Wisconsin Central - Heritage Division

[w neal]

'Preciate it Phil, but I dunno. I was thinking about some kind of maintenance ladder, etc.

[w neal]

I am revisiting some "completed" scenes on the layout. As they say, they are never done.

The Gills Landing area needs more details, in my mind. One is this "control box" for one of the walkways along the bridge. At least, I assume thats what this box is for, I have never seen the bridge swung around for any boat traffic. Its a minor detail to be sure, but one that would always make the bridge incomplete to me.













Then, there is the matter of all the crazy "guard rail" trackwork on the bridge itself. Here is a bad copy of a copy of a picture of the prototype:













Thus is my first attempt at simulating the guard rails. It is fun C.A.-ing the long rails in place, and these are the shorter ones!















I included the shorter ones on each end of the "Middle rails". Its perhaps an insignificant detail, but as long as I'm at it...
















A friend recently pointed out that I need to add something to the bridge's "pivot point". So I added this rail that it's wheels ride upon. I was not able to add the wheels themselves, so I added something to simulate them, sorta.













Its easier to see them here, a bit:










Still a lot more work to be done here. I plan to add the rest of the main guard rails, the sign, and the beams on the ends of the bridge ties. Time will tell...

[w neal]

Woodsy backdrop step two: Apply static grass around edges and in "holes" in the forrest canopy...














What canopy? Wait for it...

[w neal]

Green legs?!? Such is the prototype.

[pedro]

Awesome, love the bridge work! Are those handrails scratch-built?

[w neal]

Um... Yeah. Sure. Always.

[w neal]

Some grassing last night:

















Tracks that disappear...

[BOK]

Neal that's good looking scenery and represents the ex Soo/ex WC territory well. Regarding that bridge as a former Soo/WC employee I recall there being some type of waterway agreement stating that the bridge needed to be operable if required and by the looks of it from your photo, with those split-point derails there may be some way to open the span.
Anyhow good work on the WC model and thanks, for sharing your progress.

Barry

[w neal]

Thanks Barry. Your comments mean a lot!!

I am playing with the idea of installing rails to represent the derails. I'm just not sure if I have the skills. But, again, as long as I am working there...

[Philip H]

W,
That disappearing track is fantastic!  I may need to see if I can duplicate that on my layout.  Honestly, once you get the hole in the backdrop hidden, this will become another signature scene on the layout.

What ground foam brand and type are you using for the yellow flowers?

[w neal]

Mouse 'ole?!? Noo. Thats sheep ya got thair...

[w neal]

What ground foam brand and type are you using for the yellow flowers?

Timberlane ragweed yellow.

[Philip H]

"That Parrot is Passed ON!"

[w neal]

Playing around with a few more backdrop elements. I am no artist, but I can paint a blue sky. I like to add these to help create depth. I.E. its another cop out.















Not so happy with this one:











It reminds me too much of this:








Oh well. Start again...

[conrailthomas519]

w. neal really cool work! The barn scene is almost perfect