Progress! Just not the modeling kind... Once again I find myself having gone a couple months without posting or updating: First it was painting the front door-no big deal. That however sparked a kitchen, bathroom, and hallway renovation: all done by yours truly and yours truly's wonderful gf. We got that wrapped up two days before thanksgiving, and then of course family was in town for turkey and stuffing, and then it was finals week which meant an end to procrastination on ten page papers and studying. And now, here I am Thankfully, this absence has not featured a lack of layout enjoyment at least, so there is no dusting to do or track that needs de-griming. There has also been a lot of planning thoughts, and I am (I think) happy to say that there are some changes in the works. I'm getting a fiddle yard! Or a cassette yard... Well, staging-I'm getting staging. Eventually. This is the general idea. It should be noted that this is the town side (near the dining room) and the cassettes will run against the wall. The 'landscape lines' show the point at which the 'land' is at 'tunnel height'. Thus, where the line crosses the track, there is a tunnel. I like the idea of keeping the layout contained with a clear divider between it and staging. I'm thinking about experimenting with black thread hanging down in the tunnel so as to keep light from flowing through it and thus alluding to a longer tunnel. Also, as can be seen from the drawing, on the (new) diagonal benchwork there will be a new control panel (right by the operators chair lol). Putting it there will allow me a shorter (in height) facia along the front of the layout which in turn will allow me greater access underneath-which is good because a slide out desk may be going under there due to a daybed going where the desk is now in the office... well that's a bit off topic. But still, it's good On a scenery note, that may be getting a nice boost soon, as there's a good chance I have a super trees starter kit under the Christmas Tree... if that is the case, my hand may be forced and greenery may start to appear despite my trepidation. Coming soon: my foray into O-Scale. Didn't see that one coming did you?
Oh time, where do you keep going? Okay... let's see, last time I was on here was prior to Christmas and I left alluding that I would be showing off my Lionel Polar Express set... well, so much for that -_- maybe I'll have the time for that next Christmas! At least I have layout updates! *all cheer* So, as can be seen above, there are plans to put in a staging option. That is indeed still going to happen, and I have installed the turnout that will one day lead to the cassettes. For now though, benchwork construction is on hold till such a time as I decide how I'm going to assemble it (and run all the wires for the new control panel). Not only that, but there is going to be an additional addition: this one running along the straight tracks on the 'town side' which is going to become the location for the town of all things. It will be about 4 feet long and 5-6" deep, with main street between the double mainline and the shops, and one or two grade crossings to get to the other side of the tracks. Also, having decided I was going to do the unthinkable (take out track that was laid and ballasted) I decided to take it a step or two further and change the town side layout to something that would bring me more operational enjoyment-if not prototypical characteristics. Thus: and then came: (To the right is where the 'new' addition is going) I now have a small 'yard' up by the 'interchange' (staging to be) which I am very happy about. As you can see, what was the long siding has become somewhat of a yard lead, and can also serve as a 'passing siding' should I chose to operate something along those lines. And so, with that somewhat done, I have checked yet more firsts off: First time I cut out perfectly good track, first time I fit new track between two fixed pieces, first time I threw away good handywork *tear*. Painful, yet fulfilling. Other first recently achieved: first completed 'kitbash' (if it will pass for that) and my first ever attempt at weathering... which will all be coming in my next post, either tonight or tomorrow depending on when I fall asleep.
Milestone Achieved (I'm young, it counts) So, as my layout sits, I see the 'river side' every time I sit on the couch. It has the benefit, that when trains are running they can be seen from the couch, which is very enjoyable. What hasn't been so enjoyable: staring at the half finished generic coal tipple that dominated the landscape. So, a few nights ago, I set to work applying some of the smaller details. It should be pointed out, that when I first began assembly, some many many months ago, that I (for reasons unknown) set out to 'kitbash' the slack(?) dump (the bit that connects by the covered conveyor from the main building). So, with final details being applied to the main building, I decided to pull out the few pieces I'd mangled from the slack dump, and have a crack at that too. I have to say, I'm rather pleased with the results. It's quite amazing what can be achieved with some proper cement (faller expert) and a bit of patience. It doesn't look much different than Walthers intended it to, but different enough for me to feel somewhat accomplished. You'll notice the lack of original color on it: while waiting for cement to dry, at various times I decided to experiment with weathering on a few scrap pieces from the kitbash. I wasn't overly pleased, so naturally I just decided I needed a bigger canvas, and got straight to work once the glue was dry. I was quite pleased with the result, which led to: In my opinion, not bad for only using chalk pastels and crayola poster paint. I'll try and get some better shots of it, which will illustrate that there is more than black on it-I've added some 'rust' from various corners and joins. And, well, for my first ever weathering job, I'm quite tickled with it
I am very impressed by what a fellow college student can accomplish on a shoe-string budget, nice job!
Yup, a supportive GF / Wife is worth a LOT! The layout looks good! Hope you got better at the soldering as you went a long. The weathering on the coal mine looks excellent!
coming along very nicely indeed! The mine looks great - god job on the weathering part! Since your first kit-bash went well, I am guessing you will start messing around with your new purchases now. And I can tell you, it will be worth doing! By the way, every time I see your layout, I just love the tall mountain/scenic divider. You actually have two layouts in the space of one! I would love it more if you plan to add a tall wood trestle in the scenic side as well - trust me it will be breathtaking to look at, and a lot of fun to build.
Thanks for all the compliments guys, they are very much appreciated and motivating all in one Nimo: As much as it would be amazing to add a trestle of sorts (tall or otherwise) I have yet to approach that level of self loathing That, and I'd have to redesign a good part of the scene. The idea as it stands is to have a well represented river in the 'depression', for which I have lots of prototypical photos to mull over for inspiration. Now that isn't to say that I wouldn't jump at the idea if I had an excuse... *wheels start turning upstairs* Random thought: if you look up there ^ you'll see the plans for a small extension to cassette staging. I think it would be somewhat feasible to put a reasonable trestle on the yet to be built curve. I wouldn't have to tear too much up either... *wheels continue turning* lol! Oh-I watched that video you posted over on the book of faces-the animation in that thing was incredible!
Still following along, and still impressed by your progress & resourcefulness!! Keep the "GF", she's good for you
A Quiet Night In: Completely Free DIY Jewel-Case Storage Today has been wonderfully slow, yet horribly stressful. Eight hours of doing nothing but coursework and household chores is enough to push any lazy college student over the edge, so by the time the sun set, I found my brain frazzled and my spirit down. Funny how learning macroeconomics from a college textbook can do that to a guy. Anyway, to compensate for my day, I set about relaxing and 'hobbying' for the night-and this is where our story begins. For the longest time (read: forever lol) all my empty jewel-cases have sat jumbled up in a random cardboard box, chosen for the task simply because they all fit. It was not an efficient set up, and any time I wanted a single case, the whole box got emptied. Now of course, there are products out there for the discerning N-scale modeler to solve this problem; the real problem being that they cost money, and let's face it, not many of us (or maybe just me) have such spare change to shell out for custom built jewel-case storage shelves. So I built my own for free. Yes free, as in, anyone can do it for no cost at all. Should you find yourself intrigued at this point, you will need: A really sharp craft/utility/hobby knife/boxcutter, some tape (2" masking, duct, packing) and two USPS Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Boxes (hence the free for anyone part). Step 1: Go ahead and assemble one of your free boxes. So far, not so strenuous. Step 2: Cut your other box into 12 equal panels. This is quickly done by just cutting along the seam/crease lines, and you'll end up with 12 roughly 12"x6" panels. Step 2 ^ Step 3: Go ahead and trim those panels down to 5 1/2" inches high Step 4: You will need 7 panels with 5 slots, and 5 panels with 7 slots. Sound odd? No worries, that's what pictures are for: Pay no attention to the 6x and 8x, I was failing hard at the time. It should be 5x and 7x. You'll notice the dimensions clearly marked. All slots are 2 3/4" deep. For five panels with seven slots the slot spacing is 1 1/2", for seven panels with five slots, slot spacing is 2" (sorry, I tried to get this to rotate, it simply won't change) Step 5: go ahead and bore yourself to tears while cutting all 70 slots. This is the part where you keep reminding yourself that this is all free in order to preserve your sanity. Make sure the slots are at least an 1/8" wide, else you'll have a hell of a time slotting it all together. Step 6: Hopefully with sanity fully intact, slot all that hard work together to make yourself a nice trellis: Step 7: Simply drop that in your assembled box, and hey presto, 48 perfectly sized jewel-case openings. Note: not designed for locomotive cases, or cardboard box cases (exactrail and occasionally athearn) It will however fit the 'thicker' jewel cases, like the ones I have from AJCC and Bluford Shops. Tada! One free jewel case storage container! Of course, this could be useful for absolutely no-one but myself, but on the off chance someone else might see this and go "wow, I need one of those" I thought I'd take a chance and share my oddness and over-talkitiveness with you all one more time.
Video Update! For today I will keep my endless chatter to another medium On the plus side, video update! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSXcd_11JFw That's right, me rambling on for a good seven minutes
Progress Progress Progress So, long time has passed since my last update. Since then college picked up in intensity and I started working near enough full time. This has meant extra spending money, but a lack of time available to make use of it. However, I have managed to get a half hour of scenery in here and there. As with everything to do with layout building and me, everything I do is for the first time, regardless, things have turned out pretty good. Long way to go obviously, but so far so good. So, here is my second video update. I hope to upload some pics in the coming week or two, time permitting so things can be seen with a little better detail and clarity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enE6KAX6Upw Enjoy!
Many many, many many updates. Firstly, many college classes plus many hours of menial labor on a week in week out basis has resulted in far less time online updating the world on my layout, save a couple videos. More videos will follow, but for now, thousands of words in pictures. Very grainy cell phone pictures, but pictures. Looking down the town tracks, post track layout modifications, with St. Val's Tower at the interlocking. Decided that there shouldn't be very much flat land, save where there be tracks and buildings, so elevation changes were necessary. Tracks are shielded with index cards-very effective at keeping plaster off ballast. Finishedish corner. Somehow this tunnel portal became a natural stone entrance. Came out better than I was expecting. Stained with slate, black and burnt umber, dry brushed with yellow ocher, and then worked over with various weathering powders. Oddly, the circus schemer that made its way into the mix is my favorite loco to date. Odd indeed. Next post, other side of the mountain...
She'll be coming round the mountain... So from the stone tunnel, scenery progressed up and over the small ridge thingy to the matching portal, and then down along the river... index cards are amazingly useful. More changes in elevation. Testing methods on the small corner of river bank before embarking on the whole damn river, which I have finished for the most part. progress. yes. Crappy flash picture, will snap something better showing this area in a bit better detail soon. Next!
Test corner complete, and supertree starter kit all used up, I moved on down the river and the hill... Part 1 Cut away at existing banks to properly shape the end product. Also cut in several new rock castings in/on the 'mountain' Rocks away! Well, talus, but still, rocks everywhere. This is actually based on some photos which I will one day link to-I've tried to be rather specific about what colors end up where. Having decided that I wanted a fair bit of 'moving' water in my river, I figured that I wasn't hating myself enough. So I cut a change in elevation into the river for some more... dramatic rapids: Kind of hard to get a sense of the depth of scene, I shall try to remedy that with later pics, or possibly in my next video update. Basic staining done Next!
And everything starts coming together... sort of. Another shot of basic staining. Lots of rocks, and tinfoil retaining walls holding all the adhesive in... ish. And... filled in all the gaps in the river bank with various bits of dirt and greenery-basically, no more white bits showing through. Not quite completely done with that. That's all for tonight-I'll try and get more up here soon, as I have actually done more. As always, questions and comments are welcomed. Night!
