Weekend Update 2/21/16

[chuck geiger]

Home Depot rocks in Wenatchee, WA - Lumber smells great in the Northwest. Building support
for layout. Yes it survived again. Pics soon. We live across the Columbia River from the BNSF Northern
Transcon.

[nkalanaga]

Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, western cedars, both the trees and the lumber smell better than most eastern wood, don't they?  When driving from Kentucky to Washington we always looked forward to the Black Hills, with the first real western forest.

[OldEastRR]

Battle has been joined on the second module; the Domtar Packaging Containerboard mill module. Here's a rough drawing and some notes to get things started:

Since you are making a large industrial plant you might think about having a complex of tall buildings/structures on the right side of this section, to avoid the "cliff out of nowhere". Your main can go through a ROW between two big buildings to leave this scene and come out of the tunnel on the other side. A piping bridge or linking passageway between the buildings would help hide the tunnel. The back side of the cliffs on the other side can become a big flat backdrop with whatever scene fits the location: industrial area, town, low hills with sky and clouds, etc. This would also give you more shipping and tail track on that side.
I forget which MR staff member has the layout with a paper mill against a backdrop and a different scene on the other side. But that shows how it can be done.
BTW, are you going to post this drawing and pix to your layout construction thread? Didn't see it so I posted reply here.

[peteski]

I turned this:



Back into this:


I like this kind of puzzles - but switching puzzles - not so much. 

I had to do this because this beautiful Minitrix model was seriously over-lubricated at the factory (over 10 years ago).  The lubricant eventually separated into oil (which oozed all over the model) and the rest of it turned into a very sticky, viscous molasses-like substance.  It pretty much seized up the mechanism.  The only way to fix it was a complete cleaning.  Good to have yet another project off my workbench.

[Puddington]

Since you are making a large industrial plant you might think about having a complex of tall buildings/structures on the right side of this section, to avoid the "cliff out of nowhere". Your main can go through a ROW between two big buildings to leave this scene and come out of the tunnel on the other side. A piping bridge or linking passageway between the buildings would help hide the tunnel. The back side of the cliffs on the other side can become a big flat backdrop with whatever scene fits the location: industrial area, town, low hills with sky and clouds, etc. This would also give you more shipping and tail track on that side.
I forget which MR staff member has the layout with a paper mill against a backdrop and a different scene on the other side. But that shows how it can be done.
BTW, are you going to post this drawing and pix to your layout construction thread? Didn't see it so I posted reply here.

I had only brief considered that approach - I'm going to go back and reconsider it.... you've sparked a small idea in me.... many thanks......

[SP-Wolf]

Wrapped this up a week or so ago....


I took the recently released Atlas 40' Steel Rebuild and made a couple of changes to bring it a little closer to the prototype. Mainly the roof, roof walk and doors.

Hey Mike,

Excellent work!! 

Regards,
Wolf

[Santa Fe N Scale]

Fox Valley N Scale  FMC 5347.
Weathered with cheap craft paint, oil wash and powders. Dullcote at the appropriate steps. 
Cut down the bolsters to lower ride height.
Body mount couplers, FVM 33" metal wheels, Added lift levers and hoses.










Craig

[Santa Fe N Scale]

Fox Valley PS 5344 N Scale. Weathered with cheap craft paint, oil wash and powders. Dullcote at appropriate stages. Weathering Solutions Ichabod decal. Micro Scale trim film etc for the patches. Cut down the bolsters to reduce ride height. FVM 33" metal wheels.


Craig

[arbomambo]

Thursday, the 18th, My Sweetie and I drove an hour east, to Bay St. Louis, MS, to catch the Amtrak Inspection special, running from NOLA to Jacksonville, FL...we chased it all the way to Mobile. We were impressed by the community turnout at each scheduled 10 minute stop. You might notice, as the train passes onto the Bay Bridge, the Buoy Bar, just across the tracks. This is Denise and I's favorite Burger/Libation joint in my former stomping grounds-great food, drink and entertainment, with a view that is unparalleled! (I am from New Orleans, and spent every summer of my childhood with my Aunt and Uncle in Bay. St. Louis and Pass Christian-pronounced 'Pass-Kris-chee-ANN')

/>

at the beginning of my video, you may notice a fellow, in the left, controlling his quadcopter camera drone...
here is the video he took of the train, from a vantage point 20 yards to the left and above!

 

/>

later that evening I had a chance to assemble one of the two Showcase Miniatures Wig Wags that will protect the crossing on the General Store T-Trak double module.(I still need to paint the 'concrete' base) I also added a few road signs but need a few more.

[Philip H]

@arbomambo - being from Baton Rouge, I used to go to Waveland each summer.
We'd eat in Pass or at the po-boy place across fro the old train station in Bay St Louis, and go mini golfing in Gulfport or to the wave pool at Buccaneer State Park. Small world. Thanks for sharing those pics.

[arbomambo]

Philip,
our intention was to get to the old L&N station (beautifully restored as the Chamber of commerce building and Amtrak station), but the crowds there were absolutely incredible!!!!...marching bands, tents, speaker platforms, etc.
BTW, the little place that was there across from the depot is gone after Katrina (other restaurants have taken it's place), but Trapani's is still there on Beach Blvd...After my son graduated from Baylor in 2003, I moved back to the MS coast, to Pass Christian (my folks had retired there)...Katrina, of course, wiped us out and all of us, eventually, found our way over to the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay...a little bit farther from my hometown of NOLA, but getting the train back may offer new day trips!

[chicken45]

Nice job @Santa Fe N Scale ! Wow!

[Philip H]

Ah Trapani's. I van weight just at the mention of the name!

[up1950s]

Fox Valley N Scale  FMC 5347.
Weathered with cheap craft paint, oil wash and powders. Dullcote at the appropriate steps. 
Cut down the bolsters to lower ride height.
Body mount couplers, FVM 33" metal wheels, Added lift levers and hoses.



Craig

Disgustingly exquisite Craig .

[Scottl]

Adding backdrop as construction on the rest of the layout begins.