Started putting track down to see how the track plan will work out. The paper under the track is the track plan printed out to scale. Slowly but surely, we're getting there
Hey ANDY, it's looking good! It's nice to see an idea come to fruition huh? Before you mount that Unitrack, I'd recommend that you: <UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>Take a Dremel grinder and buzz off the little wire covers that stick out from the ballast profile. Do the same for any feeder tracks. <LI>Where the Unitracks connect, you'll notice two ties touching each other. Take that same Dremel bit and grind off one of the ties so that the joints aren't as obvious. <LI>Take a fine brush and some Testor's "Rubber" colored paint, and paint the ties that are moulded into the Unijoiner so that the tie color isn't interrupted by the Unijoiner. <LI>The switch mechanisms on the turnouts are very easily fouled by scenery materials. I use a low-temp glue gun with the bead smoothed with a caloused finger, to seal the edges to keep plaster, and matte medium from getting into the works. <LI>You can color the rails with a DecoColor brown paint marker. Just cut the tip into a chisel shape before you prime the tip. <LI>Weather the track by liberally dry brushing the area between the rails with black tempera paint powder. Mist the area with water, and it will liquify in place and seep into the crevices of the Unitrack ballast, cutting the sheen and creating a great weathered effect. <LI>Keep taking pictures, and don't forget to have fun! [/list] [ 21 February 2001: Message edited by: ten87 ]
Thanks for the tips Ed, your help has been invaluable. I'm laying the track out now so I can outline it with a marker. Then the track is coming up so I can start adding some ditches, gulleys etc...
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by moose: Then the track is coming up so I can start adding some ditches, gulleys etc...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Moose: To help carve those ditches easier into the foam, build yourself a hot wire cutter like I did. See my web page under Layout Construction for a picture of my cutter.The Southview Lines
Looks great moose and thanks a ton for all of those pictures. By the way, do you have a web site with a track plan and general info available. Last fall I moved from a house into an apartment, and now I am getting ready to move again. Needless to say my modeling days are sort of on hold. Thanks for leting me model vicariously though your efforts Have a good one
Thanks for posting the pictures, it is now starting to resemble a layout . You certainly have a long straight at the front I can just see long intermodal running around the layout. Keep up with the photos as I'm really enjoying watching your progress
Thnaks for all the comments. I really appreciate it! mtaylor- No web site, but if you check some of the other topics, you'll find the trackplan which has since been modified. I'm still kicking around a location to model (it will be present day). Moose River is a succesfull shortline with strategic trackage which has attracted interest from a couple Class 1's. (A press release will be issued in the near future) Also looking at the plan, I've got plenty of interchange apportunity as well as future expansion possibility. (I've been out of modelrailroading for many years, and it sure FEELS GOOD to be back in it, especially with my 4 yr old son involved) Colonel- L-O-N-G intermodals are going to be a big part of operations Pat- Thanks. My wife and I have been fans of Dale since the early 80's. He will be sorely missed
