the Western Maryland Flavor-Aid

[DKS]

In a railroad perfect world all railroads would all be Ntrak like.  No tunnels, no grades, no bridges, no curves, just dead flat and straight.  All of these features impose extra cost in construction or in operation.  But these are the very things that add eye candy to model railroads. Even Ntrakkers will agree that the "plywood plains" type of module is as boring as it comes.

Cutting back on tunnels (if that's your goal) doesn't mean you have to model a flat plain.

There are other tricks that can be used to hide trackage.

Absolutely. Trees, bluffs, cuts, buildings, backdrop dividers--all manner of disguises are available.

[asciibaron]

Absolutely. Trees, bluffs, cuts, buildings, backdrop dividers--all manner of disguises are available.

[DKS]

Absolutely. Trees, bluffs, cuts, buildings, backdrop dividers--all manner of disguises are available.

Indeed. Useful.
 


Perhaps the new icon for hidden track on plans.

[asciibaron]

i am messing around with the upper left corner right now.  i picked up a two pack of double track portals today along with some bridging materials.  i'm not sure i'm digging the close quarters of the two portals - i think i have a solution, instead of the lower track going into a tunnel, it goes into a deep cut which then becomes a hillside.  i would prefer it to go into a double track portal.  i'm still working it out.

the big bridge material is in hand and i'm really trying hard to plan out that scene.  it will be the obvious WM element on the line and is modeled after the bridge at Bowest

http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qnz62h8c087v&scene=40124976&lvl=2&sty=b&where1=Dunbar%2C%20PA

things are happening.

i even bought a 2011 WM calendar so you know i'm locked in.

[DKS]

Double-track portal for the upper left? How is it both tracks are on the same level, or am I missing something? Also... seems to make more sense if the lower track goes through a tunnel, while the upper one goes through a cut.

Oh well, it's all just speculation in a vacuum until we can see some photos...

[asciibaron]

Double-track portal for the upper left? How is it both tracks are on the same level, or am I missing something? Also... seems to make more sense if the lower track goes through a tunnel, while the upper one goes through a cut.

the WM's Connellsville Extension was designed so that a second track could be laid if traffic warranted... the bridges were built to support a second track, and three of the four tunnels were bored for two tracks.  i want to really show off this ambitious planning and character of the WM.  my big bridge will clearly showcase this feature as will my tunnels.

as for the upper left corner dilemma - putting the upper track into a cut might work, i have to play around some more.  over all, progress will come quickly once i finalize the where and how things will be supported and accessed.  progress is being made.

i have a witness that something is happening...  you run into all manner of people at the hobby shop.

[wm3798]

Pictures?  We were promised pictures!

[sizemore]

i have a witness that something is happening...  you run into all manner of people at the hobby shop.

You must be talking about the kids and the wife, because I buy $4!+ all the time and have very little of a layout! Stockpiling for the big day. 

Pictures?  We were promised pictures!

And I echo Lee's statements: A picture speaks a thousand words. You've got the plan, you've bought materials, take the plunge the waters fine.

The S.

[asciibaron]

picture it in your mind, and then scale that back 50%  ;D

[davefoxx]

pictures coming Sunday Sunday Sunday, be there...

Layout tease.

[DKS]

The problem is, I'm not picturing anything in my mind. So scaling nothing back by 50% yields the same result...

[asciibaron]

i got busy with the family and then DCUnited on Sunday - no time for pictures.

[asciibaron]

ok, here are some images -



here is the left lobe being test fit.  the B&O F&MP branch looks pretty good - need to extend the length of the passing track so i can fit 6 55 ton hoppers and a cabin.  



this is looking at what will be the tunnel portal that loops down to the WM Connellsville Yard (Bowood?)  this is looking across what will be the combination plate girder/thru truss bridge - total length of the bridge works is just under 20 inches.  it will be very WM.

the portal and the line above are at the correct heights - they are 2 inches apart.

things are happening.

[DKS]

That's more like it!

[asciibaron]

That's more like it!

did you seriously doubt me?  i'm totally digging this - it's actually not a WM layout, it's a layout of what i missed seeing by a few years as a kid!  i know all these places, just as vacant cinder roads and parking lots where trains used to run