TheRailwire
General Discussion => Layout Engineering Reports => Topic started by: M.C. Fujiwara on August 13, 2011, 01:41:34 AM
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I've post parts of my construction progress on other threads, but I'd like to "open shop" / hang my shingle here because, well, this place rocks. Please feel free to make any comments, criticisms, a$$hat snide asides, etc. I'm very interested in hearing how I can improve my modeling (without breast implants ;) ). It's a bit to dump at once, so cheers to whomever actually reads all the way through it (and these are the highlight!)
Since earlier this year I've been working on a table-top 23"x41" N-scale layout based on the cannery industry along the Columbia River (Oregon) in the early 1900s.
The layout started as a "chunk" from an old layout that screamed "don't chuck me out!" as I was staring at it in the garage. I have a specific future layout in mind, and so I thought this "chainsaw" would allow me the opportunity to develop certain skills: handlaying curved & three-way turnout fixtures, scratchbuilding structures such as mines, canneries, wooden truss bridges, ore unloading docks, various pines, etc.
Funny how the temp layouts soon become time- & skill-sucks on their own! The layout that was supposed to be done in a couple of months is now, after 9-10 months, almost 1/2 way done!
So bear with me as I post the construction highlights of the last year.
Here's the original piece recovered from the previous layout:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05308.jpg)
It already had that section of foam knocked out, but it seemed to scream "waterfront!"
And here's the layout design [or, the latest version] I came up for it:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/MtCoffinKalamaRR-planshoulda-revise-5vi11.jpg)
Was thinking "table-top", so included adjustable feet on the corners.
Planning on DCC, though everything wired for DC as well (a few sidings / spurs).
Initial layer of foam, supports for the fascia, roadbed:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05318.jpg)
Notice the space created for the NCE DCC panel. The wiring all goes along the channel cut out of the bottom of the foam. 16AWG bus wire, with 22AWG feeders. There's also a separate bus for all the lamps / LEDs that will (eventually) illuminate the structures.
And then piling on the layers of foam for the mountains, assisted by by 9-year-old daughter:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05350.jpg)
[Initially thought I'd have a storage track inside the mountain (thus the cut), but quickly abandoned that idea]
Cork roadbed, attached with caulk.
[cont.]
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Although freelanced, wanted to have a few Columbia River signature scenes in there.
The Cannery:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/1st_boat.jpg)
The river-side trackage & tunnel:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/greenepointtunnel-columbiariver.jpg)
Given the tight space, I handlayed the curved turnouts in fixtures of multiple turnouts:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05430.jpg)
That's about a 9" radius at its tightest.
And used "great stuff" to foam the mountains together:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05506.jpg)
[Great for simulating nuclear waste disasters!]
I would not use Great Stuff again: caulk, though it takes longer, is easier (after drying) to work with. Great Stuff is way more airy & files / shapes significantly different from the foam. It also takes paint differently.
[cont.]
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Had to handlay a 3-way turnout, and had to figure out how to power at least one of the frogs:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05525.jpg)
[the slide switches are gorillaglued under the styrene bases & stick up through the throwbars]
[later I figured out how to make a styrene "cradle" underneath for the slide switch to snuggle into so all tension isn't only on the glue]
I'm now in the process of going back and rebuilding all my turnouts with slide switches to power the frogs.
Built up the harbor area with a basswood retaining wall:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05556.jpg)
And carved a stone retaining wall / bridge abutment directly out of the pink foam:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05571.jpg)
Scratch built the approach trestle & howe truss bridge from basswood:
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa332/mcfujiwara/Mt%20Coffin%20and%20Kalama%20RR/DSC05647.jpg)
Basswood. For my "protolance" plan I took an old HO "A-frame" plan from a mid-90's MR, shrunk it down and trippled it: fit perfect!
[cont.]
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Here's the finished structure (minus fire barrels and the code 40 guard rails) installed:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tMnRnAoA5dE/TkhWmCCrNiI/AAAAAAAAAYo/ZuDc5U4UhEs/s800/DSC06253.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e9hjM_B9Kkw/TkhWliAcolI/AAAAAAAAAYc/RYJzYxY9VPw/s800/DSC06252.JPG)
Also scratched a small ore/coal unloading dock:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-isYJ-vVpCYM/TkhWHImhaTI/AAAAAAAAAOY/S13dkrTP3ZY/s800/DSC05771.JPG)
Those are Randy Gustafson's fab V&T ore cars lookin' good on the dock.
Still need a crane / hoist & lots o' clutter on there.
Started scenicking in the gorge:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z5We8HNcPT0/TkhWIbYd0CI/AAAAAAAAAOw/FQqHYRXCMgs/s800/DSC05856.JPG)
Plaster rock molds, paint, dirt, ground foam, & pine trees.
There's no backdrop or board used as a scenic divider: the mountains in the middle (5-6 layers of 2"foam plus 3"-5" pine trees do the trick!)
[cont.]
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[Doesn't seem to like me posting pictures any more. Blew up my last ones, too. Will try again tomorrow]
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The trees are Ace twine fiber between Michael's floral wire twirled in a drill, spray painted grimy black, & then hairsprayed with WS "conifer". You can still see the twisted trunks, but I need 300+, so only the outer trees will get real trunks in the end.
Started scenicing the main mountain / scenic divider:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kbXyNlgnN1o/TkhWKADGCOI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/AFqFyYqQMZ4/s800/DSC05877.JPG)
And then got my daughter into making trees:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uWmnuESHfBE/TkhWJia1GpI/AAAAAAAAAPI/Ft18ngpte28/s800/DSC05870.JPG)
I figure she can make 5,000+ before she "earns" her driver's license!
Ballasted with cinders, then poured some tinted Magic Water:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XkYrw-o4Ssg/TkhWL7EYzHI/AAAAAAAAAP4/l229KH_4eWU/s800/DSC05913.JPG)
Needed a couple of thin pours to plug up all the leaks!
But turned out fine.
Magic Water leaked (a wee bit) through blue-tape dam:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--EruxstGDjg/TkhWMFSIy1I/AAAAAAAAAQA/4BlGpYKUsec/s800/DSC05922.JPG)
[cont.]
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Then Modge Podge Gloss (with one layer of matte at the bottom) created the moving river effect:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7IOtmdqREdk/TkhWN4byvSI/AAAAAAAAAQg/yTgSUJboqgs/s800/DSC05956.JPG)
Started building up some fab 20T coal / ore car kits from Republic Locomotive Works (have to modify a bit, as the kits are Nn3, but work great on N when done):
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xMSD5Ci_ymA/TkhWPA9bYfI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/j2OC5bG5Vhk/s800/DSC05959.JPG)
But, after reaming out the bolster pin hole, don't push too hard down on the pin:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cmem4DMc2Sw/TkhWQXdgi2I/AAAAAAAAARY/42OHeRpajNI/s800/DSC06031.JPG)
Fixable, or will become part of mine scene as discarded car.
Trees, more trees, polyfiber, groundfoam, more trees, static grass, some chopped moss for texture & more trees:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RooPzpwdVPc/Tkhbvz37lII/AAAAAAAAAgI/0jI1AIFDrms/s800/DSC06262.JPG)
Still need many more textures (at the very least mix up some different static grasses): bushes, some sand or gravel, weeds, etc.
[cont.]
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JV models watertower, new weathered Ten-Wheeler:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kSZLl1cuIkI/TkhWtw7fQ8I/AAAAAAAAAbE/oH391IPpzXg/s800/DSC06317.JPG)
For the BMann Ten Wheeler, I reamed out a little more space in the front and installed MT905 Z couplers:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-htuOWA4t8jQ/TkhWsbwS31I/AAAAAAAAAak/BHa6wuRiU3o/s800/DSC06306.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qBij6o6v6z4/TkhWst7fQjI/AAAAAAAAAas/W5cpxzD7DAM/s800/DSC06309.JPG)
They just slide right in, and look moocho better. I also swapped out the stock tender (with it's "dual decoder") for a Spectrum Small USRA tender with a DZ125 decoder:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WQh65-O_Vss/TkhWrSIPsHI/AAAAAAAAAaU/YptiLT09jik/s800/DSC06300.JPG)
The smaller tender looks better (IMHO) and the DZ125 performs much better, especially at slower speeds.
[cont.]
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Building a 18-ton Climax from a "Kato Kritter" chassis and one of Randgust's fab resin Climax kits:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9ExZgFb486I/Tkhe2RJqQRI/AAAAAAAAAg0/bzzGfhKDkv4/s800/DSC05920.JPG)
It's a good thing I got two Kritters when I did, as I pretty much destroyed the first: playing too much with the contact strips & cutting away too much to install a decoder under the chassis. At least now I know what to do!
Firewatch trail scene over tunnel:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q8y-jbpHDr0/TkhWoTXhj0I/AAAAAAAAAZU/YfIkoQS6Xdo/s800/DSC06270.JPG)
Looks like Vern forgot something down at the town (hint: he's only got 1/2 of the "pack horse").
Daughter doing switching ops before I started ripping out some turnouts to power the frogs with slide switches:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vRQ8b3K5k94/TkhWb3f0yAI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/FoCPWZUphcM/s800/DSC06175.JPG)
Here's installing the new fixture (straight & curved turnouts built as one, each with slide switch under styrene base to power the frogs):
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gOI1u35aUu4/TkhWhkvl4MI/AAAAAAAAAXU/gZ5Ur04VCmY/s800/DSC06233.JPG)
Given that I'm using smaller, earlier steam, powering the frogs turned out to be the smart way to go.
(Will never go back to dead frogs again!)
[cont.]
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Right now I'm building a single-engine shed with blacksmith shop:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dUaOAyy5UAk/TkhWuXKDLkI/AAAAAAAAAbU/YCIJiBqgYcA/s800/DSC06435.JPG)
Will have lit roaring forge & interior lamps when done.
On site:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s0dV5M9AOcQ/Tkhgf9-OKUI/AAAAAAAAAhU/Bcb1XDRVnEE/s800/DSC06445.JPG)
Still need cedar shingles, forge, machinery & lamps.
At X2011 in Sacto found a groovy old Kato (C50) that somebody tricked out into a D&RG steamer, though still with whack tender:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CmcU8t-X3lU/TkhWwUQE_CI/AAAAAAAAAcI/_16jhGVh-EQ/s800/DSC06525.JPG)
Put in a DZ125 decoder. Runs groovy. Will swap in an Atlas mogul or other tender soon (3-axle tender not happy with tight turns!)
Otherwise, here's how we're looking so far:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-UZRDOwarGMQ/TkhWw2AeFsI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/bmX_W1h4-Yk/s800/DSC06546.JPG)
Not sure if I can embed a video, but here's a short video of dubious camerawork but it does give some sense of the layout as a whole. Well, the waterfront side, at least:
Still need a lot more trees! (and a firewatch on top, and a cannery, and a coalbin, and a mine, and.........)
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Since the layout is so small, I'm trying to take the time with the details.
And I really need to get a decent camera and an extra light for photography.
My ancient Japanese pocket-size is about to give up the ghost, and right now my "photography lighting" is just opening the garage door:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sckoal5LFNE/TkhWkY1fznI/AAAAAAAAAYE/uwiQPrSERRQ/s800/DSC06249.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-01nK6g_2ZBc/TkhWm0E0JWI/AAAAAAAAAY4/9vnJwp__9fE/s800/DSC06257.JPG)
And here's without the garage door open:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZFhr9SLx-TI/TkhWqpe6SOI/AAAAAAAAAaE/EES3DQFvAgk/s800/DSC06296.JPG)
So hopefully new camera & spot light soon.
Having the cannery will help with the composition as well as giving the trains something to do!
[cont.]
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New Camera! Woot!
Not much work on the layout: been staining some shingles (roofing) for the engine shed, got some WS foliage clusterclumps and started planting some non-pine trees (FINALLY!) at the lower levels. (You can still see some T-pins holding them up as the glue dries). Still need moocho more of all kinds of trees, but it's nice to see some variety & more textures showing up.
I also moved my layout to a small piece of benchwork against the garage wall: need the workbench space for the "summer shunting shelf project" my daughter & I are working on, and it has better lighting for photos.
And the big news: new camera!
One I can actually control the focus, aperture & shutter speed on!
So while the first shot is handheld & full auto, the rest are long exposures with (FINALLY!) some depth of field. Yeay!
And since my tripod is at my parents' house (until tomorrow), these were taken with the camera sitting on the layout or another table.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rURerXcVyHs/TkhWyB6DMmI/AAAAAAAAAcw/S-2J_GWafro/s800/P8030036.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6ik0HT4C57w/TkhWx7AIbgI/AAAAAAAAAco/Cyc25uC5Ee0/s800/P8030033.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YGwWLZdXPEI/TkhWzGHHo8I/AAAAAAAAAdA/obXl5uV9Z7s/s800/P8040050.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yZKKfa1ddkg/TkhWyu6FGlI/AAAAAAAAAc4/wkaRFTphSFs/s800/P8030037.JPG)
[That last one is to get a sense of how small this little layout is: I keep forgetting myself!]
Ok for first shots: can't wait to figure out the camera & get the tripod (and maybe a halogen spotlight).
Time to stay focused!
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Picked up the tripod today, waited until there was some good sunshine filtering through the garage door (was overcast this morning), and then went more nuts with my new camera. I love aperture adjustments, shutter speeds, depth of field, tripods, and the 2 second timer that allows me to press the shutter button without rocking the whole thing.
So bear with me here. You've seen this stuff before, just not almost all in focus!
Ten-Wheeler (still minus traction tires) pulling 20 ton coal cars across the bridge:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BIPTJKaax9A/TkhW1mIbfGI/AAAAAAAAAdo/gqSy9TffhXg/s800/P8040060.JPG)
The late-freight pulls into Mt. Coffin at Twilight (hmmm... that sounds like a good idea for a book):
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2cXZyBZH-WM/TkhW2PhKAII/AAAAAAAAAdw/PuRqJaELQZo/s800/P8040063.JPG)
20 ton coal cars dumping their load:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kyqCJcxaLas/TkhW2U5tsdI/AAAAAAAAAd4/1iRRjgpS-cg/s800/P8040070.JPG)
4-6-0 pulling a slow freight of Swift cars over the Columbia River:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TIFJuuhsb6A/TkhW3KvFhSI/AAAAAAAAAeM/YW_UMgENJsE/s800/P8040075.JPG)
Movin' out!
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WaT5VxvpvoQ/TkhW5AkNUMI/AAAAAAAAAe0/C4PC3ur91Kk/s800/P8040081.JPG)
Thanks for bearing with me as I go a bit bonkers with my new camera.
I promise to only post pictures of additions / progress from now on.
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Been experimenting with coloring cedar shingles.
Before I glue them to the single-engine shed & blacksmith shop (next to water tower in previous post), I wanted to try them out on another structure, which left the only other one on my layout so far (& my first styrene scratchbuild): the coal unloading dock shed / office.
I had already printed out shinglish patterns on regular paper & glued it to the styrene subroofing:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uMZvShBT6bc/TkhW6nkl12I/AAAAAAAAAfU/EcZVo0syc8k/s800/P8080131.JPG)
Which looked ok, but flat. I added the stained shingles to one side:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xqkbF6BIyRk/TkhW6dXyTVI/AAAAAAAAAfM/Z-SmhIA-TLE/s800/P8080130.JPG)
Took an exacto knife blade & slipped it under the rows to pry up a little 3-D. Looks alrighty. Might need a little bit of powder or drybrushing (or anything else people suggest).
And a pict showing the team track. A small freight house will go where the truck is whenever I get around to building it:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tPgsEMDQGuI/TkhW7OykgxI/AAAAAAAAAfc/TS1To8l_mjU/s800/P8080137.JPG)
And this top-down view shows where the cannery will go.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y0iV1jTvaTQ/TkhW7dKf6jI/AAAAAAAAAfk/TJgjiW8duJQ/s800/P8080143.JPG)
Really need to mock that up to get a sense of space.
Thanks for looking.
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MC, just wow man! Thanks for sharing, it's looking really good! ;D
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MC, just wow man! Thanks for sharing, it's looking really good! ;D
Thanks, dude.
The new camera helps make things look better than I could.
Also got some new lights (23W 4100k CFLs) for the lightbox I just built, but they help on the layout as well:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LkaeX9u-6v4/TkmaYb6X5cI/AAAAAAAAA1o/REK3Wsr5VqA/s800/P8150232.JPG)
I'm just excited to have a lightbox in which to do some photos for magazine articles.
Tested it out on some models:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e7wssWBsAF8/TkmagWri36I/AAAAAAAAA18/MBH2FH3hG2o/s640/P8150243.JPG)
Even my piece o' crap first styrene shed looks half decent:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-avvE4lNYO1U/TkmaoP9tpvI/AAAAAAAAA2U/pxS6vh6UV2A/s640/P8150248.JPG)
And the 20T coal cars are getting near mag-worthy:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q6rYuAUDKD0/Tkmaq2C-yUI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/jOTzLKvNHnE/s640/P8150250.JPG)
The camera is great as it "exposes" what still needs to be done. Like weathering, especially trucks.
Still need to play around with light & exposure combos.
But in the right direction!
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I think one area that we in the smaller scales have problems is modeling dirt ... while these are close - the grains are still too big .. any thoughts?
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I think one area that we in the smaller scales have problems is modeling dirt ... while these are close - the grains are still too big .. any thoughts?
I found a fine-mesh tea-leave strainer at the local asian market that works great for getting a fine grade.
In my photos you see a bit chunkier dirt, plus ground foam & a lot of sawdust blown on from using the circular saw too close to the layout.
After I rip out the turnouts in the last picture & replace them with better, powered frog one, I'll layer in the sooper-fine dirt as well.
Here's a section that I have redone (but still need to layer the finer stuff in):
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yaT3B-07zDM/TkhWnBoxOyI/AAAAAAAAAZA/QIJgjBttL84/s800/DSC06261.JPG)
You're right: most of the granules look too big.
I did put the finer stuff over the track where a road will go:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-01nK6g_2ZBc/TkhWm0E0JWI/AAAAAAAAAY4/9vnJwp__9fE/s800/DSC06257.JPG)
Looks a bit finer, yes?
(right at the bottom left of the loco wheels)
The problem with super-fine dirt, though, is that after the alcohol & diluted glue, it can dry looking like molten mud.
So I'd rather have a little bit chunkier dirt, at least as a base.
I can sprinkle in the finer stuff slowly later.
But definitely a good issue, John.
Fun to avoid those ground-foam puffballs, too.
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I haven't mastered it either - but the mud idea might be a good start - if you can sand it down somehow later on once it's dried .. my dirt still looks like its made out of boulders :(
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Chris' Harlem Terminal trackwork inspired me to get off my a$$hat and rebuild another turnout fixture, this one a 4-turnout fixture with two curved, one wye and one ??. The goal is to rip out the current fixture, which works probably 90% good, and replaced it with improved turnouts with powered frogs.
Before the BlackenIt bath:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-WA4iHUdIDb4/TlrFCvQU5uI/AAAAAAAABLw/KsLEMzoEZto/s800/P8280327.JPG)
After the BlackenIt:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1iciBPiEixI/TlrFQ7ct2nI/AAAAAAAABMQ/te9LK4j1ABg/s800/P8280336.JPG)
Checking to make sure it actually "turned out" the correct curvature:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jzWjKVWhLwc/TlrFdJI8VyI/AAAAAAAABMs/dF2tRdv7qZo/s800/P8280345.JPG)
Next steps:
Build styrene bases for handthrows / slide switches (they go under the throwbar in a pocket)
Gorilla Glue bases / install handthrows & slide switches
Wire frogs
Test all works, electrically, BEFORE I rip out the old
Install new fixture
Slip replacement ties under the rails
Re-scenick & re-ballast
If this one turns out anything like the 2-turnout fixture I already rebuilt on the left side of the layout, then it's gonna be sooper-smooth railsailing from now on!
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More fun with lightbox & new camera:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J8Zm0PLcCDM/TmF1WmGsEMI/AAAAAAAABPI/_sTIheh29RA/s640/P9020380.JPG)
Tried to weather the trucks by spraying Scalecote "graphite" on a plastic lid & brushing it on the springs & metal bits, then applying powders over.
Not sure how successful it was.
And on the layout:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-B6RXXRmPa-8/TmF1Z-kv99I/AAAAAAAABPY/c05y70eAFIM/s640/P9020406.JPG)
Thanks for looking.
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So the main reason for replacing the turnout was the un-powered frogs?
Seems like they could be powered in place without ripping anything up.
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I power the frogs through a slide switch mounted under the throwbar & attached to a styrene base.
Powering the frogs was big reason, but I also wanted these four to be all one fixture (I had joined the original two & two on the curve and there's a slight straight bump where the rail joiners are), redo a few frogs & a few point rail notches that were a little bit deep for my tastes.
I probably could have powered the frogs without ripping things up, but it's a good excuse to install better work ;)
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I've never done it, but you can fill in the frog a little so the wheels ride on it instead of dipping down.
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I've never done it, but you can fill in the frog a little so the wheels ride on it instead of dipping down.
I have done this, and if you get the thickness just right, it works like a charm. I cut the part from a piece of sheet nickel silver with a jeweler's saw.
(http://nztproducts.com/images/ganddinz/IMG_8447.jpg)
(http://nztproducts.com/images/ganddinz/IMG_8450.jpg)
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Looks pretty cool, there David.
Is that so the flanges ride on the metal insert, then if the gap between the point rail & the frog is too wide the wheel doesn't "thunk" down?
Good technique to know.
On the original curved turnouts I didn't curve all the way through the frogs as much as I wanted to, so there is a slight straight section which gives some of my locos a little wiggle. This time I curved all the way through so it's smooth sailing.
Or should be: after I hook up the slide switches & handthrows I'll test the fixture before installing. As is the trucks I push through seem pretty smooth.
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Been mocking up the cannery, mainly because 1) I'm tired of looking at an empty lot & 2) it was too hot to work in the garage the last couple days (over 100 inside) and cutting cardstock in the air-conned kitchen felt much better (even remembered to use a piece of scrapwood underneath while using the xacto at the kitchen table).
At first I thought I'd go for a nice wide, massive cannery:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KjPwPDpEu-s/TmhKjGQ9nGI/AAAAAAAABRM/Fstd3GEr4FY/s640/P9070424.JPG)
But somehow it didn't quite do it for me, plus I was at a loss to figure out the funkey roof angles.
I'm sure I could have Picassoed it together, but then I came up with a better design:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lh0Ts57hb1s/TmhKcmi0GMI/AAAAAAAABQ4/5jy8KMnfzYU/s640/P9070412.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Lkx7nOEIRUo/TmhKcZ_X60I/AAAAAAAABQ0/GAThvsrFKmA/s640/P9070414.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-py828HruX8s/TmhKchphubI/AAAAAAAABQ8/N-9S5tA89PI/s640/P9070413.JPG)
Which I'm liking a bit better.
There's room for three car spots: two at the loading docks and one almost a team track at the rear delivery door.
I have proto-photos of either size & style, so it's really what fits the layout.
As it's the central structure / industry of the whole layout, it'd be nice to get the massiveness of it across: big wide wall of fish.
But the big one is a little silly, too.
I'm debating about putting a second story on the smaller one to give it some mass / shape. I'll mock it up tomorrow & see how it looks. A second story (smaller, like the offices the canneries had up there) might be too much & crowd the already crowded track that serves it. We'll see!
Here's what it looks like from a wider angle so you can see how it fits in the scene:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IXyNUNzZ_bA/TmhKf4N7eZI/AAAAAAAABRA/Jw9jxpsizBw/s640/P9070417.JPG)
Any comments, thoughts welcome.
Thanks for looking.
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Looks good, I like option 2 better, seems to 'fit' a little more. Is the dock roof flat? Some pics it looks flat others it doesn't. What about making it a gable and tying in to the main roof? It may be the tricky angles again and not the prototype look, just a thought though.
Mike
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I like option 2 better,
+1
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+1 for Option 2
I also like your idea of a 2nd story on a portion of the building.
-
Thanks for the feedback.
For those of you unfamilier with the Columbia River and the Pacific Northwest, here are some picts of cannerys in the early 1900s for reference:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CY7xluHotts/TmjCmS4wV9I/AAAAAAAABRg/pwCLfWmg76g/s800/1st_boat.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5cF5nS5W28Y/TmjCmSQwdYI/AAAAAAAABRo/kpv2iiPvoWs/s800/41420.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5ZghjoJHm0w/TmjCmQ1pIsI/AAAAAAAABRk/tyXEF5JWebE/s640/cannery2.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NKlx_jdcQ8U/TmjCnKI0mjI/AAAAAAAABRw/1CAKEqLb4K4/s640/Pioneer%252520packing%252520co%252520-%252520overhead.jpg)
As you can see, many options! (especially since the buildings were added to in somewhat haphazard ways as they expanded).
Check out the angle of the end of the far left building in relation to the square end of the building with the "Pioneer Packing Co." sign parallel to it.
An upper addition wouldn't be much, mainly to add some mass and make the structure look a little different than the engine shed (just realized that they both have the same basic shape). I'm planning on adding an awning & a bunch of cannery stuff outside (including pile of fish), but I'm still playing around with heights, roof angles, door sizes and styles, etc.
-
Haven't gotten a whole lot done on the Mt. Coffin & Columbia River layout lately.
Though I did finally get the shingles on the roof, as well as some doors and a chimney:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-USNc7vvdCPU/TnY5BmA33uI/AAAAAAAABYE/mpdQVl1bqQc/s640/P9180517.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BeuPT8dvesE/TnY4-5Nol5I/AAAAAAAABXw/EI7lO5ghrGE/s640/P9180513.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xRXF1h0I2G8/TnY444p8MpI/AAAAAAAABXY/AlHaFWLDrRM/s640/P9180506.JPG)
I need to go back and stick some glue under the shingles, as the heat causes them to curl up a bit.
Thanks for looking.
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M.C.,
That's more then I have gotten done in a while. And it looks great. Perhaps a build thread is in order somewhere else . . . .
-
Been spending a bit of time working on the switching layout with my daughter, so I thought I gotta get something done on my own layout.
As a way to procrastinate further on building the cannery, I decided to scratch a small freight shed out of styrene:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qNKDhH8y3GA/To-moddErlI/AAAAAAAABfU/ZbnN6cf9YH4/s640/PA070623.JPG)
Wood I do ok with, but styrene continues to stymie me. I can CA it together, but the painting & weathering part just seems to elude me.
I painted the walls Floquil SP lettering grey as base, then sprayed (lightly) with a flat white primer I had.
That worked out alright.
But then I "washed" it with stain from my Big Jug O' Stain, which was ok.
Took some weathering powders to it, & it just got smudgy.
Also got in a bit of a hurry, so I glued the bottom posts on 1. last & 2. by hand so they came out a little caddywompus.
Here's the prototype, from along the Columbia River somewhere between Portland and Astoria:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K-cCQQkwZ1U/To-oi4nYM9I/AAAAAAAABhc/tSKMG6rmw1Y/s800/Brownsmead%252520station%252520-%252520columbia%252520river.jpg)
And here it is sitting on the layout:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j91gPOEp7pk/To-m67dmahI/AAAAAAAABgs/b-y2jWnDHmg/s640/PA070657.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zaDaFlfdJ7I/To-m0hLU4RI/AAAAAAAABgU/nE1QTDxrL8A/s640/PA070649.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JvZHX5QawEM/To-m_V6sgxI/AAAAAAAABg8/V8x3n0mAoZ0/s640/PA070662.JPG)
Still need some stairs at the dock end and for the truck-side door.
And crates & stuff.
I think it'll come together more when I install it proper on the layout and get some dirt around the pilings.
Otherwise, it's nice to have another structure on the layout!
Thanks for looking.
-
Very nice work .. I think this would be a good candidate for the "salt" weathering method that Tom has in his weathering book .. it gives it that peeled look .. there was also a good article in RMC a while back that covered the technique
-
All this on 2x3. The modeling is stunning, and the photography makes it even more so.
Lee
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Looks like a wood laser kit. Nice!
-
Thanks, guys.
I agree with you, John: this would be a good choice for the salt technique.
I'd really like to learn that.
I tried to get something similar by having the grey undercoat, flat white primer overcoat and then using some rough sandpaper to expose some of the grey, but it didn't really work.
I've heard that using drops/smears of rubber cement works too, but the thick viscosity of RC would probably lend itself better to Horribly Oversized scale than N.
At least I can rationalize the lack of peeled paint by saying it wouldn't be as heavily weathered in the early 1900s ;)
But I would like to learn the salt / peeled paint technique.
Guess I'll have to build another structure to try it out! ;)
Here's another shot I just like the composition of:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JllMvyt_d24/To-m-cIqG7I/AAAAAAAABg4/wdSHIqqDMlU/s640/PA070660.JPG)
Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers!
-
MC, I think the caddywompus stilts really give that shed some character, it looks solid, nice work! Some crates will bring it to life for sure. and I agree with Lee, that 2x3 sure is something! :o
-
Haven't really done much on the Mt.C&CR.
Was planning on doing quite a bit today, but temperatures inside the garage skyrocketed this afternoon into the upper 90s / 100s & so I found myself sweating too much to do much modeling.
Got a bunch of trees done, though, so that's a good enough excuse for me to take some more photos:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-mQCRl51vOuo/TqSW5O4cl7I/AAAAAAAABys/fx2URs2zToA/s640/PA230777.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-stqL8nRKyqA/TqSXA5d_eeI/AAAAAAAAB0A/wj62K1N7Fm0/s640/PA230787.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5hlGq7NWNN0/TqSXAboD22I/AAAAAAAABz0/e_9gYeNcTOI/s640/PA230786.JPG)
Hope to get more done when things cool down.
Thanks for looking.
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Finally got a bit o' building done.
Scratched this shack out of styrene & shingles & wood:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W81m35DmVYQ/TrMgec39UiI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/HDKwH2eeOKo/s640/PB030830.JPG)
That's actually all that's there: no rear or far side wall.
[and for a weather-beaten shack, that's an awefully newish-looking door]
Originally I was going to have it nestled in the trees up a hill, but when I finished I realized it was too big for the space, so it got moved down to the "town":
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fhKARzpoufo/TrMgqluvGqI/AAAAAAAAB8A/aOC_-pqQVgo/s640/PB030843.JPG)
Ok, right now it is the town, along with the engine shed, watertower and freight shed:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dAgBetRmUxE/TrMgjYxE2RI/AAAAAAAAB7A/VbiaQQDVy3c/s640/PB030836.JPG)
But I added a few more textures to the area: some bushes, gravel bits, static grass & some more trees.
Also added some textures around the frieght shed:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_d0AvAMI08g/TrMg5JB3YHI/AAAAAAAAB-A/yrXxRqH1ZOE/s640/PB030854.JPG)
So things are "growing" right along at Mt. Coffin.
Not so happy with the lighting for the photos: my cheap-o CFLs half-crapped out and a rainy day didn't allow as much natural light to creep into the garage as I'd like.
So will have to wait a bit for more "enlightened" pictures.
Thanks for looking.
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Darn: I was just warned that this topic hasn't been posted for at least 30 days.
What have I been doing?
Oh, this.
Over on Trainboard we had a "Build-A-Boxcab Challenge" and I just finished mine (only 3 weeks late!)
So here's the boxcab beast bred in the blacksmith shop of Mt. Coffin:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Np5CnXMmpIY/TuKXPTUVAwI/AAAAAAAACgc/6q1tPlafRQc/s640/PC091042.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k8U4IuvEL9o/TuKXL28bhRI/AAAAAAAACfw/2oIrfNh1cWg/s640/PC091038.JPG)
Hank, the hapless Mt. Coffin monkey mechanic who built it out of Climax & cast-off parts, ran out of whiskey so there's still a few more bells & whistles to add.
(Namely a bell and a whistle)
Could use some more weathering, too.
The board-by-board shell sits on a Bmann 44-tonner mech, and just lifts up, so I can build a more modern boxcab and slip it on whenever I want to change eras.
But I'm kinda digging it.
Definitely adds some 1900s character to Mt. Coffin:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lstZGVSR3zI/TuKXZk06hKI/AAAAAAAAChw/jhoM2vtBxeU/s640/PC091059.JPG)
Here's the relief train, bringing much needed medicine to Mt. Coffin:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4fVjgf5MB2Q/TuKXlDf811I/AAAAAAAACjU/vkfBvBXOFH4/s640/PC091070.JPG)
It's been a blast to build, & I'm very happy to finally have a boxcab.
Not sure if it rocks, but it definitely doesn't roll: front truck pickup strips turned out bent, so until the replacement truck comes from Bmann, this thing won't roll over an unpowered turnout.
Hope to have video soon, though.
Some more picts:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1iSPg_dfB-c/TuKXVuxLGUI/AAAAAAAAChM/OzwomzB43mY/s640/PC091054.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JDNUrMbdj0o/TuKXrD_eONI/AAAAAAAACow/UQZf-dpHTro/s640/PC091076.JPG)
Thanks for looking.
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Wow man, that's pretty cool. Sort of like a wooden enclosed NYC shay.
Gets my vote.
-
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1iSPg_dfB-c/TuKXVuxLGUI/AAAAAAAAChM/OzwomzB43mY/s640/PC091054.JPG)
Very slick piece of work MC, and I love this ^ shot, except for two things.... ;)
-gfh
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Very slick piece of work MC, and I love this ^ shot, except for two things.... ;)
-gfh
Yeah, the light's off and there's no smoke! The nerve of some people, sheesh! :P
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Very slick piece of work MC, and I love this ^ shot, except for two things.... ;)
-gfh
No coaling or sand tower?
:o
Yes, I know you LOOOOOVE the two catapults I have guarding the engine service entrance :D
Don't worry, Gary, next layout I'll leave the catapults off & try just slide switches underneath.
Just for you, a catapult-less pict:
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jnKDzBLckVU/TuKZE3rGc6I/AAAAAAAACnY/X6snTs864T0/s640/PC091067.JPG)
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Wait a minute, are you saying that a trebuchet isn't standard for that era?
-
:D. In all seriousness, this layout should be featured in a magazine.
-gfh
-
:D. In all seriousness, this layout should be featured in a magazine.
-gfh
I second that!!!
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Just finished scratch building & installing the Mt. Coffin Cannery Co. ("A taste to die for!"):
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MtjQoX0FN70/TxEBYQZQ92I/AAAAAAAADnc/cS_ZPW7poZw/s640/P1131432.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-avoSnJ0vq0o/TxEBUN6A_BI/AAAAAAAADm4/vSjwHzCdBFw/s640/P1131428.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vYNDD-Efq6Q/TxEBcHczTsI/AAAAAAAADoE/GEuWVldRa6U/s640/P1131435.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x1jlaLNPPLw/TxEBMR2UX6I/AAAAAAAADl8/qIvyNjsQfJQ/s640/P1131422.JPG)
Still needs a bunch of details here & there and some weathering.
Not quite sure I'm liking the single-story: I might build a smaller second-story office off-set towards the rear.
Also need to figure out some signs.
Would be great to get the faded white "hand-painted" over the doors, but might be too late for that.
(any/all suggestions welcome)
Tomorrow's supposed to continue the sunny 60+ degree "winter" we're having here in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I'll try to lug the layout out into the sunlight for some better photos.
Now I just need to figure out how to model some mounds of fish!
Thanks for looking.
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I like that a lot. More on the roof would be cool as well, but it's OK if you leave it as is.
You should shoot some video of that motorized shoe box running around ;)
-
Now I get it, you are posting photos of an On30 layout. :ashat:
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I like that a lot. More on the roof would be cool as well, but it's OK if you leave it as is.
You should shoot some video of that motorized shoe box running around ;)
Well, I finally made a video of the layout at it's current state, and with the boxcab running!
(Only the rear truck has pickup right now: thank goodness for powered frogs!)
But it's still able to do it's job!
http://youtu.be/-36A682vGXw (http://youtu.be/-36A682vGXw)
First video with the new camera, so pardon the lighting & focus issues.
Hope to have some better ones soon.
Thanks for watching!
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haha love it!
But now you need to build a pharmacy-saloon ;)
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haha love it!
But now you need to build a pharmacy-saloon ;)
The whiskey still is going to up the hill a bit in the trees.
Hank needs some exercise before staggering to work ;)
-
Sweet!
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Been adding little details around the engine shed and in the shop:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jIlHZ7stGv4/TzLTzt9lImI/AAAAAAAADzY/XNJyQU8lZ8g/s640/P2081466.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rORY7zF1IYc/TzLT9YVfmLI/AAAAAAAAD00/8m5xdvAvsL4/s640/P2081479.JPG)
I attached some decapitated T-pins in a hollow wall that poke into the foam so the whole shed can be lifted off for more detailing later.
Would have loved to put an overhead belt drive in the shop, but I'm getting to the point where I just want to get this layout "done," and I still have the mining scene on the back side to finish!
You can see that Hank, in a fit of nostalgia, left his anvil in the center of the shop, even though there's more modern metal-working machines in there.
I don't want a large coal tower in front of the service track, so I'm thinking of using some of Randgust's V&T hoppers that accidentally got vacuumed up as the tarp-covered "temp" coal bins, and I'll build a hoist crane & bucket for loading. Haven't finalized that so I haven't glued the hoppers in yet.
Will probably put in a water trough & tie post for horses on the right side of the shop, and there'll be some tools hanging on the wall as soon as I figure out how to remove those little flimsy brass things from the sticky pad they came on.
On a whim I realized I could rest the camera on the water to get this funkey shot:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C2BOX-MQcC8/TzLUHmDFDYI/AAAAAAAAD2M/6DT17RIa408/s640/P2081488.JPG)
It's nice to get something done on the layout, even if it's little details, here & there.
Other detail suggestions appreciated.
Thanks for looking.
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This thread is most definitely "Best of The Wire" material.
Ed
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Was great seeing this wonderful layout in Model Railroader this month. Great article by the way!
-
Was great seeing this wonderful layout in Model Railroader this month. Great article by the way!
+1. What a pleasant surprise turning the page and . . . "Hey, I know that layout."
DFF
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Was great seeing this wonderful layout in Model Railroader this month. Great article by the way!
Same here, I flipped to the article, saw the pic, and thought "hmmm, I've seen the layout progress!"
MC, any updates on the coal tipple?
-
Thanks for the kind words!
I wrote that article almost a year ago: was wondering when they were going to publish it
Received my contributor's copy last week and it was very, er, "interesting" to see the editing & re-writing they did.
(Whisky Barrel Town was originally "Whiskey Barrel Bunghole Town"... ok, that one I kinda understand )
But they have their style guide & needed to fit in the boxes, I guess.
Still, pretty nifty to finally see the article in print with some nice non-AnyRail renderings!
As soon as I finish the Free-moN Effett Staging Yard and then the Free-moN Sonoma Shoo-fly modules (both of which I hope to get done before the GTE in September), then I'll get back to Mt. Coffin & try to finish that before the year's end so I can get rid of it and start the 42 other projects bubbling in my brain
Thanks again for reading the article & taking the time to comment.
Hope it comes in handy (or handy-panel-y).
Cheers!
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Nice work MC. I"m going to buy an issue to check it out!
-
Today I braved the 100+ deg. heat of my garage to build a flatcar tanker using a fab casting from Republic Locomotive Works ($4: no picture in the catalogue but worth the chance!):
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PpR1qlO-AQQ/UChTZh9z2AI/AAAAAAAAG_c/xgxir3vGOQ8/s640/002.JPG)
The flat car is a 35' log flat from N Scale Kits. The tank load is a little short for a flat load (in my artistic composition estimation), so I added a strip of 0.08" styrene underneath before painting.
Built the cradle with HO 2'x4' stripwood painted the same boxcar red as the flatcar:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hW6q604HoCU/UChTbwQdrZI/AAAAAAAAG_4/kpQijBe-QbI/s640/006.JPG)
Added a brakewheel on some wire, weathered with powders, and:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Vkeh7lLcc20/UChSvcwE2YI/AAAAAAAAG9s/5DH85I1xbOY/s640/P8122656.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FU0yOfOO_O8/UChSryodcgI/AAAAAAAAG9Y/BzvWB5kp3r8/s640/P8122653.JPG)
Need to do a better job weathering.
Maybe some drybrushing.
Definitely need to get Tom Mann's The Weathering Book - great techniques that look amazing.
Should have also added some railing/pipes, perhaps.
But with a great $4 tank casting, have plenty of opportunity to practice.
Thanks for looking!
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I'm really looking forward to finishing this thing soon, just as soon as I finish the couple Free-moN modules I got on the workbench.
That said, I took a break from all the Free-moN scenery and finally finished Randgust's fab 18-ton Climax kit I started about a year and a half ago.
http://www.randgust.com/prod01.htm (http://www.randgust.com/prod01.htm)
I hauled the Mt. Coffin & Columbia River layout outside, vacuumed off all the dust & cobwebs that had accumulated, cleaned the track (not enough, as it turned out), and set up in the sun for some photos:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fumFRCGMV6M/UFzeDs_HgmI/AAAAAAAAH-o/BhamoSmyx_o/s640/P9212714.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dMm0YkAGLZ8/UFzeGI5ptjI/AAAAAAAAH_M/Tvr_OY24aJs/s640/P9212717.JPG)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lBh6IsbAD_A/UFzeAlMocOI/AAAAAAAAH-Q/Ovs2_uIlLIc/s640/P9212710.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T8Sa-oIYwi4/UFzeWXK2UTI/AAAAAAAAIA8/6r2qXk7HImY/s640/P9212731.JPG)
It was a lot of fun chopping N-scale lumber (from a toothpick) to pile around the boiler.
Yes, those workers are from the WS "Hobo" pack: seems to be the only figures in early 1900s clothing around.
And, of course, a video:
The Climax ran great on the test track, but stalled a lot on the layout.
Really need to clean the track better, as the Kato 11-105 is a bit finicky (especially since I probably tweeked the contact strips more than I should have)(again).
But it can creep along at scale 9-10 mph, as it should.
And it looks great pulling Chris Schmuck's 20-ton wood hoppers from Republic Locomotive Works.
Cheers to Randy for a great Climax kit!
It was so hot in the sun that my iPhone kept shutting down with temp warnings.
Ended up putting an icepack in my back pocket to cool the phone off between takes.
Sorry about the blue tape and exposed wiring: didn't have the time to put on the fascia.
See if you can see the harmonica player at the end.
Thanks for looking.
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Great looking train MC (and Randy and Chris), especially in natural sunlight. It's almost shocking to see how small it is when The Hand appears!
Is that you on harmonica? 8)
-gfh
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Great work MC, love seeing this layout, and the natural lighting really brings out all the detail and weathering you have put into it.
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Thanks, guys.
Randy and Chris both designed great kits with amazing details.
I'm just happy the Climax runs (this is the second Kato chassis I've used :oops:)
If we all have a single Nemisis in the Realm of Model Railroading, mine is Contact Strips.
Seem to get bent the wrong way just looking at them :?
Anyway, speaking of contact strips, I also replaced / tweeked the 44T trucks for the Boxcab chassis, and it runs well, so now my 1900 roster for Mt. Coffin includes:
--Homebuilt wooden boxcab
--18-ton Climax
--Ten Wheeler
Which is pretty much all the layout can handle anyway.
The new Bachmann 2-6-0 that should arrive any week now will also be a nice-looking addition, especially pulling some ventilated boxcars and pre-1900 house cars.
The harmonica player is part of the WS Hobo people pack:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aFnD2aYt8_k/UF5yMb5as0I/AAAAAAAAIE0/z_ijPd0PE0s/s640/006%2520%25282%2529.JPG)
Seems to be the only group that has 1900's clothing (if anyone has any other sources, I'm all ears!)
Cheers!
And thanks for looking.
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MC, this layout is really remarkable, you do excellent work! I really like the rock cut photograph. That scene is something that really makes best use of the small scale trains to create a huge landscape. It would require a lot of space in HOn3 or On3. Bravo!
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Well, it's time to say goodbye to the Mt. Coffin & Columbia River layout.
After much debate, I've decided to scrap it and start over rather put umpeen kabillion hours and dollars into fixing all the little "arghs!" that I created myself when I was learning how to handlay track.
And while the layout looks alright right now, all those "arghs!" make it difficult to have fun running trains.
But never fear!
All the scratchbuilt structures will be saved, and all the trees (450+) will be transplanted to the next late-1800s / early 1900's layout!
And then the chainsaw will finally come out.
But before it does, I gave the fascia a new coat of paint, screwed it on, then hauled Mt. Coffin out into the late-morning sunlight for a last photo shoot:
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZUD3PuEJDl0/UHSlnlsX1ZI/AAAAAAAAIaI/5WbvWp6d5n8/s640/PA092952.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kpfuMAck328/UHSlvv0PLEI/AAAAAAAAIa4/JKoMS-OYzf0/s640/PA092957.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OO95g9f6rj8/UHSlmE_3K5I/AAAAAAAAIZ4/KXUiIDHjguo/s640/PA092950.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-sOyH-kPI19c/UHSlbrYdbDI/AAAAAAAAIYs/nPiigmQ0WCM/s640/PA092942.JPG)
[cont.]
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(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nUYuXPFwyiM/UHSk37fBoVI/AAAAAAAAIUw/-6ZESbokj4k/s640/PA092913.JPG)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FZ78ZT8nONI/UHSk_gti4gI/AAAAAAAAIcM/fc4g7vu8U4A/s640/PA092921.JPG)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AU4k5Rp3mtI/UHSlSvqNJ3I/AAAAAAAAIX0/xsjtrXEDTlE/s640/PA092935.JPG)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Iyzisoc69EE/UHSlfq8_7NI/AAAAAAAAIZI/pI7VHVIWL-4/s640/PA092945.JPG)
Well, thanks to all who helped me out over the past couple years with words of wisdom, advice ("Never play leapfrog with a unicorn!"), and sharing all your experiences to help me learn to be a better modeler while working on this chainsaw.
Goodbye Mt. Coffin & Columbia River:
Pink foam to ground foam,
sawdust to dust.
But, of course, there's a video (and in 1080p, too! Looks good full screen!):
Thanks for looking.
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To every end, there is a new beginning. Sweet layout, but judging from your freemon, the next layout will be the very definition of epic
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Wow. For the record, this layout looks awesome!
Having the courage to take a 'hatchet' to your work can be very liberating. It frees you from the burden of having to do everything perfect the first time. I'd be curious if you had any specific lessons learned from this experience that you'd care to share.
Looking forward to the next episode.
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I'd be curious if you had any specific lessons learned from this experience that you'd care to share.
1) do your trackwork right the first time & make it perfect so everything and their mothers can run on it
2) power your frogs the first time
3) don't spend all that time scratchbuilding structures and creating nice scenery and then use catapult-sized ground throws :facepalm:
4) did I mention have great trackwork and powered frogs?
Right now I have a half-decent diorama, but I'd like to have an actual layout I can enjoy running trains on.
Which requires kick-a$$hat trackwork.
And powered frogs :ashat:
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Wow, that is one fab-looking layout! And you're right, it looks great on full-screen! ;)
4) did I mention have great trackwork and powered frogs?
So is this the 'bump' that I noticed at the 0:21 time? Just one comment - have you checked the gauge on the loco wheelsets? Seems that the freight cars were making it thru that spot without bumping.
Are you considering Code 40 rail for the next layout? Just MHO, that would look awesome with those classic trains.... Oh and don't forget the sound too ;)
Ed
Edit - Also check the loco wheels for wobble. It's hard to spot in a video but there was one or two places where I got the impression that the wheels might have been running a bit out of true.
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Sweet video! (hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave) :ashat:
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MC, just did the same with my G&D, so I know the feeling. For me, it's always been the journey, not the destination. Some folks just don't get it, but for me a layout is a transition, not an endpoint. Good to see someone else with the same sensibilities. Best of luck with your future projects.
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Sweet video! (hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave) :ashat:
Thanks!
Funny comment, considering there's no caboose :P
(though the last car is full of meat) :ashat:
Ed: I'll double check the wheels, but the loco runs fine on decent trackwork.
I'm pretty sure all the bumps & wobble are due to the crappy trackwork I was learning on.
But that was one point of the "chainsaw" to begin with, so I can take those lessons to the next layout.
This layout has been definitely worth it in terms of skillz-building, and as much as I'd love to "finish" it (and sell it), it'd just take more work than I have the heart right now.
Plus, I tend to get to the point where I've learned what I need to from a layout and then get more excited about starting the next project than finishing this one.
As the poet William Carlos Williams wrote: "If the power to go on falters in the middle of the sentence--that's the end of the sentence."
Thanks to all who made suggestions / comments while I was working on it.
Definitely helped!
Cheers!
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Plus, I tend to get to the point where I've learned what I need to from a layout and then get more excited about starting the next project than finishing this one.
Oh, boy! I sure have been there!
DFF
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very nice work!
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Well, 'tis done.
Saved all the structures and bridges:
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--lRpRyfU-M8/UHXOhIT33tI/AAAAAAAAIdA/ynmfi7nngVk/s640/007.JPG)
[no way the bents were coming out from the water!]
Want to know what 400+ pine trees looks like bunched together?
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-E6a_LI2tAlA/UHXOivpetLI/AAAAAAAAIdU/ZpYJ12ELhJM/s640/009.JPG)
You've seen my daughter's and my "Train-in-a-Box" layout [and if you haven't, there'll be a two-part article in the next issues of N-Scale Magazine: http://www.nscalemagazine.com/index.html (http://www.nscalemagazine.com/index.html)], well, now see my "Train-in-a-Bag":
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJHTtM_43Zo/UHXOm5NeCdI/AAAAAAAAId4/Ls8Z_26Et8s/s640/013.JPG)
So it goes.
On the plus side, in addition to all the spare structures and trees, as well as all the skillz I learned, I have a heck of a lot more space in the garage & around the workbench.
Better get to filling that up with a new layout!
(Right after I finish my Free-moN Shoo-fly module: I promised myself I wouldn't start another project until finishing that one!]
Thanks for looking.
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Sad to see it go, but can't wait to see what you come up with next!
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Sad to see it go, but can't wait to see what you come up with next!
+1
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+3. I always enjoy your work, so I know you'll have something to amaze us very soon.
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+4 Can't wait to see what you come up with next