After about a year of not being able to run trains following a "minor" rolleyes: redesign & rebuild of my layout > ie I removed the top level of my double deck layout!! I have just managed to complete the last of my mainline and actually run a few trains over the weekend First couple of photos show my scene that will represent the area around Tunnel 26-27. I have a few scenic & prototype features I want to include so rather than an exact replica of one tunnel portal the scene will be inspired by the area above South Boulder Creek where the track hugs the rock face I have about a 175mm (8") vertical drop from track height to creek level + scenery towering above the track This scene is about 2.8m long (about 10ft) Opposite side of my layout room you can see photos of my Utah desert scene > am planning to create mesas that will dominate the trains. This scene is 12ft long Couple of other photos show my removable duck under which is at 55" off the floor. More like a nod under for me cos I'm not tall The track swings around into my Moffat Tunnel east portal after crossing the duck under You might notice that I have built my layout in sections (not modules, they'll only go together one way). This is so I can take my layout to train shows - I'm actually booked to do one this coming July. I can also remove these sections and build entirely new scenes that I already have planned. One way of looking at it, is I have unlimited layout space?? wink: My layout corners (apart from one turn helix & my duck under) are fixed and only serve to turn a train 90'. These won't be scenicked Anyways, it's good to be able to run trains again......that's what this is all about isn't it.
Tunnel 26-27, eh? That's one of my favorite areas on the Moffat. I have loads of photos of that neighborhood. Should you need any reference photos... shoot me a PM... Looking good so far. Love the Moffat Tunnel scene!
I was lucky enough to spend a couple hours watching trains roll through the Moffat last Sat night at Steve's & it was just so good to just sit & watch em roll by. But you forgot to mention that added extra Steve lol,thats what really made it. I really look forward to your progress Steve,it will be really something special when it's done.
D&RGW Utah division - progress I probabably should try & change the thread title cos I'll be spending the next few months working hard to get my Utah desert scene finished to a standard that I can take to our local model RR exhibition in July My Tunnel district scene is on hold for now - which is lucky cos it's covered in scenic materials that I am using for Utah baffled: Anyway, since this is my first attempt at modelling a desert scene, I am making slow but OK progress. I have built up my slopes using extruded foam & then covered them in a spackle coat mixed with some sand for a gritty texture. You can see from the photos that my mesa / butte outcrops are plaster rock castings which I plan to blend in with the rest of the talus slope Some of the strata in my rock castings runs horizontal but sometimes what looks right is better than what is right Constant reference to prototype photos nearly keeps me on track in terms of matching colours & rock formations. I keep my photoboard handy so I don't stray too far from the area I'm trying to model One thing I've tried this time which is a first for me is building some "modular scenery" I've done certain sections of scenery on a separate foam base so I can remove it from the layout and work on it on the bench. This really helps with getting rock castings where I want them and when I get to laying down talus / gravel & ground cover I can turn the scenic section on an angle and the whole lot hopefully won't roll down the hill!!cute: I'll blend the sections together once they are permanently fixed in position My main aim is to create scenery that dominates my trains Anyways, back to it will try & keep some progress pix going
Well Steve, for a self-proclaimed desert novice, your "Utah" is beginning to look really good. If it looks half as good as your Moffat Tunnel, it will be awesome! Best, Otto
Some progress pix.... Geez Jase, You talking it up a bit eh?..... :tb-biggrin: Hemi, anyway as it happens I took a coupla pix last night. Apologies for the bad lighting but I had to move this section of my layout from my layout room into the other half of the garage. This in itself took some tricky negotiation cos my wifes treadmill is sitting outside as a result!! I am in the process of completing my return loops (off scene staging done) and hoping to run trains thru the scene within the next week or so The layout is due to be exhibited last weekend in July & the only scenic features not quite done yet are trackside details (poles / signals / signs etc etc) these are ready for installation but leaving them til last to avoid my stray elbows smacking them! Still have to finish the backdrop off with some clouds Apart from that you get the idea of where I'm at with my progress so far Once again sorry about the bad lighting but I hope to have some better pix & possibly a Youtube video posted after the exhibition
Agreed on the great job part; disagree on the lighting. Something that looks this good especially deserves good lighting. Good lighting will make this scene look stunning. Keep it going and keep us posted! regards, Otto
I agree, that is a amazing scene. If you wouldn't be able to see the room around the layout there would be nothing to give away that it wasn't the real thing.
Dude, that's simply.... 'Grande! You've captured the Utah desert perfectly. Look at all the money you'll save on trees thru this section! That begs for a hot #179 streaking past with a quintet of 4-axle hot rods hustling auto parts to Milpitas!
A sight to behold! I love the way you have staged the entrance and exit sections of this scene - it all looks 'just right'. Is this a specific stretch of the prototype line that you're copying? -Gary
