City Belt Line (N-scale )

[Slim Rail Mike]

Attached the skyboards to the double modules this week. One skyboard crosses the width of the module. A track passes through to another scene, while the curved track through the diamond will go to the, yet to be built, phase 3 modules.





I’ve simplified my approach to turnout control. Just a push rod to the toggle. The rods are aluminum welding rods about 1/8” dia. They are pretty stiff.  Little clamps were cut out of electical connectors. They will allow for some adjustment. I’m still concern about how accessible the two right hand turnouts will be, once phase 3 is started. I’ll deal with that as needed. I don’t need a road block to progress right now.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Have you thought about model aircraft servo rod?

I love this stuff: https://sullivanproducts.com/collections/gold-n-rods

[Slim Rail Mike]

Short answer Yes.

Which of the options would bend to say 3" radius or so?
 
Caveat, I am a tactile vs cerebral modeler. I’d love to put hands on stuff to see if it would work. With the dearth of local hobby shops, the opportunity to handle stuff and talk to people who know, is nil.  Without that tactile input, I depend on good folk (such as here) stating use these (what ever spec). . . I think I whining. Sorry

As a modeler since youth, I collect stuff. Right now I am trying to use up, what is on hand. Please continue to make suggestions.

[Slim Rail Mike]

   The tea-trak modules, are functional as a base level. I’ve tinkered with some motive power and rolling stock. Now to get back to the City Belt.

    I’m cleaning up my first free-mo-n modules. They have suffered from being un-protected in the garage,  during 2024’s remodel. (They now have their cocoons) The east yard section had some damage to the tracks, that has been fixed. While at it, I found and remedied, a few tight flangways. Wide gauge in the curved leg of some of the #7 turnouts was also so fixed. The pier needs some TLC.

   The plan is to work though these one at a time to bring them up to both an operational and initially sceniced state.  First up is the ferry apron and the vessels.  The apron I’d like to move vertically to accommodate the different free board of the vessels. The ATSF tugs are mostly done. Jesse designed very nice decals for the fleet. Time to apply them. I had stalled on the WP ferry. So the pier, ferry apron, and the boats are on the plate.

    Time and Tide wait for no one.

[Slim Rail Mike]

   The ferry slip module is set up with the east yard module. The pier is pretty chewed up. While contemplating how to proceed, I did a simple, repetitive task. I created a bunch of bitts and cleats. On the short list is:
The missing pilings will be replaced.
Base terrain on the bank from yard into the bay.
Fill the gap at the fascia.
Attach the pier to the module.



Bitts of paper left, my single metal casting, on the right pastic.



To make the bitts I didn't have styrene rod the right size. Solution, some square strips were rounded by pulling them through progressively smaller holes in the drill gauge.

[Slim Rail Mike]

Ain’t serendipity great. I had misplaced the decals Jesse put together. While looking for where I might have stashed them, I came upon a folder of Xeroxes of images from the California State Railroad Museum that I had forgotten. Exactly what is on the table now!!! Contrast and grain aside this is the best view of the my apron gantry I have found. There are some shots of the ferry Las Plumas. As and added bonus a drawing of the Lagunitas. She was a stern wheel paddle boat that would ferry narrow gauge freight cars to the SF waterfront until the 1920's . Back then the city was dual gauge. Oh the decals were in my Champ Decal lettering guide.

[Tad_T]

Finding stuff is cool 😎

[Slim Rail Mike]

Just for fun.

[Slim Rail Mike]

Work towards the ferry pier module is getting done. Parts are being made for the ferry apron gantry. I think I’ve mostly figured out how the gantry was rigged.



I have some commercial paper mache mix that is too “paper mache”. Some tests are being done to add plaster to the mix. The goal is a smooth hard shell while light weight. I know I could buy a celluclay like product but the price is nuts for what it is. (Cheap stake/ frugal) I’ll use what I have. This stuff will fill the gaps along the fascia.



Continuing to research the ferry operation, I questioned whether to run a track the length of the pier. Various map sources said yes, my few images said no.  Looking at near by ATSF’s ferry slip it carried track on the pier to the end. I came down on the side of more track. Another thing that came up while researching was the idler cars/boat flats that State Belt RR (what City Belt is free lanced around)  used were build on tankcar frames. I’ve a couple of frames in the junkbox, yes another project.

[Mike C]

  I use a mixture of plaster and vermiculite ( I used a 50/50 mix ) but I think you could 60% on the vermiculite if you want . I also mix a bit tan paint in so I don;t have to paint the ground .

[Slim Rail Mike]

  I use a mixture of plaster and vermiculite ( I used a 50/50 mix ) but I think you could 60% on the vermiculite if you want . I also mix a bit tan paint in so I don;t have to paint the ground .

I can see this as light weight. There is some vermiculite in the greenhouse. Can this mix create a smooth surface. I guess I'll know when I try it. Whatever winds up being used it will be a 'water' surface, so smooth is good.

[Slim Rail Mike]

Test fitting the footings for the ferry apron gantry. This is imagineered. A reinforced concrete structure on a foundation of pilings would make sense. The base of 10 thou plastic is to hold things in alignment, and will be removed when the model is installed on the module. The sheaves on the head frame will be fixed and brass wire will represent the cables. The girder under the apron can slide up and down on the wires.

[Slim Rail Mike]

The ferry apron is starting to take shape.

[Slim Rail Mike]

Still working on the gantry for the ferry apron. Fabricated the parts to lift the apron. Some telescoping brass tubing through the module, with a saddle to catch the girder under the apron. It works smoothly.

[Slim Rail Mike]

Progress, two steps forward one step back.

Needed to do some landscaping. The gaps between the ‘water’ and the fascia are filled. I used some toilet tissue of such quality that it turns to paper-mache when used for it’s intended purpose. This was mixed with old wood glue that is getting stringy. There is a fan on it now. It should be dry and hard in a few days. When this is dry, the water can be cleaned up and finished. Then the pier can be attached to the module, and finally the ferry apron installed.