Now that I have some progress going, I thought it was time to share some details about a little project I’ve been working on for a couple months. While my ATSF layout construction has been going very well, I decided to have a little diversion into the 1970s with N&W. Heavily inspired by the scenes on Tony Koester’s Coal Fork Extension, I wanted a place to operate my N&W equipment as well as the forthcoming brass J Class. This little layout features a lot of sound elements such as an ISE Squealer and background ambient sounds. The track and turnouts are all hand-laid as well, with joint bars… essentially, it will be as detailed as it possibly can be. I’m primarily a ship modeler, so hours spent building tedious details from scratch is right up my alley! I’ve spent quite a lot of time lately on the signature bridge scene. The bridge is fully scratch built from brass and polybak and measures around 13” or 330mm. The central core of the bridge is soldered brass channel that is secured well behind the retaining walls for maximum stability. The scenery is largely in place but I need to do a few more passes. The trees on the ridge behind the bridge will also receive a few more layers tops For now, I’m just going to show the bridge as a bit of teaser for what’s to come. The balance of the structures will all be scratch built as well. I’m trying to keep the use of commercial kits to a minimum on this one just to prolong the fun. This scene is far from finished, I just wanted to get the conversation started and to show you folks what I’m up to. Very much a work in progress. More to come.
Great looking work so far. Very realistic. congratulations. From the structural eengineering point of view, the tops of the pier trellis A beams should insist under the bridge beam. Maybe it is an artefact of perspective, but In the pictures you posted it looks like the A beams tops are offset on the outside of the bridge beam. If they were to stay offset, they would need then a large trasversal beam connecting the tops lf the A beam, where the bridge beam would seat.
That is beautiful!! Well done! Would love for you to post an overhead photo. Your rocks look totally real! John
Excellent work Speedbird! I cant wait to see more, I like all the realism you have accomplished in your bridge scene, and extending the fun by scratchbuilding is the way I see it too!
Speedbird, this is SO awesome. Very well done sir!!! Would you be willing to share the design and build details of the A- Frame and these crossing bars? Having tried to create these cross bars for my mothballed Gaviota project I know first hand how complicated this is. Hoping to see if I can replicate your approach. Thanks in advance! -Tiest
Tiest, the support towers were built from brass and laser cut polybak. They serve no structural purpose, only cosmetic. The core of the bridge is a soldered brass superstructure.
I was able to get out to the studio and get some work done. You’ll have to excuse the scenery construction dust, and the unweathered Alco. The trees on the ridge line are finished. The hero trees in the foreground are finished, but likely won’t go in until much later. The bridge still isn’t quite finished. The towers need to be weathered and secured in place permanently, which will likely be next. The bare rectangles are where the company houses will be going in. Each yard will be detailed to the hilt and the houses will likely will have interiors. I’m very excited to see how this little neighborhood comes together. To the right of the photo, the town itself is still waiting on some attention. It’s blocked in and the dirt is down, the Main Street is paved and painted. Beyond that, not much else has happened. [br][br][br][br][br][br]
So realistic! Would love to know what scenery supplies you use to make trees, grass, rocks and water?
Thanks guys. I’ll do a longer write up once it’s finished. The basics for the scenery ground cover is plaster cloth, painted black, then a layer of sanded tile grout for dirt. Multiple shades are blended. It’s hard to see with the static grass on top of it, but it does lend a little contrast. After that it’s Martin Whelberg and Gaming Grass. The trees are supertrees in the background line and hand made armatures from Sagebrush for the hero trees in the front of the tree line and foreground. Underneath the trees in the background is a layer of ground leaves with Woodland Scenics tree material for depth. That tree line is about 1” thick, so I have to add depth somehow.
Thurmond WV, a diorama 'round every bend. https://thetracksidephotographer.com/2017/10/12/new-river-gorge-5/