The 2013 Bradford MREX held at the new Academy in Bradford in West Yorkshire was the first outing for Shasta at a public model railway exhibition apart from its shakedown show at Millom last year. Other than that it has only ben seen at Zedex over the last couple of years. Now scenicked front and back and using a Z-bend track interface between the main boards and the Shasta Springs board. It was a revelation to the general railway modelling public to say the least, largely ignorant of the rapid strides made in Z over the last few years, they were awestruck by long trains running smoothly and reliably and also the high level of detail and accuracy on modern Z stock. of course they know me from old with some of my daft Z layouts but the concept of what i am trying to acheive with Shasta struck a chord with many. The investment in the large box of Architrees from the Phillipines now seems worth it as the dense forest of the Sacramento river canyon break up the layout into scenes and also hide the scenic transition between front and back Obviously modelling the north west corner of the U.S there is a predominance of lumber traffic and the recently completed Robert Ray centerbeams and thrall door cars in conjunction with MTLs bulkhead flats interspresed with the intermodal traffic seemed about right The short elevated track used as a scenic break at the 'North end' of the fiddle yard is the setting up track for DCC and doesnt actually go anywhere. It is also used as the Sin Bin for misbehaving stock to prevent a duffer being put back on the main lines (some wag suggested calling it the Marklin branch which I thought was a bit cruel!) More in a mo. KEV
There were a couple of problems though. the marklin points in the fiddle yard are tending to spring open after the locos have pased over them and I resorted to wedging the two worst culprits over to get through the show. Also the two U.P SD40-2s ran through them like dogs and I suspect the ploughs or fuel tanks are hitting the point motors. I'm going to have a couple of evenings this week fettling them before the Kyle show in Scotland. The ballast looks better now its been weathered a bit Still lots to do. Some more Robert Ray stock to build carry on DCC converting the locos Wire in the NCE powercabs telegraph poles more scenic detail on the yard etc. write it up as an article for Rob at Z-Track (if you'd like it Rob?) Future shows in the U.K this year Kyle show at Stevenston Scotland may 18-19th May Trent valley North American modellers show Stafordshire June 15th Model Rail Live at Barrow Hill Roundhouse 21-22nd of September (The one with the full size steam trains as well) Zedex 2013 in Oxfordshire Oct 13th High Wycombe November the 2nd These are apart from the shows with Cuyahoga! looks like I'm going to be busy Video can be found here at [video=youtube_share;nR8Rh4Con6g]http://youtu.be/nR8Rh4Con6g[/video] KEV
One thing I forgot. here is a view of the layout in show mode with the lighting up and the curtains. The fascia boards on the lights are a recycled pub sign from across the road. The three sections fit together telescopically and transport in their own flight case along with the layout leg struts. At some stage I'll do a quick addition to this thread how it transports, erects and comes apart. KEV
That overhead bridge shot was pretty cool. A neat angle that captures the feel in different location than my eyes are used to seeing. Very good.
I'm always amazed how much effort you guys put into realistic scenarries, but than running some clean locos and rolling on weathered rails.....
Loco weathering is next. I want to do some S.P units in the really bad state they got in to in the 80s-90s and tone down the rather light yellow MTL use on the Sd40-2s I'll do the weathering the same time as I DCC them KEV
It is always a pleasure to see what you have been doing. Keep on showing your activities. Thanks. Jim Thomas
I'll guess that is up to what one likes about modeling. But I would say, larger layouts with lots of long trains mostly focus on scenery. But Kevin, you are doing great with your layout! You realy pay attention to typical use of rolling stock. Which also adds to realism in modeling.
