First Annual International Winter Layout Party

okane Dec 8, 2008

  1. firechief

    firechief TrainBoard Member

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    Another late joiner! I was hoping it wouldn't start until January. I'm going to be busy at work for the next couple of weeks, so I'll go with modest goals.

    Here's a lousy picture of the new expansion, with the yard and industrial section in the middle.

    My main goal is to finish laying the track in my new yard and in the industrial section.
    Secondary goal is to get the buildings in place.

    Dave.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. pastoolio

    pastoolio TrainBoard Member

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    Dave, I like how the carton of plaster is a stand in for the grain building! :tb-biggrin:

    -Mike
     
  3. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Aw, nuts. I somehow missed the start date and haven't throw in, yet. Is it too late?

    I can post photos and a list tonight or tomorrow.
     
  4. pastoolio

    pastoolio TrainBoard Member

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    This is going slower than I thought!

    Mid week, and I am already behind! Just haven't had the time to get in the train room. This is 1/3 of the backdrops that need to be completed.
    So far...

    [​IMG]


    -Mike
     
  5. Switchman

    Switchman TrainBoard Member

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    Oh-Boy! It's December 23 and I've not yet started work on the North wall. :tb-frown:

    When does the first week end?

    Does this count?
    Made an n-scale utility structure and some n-scale logs, with knots, for the logging camp. 5' to 6' Diam. and 30' to 60' n-scale long.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I really need to get some work started on the north wall.
    See ya
    Ron
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 24, 2008
  6. pachyderm217

    pachyderm217 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, Ken. Had to chuckle out loud - I hadn't even thought about the no smoking sign. Good call.

    Today, I had a "why didn't I think of that before?!?" moment. I've been needing a believable backdrop image for my depot scene at Dixon. My initial post in this thread shows blue sky at the end of the short street. I don't have Photoshop and I'm too cheap to get it. So I considered slicing up a Walthers backdrop like Jon Grant recently did.

    After looking at the beautiful Walthers city scene, I decided there wasn't enough there to work with. Besides, I needed to create the illusion of buildings lining the outside of a curve bending off the layout. Then, inspiration struck - make the picture myself with the digital camera.

    I used buildings from other places on the layout for props. Here's the setup:


    [​IMG]

    Here's the selected/edited image:


    [​IMG]

    I mounted the paper image with 3M Super 77 spray glue onto 0.020 inch styrene sheet. After carefully trimming away the sky with a new Exacto blade, I darkened the styrene edges with a brown Sharpie marker.

    The final results are striking.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    This turned out much better than I had ever hoped. I'm so pleased with the final effect that some of my other building flats are looking kind of lame now.

    Today I definitely learned something new. Now I'm thoroughly convinced that a digital camera is a remarkable modeling tool.
     
  7. JKD

    JKD TrainBoard Member

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    FANTASTIC!!! That looks just amazing.
     
  8. pastoolio

    pastoolio TrainBoard Member

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    And the first MAJOR modeling tip for the Winter party comes through! Thanks Todd! WOW, I'm speechless! After looking at the first pic back on page 2 and this one, well, ...... ! You have got a great eye on you! :tb-biggrin:

    -Mike
     
  9. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    Join any Time
     
  10. ppuinn

    ppuinn Staff Member

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    Todd:
    That is simply amazing!! Well Done!!!:thumbs_up::thumbs_up: Thanks for sharing your "AHA!" with us...it's a great idea that has already got me thinking of some spots where I can use it on my own layout.

    To anyone worried about a late arrival...
    The TB Layout Parties are for having fun and anyone is welcome at any time.
     
  11. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Todd: That certainly IS amazing. It sure looks great in a photo! :thumbs_up: It's the quickest tutorial I ever saw...one post!!! Thanks for the idea. I can't think of a place that I need something like this right now, but it is a great tip.
     
  12. CSXDixieLine

    CSXDixieLine Passed Away January 27, 2013 In Memoriam

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    Todd, Excellent idea, work and results. I am going to have a few spots where I am not sure what to do and you just solved the problem. Now if I can just remember 6 months from now when I get over to that area of the layout...
    Jamie
     
  13. pachyderm217

    pachyderm217 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks, folks, for all your generous gifts of kind words. I'm still in shock over how well it turned out.
     
  14. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    When does the first week end Hmmm it never ends until February. Week one ends Friday December 26th at Noon
     
  15. okane

    okane TrainBoard Supporter

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    Of course if you joined the party as some of you have then Party favors will be offered.These are not going to be based on modeling skill or any other requirement. Just a random pick. All you have to do is join and contribute to the party.

    During the first week of January, two party contributor's will be chosen and will receive a copy of the book Weathering by Tom Mann, courtesy of TrainBoard and Feather River Trains.


     
  16. William Cowie

    William Cowie TrainBoard Member

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    First week progress

    The frame is done for the Sullivan Curve module. Here's what I'm trying to replicate:

    [​IMG]

    Here's progress so far:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Now the challenge is to add the vertical dimension. Here's a very rough idea of the scale I have in mind.

    [​IMG]

    I still need to decide how to achieve the diagonal effect. Do I (a) put in a diagonal foundation to make all the layers be diagonal, or (b) simply lay all layers flat and rely on the plaster shell to convey the diagonal effect? Stay tuned...
     
  17. CSXDixieLine

    CSXDixieLine Passed Away January 27, 2013 In Memoriam

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    Got the final six light fixtures installed on the lower level. The new fixtures are at the far right in this photo looking down the peninsula:

    [​IMG]

    Here is another photo looking back towards where I stood to take the above picture. The new light fixtures are immediately to the left; the 4x4' sheets of plywood you can see on the floor will be used to build the helix base this weekend as part of the Winter Layout Party:

    [​IMG]

    Jamie
     
  18. jhn_plsn

    jhn_plsn TrainBoard Supporter

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    Hmmmm, so many projects to pick from?
    I have a spending limit to stick to but lets see how to get the most of it.
    I do need to create DCC districts on my layout and as much as I would like the high tech stuff I think I will go with the 1056 bulbs for minimum impact. This will require a bit of unpleasant rewirring and a few new gaps in the rails.
    I would like to add some more color and detail to the following scene as this is where I left off in August.
    [​IMG]

    In the lower left of the track plan below I would like to get started on a solution for the area to hide the return loop a bit and include a packing house and some buildings to represent Colton Ca. I will also redesign and relay the track serving the industries at the end of the yard so we will not have to reach over any structures to throw turnouts or uncouple cars.
    [​IMG]

    In the following photo I would like to have a cement plant in the foreground but need to add a track for more volume. The other two tracks on either side of the main are Breck oil and a lumber dealer, so may need to redo some trackwork there also.
    [​IMG]

    I will likely dable in all this but will post what gets done.
     
  19. MOPMAN

    MOPMAN TrainBoard Member

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    Well, It appears there is a great turnout (no pun intended) for the winter party. Now that Christmas is over, I need to get a few things done before the Plano show and this layout party sounds like the vehicle to get things going. First up, the backdrop behind East Van Buren and Alma needs a lot more work.

    Here's what I'm starting with.

    [​IMG]

    I need to add a lot more frontal detail before I can start planting trees along the ridge line. Then I'll go from there.
     
  20. Cleggie

    Cleggie TrainBoard Member

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    Some really interesting projects up and running in the party. It's great following the progess so far.

    My own progress has been humble, I didn't get as much done this last week as I thought... (sigh). However, I did manage to throw some scenery material around the place and slap up some paint... some pics...

    [​IMG]

    Ballast work on the transition turnout from helix to mainline loop. This is the Peco curved turnout that I had to modify the frog to prevent shortouts. It works well now but the ties look all wrong compared with the Atlas code55 track.

    Did I hear correctly, that Atlas have a code55 curved turnout on the market now? If so I may look at replacing the Peco turnouts.

    I still need to tidy up this area, sweep the loose flock grass and paint the exposed plaster and reflock (don't now why I didn't paint the plaster first)


    [​IMG]

    I will need to build a removable tunnel liner to give this a move solid look and yet still allow me to get my hand in there to clean the track etc.

    [​IMG]

    The flock grass is covering most of the helix two area and the backdrop has some shapes painted on. Time to plant out some trees again.
     

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