Weekend Update 3/21/21

[mrhedley]

Thanks Ron.  I’ll work on setting up a photo gallery.  There are some scenes where I’ve tried to match the prototype.  But since space is limited Ive had to improvise quite a bit.  Improvising has actually provided a few more options for operations.  I’ll PM you when I get a gallery set up. Thanks again.

[MVW]

Completely exhausted my supply of WS fine cinders.



Plenty of grout left, though. 

Lots and lots of touch up to do, but that can be done piecemeal. As far as I'm concerned, Cedricsburg Yard is very close to being declared fully operational.

Jim

[dem34]

Completely exhausted my supply of WS fine cinders.
Plenty of grout left, though. 
Lots and lots of touch up to do, but that can be done piecemeal. As far as I'm concerned, Cedricsburg Yard is very close to being declared fully operational.

Jim

Sorry to be a nudge, whats up with that bit of track on the main?

[dem34]

Utilizing the crossarms I made. getting the final rough placement of stuff within the scenes.







Before anyone says anything yes, I do realize now that that I unconsciously did the same thing as modular railroading from a composition standpoint. But the siding was going to be different before I went full dyslexic on the board's measurements. 

[MVW]

Sorry to be a nudge, whats up with that bit of track on the main?

That's what we like to call a "frost bubble." 

I'm in Minnesota, and even though the layout is in a climate-controlled room, I invariably develop a kink or two when the first serious cold snap hits and humidity plunges. The layout does, too.  In this case, it happened earlier this month.

The layout has "relaxed" considerably since then. (Judging by another spot on the other side of the peninsula.) If the track doesn't slide back into place shortly, I'll have to nip off a bit of rail.

I've noticed this only tends to happen in areas where there's little or no ballast down. There's only a first run of ballast on the mainline here. Gotta get everything locked down before next winter. Of course, I've been saying that for 3-4 years. 

Jim

[jereising]

Late to the party this week, but the attached video may be of some interest -

In the process of shooting the cab ride, the camera snagged a couple of cars in staging and derailed them.  In order to rectify the problem, all trains in staging had to come out.  Now, there was no difficulty rerailing any of the cars, but clearances are tight under there and it's easier to simply pull everything out and park the trains on the mains.  Besides that, it gives me an excuse to JFRTM.  Here's what that looks like:

[Bob]

Wow Jim!  Your staging tracks must be really extensive!  Impressive seeing everything out on the main line.  How many of the Scale Trains hoppers do you have?  50 or 60?!!!!

[Bendtracker1]

The NB Winnfield local passes under the Wyatt Rd. overpass with less than a mile to go before it reaches Biddle Yard.  Hopefully the crew will get her tied down for the night before the late afternoon thunderstorm rolls in on them.

[chuck geiger]

Anita, AZ with basic scenery down and roads. I am using washes and chalks on the dirt roads with some super sifted dirt to still be applied. Fine dirt still needs to be sifted on the grade crossing. I still have to add scrub, sage, bushes and grasses.

[jereising]

Wow Jim!  Your staging tracks must be really extensive!  Impressive seeing everything out on the main line.  How many of the Scale Trains hoppers do you have?  50 or 60?!!!!

You can see the staging area in the early photos on the web site (see my signature line).  You can't see them on the Trainboard thread thanks to Photobucket. 
There are six tracks using one for run-throughs.  I could probably add another 15 or so cars to that grainer before filling it's track.
The other four tracks have two trains each, so a total of nine trains in staging.

Only six of the excellent Scale Trains hoppers - most of the 114 cars are Intermountain 5161s with 18 Exact Rail and a couple Micro-Trains.  And just for the frosting on the cake, most of the cars of that train are equipped with M-T's True Scale Coupler.  Not much slinky here!  And that train is also probably the most reliable on the Sub.  I never have a problem with it.  It just runs.

[jpwisc]

I patched and weathered a few more gondolas for the White Pine. The ex-Herzog cars were used for hauling raw copper ore on the line.
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[EL3632]

I took out a paragon 2 decoder and replaced it with a Loksound 5 (58823) in my BLI PA. Installation thread to come when I have time (likely not for a while).

[Bob]

Thanks for replying Jim - I have not tried tru scale couplers well; I am still immersed in scenery and have not turned my attention to rolling stock yet - I am going to have to, since like you I have one or two consists that just run, but most others something happens within 5-6 laps around the layout.  I've really enjoyed your posts, and check out your website now and again.  Bob

[basementcalling]

Late to the party this week, but the attached video may be of some interest -

In the process of shooting the cab ride, the camera snagged a couple of cars in staging and derailed them.  In order to rectify the problem, all trains in staging had to come out.  Now, there was no difficulty rerailing any of the cars, but clearances are tight under there and it's easier to simply pull everything out and park the trains on the mains.  Besides that, it gives me an excuse to JFRTM.  Here's what that looks like:

Nicely done. Service lockdown in a positive light.

[chuck geiger]

Finished grade crossing....