I got my backdrop done. More pics here: http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/13/t/001899.html My next goal is to finish up all the home road freight cars that are in progress on my workbench. If I get that completed, I can start on something else.
Thanks. I painted the clouds using Gavin Miller's techniques: http://www.the-gauge.com/showthread.php?t=2906 I cut some stencils from cardstock and used a spraycan of flat white paint.
I just realized that I never posted my starting pictures for the Passenger Station Diorama. So, here they are: First up is recolroing the stones in the abutment and creek wall.
Pecatonica Division Report: I got started on the second bullet of my post - Rebuilding the staging tracks(lengthen and replace old twin coil switch machines with Tortoises. The mainline is now cut, and the DCS100(Digitrax Chief) is now upstairs in the study. This allows me to program a few more engines, and keeps me from trying to run something on the layout while the work goes on! The west ladder for staging has been removed and new Homabed has been laid for the #6 turnouts. The east ladder to staging is being moved about 3 feet to the west, and involves some benchwork and 1/2" plywood. As soon as this is complete, I will pick up the tracks east of the diamond at Strawberry Point and lay all new Homabed/trackage(about 7 feet of mainline and then the ladder to the lengthened staging tracks. Progress is slow, as I have 3 week-end's in a row of train shows/flea markets on Saturdays. Sunday afternoon is now free after the Vikings fell out of the playoff's.... Jim Bernier
Since I am hosting our RR club meeting next month I have a lot of work to do. I finished ballasting the main line last weekend. Now on to the yard. I also built a small scrap yard on one siding. I need to work on my overpass some more, needs weathering. Then I need to install a small shop on another siding. With all of this I need to add more detail. TO EVERYTHING. I might even start retracking my turntable. Mike
Update: Got the coupler done. Used a drop of super glue on the back of the adapter box to hold it in place. Tomorrow, I'm going to cut the 1x4's I have to start making the benchwork. I think I may have bit of more than I can chew but I'm going to try to get as much done as I can.I'm not going to rush things.
I'm going to have to chop up my progress report, because I am going to be in Barbados and the East Coast next week (small difference in temps there! ) and I'll be out of circulation for an entire week. I have accomplished the following: 1. Build support frames for the 2" foam and bought the foam. 2. Cut the opening in the shelf side panel to allow the train to run through the shelf. 3. Laid down the shelf the trains will run on 4. Modified my work area to accommodate the train shelf. For the remainder of the week I'll attempt to cut the last few fill-in pieces of foam and build the planking for the two liftout bridges. I've ordered a sample of Vinylbed to see if I want to use that instead of cork for roadbed. Whichever I choose, I want to be able to lay the roadbed and track when I get back.
Using sculptamold with brown paint added for color, I have accomplished making the end supporting retaining wall for my bridge (click pics to enlarge)
I like those retaining walls. As for me, all I have to show for last week is planing my grade a little better, to get it more exactly 1.75%-2%. Next, I'll cover the new grade with plaster cloth to structurally tie it into the rest of the landscape. Hopefully by the time that is done, the track I ordered will show up.
Ok Guys..... The track work is all finished Now I need to ballast the spurs and add all the details to this area. Then I will finish building and painting the warehouses.
I haven't forgotten about this, but right now my broadband is down. I'll post an update once I'm back off dialup...
Hey Jeff I think some of the Guys here need a kick in the *** What's UP Guys we need to start see more update's Rick How about you??? And what about the others????? Anyone working?????
Mike, I looooove that brown UP box car weathering/graffiti job!!! You've given me a little inspiration for my Nuline kit, too. What's up? Been workin' man!!! Can't waste time posting - gotta keep working away! I want to finish my bottleneck (literally and figuratively) today so I can post pics tonight. I'm going to be out of town for over a week, so this is an important milestone for me. Printed out the 1:1 blueprint before going to bed last night, so today is doing the risers, laying the plywood base for the lower level and the foam base for the top level. But, yeah, Rick, what about your progress?
I got my 19 pulpwood racks finished. I have a gondola, 2 bulkhead flats, a centerbeam, and a 33' hopper in progress right now. I plan on getting those finished up and that will be all of the home road freight cars that I am going to do for now. Getting all of these home road freight cars done was my first goal. I'm nearing completion of that. Here are a few of my pulpwood racks: The rest are here: http://www.railimages.com/gallery/album14
up_mike: That graffiti car stuck out to me too...Nice As for me, I've place 5 turnouts, laid some cork and track. I've also started laying out and gluing down some foam for 2 mountains and tunnels and did a little plaster work in creating some rocks from molds. I've converted an F7 Power/Dummy and a GP35 along with 4 cars to kadee couplers. I've also been trying to read and obtain info on getting my wiring going...
Now that is Nice.... You got help I had my two kids helping me make WS trees last night [ 30. January 2005, 23:52: Message edited by: up mike ]
