Thanks, Mike. I'm hoping to get the gates fully operational in next day or two, then some video of operational gates. I was showing some folks my YouTube videos, and realized I hadn't done any in over a year... so, with my new iPad2, maybe have some fun next week. Video of me fighting to get under the bench, muttering foul words (not under breath), fiddling with wires, glue (and getting glue off finger tips)... NOPE laugh:
New SP Power coming to JACALAR Chanukah presents and TB Store buys. All SP this year The NW2 and two F3As came from Trainboard Store, the F3B bought (since needed to complete the ABA set), and the SD45 and GE 70 tonner were the presents. These will compliment my current SP roster: GS4 #4453; Mikados #3303 and #3304; GP38 #4832; 2-6-0 Mogul #1514 and AC-12s #4276 and #4285. Now to install decoders (the Bachmann Spectrum 70-Ton has one factory installed)
Operationg Crossing Gates Here's a first look at the operational crossing gates. Using the Azatrax crossing controller, so turning it on manually. [video=youtube_share;t5b65WUo23U]http://youtu.be/t5b65WUo23U[/video] Yes, I see the back gate going up/down. I will need to fix the styrene better (just using double sided tape at this point). Finishing this up and getting crossing done will be my goal for tomorrow morning. (and more fun - this was my first video taken with my new iPad 2!)
Yeah, I just had bare wires which I was holding together to turn it on. And, of course, I let them come apart right at the start.
The progress continues (I love vacations) The highway department FINALLY got the guardrails installed on the road heading up to the mountains. Funny, how they already have rusted Closer view -- looks like someone is having car trouble and pulled into Sonny's Garage
Front Section of Cherylton I did get a lot of work around the crossing gates done, to blend the sections into the scene. Here, we see the left hand parking lot of the Cherylton Depot, and the new scenery that blends the grade into the lot. The front tracks (leading directly to the upper mountain tunnel) are also now ballasted in this section And here's a WP Zephyrette at the depot You can see more of the newly ballasted track in foreground. The area in front will have a Miller Engineering diner, hopefully by spring.
Here's an overview of the additions to the front section of Cherylton. I got the grade "blended", and built up a base for the Gulf station. Still trying to decide if I want to install the corner sign, or not (which is why it is stuck into a piece of foam core).
Street level view looking into Cherylton. I realized today that I don't know what I'm going to put in the immediate foreground. There's the cross street, but I don't know what will be between it and the fascia.
Here's a closer look at the Gulf station and the depot behind it. The blackish/gray area will be junky storage from the gas station, with a chain link fence separating it from the track. The diner will be to the right I have the lighted signs for the two Gulf signs on the roof, along with the interior lighting and the lighted corner sign. I hope to get the wires for those (and still debating corner sign) installed tomorrow or Thursday, and that will probably be "it" for the vacation progress. Depending on looks, I may just opt for the interior lighting only.
Looks really nice Rick! How deep is the bench work in that area? Love the detail and the story line you add. Your vehicles look great too, and I usually do not like n scale vehicles. Do you do anything to make them look less fake, or is it the brand that you use? Thanks, Michael
Everything is looking great, as always, Rick! Perhaps a few small houses to round out the residential zoning.
Thanks Michael - the bench is 29 inches deep at this spot. Here's the layout diagram for the area The crossing is the straight section between the two switches on the left (front). You can see that this is actually just the transition area between my two long sides, but it works great for the small town. The vehicles are pretty much all CMW Mini Metals, with a few Woodland Scenics thrown in (station wagon with trailer, etc). The bus is a Wheels of Time bus. I have a couple of cast vehicles I picked up off of eBay (all finished by the seller).
