nice nice open pit

[FJ and G]

In the latest GRR (April 2008), the featured desert layout features the best open pit mine I've seen to date. It has a Shay working it and a nice structure. This is the first full open pit mine I've ever seen modeled (I've seen partial open pits modeled indoors).

I had planned on an open pit this spring so as to be the first ever, but I see someone's beaten me to the punch. But I may go ahead with it anyways. 

One of the pitfalls (pardon pun) with open pit in Virginia (as opposed to the desert landscape GRRs was modeled in) is that weeds sprout up in almost any environment quickly. By adding Roundup in the pit I'd guess it eventually would become a toxic waste dump, harmful to the hound.

I could hypertufa the entire pit? But that seems a bit much in terms on time and money (peat is expensive here).

I'll go ahead with it anyway but just wondering if anyone has any insights.

thanks!!! 

[spookytown rr]

time to get creative with cement i guess

 

[cabbage]

I have seen a type of hypertufa made with chipped coconut shells -rather than peat. This looked rather like a shale or slate effect rather than a smooth rock. Might be of interest...

regards

ralph

[ttrigg]

I had planned on an open pit this spring so as to be the first ever, but I see someone's beaten me to the punch. But I may go ahead with it anyways. 

.................

I'll go ahead with it anyway but just wondering if anyone has any insights.

thanks!!! 

David:

I too was very interested in the open pit.  My first thought was DRAINAGE!  There was no mention of drains in the article (at least what I've read so far, or should I say "initial scan".)  I'm sure that you would need to add some sort of drain, else you would have the largest "G Scale" swimming pool in the world.  That could be an alternative option for you.

[FJ and G]

mine will drain; if not, it's still prototypical

[Anonymous]

What is that stuff "gulpulia" (spelling) with red tint to it, I think he used.

Toad

[EMPIRE II LINE]

[ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"]

What is that stuff "gulpulia" (spelling) with red tint to it, I think he used.

Toad

Think that's Gullipata, Toad, was in a past GR issue a few years past, said it was useful to hide an ugly wood fence.

As for the drainage, YES, I too, wondered about that, and especially right now.....We are really getting dumped on tonight, I can imagine that might have been simillar to the operations as to how the Great Northern RR once mined Taconite, that'ed really be neat to implement into my operation some how.......Hm-M-M....Maybe as part of the second pond I am now designing.....That way it'ed drain out also.......May---BE....

And I got just the consist to run down into it........

Say Charlie, Dacula, GA. recognise the LAYOUT ?????

Here's a shot of proud Grand-PA's, at 2-weeks old, little "Angel", Angelica Lynn, born Jan. 23, 2008, to mommy (My Daughter) and daddy, Courtney and Luis. 

   

Yeah I know it's , but boy am I proud'a that one.....  

Byron

[FJ and G]

Re: drainage.

Unless you have clay, the pit will drain. If you are really worried about drainage, and you have some slope, the pit could be done up on the slope and a drain installed. Otherwise, the floor of the pit could have gravel, covered by crushers and drainage will occur, unless the pit is absolutely in the lowest place possible.

 

Anyway, I just want to say KUDOS to the pit developer featured in GRR. Unfortunately, he probably doesn't go online like most of us so he probably won't be able to expound on his open pit. 

[Anonymous]

[ user="ToadFrog&WhiteLightn"]

What is that stuff "gulpulia" (spelling) with red tint to it, I think he used.

Toad

Think that's Gullipata, Toad, was in a past GR issue a few years past, said it was useful to hide an ugly wood fence.

Ok, so I went to Texas A&M (Alvin High & Manvel Jr. El.) and it shows! Spelling not my best! But to add a ieda to this is go to home depot or other to the outdoor section and look for the drainage stuff, will be with the big black slinky drange pipe is.

I would also suggest more than a 4% grade of the pipe taking the water away. Always check when raining ALOT of deep nice weater where yours will go. Thing is, the water can back up if you don't do the home work 1st.

Texas A&M Toad

[ttrigg]

 

Yeah I know it's , but boy am I proud'a that one.....  

Byron

Off topic?  Don't think so, were you not just introducing a new operator for your empire? Congrats.  Just wait until they hang a "great" in front of that grand-pa business.

[EMPIRE II LINE]

 

Yeah I know it's , but boy am I proud'a that one.....  

Byron

Off topic?  Don't think so, were you not just introducing a new operator for your empire? Congrats.  Just wait until they hang a "great" in front of that grand-pa business.

Yeah, guess you could say so Tom, Thanks.

Just purchased a Weaver Girls set in "O" scale for her, hope she will enjoy it in later years...

Byron  

[Coogler Rail Line]

 Byron,

 

Hey...that looks very familiar!  The layout has evolved a lot since then.  We have a second loop up and running with a German village.  One of these days I will post some updated pictures.

Congrats to the newest railroader in your family.  Next time you are in the neighborhood, drop in!

 

Regards,

Chuck

[spookytown rr]

How about using rubber pond liner, with slits cut in the bottom for drainage, then just use rock to cover the liner like you would for a regular pond??