Getting back into it; Civil War era

MVP Jun 6, 2018

  1. MVP

    MVP TrainBoard Member

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    New video up on YouTube:
     
  2. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    That’s awesome! Please post more videos as things progress.
     
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  3. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    Those buildings look really good
     
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  4. MVP

    MVP TrainBoard Member

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    My absence from TrainBoard doesn't mean I haven't been working on the layout. In fact, I'm hoping to have another big update with lots of pictures posted soon. The depot area is almost unrecognizable from its original form.

    In the meantime, ICYMI... Micro Trains has announced a set of ACW Armored Cars. Despite the fact that I've had to halt all new spending on the layout for a while (trying to buy a house), I just had to preorder these. I missed out on too many other great CWE stuff from Micro Trains. Not missing out on these.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. MVP

    MVP TrainBoard Member

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    I'm back with that bigger update. Didn't get to a video this time, but I do have lots of photos to share. The extended post, with many more photos, can be found on the blog.

    IMG_3856.png IMG_3863.png IMG_3868.png

    The work on trains has been bogged down, though I have tested running multiple DCC engines using the DCC++ system, and they work really well. They'll run better when not on 40-year-old track and switches, and once I add more weight. But they make it all the way around with only one hiccup every other lap. Not to bad! I'll post a video of that in the coming weeks. For now, it's still the old reliable DC engine for actually running stuff.

    Over the last few months, I've focused squarely on adding more life to the layout. That meant cracking open the 10 mm figures I ordered over the summer, as well as ordering additional packs during the sale season. There is a platoon of infantry marching, a platoon of cavalry, some new supply wagons, and some staff officers with President Lincoln. I also went back to the old position for the freight station, added much more dirt to the depot area, and moved the headquarters and camp sites.

    I'm pleased with how all the figures came out, but I think the cavalry looks really sharp, especially the contrast of the yellow piping against their dark blue jackets.
     
  6. BNSF FAN

    BNSF FAN TrainBoard Supporter

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    Some really cool progress MVP. That Calvary unit does look sharp.
     
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  7. MVP

    MVP TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks! I can't wait to get even more figures done. The artillery (guns and caissons) will look really cool all lined up at the depot. The toughest part is focusing on them when painting. I guess it's time to get some reading/closeup glasses.
     
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  8. MVP

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    Finally got around to the ventilated boxcar. Some of you might remember these from Mark Watson. I tracked one down!

    IMG_3840.png
     
  9. MVP

    MVP TrainBoard Member

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    Everything kind of went haywire (for obvious reasons) and I got sidetracked from doing updates on the layout. Until I can get my bearings again, here’s a video of the newly painted ‘Scout’ pulling a long train.
     
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  10. MVP

    MVP TrainBoard Member

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    badlandnp, MK, JimJ and 1 other person like this.
  11. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    Beautiful locomotives! Just recently received my second Atlas 4-4-0 the other day and I need to order another early/Civil War stack for it.
     
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  12. MVP

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    They're tough to find at a reasonable price. Are you planning to install a decoder? I will need to get one installed on the new engine soon.
     
  13. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    I paid $199 for my second off of the bay. Practically impossible to find one otherwise. It was NIB and runs like a champ.
    I do not plan to add dcc as this is a simple figure eight over and under for continuous running through rugged mountainous Arizona-ish terrain. They will be connected for double heading. One loco pulls okay uphill with a rare slippage noted. Not any more though! Hooked together these things are mules!
    High above that will be a loop for my Nn3 train. I’ll try to get pics posted soon but it’s in early stages right now.
     
  14. OlyPen

    OlyPen TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, thumbs-up on tackling an era that has lots of challenges to overcome!
     
  15. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    The fresh wood on the trestle sure places it all and looks just right. Nicely done layout!
     

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