Newport & Rock Falls: Another Retro Micro-Layout

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I've concocted a new sky board using the sky paper I bought a couple weeks ago.




And finished trimming out the access hatch with an old cabinet handle and a magnet.




Time to start going through the inventory.

Lee

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She's all dressed up and ready for the show in Cumberland tomorrow.  Allegany County Fairgrounds, 9 to 2.

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The Newport and Rock Falls served as the centerpiece of the N Scale Hi Rail booth at this year's N Scale Weekend in Altoona.



It garnered a great deal of attention.


The layout, unfortunately, has developed a couple of minor glitches that I'll need to work out.  The lift bridge is no longer functioning reliably, and the Christmas lights around the station roof aren't working.  I imagine that with all the jostling of moving the layout hither and yon has led to these inconveniences, but fortunately, they did not hinder the operation of trains.  They ran for hours on end along with the various flashing and flickering lights.
There were many oohs and aahs.

I texted @DKS throughout the day to let him know how much folks appreciated his work.

Lee

[dandopinski]

I'm glad you are in contact with DKS. A big fan and miss him lots.

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A little something I tossed together last night.  Send flowers while they're still with us, friends.

Lee

[muktown128]

Lee,
Thanks for posting the video. Always nice to see the work of the wizard.  I had many of those buildings and vehicles on my layouts from when I was a kid.  Amazing to see what can be done with them in the hands of an expert modeler.
Scott

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Improved battery access on the Newport and Rock Falls.

Originally the entire backdrop, including some pretty delicate scenery and structure details, had to be removed to access the battery packs and the tunnel at the rear.  After having to take it all apart several times at N Scale Weekend, I decided it was time for a bit of corrective surgery.

First, I cut the battery pack and a portion of the rear fascia free from the backdrop.  Then, using a couple small hinges I found down in my hardware dungeon, created a pivoting panel that allows access without ever removing the skyboard ever again.





It works remarkably well!
I just have to clean the track, then I'm back in business!
Lee

[VonRyan]

Lee, is the lift bridge still giving you trouble?

[MK]

EIGHTEEN double As?     Wouldn't it be more efficient/economical at this point to have some kind of AC to DC power supply?

[VonRyan]

EIGHTEEN double As?     Wouldn't it be more efficient/economical at this point to have some kind of AC to DC power supply?

Honestly, as crazy as that many batteries sounds, it removes the headache of making sure there’s an outlet to obtain power from. I used to be convinced that a fixed power supply was better. DKS set me straight.

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@VonRyan no, the bridge works fine.  Turns out it was only nettlesome as the batteries wore down.
Regarding said batteries @MK , they did come in handy at the Cumberland train show, which didn't provide a power supply, but I've since obtained a nice jump pack that is fully rechargeable and has a pair of 110v receptacles.
Each battery pack equals 9v, so really all I'd need to do is get three wall warts with 9v DC output, and put the two snap connectors on them to interface with the original DKS wiring.
Lee

[MK]

Excellent Lee!  The best of both worlds.  I know you are a smart guy! 

[Mark5]

I texted @DKS throughout the day to let him know how much folks appreciated his work.

Lee

Cool 

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In further service the practical aspects of this layout, I have enhanced its portability with the addition of some heavy duty furniture casters on the cabinet that supports it in my office.



Obtained at the ReStore for a mere $5, this will greatly improve the convenience of pulling it out from the wall to change batteries and otherwise perform basic maintenance.



This will be an important feature as I continue to work on finishing my house.  Suddenly I find myself moving things 4 feet to the left as the plaster and paint spreads like kudzu.

Enjoy your day!
Lee

[davefoxx]

Did someone say kudzu? 

DFF