Weekend Update 3/8/15

[mark dance]

Mark , is that barn ramp angle correct ? What has the power and nerve to climb it ?

Can't say Richie...came with the kit.

md

[Power Stroke]

Added WS and NOCH bikers to my in progress bar scene.

[Puddington]

I second the motion that Jeff nailed the VIA colours... well done pal! Mark's scenery is fast approaching the theoretical limited of my brain to accept as modelling.............just "WOW"............!!!!!!!!

[Scottl]

Mark, the Slocan scenes are fantastic.  You have created a fantastic sense of space and depth- that is something really rare on layouts and you seem to have mastered.

[coosvalley]

This week I actually have something to share!...I've been working on upgrading my fleet of 5 Walthers pulpwood cars...I used....Walthers pulpwood loads,Atlas trucks, Fox Valley wheels, body mounted Accumates (the couplers and boxes cut off the Atlas trucks were used), and BLMA crossover platforms and ladders, with a bit of wire added...still some touching up still to be done, and I may still add coupler lift bars....anywho, here is a before and after:




Thanks for looking and have a great week!

[basementcalling]

I worked some more in the tranquil Slocan Valley, painting the backdrop just North of Vallican and added a valley farmstead. 





Then finished off the backwater of the Slocan River.  The Slocan winds through the valley leaving many shallow, sandbank-ridden, secondary waterways.  I also added a bunch of Supertree-deciduous and modified conifers from a few sources in the background.  Here the Slocan wayfreight is making its way up the valley to switch out Slocan Forest products mill at the lakefront of Slocan City.








Have a great weekend.

md

Two paths diverges in the woods, and I...

Amazing treeline. How do you paint your trees on your backdrop?

I know climbing that barn ramp might require helpers.

[rochsub]

Work is progressing on the staging yard on the ATL version of the UPRR Geneva Sub.

Chicago side.


Iowa Side

[craigolio1]

Mark WOW just WOW!!!!!


Thanks Craig, The Renaissance Blue is a mix I made up a few years ago. It is Polly-S GN Glacier Green with BAR Blue until it looked right. I was smart to mix up a whole bottle so i have enough to do 10-15 more. The Gray is all decal. Microscale 60-1359. It is the worst decal i have ever worked with. I have done 2 of these locos now and i learned a lot the first time. It takes 2-3 days with about 15 application of Solvaset to get it to lie down right. If you put the solvaset on to thick the decal will get these round marks on the gray and will not go away and look so bad.

Thanks for the tip!  Good to know.

Craig

[craigolio1]

Mark your river scene there is stunning.

Craig

[Jesse6669]

More work on the Millvale diorama.  A paved asphalt crossing of the CR Conemaugh line in place! [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[craigolio1]

Well the Dinner Train CRS-20 #601 is basically done. Couplers and a few paint touches are all that's needed.







This one has been a long time in the making and while I would change a few things I did, I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Craig

[basementcalling]

All permits are in and a new paper mill is under construction along the Idaho Belt mainlines. New customers are always welcome. The blue tape group was busy today laying out possible bashes of the kit components.

The orientation of the mill is up for flipping after playing for a few hours with the various buildings.  The drawn plan has raw materials entering from the right with the mill and shipping warehouse inside the  end turn on the left in the photos. Then I thought what if I made the warehouse longer and  skinnier? Not sure I like how close the shipping area gets to the tracks.  I'll let it sit and ponder for a day.

More details in the Idaho Belt RR thread in the layout forum.

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Overall view of a very linear scene.

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From the end with the turn back curve.  Getting that laid out vertical was yesterday's challenge.

[Scottl]

It looks great Craig. 

[alhoop]

Can't say Richie...came with the kit.

md

 A prototype:

Al

[davefoxx]

I had a little trouble in the first attempt, but, after replacing a defective signal, I did finally successfully install my first pair of NJ International, Inc. flashing RR crossing signals.  I have not yet installed the IR sensors, so they're not automatically controlled yet.

I hope to install the sensors tomorrow.  First, I need to figure out the placement of the sensors to determine how much warning the lights will give in advance of a train. Then, I need to try to not destroy the track when I drill holes for the sensors. Yikes!

DFF