: that grade crossing kicked my tail! It was really tedious work although the results were well worth the effort. The entire post can be found here: CSX Dixie Line: Working Grade Crossing Here is the grade crossing on the "pretty" side of the layout: And here it is on the "working" side of the layout: Jamie
the video was awesome!!! The operating gates are going to be a must on my layout now......very well done. Your scenery in that area has turned out top notch too! Keep the updates coming!
I have started work on the bridge where the CSX W&A Subdivision crosses over I-75 in Emerson, GA. I will be building this bridge in place; in other words, the bridge will be built around the existing spline roadbed. The only work completed so far is the removal of the scenery base where the bridge abutments will be installed: Jamie
There is nothing like researching a prototype location without leaving the comfort of your own web browser, which is why I love Google Maps so much, especially the street view feature. I have concluded all of those people who constantly complain about Google Maps street view obviously are (1) trying to hide something or (2) are not model railroaders. For the bridge on my layout, I want to be as faithful to the prototype as possible, even though the the structure will be significantly compressed. Since this bridge crosses a busy six-lane interstate highway, stopping on the side of the road to take pictures is dangerous not to mention illegal. However, a visit to Google Maps has revealed that there are new street view pictures available that were not there just a few months ago. These views show the bridge with incredible detail and are just an outstanding reference for building the model. For example, the first step in building my bridge will be to design and construct the abutments. I was going to go with a generic style abutment, but the following photo will allow me to build one that closely matches the real thing: Even though I have excluded the interstate ramps from my scene, their existence in real life is very helpful on this project since the street view images from the ramps reveal the most detail of the abutments. I will also be using the street view images to build the piers, deck, railings and other components of the structure. Jamie
In reference to the crossing gate movie; Hey, I wanna watch the gates go back up (and lights go out)! Somebody stopped the film! Those darn censors! :tb-biggrin: Wonderful stuff Jamie. Thanks for sharing your techniques with all of us! Well done sir!
Thanks for the compliments! There is actually another longer video coming that will feature the entire crossing sequence. I have done some extra JMRI programming to make the crossing as realistic as possible. For example, if a slow train creeps up to the road and stops short, the "circuit" times out causing the gates to raise and the flashers to turn off. I wanted to keep the first movie to about a minute just to give a taste for the overall scene and to keep the viewing public on the edge of their seats wanting more. Jamie
As TwinDad mentioned you can go back through this thread or my blog (linked in my sig below) for billions of photos (slight exaggeration, it's only millions). Although your post now has me thinking that I really don't have an organized photo album anywhere. Here is one I just setup on Photobucket: http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll221/CSXDixieLine/Progress/20101128/?albumview=slideshow Jamie
I didn't mean to post all your progress from start to finish in an album form. This thread has enough visual pics to see what you have done to your layout. I was just wondering what the whole layout looks like. Just a series of pics of the layout as it looks now.
