Hmmmm...should the coal mine be situated to lead into the upper yard instead??? Gives the rest of the main a clear run.
Chris: I like the daylight tunnel. I do not like the spur off the rural scenic run. In my opinion it destroys the total effect of your original concept "Marias Pass". May I suggest adding a small town to create a visual view block that compliments the daylight tunnel. The industry on the right could be revised for a mine operation if desired. The roadway and bridge could be moved to accomodate the mine. The revised track plan uses 15 inch easements to help broaden the entry and exit points of the curves. My question to you is what do you see as the front of the layout? [/URL][/IMG] Hope this helps. Jerry
So here it is with only the coal mine. Hope to get a HCD tomorrow...due to the TS Isaac, its a bit too crummy out to head to the store.
Looking good Chris. If you used a left hand switch in place of the 19 inch curved section and right hand switch going to the coal mine you would gain extra yard track length and smooth out the trackage. Jerry
Thanks for the tweaks, everyone!! Hopefully (Weather dependent from TS Isaac, hopefully I can get to Lowes for the HCD this evening. They do have three 36x80's for only $10, and I didn't see any damage, just a few scratches. They are panel doors, but by the time I stack several inches of foam on top, shouldn't matter (will it?). I think I have all the track, except the #4switches. Here it is with the latest revisions... Any last thoughts? Thanks again!! Chris
So...I didn't get to Lowes yet. But was thinking more about the layout. As I'm planning on the daylighted tunnel area to the right with a coal mine, I thought more about it being a rock quarry instead. I googled rock quarrys and images, and found this unique one... It is a 400 bed resort in China that is recently designed and took first place. Pretty cool. Anyways, this is more like the one I'm thinking of modeling similar to on my RR...
6" of white foam, sandwiched between 1/2" blue foam, on Basic loop and siding set in place on the HCD
Looks great Chris. The six inch foam base provides plenty of drop from track level for a dramatic mountain side view. Well done! Jerry
Still working on the daylighted tunnel, but really wanted to dig the gorge... Will be using the deck bridge in the end, but for now, the girder bridge fits best.
I like where you are going with this Chris. What type of piers do you intend to use to support the bridges or do you intend to build a trestle? Jerry
Thanks, Jerry! Planning on two square dowels equidistant at the bridge joints, to look like concrete pillars. The second, unattached bridge, is the bridges I'll b using.
Those will look great and very prototypical btw. I wish they had rails on both sides; however that could easily be added. Jerry
Yes, would be nice if they had double rails. Here are a couple shots with them in place.... It's about 6.5 - 6.75 inches from top of the blue foam to the rails...about 90 scale feet. I believe the second pic shows the river bed area...my son wants more of a waterfall than a river. Going to turn it into a white water rafting scene! Hope no one hits the right pillar on the way down...LOL!
