Yeah I'm hoping we aren't too affected here--I'm in Gainesville. As much as I'd like classes to be postponed... Bruce: Looks awesome! I really like the way you used the sweeping curves with the Unitrack and that fast mail is a beauty. I just ordered the basic KATO 8-car SC set and an F3A so I'm eager to get started. Thank you for being an inspiration for modeling the ATSF in N.
Hello all, with the changes to the layout (changing the area modelled to a 'Kingman Canyon-style area...), comes the realization, that to produce the area on one side that features a deck girder bridges on the upper level and a ballasted deck timber trestle on the lower, I would be modelling a wash area, between ridges...I wouldn't be able to carry a ridge along the entire length of this side of the layout to act as the scenic divider as I had originally intended to do (the other side will still feature a ridge along the entire length). So a backdrop became necessary in order to model the srea between ridges.I decided on an 18" height and 4' length. the ends will be 'hidden', or better decribed as blended, into the rising peaks that form this canyon, only exposing the middle 1-1/2 to 2' of the backdrop on this side. blue sky and distant desert peaks will be the scenery painted onto the backdrop on the 'wash' side, and only blue sky on the other (only an average of an inch or two will be exposed above the rocky scenery on the other side. something very similar to this background: I cut two 4' x 18" pieces of masonite then quickly screwed and glued them to a frame contructed with 1 x4 pieces of pine...I want some rigidity and also leave some hollow areas for mounting potable lighting fixtures for photographic purposes... I'll sand to a better finish after I carve the foam from the srea, on the layout, where the backdrop will be mounted; I'll finish and paint the backdrop down in the garage before mounting it on the layout... and of course, Casey had to be present while I was busy in the garage! thanks for looking! Bruce
Can't wait to see the addition! BTW...I listed a Kato N Scale Santa Fe A & B (both powered) locomotive set, and Kato Super Chief 8-car set, on eBay...just an FYI in case ur interested. My user name is cds.123*
Making changes in foam is a pretty simple deal...I simply cut a slot where I'm going to install the backdrop/divider....then dropped it in. Now that I know it all 'fits' I'll take it back down to the garage, fill and clean up the edges, then start the painting process. Thanks for looking, Bruce
Hello all... after looking at the new backdrop/divider...I decided to drop the height a little, approximately 3-1/2 inches... The track height is going to be around 50+ inches, so 'needing' the extra height isn't really a consideration; what colored my decision to drop the height was the height of the rock formations that I want to build... On this side of the layout, the canyon widens a bit (the viewpoint is from Route 66 across the canyon), so the wash is an area where the formations will start in a pretty steady slope; about 45 degrees will do it here...steeper than the 30 degree slope that I'd really like if I had more length. So I can't build the formations too high right here. I'll have them gain height as they wrap around the ends and maintain a higher elevation on the other side to better model an area where the canyon narrows. Absolutely true that the 'Salt Lake Route' is an inspiration...the only difference bing that I really didn't want to model 'seperate' scenes on either side of the divider; rather, I wanted to create more of a peninsula style situation where the canyon wraps around in an outside curve. I use the styofoam piece of 'New Mexico' mesa-butte that I constructed to help me visualize the height of canyon wall that is pleasing to the eye.Since changing the locale of the layout, this photo prop-test piece really looks out of place for Kingman Canyon..the colors being waaay off, as well as the juniper/shrub. and a look at the other side of the layout (funny that this side was the 'original' 'main' side when I first started this layout....there was a hwy and a hwy truss bridge slated to be in the foreground!) as always, thanks for looking, Bruce
I just read through this thread. You've done some great work with all that foam. The layout is coming along very nicely! What seems to be your hotwire tool of choice? You stated earlier in the thread that you got some new ones for Xmass, but didnt mention the ones you used most/liked best. I really like what you were able to do with your "Practice" butte!!! Lots of great ideas in here. Thank you for sharing!
Jerry, I use tools from Hot Wire Foam Factory in CA. They have a great selection of craft and heavier duty hot tools...I use the engraver for the rock details...a heavy duty knife works well for cutting down big pieces...but I also use serrated knives and Stanley Surform rasps for creating gentle curves and troughs...a shopvac is always at hand! Bruce
Hello all, Trying to get something done on the layout before leaving town for a bit... Now that the backdrop/divider is built, I can start seriously thing about laminating and adding the foam layers that will form the canyon walls; once they're actually formed and shaped to rough dimensions, I can start carving the detailed rock features...everything else will get a layer of sculptamold and celluclay, only the carved and worn exposed 'rock' will remain foam. In order for me to define the beginnings of the slopes on the canyon walls, I had to establish more features that will be below the track, such as the wash that dictates the need for the ballasted deck timber trestle on the lower (Westbound) track, and the ballasted deck girder bridge on the upper (Eastbound) track. Here I've carved and rasped, to rough shape the wash...it will disappear 'around' a slope to the right, where it meets the backdrop..a road will also follow it, rise over a gentle 'hump' and disappear 'over the rise' where it meets the backdrop. It's going to start to get 'serious' soon...I still have to purchase trestle bents, timber, and a couple of deck girder bridges (I guess Micro Engineering is my only choice; I'll have to build the timber deck). Thanks for looking, Bruce
Hello all, Last day to get any modelling work done for a week or so... I wanted to 'rough in' the base of the ridges that will rise to either end (and completely wrap around and extend along the other side); also, roughly defining the wash and road locations that give the trestle and girder bridge a 'raison d'etre'...with the Alabama-Ole Miss and tu-Cowboy games in the background, I grabbed some scrap foam and hotwire formed the outlines you see here; now, with the base of the ridges up to the level of the surrounding foam, I can start to layer foam, in a contour fashion up to the height I feel I desire, then begin the slope shaping process. I'm having to do my absolute best to take things in a logical order; I don't want to start using sculptamold and celluclay until every portion of the foam is in proper place (I'm so tempted to start final contouring of the lower level topography-my eye isn't enjoying the temporary view). Getting to this point is important for me to tweak my basic ideas about the ridges and how I want them to frame the scene on this side of the layout. Thanks for looking, Bruce
Hello all... finally home after three weeks out of town! I had added wood putty to fill the fascia countersunk screw holes to the other side (now the 'showcase' side) of the layout before I left for Destin; returning home last night showed them to be ready for sanding and finishing. Also, I made a major change in 'support' for the layout. Although I have legs for it (in case I decide to take it to a show), I chose to use a yard sale chest of drawers find to be the base and support for the layout in it's room location. I just added support legs to the top of the chest, and the layout rests on top of these very strong supports; it's quite stable and has the benefit of being able to be moved and 'slid' around a bit when I start the wiring. The chest also provides 'built in' storage space for locos and rolling stock as well as providing a table for power and sound supplies. A floor length cloth skirt will be attatched (curtain style) underneath the fadcia to hide the chest and help showcase the layout. A Southwest-style pattern will go a long way to add to the room decor. The little sander did a great job of smoothing the fascia surface; all holes are filled and there is no evidence of seams where two pieces of hardboard were butt joined to continue the fascia. I also sanded the edges and top of the center backdrop/divider as well as filling the coutersunk screw holes that may be visible. I also decided to raise the upper-'eastbound' track by one foam sheet thickness; just in case I decide to add a branch off of both lines on the far side to route to a series of staging modules. I haven't yet made up my ming to do this yet, but if I do decide to add staging to this layout with a series of wall mounted modules, I'll be able to clear the lower-'westbound' track with a girder bridge spanning it. I'm about 50-50 right now on adding this feature. I want to keep this layout simple, but adding a turnout on both lines in the least viewable corner would allow some flexibility in being able to stage various trainsonto the layout. The disadvantages are the fact that there aren't any turnouts or branches within Kingman Canyon, and certainly no areas where one track goes over another. Also, having only one line coming off of both tracks in one diresction would force me to back trains onto the layout to retain the 'directional' aspect of the two lines through the canyon...ehhh...we'll see. here are some pics of the inner track being raised. To the casuaL observer, it's difficult to see how this is going to resemble Kingman Canyon, but try to imagine the two visible areas on either side of the wash.cut rising to canyon forming eroded rock buttes rising to a height equal to or perhaps higher than the top corners of the backdrop/divider. The Weather is perfect here on the Alabama coast right now so I may attempt to paint the sky portion of the backdrop tommorow. Thanks for looking, Bruce
Bruce, I've been through Kingman Canyon on Arizona Route 66, and having done that I cansee how this definitely resembles Kingman Canyon. Keep it up, you on a good path here. If you are ever down in Sarasota, FL, pls look me up, now that I'm more or less in the similar part of the USA.
Hello all... I was able to paint the initial coats on the backdrop/divider this evening! I had my local Home Depot match a phpto of a spring Kingman Canyon sky and mix a quart of flat interior latex. I also bought a small pint of flat interior latex white to lighten it... I painted the whole divided the blue, then mixed successively lighter shades and applied them in bands toward the bottom...then blended them into the previous darker blue... looked great in the afternoon sun, but not 'distinctive' enough under the room lighting...I'll let it dry then blend lighter coats and blend on the weekend...I don't want to overdo it, but I do want just a little more 'haze' toward the horizon. I'm very happy with the color of the blue...it captures the clear sky in Spring!...I won't be adding any clouds, but, on the front side, between the two ridges, I'll paint a disatnt mountain on the horizon. like this: Here are pictures on the divider set into place: the 2nd pic shows the other side of the layout...most of the divided will be covered by steep canyon walls, but a bit of sky will show from the very top... Here are some pics from closer to 'track level' to get an idea of the effect: continued...
Of course, right now, the two ridges have flat tops at the height of the last piece of foam I added...but they'll slope up and away from this central point to the top of each corner of the divider/backdrop, wrapping around to continue along the other side... Thanks for looking, Bruce
After blowing leaves I had a moment to paint a little more on the backdrop/divider...making more of a contrast between the darker blue of the upper atmosphere, and the lighter, haze blue along the horizon. I'm satisfied now with the result...here are some pics, from track level, showing the backdrop in place. I won't be able to paint the distand topography and mountain until I finalize on sand, dirt, and rock colors for the scenery...this will be quite an excercise unto itself...MANY different colors and hues in this canyon...the volcanic rock formations alone vary from red, rust, brown, and black! Thanks for looking, Bruce
yardwork and cleaning done...big pot of chili in the crockpot, and college football on the TV...I had a little time to start laying cork on the upper, eastbound track...I'll lay, wire, and test this track before I pull the Kato track on the lower level and lay cork there. I use only one half of the cork strip; more prototypical for this era and ballasting is much easier-the ballast forms it's own, prototypical slope, and needs much less ;fiddling' and manicuring before wetting and gluing. I posed some of my new, little, CMW vehicles on the stretches of 'road' that will be Route 66 , running on the opposite side of the canyon from the rail lines...the road that will run for a bit between the tracks is the National Trails Hwy; a road older than Route 66, I believe. 5 or 6 vehicles, per side, will be sufficient to suggest 1957 Route 66 without 'crowding'. I won't start laying track for a week or so; I need to have a plan as to how I'm going to solder and drop feeders on this Atlas code 55. Thanks for looking, Bruce
Hello all... Actually had some time to lay the code 55 track on the upper level...went fairly quickly once I set up with all the tools in order. I first soldered a number of sets of terminal joiners...I used solid 22 gauge wire and Atlass code 55 joiners. Then, after making certain the cork was level and blemish free, started applying Gorilla Glue brand gel CA in a thin layer on each cork section. I clipped two ties from each end of a piece of flex, then positioned the track, holding it in place with tack nails...then drilled for feeder drops. Slid on the feeder joiners, then repeated the process...I dropped feeders at every flex track join. i've run all my equipment over the trackage...beautiful!!!! Here's a shot of the code 55 and the Kato track still on the lower level...an amazing contrast...I have no clue what I was thinking when I considered just sticking with the Kato Unitrack! Thanks for looking, Bruce
The differences may not be as noticeable once things are all ballasted and blended into the scenery. What are you planning on using for ballast? Arizona Rock and Mineral?
Absolutely!...I swear by it!...I'm going to use N scale GN basalt for this layout...I used some Woodlands Scenic ballast for the little mesa I constructed and quickly reminded myself why I love Arizona Rock and Mineral. I use a technique that Kim Saign showed me long ago in Round Rock; by using a clear gravy seperator to apply the ballast to each side along the rail really applies the ballast evenly and requires very little 'manicuring'. Because the track sits on one strip of cork, the ballast forms it's own prototypical slope. First, though, the other track needs to go down...tested, painted, and weathered....the ballast won't be spread until the scenery is completed...the track will be nasked during the whole process. Sincerely, Bruce
Hello all... precious little time this weekend to work on trains...but found a little...I dropped 5 sets of feeders for the track already layed, and tested the connectivity of each by powering the track from each feed in turn...no problems and everything runs perfectly!...as it turns out, 5 drops are perfect; I can divide the loop into 5 seperate blocks by cutting gaps on each side of the drops-when I add DCC and surroundtrax to the layout, the 5 blocks will be set up into 5 seperate 'sound zones'-perfect for the 5+subwoofer set up!...I'll do the same for the lower/westbound track...5 seperate feeds and blocks. There's not a hitch inthe track at all...a finger rubbed along the rail detects nothing but smooth, smooth rail...I've run all my equipment behind all my power...forwarsd and back, without a hitch.Using the flex allowed me to curve easements into the 15" radius, and also allowed sufficient straight track going into a 'reverse curve' srea. I had some time to sit at the workbench and sand ties to place under the rail in the areas where ties needed to be removed when laying the flex.I'll fill the holes drilled for the drops with celluclay, replace the ties, and cut the gaps for the 5 blocks before painting the track. In the meantime, I put the latest purchases on the track and pulled them with some of the PA's to see how they tracked....2 ConCor ATSF chair cars (very nice and Santa Fe prototypes!), a couple of MT paired window coaches (These are going to be ATSF coaches, using Roberto Martari's beautiful sides), and 4 hard-to-find Kato sleepers (a Pine series sleeper-the sill needs to be modified to make it accurate for the Santa Fe) and three Valley-series sleepers in two-tone gray (various sliver stripes and lettering needs to be removed and applied to model them accurately for my 1957 year, I'll remove the sills on one of them) Here, the PA's round a curve along the edge of the towering canyon bluffs, heading eastbound on the upper track (of course, at this point, only I can see how the bluffs will frame the layout...this scene won't be duplicated, the rest of the train will be hidden around the curve-I designed the layout's bluffs to hide the smallness of the radius on the upper level-foreground rock formations will help hide the radius of the curve; the whole curve can't be seen from any viewpoint of the layout. These views show the view from ground level, facing the wash and gap spanned by the deck girder bridge-future views will show the ground level Westbound track Hope these pics load as Photobucket is not co-operating this evening!Thanks for looking, Bruce
Bruce, It is looking awesome. You having me thinking seriously about the lack of scenery on my layout.
