Well, let's see.. hopefully I'll have time this year! My shelf layout in its current state: I'm hoping to get the background flats done.. maybe an actual background. I didn't take pics last summer of the area I'm modeling, so the background may have to wait. Also, mucho details details details to be added
To help show where my staging is I took a photo with the hand of Me pointing into the hole where it is. The track in the foreground leads down into it then to the on layout yard. Between the last post and this one I have removed the passing sidings in the summit and the front town tracks. I thought I was ready to add cork and track back in but I left my supplies in the club shop.:tb-err: Disclaimer; Don't try this on your own layout as hidden staging that is not accessible is a pain in the ....
OK, time to experiment. I've been playing with the grade separation at Dixon to make it appear that the lower track disappears off layout more convincingly than it did in the past. My previous post showed a Kato bridge barely concealing the top edge of a mirror. The implications of creating a convincing backdrop beyond the limits of the mirror started reeling out of control. So, I'm trying something different. Here are three pictures showing today's visual experiments with a structure crossing the lower track to conceal the edges of a mirror. The mirror shown here is temporary; a front surfaced mirror is on order. This is only a trial mock-up for imagineering purposes. Another perspective: And yet another view: All these structures, except the two story brick building with loading dock, are merely placeholders for planning purposes. For the structure spanning the lower track, I'm inclined to make it a steel-sided industrial structure, scratchbuilt to fit the site. Now that you've looked that over, I'd like to hear your suggestions.
I do like this idea better than the old one especially when you get a steal structure spanning the gap. Is it possible to move the red brick wall left of the track closer to the track. You could even add a car bridge adjacent the RR bridge to hide the mirror. I don't know how high your layout is so the viewers eye could be high or low, but would extra large trees along the outside of the curve in the foreground help block or distort the view to the mirror from that angle. Maybe a mini scene to draw the viewer in yet keep them from looking any further. The attachment bellow shows what I hope to accomplish by relaying my passing sidings closer. The picture angles are almost identical. The picture on the left is the old way and the picture on the right is how it will come out.
Thanks, John. Your feedback is really helpful. I've been thinking about narrowing the whole cut section there. After cruising through some great photos of the Glasgow City and District Railway, I moved a few things around as you can see here. The narrower high-walled cut will simplify the bridge structure for the upper tracks. It will also make it easier to conceal the curving active track as it diverges from the false mirrored track. Yeah, I've considered that. These experiments are yielding strong straight lines that run parallel to the disappearing track. Those straight lines strengthen the illusion that the track and the right of way penetrate the backdrop. If I had more depth (only 7 inches now), I think the roadway bridge would be another convincing tool. The photos are taken from average viewer height, but I often sit eye level with the track. Adding more trees and vegetation is always a preferred solution given my overall layout concept. Thanks again, John, for your advice. Good stuff!
Current status: Ntrak module with all track and wiring in place, skyboard (backdrop) is complete but stored separately Goals: 1. weather the sides of the rails 2. create a rock face on the right-hand side of the "mountain division" hill 3. put initial ground cover layer on appropriate areas of module 4. decide where to run the gravel road and construct it
At last year's Layout Party, I worked on scenery at the southern end of the area around the CNW Adams Street Yard. I put in the Adams Street viaduct that hides where the CNW and BN lines pass off the sceniced portion of the layout onto the Peoria Helix, and replaced some space-holding houses with the 5 lanes of Adams Street, a used car lot, and several mock-ups of the Adams Street businesses. This year I'll continue working in the Adams Street Yard area, but will focus on the L-shaped middle and northern sections. This pic from before last year's Layout Party, shows the cardboard viaduct that was replaced last year and (at the left) some of the area where houses were replaced with Adams street and the used car lot. In the 8 weeks of this year's Layout Party, I plan to complete as many of the following objectives as I can, although I'll probably not take them in order: 1. re-position the siding that serves 4 businesses in the distance (Great Plains Propane [sort of visible behind the white propane tank car], Heller Tin Compress [a scrap metal bundling facility], Smith-Scharff Paper warehouse, and to the right, just out of the picture, Erlichman Recycling); 2. put 5 or 6 buildings in place for all 4 businesses (most will be cardboard mock-ups, 1 will be a plastic model); 3. put in fences, trees grass, parking lots, and alleys, around the businesses; 4. continue the background tree flats against the backdrop that I started last year behind the Adams Street businesses and extend them about 8 feet along the middle of the CNW yard into the corner of the benchwork, then about 9 feet along the wall behind the 4 businesses; 5. paste pictures from google maps street views and other on-line sources, on the background tree flats to show buildings and Adams Street scenes behind the 4 businesses and along the treeline/skyline; 6. ballast the tracks in the CNW yard and along the BN and PPU mainlines; 7. refresh the lichen and Woodland Scenics trees and grass along the BN and PPU ROW. Based on last year's performance, I'll be thrilled if I can finish 2 or 3 of my 7 objectives during the 8 weeks of the Layout Party.
Here is the structure I am modifying. Here is the interior. You can see the price was one US$. No expense spared for my TB friends!! This structure was supposedly made by a monk in California. The roof looks like tree bark but the roof interior is smooth like some type of commercial product. I am not sure what it is. The walls are plain balsa sheet. There were several similar type structures at the same table. I can see that I will need to seal both sides of the structure to prevent warping. I want to convert it to a restaurant where the locals stop for barbecue and the train crews call ahead for meals. I haven't really conceptualized it all yet, but I am much more pleased with this structure than my earlier attempts. Off to the club for some trains tonight.
Roadbed and track glued down Gaps filled in the foam surface, sanded smooth and level. Cork roadbed and track glued down, ready for feeder wires to be dropped. I want to do some terrain shaping, adding some small hills in the back, and carving out a small log pond and some other small, subtle features, then I'll paint the entire surface.
Looks like a nice switching layout. I see it is H0 scale as I found your home page. Looks good. :thumbs_up:
More work with my modules. Here you see the PC board ties at the end plate. I will solder the rails to these ties. This is one segment of my 90 deg corner module. It has got a thin layer of tile adhesive. Wolfgang
So far, I have built Altoona. My primary goal is to finish the new room and begin building benchwork. My secondary goal is to get enough benchwork down that I get some track down. My "gravy" goal is to finish the benchwork (minus the helix). I really don't think that I'm going to make it that far, but if I set the bar high, it will help with motivation on those I-just-want-to-sit-around-and-do-nothing days.
Today I swept down the layout, considered what track I can put away and looked at lighting options. I have also looked at what I can sell as part of my de-accumulation project.
Ok, finally figured out what I was doing wrong with pictures... Here is how the plan was. Bottom track is the main, next is the branch, then the industrial spur. I needed to add a cross over at the west end of the area so a loco can perform a run around here without going all the way to the concrete plants spur. So basically, push that set of switches seen towards the center of your screen to the west and add another set just past the turnout that leads to the Maine Central main / Boston & Maine junction. Track is Atlas code 55. Most of the track was saved as I glued the track and roadbed with tack cement (water based). Foam roadbed was pulled up and barely visiable are my lines to aid in roadbed alignment. More work was done today, pictures to be uploaded soon. Jim
Last picture for the evening. Both the main and branch roadbeds have been laid. Once this is dry, the two #7 turnouts seen laying just to the right will be installed along with the track. Another turnout will lead into the industrial spur. Maine Central has trackage rights here to switch out plywood and building supplies for Steinbeck and Sons Lumber. I'm plan to get the rest of the roadbed and most of the track installed tomorrow as I'm anxious to start seeing autumn on this branch and not pink. Jim
It looks like everyone is making good progress. I'll have a better idea of the project(s) that need the most attention next week. With my current work schedule, I won't be able to really get started until next week. Also some of the motivation comes from the fact that the layout will be on the tour again for the Plano show in January. One main project is to eliminate the "abyss" in Spadra. I started installing some of the supports for the scenery when the glue gun decided to quit. So next week I'll resolve that problem (hopefully) and re-start the project. Here are a couple of pics of the current status. Track work in this area is 50+ inches above the floor so train crews are restricted to 10mph through Spadra. With nearly a scale mile drop off, derailments are always fatal so you can see why I want to get at least the base scenery installed.
More progress. In this picture you can see the "west" crossover, a #7 left hand turnout crossing from the main (right) to the branch (left). The blurry device in the branch trackage is my tool to keep the track radius true. The Caboose Industries ground throw is just there for placement and has not been installed yet. Here we see the #7 left hand turnout of the branch just past the newly installed crossover. This will lead to the small industrial park which will include Steinbeck & Sons lumber, Northern Propane and a team track or other small industry. Top view just after main line flex was installed. The track pins (T-Pins) keep the track put until the glue sets up. The Main (right track) goes past the Maine Central Junction and in the model world goes south to Concord, Manchester etc. The branch turns left and "terminates" to an industry no longer serviced. When operating this small layout, it will be a point to point layout, however the branch does go around allowing me to run trains for shows and display. This part of the branch will be hidden by a large rock cut, hills and trees to provide a natural view block. Now I just need to purchase one more #7 turnout and both the main and branch will be done. Jim
