Okay, Sunday Night Update time. First off, it was a much more productive week that week 1. Even though I didn’t accomplish all that I set out to do, I can definitely see progress. So I believe the party theory is working, at least for me. Anyway, last Sunday I said that the goals for this week were: 1. Install all loose ties under track joints. 2. Start foam hill contour work north of yard. 3. Start foam hill contour work in center of layout. 4. Start installing ground throw switch stands. First the bad news. I didn’t get all the loose ties installed. However I did at least get the old spikes and the pieces that join one tie to another cut off. I test fit them and they will fit under the ends of the spurs where there are no rail joiners. I’m thinking I may need to thin them a bit to fit under the joints with rail joiners, we’ll see. I also didn’t get any ground throw switch stands installed. I took apart one of my Atlas Standard switches (removed the manual lever/spring housing) and looked at how I’d hook up the Caboose Industries throws. It isn’t all that obvious to me. Several questions came to mind, including how I’ll fasten the switch stand down to the foam base in a secure manner that will withstand repeated cycling of the switch, and how I’ll fabricate some kind of extension to the switch throw rod, since several of the ground throws will need to be located on the curved side of the switch, and the Atlas standard switch only has an extension on the straight side. I’ve got some ideas, but didn’t spend any time actually trying to implement them this week. On the plus side, I made significant progress foaming (no, not railfanning). That is, I glued down foam in several locations. Later in the week I also started shaping the foam, first with a surform rasp, then with sandpaper. I’m not sure if I did as much as I was hoping, but it was enough to make me feel good about the progress. Even more than the pure progress, I can start to see just what a difference this is going to make to the layout. Although the foam is that bright blue (that reminds one of gigantic snowdrifts) I can still image how it will be once it’s painted and covered in ground foam. Here are a couple of photos of the work. First a shot showing the mess you make shaping the foam with a surform rasp. Here’s one after smoothing the foam with sandpaper. Here’s one just showing a bit more of this end of the layout. Even on these smoothed sections, I have to apply some lightweight spackle to plug some seams and spots where the foam didn’t fit just right, then sand that down. Then I’ll give it a coat of paint. So that brings us to the plan for this week. Let’s go with: 1. Installing the loose ties (should be easier now that I’ve cut them) 2. Complete foam rough-in (initial gluing in place and rough shape) in all areas 3. Finish smoothing foam, and apply base coat of paint, in southeast quadrant of the layout. Whew, that about all, I guess. Regards
Sharp looking parking lot Rob.... Mike that layout is looking good, I like that first picture..... Rick Anything????
Last evening, I started my second project. When my wife looks TV I should not use the saw or other noisy tools. That's the time for more silent work, switch stands. I've got those from Details West. At first I drilled the recommended #76 dia hole on top and bottom of the switch stand. I widened the holes with a reamer. And I soldered a little piece of brass sheet at one end of the rod. But before the brass got a #76 dia hole, too. Now, switch stand, target and rod are ready to paint. Wolfgang
Well, my whole week went about as planned, which means i got nothing done on the trains! This week should be better. Need to build a tunnel portal and polish off the entrance.
Unacceptable! I've been in a rut, too. This massive hulk of foam and plaster I have is not liking my track routing behind the hill, so it's time for more cutting, shaping, filling, and replastering.
Finally made it to HD and purchased some 1x4's. Actually pretty good lumber for a change without too much hunting and pecking. Didn't do much else until this evening, but tonight I got about half of the pieces for my five base modules cut out. I should have more time this coming weekend, now that football season is over! Today was "officially" the end of week 2 right? I should be on schedule after the weekend, if all goes well. Woohoo!
This picture shows the new status. The "storage boxes" are painted. I see, I'm in time. BTW, I made the last smaller box for storage of carload. Carload must removeable. Wolfgang
I have been working on planting trees and foliage. The hillside is pretty much finished. Also I have begun working around and behind the station. This is the next area to be worked on. I have been sidetracked. The LNE boxcar is ready for weathering. And I had to build this G-Scale building for my son and wife who are planning a garden railroad. Now I need to make a bunch of trees. I also just received my order from the HobbiesUSA. The order contained a Rixx highway bridge and the bridge pier for the trolley bridge. The pier is shorter than what I had expected, so I’ll need to figure out a way to make it reach further. The order also contained a bunch of other scenery supplies I need to finish this diorama.
BEGINNING OF WEEK THREE I think this could turn out to be the strongest party yet. I hope to have some pics up by the end of the weekend of some of the track I have already laid. I have cleaned my room and now am beginning to build the nolix.
Thanks Mike! Next photo session I'll take a wider shot. The only ones I currently have are before I satrted adding the trees and foliage.
With the two shelf sections being different sizes a gap fill was needed, which also helps break up the linear line of a long shelf. I used the tounge and grove on the foam to aline the new section. I added a couple of more layers, now it needs some forming.
The battle with my hillside track grade has been won, and goal # 2 was eliminated tonight. I now have a mainline. Two and a half weeks left, we're halfway into the party boys! My one last goal, building the trestle, will be a snap. Man this is great. The grade building and track laying is what was stressing me out. I hope you all have had some more success with your layouts. I expect more pics from those of you with cameras.
