Just an overview of version 1 layout. It's 5x7 and is a pretty good learning tool. And these four pics are from layout number 1 from 1994-97 when it was dismantled for track issues among other reasons. Just thought these would be of interest.
Well, the diesels all got painted and sold years ago!!! The MILW was a custom painted one I did way back, just hated those little 1 inch stripes!!! The scene was nice, will be sorta replicated on the current layout.
Built a cover for the hidden stage on the back side of the RR. Have more to do, but it is something! From the left is an easy transition scenery wise, however the lower level entry from the right will be a bit trickier to disguise how it just disappears. Am sorry for the yellow spots, my camera does that inside here. Hence the hunt for a new camera/camcorder as posted elsewhere.
Alan, It looks great! One comment: make the staging cover removable--in the *highly unlikely* event of a derailment, you'll want as close to 100% easy vertical access for the 'ol 0-5-0.
Nice quarters for the layout. It would be interesting to see how a couple of wall heaters from EHEAT would work in lieu of the infrared heaters in supplementing the wood stove and possibly protecting things in those cold Montana winters when the stove is out. Al
alhoop - Thanks! It is nice to have a dedicated space for the RR and support stuff. The electrics don't come on too often, my highest elec bill this winter was 100.00 bucks when I did a test run of just minimal woodstove heating. Mostly it has been 40 bucks or so. Which ain't bad considering all the lighting I have in there! Hemi - that one and the corner hill to the left will be removeable, just for the '5 claw wrecker service.' It's is in their contract that all track areas must be readily accessible, or no wrecking services will be provided. Tough negotiators!
Well! The hogger has the head brakeman out front trying to figure out how to get these bovine off the ttracks! Thankfully the train was going slow with a heavy load so's he could stop before making some jerky! And it looks like papa bull is going to argue a bit! Just a quick teaser photo of Elk Butte with more detail added. And mostly a tease for a future N-scale article. Will let y'all know when pub date is sent to me. Walt was a pleasure to work with, coaching me thru the publishing process. Summer is a busy time for me, so these little bits of running trains and and setting up scenes like this are a great diversion!
I'm surprised we don't hear more these days about livestock on the tracks. It was certainly common years ago. There are plenty of cattle still today. Are fences that much better? Or has all of the abandonments removed trains from areas where cows might encounter trains?
Don't know how I missed this post, but glad that I found it. Looking good. I'll have to keep up with this. Thanks.
BC - Naw, the RR here still gets a few every year. The rancher just gets a check and no foul. Montanan - Thanks! Gives me a place to unwind and hone skills. I don't get to add to it often enough as it is construction season and my list of outdoor projects already extends into next year, so, trains got to take a back seat.
Over the last few weeks I actually spent a few hours railroading. Laid some tracks in the yard area and have yet to solder up power feeds, but did get busy with this grain elevator. I have had this thing for a lot of years and just finally opened the box. Of course it has to get 'bashed a bit! It is a relaxing start on it tho!
Can't think of the manufacturer for that elevator kit. Don't think it's Walthers, but could easily be wrong?
So I made time today to stay out of the heat and the hot wind and finish a basic assembly of the grain elevator. I 'bashed it together from that W______ kit and used bits of styrene to build roofs and a chute and the platform. The base foundation is scribed evergreen. Just seems to be a compulsion that no kit can go together as designed! This will be a major shipper here and so it gets two tracks! This is just to give a perspective on it's location. And here she is primered and ready for detailwork and final painting. Is going to end up white with a corrugated tin roof, when I find some decent corrugation. And then found time to weather these five cars and dullcoat them. Felt good to make some kinda progress!! Hope you all have had as good a weekend!
In my travels around this end of the state I have yet to see an old red one. The closest was one at Pompeys Pillar over by Billings. That one is gone now, but I do have a picture of it elsewhere. Most all others are white, that I have seen. So, white she will be!
Well brother it looks like you have a really good grasp on things. Your scenery is really good. I know you still have track issues. Partly from wanting to play and get back into it and space you had then. Soon it will be time for you to start on the big layout. I will look forward to seeing that progress.. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
