Phase 2 begins!

[davefoxx]

That curve looks great and will make it much easier to construct the bridge as compared to building a much sharper radiused structure.  Again, I think that outweighs the consistent-radius curve, especially considering that none of the curve is below your minimum radius for the Thomas Sub.

Keep the photos coming!
DFF

[wm3798]

We'll show those DRGW and SP clods that proper, more genteel mountain railroading has it's charms, too!

David, there will be an update to the track plan in your hands shortly...  Thomas is going to a fun little hotspot.  I realize now that the storage tracks will also provide the opportunity to double up trains on the hill (helix) to add some more interest!

I wish I knew what became of the wooden piers that George Myers made for the WMRHS layout back in the 80's...


(recognize the bridge and the challenger?)

Lee

[davefoxx]

I predict you now have the layout's centerpiece scene in the works. Given its drama and its smack-dab-in-the-middle location, it ought to stop new visitors in their tracks. Casselman Crossing may be taking a distant second place as the model railfan hotspot.

Perhaps, but now he'll have a canyon to be able to better squeeze a camera in there for the shots of Casselman crossing.  To shoot the bridge before, you had to put the camera in the creek.

DFF

[wm3798]

If I can get that bridge to look even a little bit like Ohiopyle... David might be right!  Vive le Sweet Spot!

(Better modeling through peer pressure, INDEED!!)

[DKS]

David, there will be an update to the track plan in your hands shortly...

I stand (or sit) ready.

[GaryHinshaw]

Wow, a lot of progress already today.  I'm definitely on board with the curved bridge, and I can see the above angle being the new money shot.  You'll have to get a blue board for the background though...

Anyone have any good photos of Thomas in its heyday?  I'm trying to picture the scene.

-gfh

[Bob Bufkin]

I just can't resist ;D

[SirTainly]

If I can get that bridge to look even a little bit like Ohiopyle... David might be right!  Vive le Sweet Spot!

(Better modeling through peer pressure, INDEED!!)

Since we're talking bridges should that be pier pressure?

[wm3798]

Here's the station.
http://www.wvbike.org/tan/pics/tan-thomas_depot-1954-m.jpg

The Francis Branch actually went off behind the depot, I'll have it splitting away in front of it at about the point where the photographer is standing.  You can see how prominent the bridge and creek are to the station scene...

I've got a ton of reference photos, but they're all in copyrighted publications...  I'm surprised there's not much that turns up in a google search.

Lee

[Bob Bufkin]

You got some coke ovens to go with that scene?

[wm3798]

I can sure find a way to work some in. 
Lee

[sizemore]

If I can get that bridge to look even a little bit like Ohiopyle... David might be right!  Vive le Sweet Spot!

(Better modeling through peer pressure, INDEED!!)

Now you see what I see...............

The S.

[asciibaron]

i watched my Emery Gulash WM video yesterday.  you need more cowbell.

[wm3798]

It took a few alligator clips and extension wires, but BL-2 82 pulled a train of 10 cars and a caboose from Maryland Jct. up through Thomas and the Oliver Twist to the siding at Kerens last night.  I need one more female Cinch Jones (or is it a male?) to complete the connections to get all the way into Elkins.  (There's a lift out section in front of the window).  The High Bridge track is cut and and installed, and up on blocks to allow traffic to pass.  I also put in the bridge track for the Narrows Crossing in the way back.

As expected, I have the wire colors reversed from the helix to Elkins.  I guess I should make a warning label so I don't forget that.

Anyway, the next step will be to wire the turnout decoder into the Kerens siding, and finish the bus connections to Elkins.  Once that's done, I'll paint the bridge fro Kerens so I can permanently install the trackwork between it and the helix.

Once that's done, I'll work on the scenery base for the hard to reach pieces in and out of the helix, and I guess build the sky board that will surround the helix.  I'll lose access to the big hole in the layout once the main line through Cumberland gets installed.  I also have to permanently install the storage tracks through Thomas and wire all the turnouts in there...

Lee

[sizemore]

It took a few alligator clips and extension wires, but BL-2 82 pulled a train of 10 cars and a caboose from Maryland Jct. up through Thomas and the Oliver Twist to the siding at Kerens last night.  I need one more female Cinch Jones (or is it a male?) to complete the connections to get all the way into Elkins.  (There's a lift out section in front of the window).  The High Bridge track is cut and and installed, and up on blocks to allow traffic to pass.  I also put in the bridge track for the Narrows Crossing in the way back.

As expected, I have the wire colors reversed from the helix to Elkins.  I guess I should make a warning label so I don't forget that.

Anyway, the next step will be to wire the turnout decoder into the Kerens siding, and finish the bus connections to Elkins.  Once that's done, I'll paint the bridge fro Kerens so I can permanently install the trackwork between it and the helix.

Once that's done, I'll work on the scenery base for the hard to reach pieces in and out of the helix, and I guess build the sky board that will surround the helix.  I'll lose access to the big hole in the layout once the main line through Cumberland gets installed.  I also have to permanently install the storage tracks through Thomas and wire all the turnouts in there...

Lee

What no pictures? Did you wear a hole in the floor doing the "Caddy Shack Happy Gopher Dance" preventing you from taking pictures? Or did you just run the train back and forth about 2 million times all glossy eyed and happy?

Disappointed,
The S.

Ps. Ok Ok I'm sorta doin' an Irish Jig over here (in my mind)...stop looking at me like that!