Weekend Update 11/20/22

[Dayliner]

A little late to the party--thanks to GaryHinshaw for giving a newbie some guidance on posting photos.

On Friday, BCR570 and his friend Mark came round and installed some peel-and-stick LED lighting over the lower-level staging yard at Wellcox on my Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway.  I don't usually run night operations, but the effect with the layout room lighting turned off is quite impressive, as this image by Tim shows.  In normal operations this will improve visibility on the lower deck, and also provide an attractive display window for models when the fascia is reinstalled.

This is a first step in a major project on this end of the layout, which will see the track at Lake Cowichan (on the upper deck) reconfigured to a more prototypical arrangement, rewiring including a new auxiliary power bus (and much tidier wiring!), and installation of new turnout controls using Tam Valley servos and components.  It's good to have friends to keep you motivated and on track!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Looking for new photo spots now that Dawson is nearing completion. The lighting sucks, but this has potential. Now that the layout is getting larger, I really should work on the lighting in the garage.

My man. These are JUST what the doctor ordered: https://conrail1285.com/betz-lights-the-model-railroaders-secret-weapon-for-lighting-where-you-need-it/

[Ed Kapuscinski]

OK, Ed, here's my SDP40, built many years ago.  And, yes, I see that the rear of the hood needs to be pushed back down!

Katp SD45 chassis, deck, handrails, and cab, Kato SD40 hood, styrene and brass mesh for the steam generator section.  By the time the prototypes had freight numbers they'd lost their steam generators, but mine still has it, mostly because I didn't know they'd been removed until after I was finished.

Man, that is SHARP. Thanks for the pics.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

This week's project has been getting Sunnyvale Road along to a point where I can get it off this table. Why? Because I realized "oh *****, we need that table for Thanksgiving". I'm also planning on bringing it to a show on December 4th, so that's also moving me along.

So... backdrop attached and sliced in half. More trees planted. Frame and fascia painted.

It's ready to go if I do nothing else to it (which I still plan on though).

[Cajonpassfan]

That's a stunning scene, Ed. Very very nice. The backdrop works really well.
The only thing it needs imho is a clean, neat fascia to frame the scene...
Otto

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That's a stunning scene, Ed. Very very nice. The backdrop works really well.
The only thing it needs imho is a clean, neat fascia to frame the scene...
Otto

Thanks. And yep, that's in the backlog for it.

[Jesse6669]

Really nice "stick weather" modeling Ed!

I spent the better part of the week in a funk due to what I thought was just a bad cold that turned out to Covid.  I did do a little modeling to pass the time although my energy level was pretty low most days.

On the WP&Y I cleaned the track after the initial ballasting and did some test roundy-round running.  Part of this layout's purpose is test and improve techniques.  Despite knowing the tendency of the T gauge flex track to twist like a corkscrew lengthwise when curved, I decided to glue the track down with wood glue.  Not surprisingly then, I found a couple spots that had pulled up a bit after wetting for the ballast.  Well, it's narrow gauge track and could be expected to be a bit funky.  Next time though, I'll use a waterproof adhesive-- on the curves at least.

I also did a test of the FP7 shell in PRR scheme.  I really just wanted to test the decals for fit so just did a quick brush-paint using Polly-S PRR Brunswick Green.  It's a bit dark but can be faded--I probably will add a bit of grey or tan to the green.  Decals went on ok, but I think I'll snip the front nose stripes around the number boards and apply them separately after the side stripes.  Overall looks ok though.     

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

As of Monday I'm feeling better (about 95%) and at least now have the World Cup to keep me amused while I isolate for a few more days, hopefully clear by Thanksgiving. 

 

[nkalanaga]

Ed:  Thank you!  If one can find the parts, it really is an easy kitbash.

Jesse:  Except for the rails, and there's not much that can be done about those, it looks as good most early N scale.  My Minitrix Fs didn't look any better, and they were a lot bigger!

[RockGp40]

Here's another of the cars that had decals applied recently and put in service. I can't believe Atlas or IM hasn't released a car with the South Point Ethanol logo on them. There are hundreds of them out there with all kinds of reporting marks.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[NtheBasement]

Forestry work, almost done with the acreage between the far track and the wall.  Starting to wish I had modeled the desert Southwest.
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]
[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Maletrain]

Forestry work, almost done with the acreage between the far track and the wall.  Starting to wish I had modeled the desert Southwest.

Glad you didn't model the desert.  That is a really nice job of contrasting colors and textures, with a very natural looking edge to the "woods" along the ROW.

[John]

what did you use the deer fencing for?

[Dwight in Toronto]

To Ed K … just wanted to say that I am really warming up to that defoliated, overcast, November-ish scenery that you’ve been perfecting.  I first saw this type of seasonal modeling on Jason Schron’s layout (of Rapido Trains fame).  It’s a bit gutsy to go this route, but the look and feel is such a nice change from the vibrant greens of everybody else’s ‘sunny day’ summer scenes. 

I’m currently between layouts, but I’ve got an unshakeable compulsion to follow in your footsteps when it comes time to get building again.  Thanks for the inspiration!

[dem34]

To Ed K … just wanted to say that I am really warming up to that defoliated, overcast, November-ish scenery that you’ve been perfecting.  I first saw this type of seasonal modeling on Jason Schron’s layout (of Rapido Trains fame).  It’s a bit gutsy to go this route, but the look and feel is such a nice change from the vibrant greens of everybody else’s ‘sunny day’ summer scenes. 

I’m currently between layouts, but I’ve got an unshakeable compulsion to follow in your footsteps when it comes time to get building again.  Thanks for the inspiration!

Reject the sun.

Embrace the chill.

[Dwight in Toronto]

Reject the sun.

Embrace the chill.

Had a bit of a chuckle at this … truth be told, I absolutely despise hot, humid, sunny days, and much prefer cloud cover and coolness.  Honestly, I would opt for -30 degrees C over +30 degrees C; have always liked snow and winter.   I should adopt your words as my ‘creed’ !

Which got me thinking … how ‘bout a full-on winter layout?  I know some have done it, but pretty rare.  I also suspect that it might be harder to pull off, convincingly, than it might at first appear.