Rainier Great Western Const Update

RGW Feb 19, 2007

  1. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Great to see there's some further progress!

    Boxcab E50
     
  2. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    New construction updates for the RGW

    Sorry it's been awhile since I posted on TB. The RGW website has two new updates and numerous prototype section additions, with more pictures to come (pending museum approval). The March update brings us to the NE corner of the building and gets our trackwork moving from staging to level one. The April update is more of the same, as subroadbed starts to head toward level two and the staging yard trackwork really takes shape. The pics below are samples of each update from the website. Michael
     

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  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow. That's quite a bridge!

    Boxcab E50
     
  4. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Ken, a very close friend of mine Dick Molzahn, personally built it for the RGW. Dick is an extraordinary modeler, but has run into health issues that will not permit him to continue in the hobby. We are all saddened by this occurrence. His bridge will be the centerpiece of my railroad. For all he has done to assist me in the hobby, it's one small way I can give back; by celebrating him with this wonderful piece. Michael
     
  5. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    That's quite a nice gesture in tribute of a friend.

    Keep the updates coming!

    BTW- I am hoping to be passing through your vicinity in coming weeks. Can you tell me if the depot/museum in Black Diamond is still easily photographed? I'm hoping to swing by quickly, and grab a couple of pix. Unless the view is now blocked by plants or? I have a slide or two of it from years ago. But want to also get some digitally.

    Thanks-

    Boxcab E50
     
  6. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Black Diamond Depot and Museum

    Ken, it sure is, here are a couple of pics for reference taken a year ago February. If you're headed this way, would love to have you stop by and visit the RGW. Just PM me when you have an itinerary. MRH
     

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  7. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mike-

    Yup. That's the museum I remember!

    Thanks for your kind invitation. Not sure of my schedule to travel as yet. So have no itinerary to present. Many ideas of what I wish to attempt. And how much ability to accomplish in time available? Argh! Might need a few 25 hour days. Ha ha!

    :tb-biggrin:

    Boxcab E50
     
  8. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    May Const Update

    The May update featured on our website addresses two milestones that were achieved this past work party. First, we reached Level 2 of the subroadbed installation, the level we refer to as "Transition" and second, perhaps most important, the reinstallation of our Lenz DCC System. We were fortunate this past Saturday to elicit the help of Master Model Railroader Dale Kraus. He owns Pacific Railway Hobbies in Tacoma WA and brought along software upgrades for the controllers and the computer and then reinstalled the system for us. All in all, a great day.
     

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  9. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I really like the hills you've started on that backdrop. Keep the updates coming!

    Boxcab E50
     
  10. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Ken. As you might guess, it's just the beginning. We know where the highest points on the line are, so it was easy to paint the background early, plus once the bench is in, it's darn hard to do any detail painting at arms length, so better to do it first. We also have to craft backdrop on levels one and two which I am currently thinking will be a combination of straight scenery, painting on masonite and painting direct on the wall. The lower end of the mounting brackets poses an interesting obstacle to hide. I am also still bouncing around the idea of dropping scenery over the front edge of the fascia. I saw that done here in TB and also at another layout here in the NW and that looks cool, it breaks up the long stretches of painted fascia. More later, thanks again. MRH
     
  11. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I looked at that myself, closely. It's very effective for enlarging a scene. I'm surprised more modelers don't also go that route. It certainly has me re-thinking....

    Boxcab E50
     
  12. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Ok TB, your chance to make your mark on the RGW!

    If you are at all familiar with our trackplan, the enclosed bitmap image is of the "NE Blob". If you're not, go to the "layout design" page of our website and review the upper level image and you'll understand where we are in the plan. I am looking for your input on the layout of the track plan in this area. I am open to just about any idea, so have at it. Image has some detail and information.

    Here are some of the parameters: (scale HO, modern equipment)
    1. track height is at 60 inches through this entire area and track is level.
    2. Operator area is in inner corner as shown.
    3. Principal industry is coal mine, plan on kitbashing Walthers New River Mining Co.
    4. Other industry in addition to mine ok.
    5. Town is Black Diamond, WA.
    6. All area to North of passing siding available for use.
    7. Scenicked area in NE corner not accessible, but mine shafts can go into hillside.
    8. Bridge shown on plan and valley "fixed in place" and unusable.

    Please feel free to ask questions, I know there will be plenty. If you need a better image, just PM me and I'll send one. Thanks for looking, appreciate your input. Michael

    P.S. Figured I'd make my 100th post a memorable one.
     

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  13. Triplex

    Triplex TrainBoard Member

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    There was a layout in MR in the late 90s with that feature - the Lorigan Lumber Company. I realized how useful it was for photography, especially at angles. You could avoid the fascia showing in a bottom corner.
     
  14. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I notice you'd mentioned other industry. It would probably be a good idea. Give the area some variety of operation. I'm trying to think of what would be good for post 1980, in a fairly small town setting. Perhaps a propane dealer? Possibly a feed supply? A team track with loading platform? (Mining equipment could be delivered. Or drywall for a local building supply?) Or a small processing facility shipping out dairy products in reefers, such as Darigold did in Issaquah? These might not exactly fit Black Diamond. But the Enumclaw area was close. And a bit of imagineering?

    How much space do you have in mind, for dedicating to the town itself?

    How much activity is the coal mining producing? Daily? Weekly? You'll need at least a small yard for those empties and loads? Maybe enough action to station a switcher?

    Boxcab E50
     
  15. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    I agree Ken. As you know, BD is a "small" mining town; was then, is now. In fact, a new 400 home development under const will darn near double the population and has the old guard in a tizzy. So I don't see too much space devoted to the urban side of the town. In fact, it might make sense to have the depot located near the siding and the town taking up a relatively small area along the North wall.

    I like the idea about the propane, and the dairy, both exist in the "vicinity". As for activity, the John Henry Mine still operates, albeit sparsely due to a cave in. But in a world of what-ifs, I would like to think our version was a thriving entity, needing at the very least weekly service. THX M
     
  16. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    BTW- Have you ever spotted an on line archive, which has pictures of the mining in or around BD? Which might also show the RR tracks?

    Boxcab E50
     
  17. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    I find the University of Washington archive, the Cedar River Historical Society and King County photo archive to be the most complete. I am waiting for Museum approval to post several photos on my website. Here is an example of the shots available, used by permission. It shows Mine 11, the most prolific mine in BD, which was open from 1896 until 1927, and over 7 million tons of clean coal were extracted from the mine.
     

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  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've always been surprised by how many people do not even know coal mining was even done in Washington. There's still a good amount of it left...

    Ever found a later years photo of the RR bridge over the Auburn-BD Road? I should have captured that on film. Never did. Argh.

    Boxcab E50
     
  19. RGW

    RGW TrainBoard Member

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    Actually, I consider it the holy grail of BD photo's. The museum doesn't have one and I have yet to find a source for one. But I'll keep searching. M
     
  20. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mike-

    Any updates on recent progress?

    Boxcab E50
     

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