CN Yellowhead Division

[Scottl]

I was ready to try out the DCC system and run a train, but checks indicated I had a short somewhere 

I figured, maybe it is the resistance wheelsets, so spent an hour putting all my freight cars away

After poking around for a bit with my multimeter, I decided it was one of three modified turnouts (Atlas with new points and some copper PCB ties) so I tore those out.  Short was still there....

Checked all the wiring again, and then it dawned on me, I had assumed that because I had disconnected the DCC bus from the far side of the layout for testing the short couldn't be over there.  However, I realized that the track could carry a signal and the short might be over there.  Sure enough, I had reversed the feeders at Devona East. 

So now there are no shorts, the turnouts are installed again, and I'm ready to run a train. 



To make some actual progress, I bought some foam for the Athabasca River and cut it out at Windy Point.  Really liking how this scene is coming together.  I've also cleaned up the foam with Sculptamold throughout.

[Scottl]

Since the trains were all put away during my electrical short fiasco, I figured I would deal with painting the track and backdrop.  This makes a huge transformation in the look of things and paves the way for the slower (but less messy) scenery work to come over the next few years. 

With the backdrop painted, there are some prominent shadows that need to be sorted out.

[Cajonpassfan]

Nice going, Scott! Amazing what little paint can do....
Otto

[Scottl]

Thanks Otto!  Next step is the gate across the door so I can run in a continuous loop. 

[Scottl]

I was not sure this would be solid, but a friend gave me a heavy shelf hanger used in retail clothing stores (apparently) based on his previous positive experience for a gate.  It locks into 90 degrees and has a release on the underside.  I installed it with lag bolts and a 2X4-plywood deck.  It is level and quite solid with some lateral sway at the opposite end, so I will install a few guiding shims and put on a clasp buckle to lock it into place on that side.  I'll also put on sides to protect trains from falling.

Seems pretty good.  I'll refine it but I like the concept.

[Scottl]

Some trial rock work with Plaster of Paris.  I used rock molds to give the surface texture and then chipped with a knife to refine and emphasize a more stratified, blocky limestone.  The little bits that are chipped off will be very useful for slope debris 

[Cajonpassfan]

Geez, slow down Scott, at this pace you'll be all done by Mothers Day! You're making me feel like a slouch
Seriously, nice going!
Otto

[Scottl]

Thanks Otto, don't worry, I'll be travelling a lot over the next few months so progress will grind to a slower pace.  I was just taking advantage of winter weather and being cooped up in the house.

[Scottl]

Back to work on the layout.  More rock work, aiming to get the structural component looking right.  All the rock in the area I am modeling is dipping to the west from thrust faults in this area.  I don't have any suitable rock molds so I am working differently than in the past. 

I am forming the plaster on the foam directly and then embossing the surface with rock molds to get a suitable initial texture.  When they harden a bit, I peel them off and then carve them with a knife.  I am scribing in the dipping rock beds and carving to enhance the effect.  This first effort on a rock cut  where the exposure is relatively flat works quite well, but on natural slopes I'll have to put more relief between the main rock structures. 

[GaryHinshaw]

There's a professional at work.  Looking good!

[Scottl]

After a few weeks of travel with lots of scenic inspiration I'm back at the layout.

I finished the rockwork at Windy Point so the next step is some backdrop painting.  I have a good idea how it should look but might blast out to the prototype to do some research and makes sure I am getting this right.  It is a tricky thing to get right.  With word that my field season was cancelled, I have five weeks now that I was not expecting, so I think a visit to the real Yellowhead Division is warranted.



The initial slopes at Park Gate had bothered me for quite a while.  The contour was not quite right, too much convexity to the slope and it was too close to the track in a few spots.  Today I did some heavy trimming of the foam to get a more realistic contour and better base for the rockwork.  The rock is steeply dipping at this location and most of the scene is exposed rock, so I need to get this right to make it convincing.



The new contours allow me to put in a reasonable version of the pond and causeway that is in the prototype.  It is pretty subtle from the long view but is an interesting feature I am happy that I have room to include.

[GaryHinshaw]

This is going to be great.

[Scottl]

I completed the trackwork over the gate, finished the last servo wiring and Arduino uploads, and cleaned the track.  Then it was time for a train.  It feels pretty great to see a train snake along the Athabasca River at Park Gate.

[Philip H]

You need to do an article on your melting snow caps. 

And you can never have too many boxcars.

[Scottl]

Ha ha, I've written enough about melting and thawing things.  I'm retired now 

I'm waiting now for @MTLJoe to churn out some graf'd up TBOX cars.