My RH turnout arrived Saturday, today we are having a snow storm so I'm hopping to get the track work completed today. Next will basic land forming. Started playing with stand in buildings last night and looking at google maps to see who to arrange my New Hampshire town. Jim
running trains again Last night I installed the new track for the upper level at Dixon. I started this project in October and it languished till December. Here's the October view. Here is the intent of the project in the picture below. The Dixon passing siding was too short for my 8-10 car trains. The pair of turnouts at the middle of the diagram were moved to the left. Along the way, it gave me reason to start over on the Dixon skyline. As of tonight, it looks like this and trains are running again after a 3 month shutdown. After reattaching track feeds I'll be ready for ballast hopefully this weekend.
Harron was here today to do the wiring on the "Grey and Grandure". Inevitably the conversation turned to what could be done with the yard extension. Harron's Work: The wire I took from computer power cords that would have ended up in a land fill. The "black sheaths" connectors are the outer cord. Saved the Earth a little and my pocket too. For more details: The Grey and Grandure V - Page 5 - TrainBoard.com
Finally some progress. Last night completed the branch connection and RH turnout to complete a small run around. Off in the blurry distance, the roadbed for one section of the industrial park is laid. I say "Industrial Park" Please remember this is Northern NH, so it is a small Park, nothing like out west or even in Southern New England. Sorry these are so blurry, the light in the workshop was playing games with the camera. All the roadbed and track for the industrial park is laid. The top portion is for Steimbeck and Sons Lumber, the section closer to the camera will be for home fuel, perhaps a tractor shop (Think lumber industry) and a team track. 90% of the track is done now, just need to finish off the Maine Central connection at the diamond and track work is done, for now. Next will be some land forming since New Hampshire is anything but flat! Jim
Corey was also thinking of possibilties and provided this plan which I now call "Option #5": Which I successfully translated into: Now I have to decide which direction to expand first. The "sensible" plan would be to: Finish wiring the everything on the current bench work Build / install / wire the yard extension Build / install / wire the temporary reverse loop Good, now that I have thought it out I think I can get it done.
Next I paint the plastic base with rattle cans. Most of this plastic will be covered with scenic foam or sand so the rattle can colors are not too important. I have also painted the platforms. I cover the traffic area with sand and make a final location for the structures. The heavy streaked areas are Bragdon chalks. I was surprised how much more effective this chalk is on the rough sand area. It really adheres and does not fade when I add Testors Dullcote to seal the chalk. This lack of fading has not been my experience with freight car weathering. (rougher surface...more chalk used?) Fill in the truck traffic area and glue everything in place. I am only using diluted Elmer's White Glueall. Just remembered the local club SAMRA train show and open house at the end of the month. Good thing we had this layout party. I may just see how much I can get done in this area of the layout before the open house.
"Preview Video" of the "Grey and Grandure" My roommate / tenant / supervisor at work accepted the invitation to see the trains. While she was there I made a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBsa5ZSGE7s Wire around oatmeal box is from computer power cords Triceratops and space ship are to remind me that it is just for fun. They will always be someplace on the layout. Did you pick up the sound of the commuter rail as it passed?
Well after a couple weeks of it being too cold in the garage to do much construction work, the "Pineapple Express" is hitting us this weekend (heavy rain, mild temps, and flooding) so I went on a tear and constructed most of the new yard section. I got all of the framework up, most of the fascia/backdrop supports up and even re-ran the old bus wires into the new section. Next step will be constructing the shelf for the Digitrax Zephyr unit, sketching out the major elements of the track plan on the plywood (I'm going to sketch it before I cut the 2x5 section out of the plywood so I have support for the radius tools), and working on the moveable fiddle yard extension. Peter
module work Played around today with some cornerstone modulars and the downtown Charlotte ADM module. Here is the real thing. Module Cardboard stand in for the I277 overpass. Having fun in the sun today.
The layout plan looks very promising for running a lengthy consist. Will you be attending the Paris Train Show tomorrow Mr Bevale.
I found this location on Google Earth. Is this near the CSX-NS crossing in Charlotte? Thanks. Very interesting location. 35°14'11.42"N 80°50'30.07"W
crossing It is the CSX NS crossing. Here are some more pics. The diamond is actually under the highway. This is looking north. Doubletrak is NS Looking south Spare crossing anyone? Since this is a oNetrak module I am using some modelers license, especially with the single NS main. But the flavor is definitely there.
Finally Finished Fascia Took a break from the scratchbuilding today, and cleaned up the accumulated clutter, then sanded and painted the fascia. Two coats, same color as the walls in the room, and it turned out fantastic. It really looks like it belongs in the room, and upon entering the room, your eye is immediately drawn to the layout backdrop. Exactly the effect that I wanted.
Tracy, why only one throttle pocket way off to one side? I just want to get into your head on this as I am sure there is a reason. I would think the throttle pocket would be in the middle.
trackwork complete at Dixon Ballasted the track at Dixon last night and cut rail gaps this morning. This time I didn't glue the track down at all prior to ballast. Since the roadbed was a little rough, it was better to simply let the glued ballast hold the track in place (a trick they allegedly use in 1:1 scale). At this point, I'm playing with the Dixon cityscape. The corrugated shed spanning the tracks is a temporary stand-in. Ultimately, a similar structure will connect two industrial buildings and hide the top edge of the mirror. Nearly every structure near the walled cut will be heavily kitbashed. In the area to the right of the buildings, there will be building flats behind trees. That should help to visually separate the rebuilt town of Dixon from the Farmers Grain complex at the other end of the passing siding. Since I'm still experimenting with structure placement ideas, I'd love to hear your ideas.
Todd, I keep thinking that a two lane bridge running beside the tracks would be killer. In Ontario CA. there is a small street that does this and there are mostly industries around it as your plans seem to be leaning toward. Of course this does create a real estate issue and may take away from the structures. Maybe a narrow alley like bridge running along the back of the structures would do the trick. I do like the corrugated structure but I just don't see these here in CA. Then again I don't go to LA much and there my be something prototypical to use on your pike.
I appreciate your feedback, John. I used to have a 2 lane road bridge there, as you suggest. I liked the effect of the bridge itself, but as you observed, it used up precious real estate. The challenge of routing the road realistically through the surrounding scene proved to be the most challenging part, and I gave up on that effort. Here's what it used to look like; the road bridge is barely visible at the right. Setting up the models and photography for extending that road into the backdrop was more work than I wanted. Once again, I appreciate your input, John. Your perspective is valuable to me.
Great work to all that's posted.... who still owes us pictures??? Otherwise, it's just hear-say :thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
