Amoskeag Northern - Updates

[Ian MacMillan]

Thought I'd start a thread to keep all the layout updates together.

Some work around the former CP NOK. I need to chance the CP name as I have decided to eliminate the NOK autoparts factory and put in an auto unloading facility for Ford instead. I needed some place to display those really nice RC autoracks. Work this week has been focusing on Simonds Drive and the industrial trackage off of it. Sidewalks have been installed along most of it and now I am starting to add buildings to the area. Road markings and weathering still have to be done. Some garden style apts will be on the hill behind the trackage, while a rapid transit line is located between the hill and the CR mainline. I was pretty impressed by the BLMA billboards you can see here. I have several more that are getting repainted into the more common green seen in the Northeast. Also several are getting their poles extended so that highway travelers can see 'em.

All the BDL168s have been installed for block detection, and now I'm installing the SE8C signal controllers. In addition to driving the signals I was also able to find out in the manual that they can drive 8 slow motion switch machines as well which will save me a bunch as now I do not need to buy switch decoders.

The trackplan as it stands now - 04/01/2010




Mock up of the side lot for a small burger and cheese steak joint.


New triple target signals from SMD.


How many BLMA products in one area. Electrical shed, Billboard, Chainlink fence and new 4000 hopper.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Wow Ian, that is killer.

Absolutely killer.

I um, need that, in my basement. Now I really gotta get to work.

[Mark5]

Schweet!

[lock4244]

Mock up of a small burger and cheese steak joint.

Wow that is small! Looks like a signal relay cabin  ;D

Very cool looking layout... awesome!

[Dave V]

Where's the box of tissues and the hand lotion???  That is spanktacular!!!

The billboard scene absolutely sells it.  Very awesome.

[sizemore]

Two great things about this shot. The depth of field, it appears much larger than it may actually be, and the track in the road...I don't see it often, but damn that looks good!

The S.

[Philip H]

I like the grass- proves that you can use static flock in N scale very nicely.

And yes Ed, you need to get to work.  I don't want to have to drive all the way to Ian's to run Conrail trains.

[pfs]

Bravo.

What is the clearance look like for Autoracks under that billboard ?

From the photo perspective, looks like it would be sorta close. (I have no idea what the proto requires btw)



<opinion> Too many layouts seem to ignore any switching opportunities, except for a yard. From what you have shared you are going to have a lot of that. Many 'larger' layouts seem to be just mainline/yard/one or two sidings as an afterthought</opinion>

[bbussey]

Impressive.

[Ian MacMillan]

Thanks everyone.

The billboard actually does not go over the mainline, and clears the nearest rail by 16'. The MP15 is on the Pinnicle Industrial track which only has boxcar and tankcar customers.

I've added the trackplan to the first post. I've put a lot of industrial trackage in the layout because I really like operations and switching out industries. Bill's Kingsbury Branch was a huge inspiration for this layout.

[Guilford Guy]

This is sick, and I mean sick in the best way possible.

[wm3798]

Nicely played.  Need some Walmart bags and ripple bottles in amongst the tall grass... maybe a shopping cart or two...  Looks too sterile.

Lee

[FrankCampagna]

I think real life could take some lessons from you. VERY nicely done. As Lee says, some debris might add to realism. But outstanding. Thanks for sharing.

Frank

[Ian MacMillan]

Exactly Lee! This is just the base layer of grass. There is much more in the way of weeds, brush, and junk.

[shawnleon]

Where's the box of tissues and the hand lotion???  That is spanktacular!!!

Dave's comment... freaking hilarious!

The layout... amazing!

Shawn