Hi all, upon extensive consideration I have come to the conclusion that I'm am going to have to postpone building a layout till I have enough space so I've decided to build a 2x4 mine diorama instead. So I need some help finding some structures such as the mine itself I see that there are some out on the market but I want to kitbash them to create something unique. Any help would be appreciated.
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
Gidday Steven, have you subscribed to the "Model Railroader All-Time Digital Archive??
If not, do so immediately!!!
"Why?", you may ask.
Because along with lots of other really Good Stuff, it contains scale drawings and build articles of mines and associated mine structures; more than enough to fill yer boots!!
Cheers, the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Steven,
Good advice from the Bear.
In addition to articles and plans on mines, check the ads out for mine structures that might be suitable. There have been a bunch of mine kits released over the years. You could go to the trouble and expense of tracking one that suits down on ebay, but most were simple structures and easy to scratchbuild, so don't limit yourself to what a kit does
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Hey Steven:
Sorry that reality has put a damper on you plans, but that's life.
I'm going to second Mike Lehman's suggestion about scratch building your own mine. Scratch building is a lot of fun, and it is very rewarding, and it is relatively cheap too.
Here is a small mine structure that will sit towards the back of the HOn30 part of my layout:
Obviously this is a very small mine but it suits the space that I have available. Like Mike said, mines are relatively simple structures so they are easy to scratch build. If you want more detailed suggestions, please ask.
Regards,
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
cascadenorthernrr Hi all, upon extensive consideration I have come to the conclusion that I'm am going to have to postpone building a layout till I have enough space so I've decided to build a 2x4 mine diorama instead. So I need some help finding some structures such as the mine itself I see that there are some out on the market but I want to kitbash them to create something unique. Any help would be appreciated.
Once again, how about doing your own research and then come here with questions? Starting off with........"so I need some help finding" and "I want to kitbash......any help would be appreciated" kinda throws the burden on others.
You need to kickstart such a project. Time to get going.
Rich
Alton Junction
What changed your mind about building a layout?
Its a shame to see all the time and effort members provided you with your track plan and structure ideas just go to waste.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Did you receive your Kalmbach coal railroading book in the mail yet??? R-E-A-D it! It's going to answer a lot of your questions and will probably have suggestions as far as kits and kitbashing. You can then come back with specific queries relating to what you're interested in.
To be blunt: It's getting to be a total waste of time for any and everyone to answer your questions when you're just going to scrap your B-unit kitbash/steel mill/logging/diorama plans for something else 2 days later.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I have Kalmbach's coal railroading book and it is excellent. I think you will find yourself reading it cover to cover several times. I look forward to you channeling all that youthfull exhuberance to something tangable. As you build your diarama take lots of photos. I'm sure all the fellows on the forum will be interested in your progress. If you subscribe to MR Video Plus, you might check out the Olympia Logging Series. The staff built a logging diorama. Basic construction should provide you lots of tips and ideas.
HABS-HAER
Search for the type of mine you want. Thousands of pictures and plans.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
If I were to build a mine diorama, I'd make it two levels. The first would be obvious one on top, with a New River Mine kit or something similar. Below that would be a dimly-lit underground mine scene. Walthers has recently released a set of non-operating narrow gauge tracks and cars which would make nice scenic elements both above and below.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley Below that would be a dimly-lit underground mine scene.
Below that would be a dimly-lit underground mine scene.
Back in the olden days, I would prowl the halls of the old red Smithsonian in DC. They had there a stunning cutaway model of a mine with more galleries than a kid could follow.
I do not recall the scale. Coal, I'm pretty sure.
Ed
Chicago's Museum of Science & Industry has had a working coal mine exhibit, that You actually go down the elevator shaft, board a tram/train and ride to the working parts of the mine. Has been up and running since 1933. I must have gone into it at least 30 times and still enjoy it. My first experience was 1951.
http://www.msichicago.org/explore/whats-here/exhibits/coal-mine/
You really don't have to buy any books to find info, unless of course You like the books. There is literally hundreds of free videos and info out there, right at Your finger tips. Even Long History channel videos of all kinds of mining operations on Youtube, all free.
Hopefully....You will at least start this idea!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCsAI6ItU60
Take Care!
Frank
Frank, I've been there a few times with the kids, when they were young. That museum is an awesome place. That's the first thing I thought of when I read about Mr.B's idea, which I think is a really great idea.
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewi Frank, I've been there a few times with the kids, when they were young. That museum is an awesome place. That's the first thing I thought of when I read about Mr.B's idea, which I think is a really great idea. Mike.
Hello all,
Check out this thread: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/13/t/261815.aspx.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
First I want to build a layout but I am just going to POSTPONE a layout till I have more room/experience, second I want to start with a kit and add on and maybe mix a few kits, third the underground level is genius that's why I start these threads because I would have never thought of that I might take it one step further and make the mine tracks operable, fourth my books still haven't arrived.
Your right, Rich, the sub is cool. And don't forget the model railroad set up. We toured the sub at the Manitowoc, WI. maritime museum, and the space those crew members excisted in, amazing.
And, Steven, maybe you can build your 2' x 4' diorama as part of a future layout, as a modular unit, attached to other modulars, like the clubs do.
Mike
mbinsewi Your right, Rich, the sub is cool. And don't forget the model railroad set up. We toured the sub at the Manitowoc, WI. maritime museum, and the space those crew members excisted in, amazing.
That's right I'm probably going to build it as a module.
Hang in there, Steven. Whittling ones dreams down to something doable is part of the process. Thank goodnness most of the skeptics didn't have the internet when they were at this stage in the hobby or there might have been some rather odd results in evidence. As it is, their own sometimes embarassing excursions into dreaming future layouts are hdden by the sands of time in the non-digital world.
Mr. Beasley mentioned the non-powered light railway that Walthers is bringing in. Look to HOn30 (MiniTrains, formerly AHM/Roco?) for some operating light rail equipment. It turns sharply enough you can work in some operations on even a tiny layout. This website is a excellent source of ideas for thinking small.
http://www.carendt.com/
cascadenorthernrr First I want to build a layout but I am just going to POSTPONE a layout till I have more room/experience, second I want to start with a kit and add on and maybe mix a few kits, third the underground level is genius that's why I start these threads because I would have never thought of that I might take it one step further and make the mine tracks operable, fourth my books still haven't arrived.
Ok I'm going to the local HD to buy a sheet of plywood. The 4x8 sheet will be cut into two 2x4 pieces for the top and bottom levels, one 2x4 piece for the back, and two 2x2 pieces for the sides. the shelves will be spaced 1ft is that enough? Also should I get sanded or unsanded, and how thick? If you could please rush the replies, thanks.
A 4x8 sheet of 3/4 inch plywood is going to be very heavy, and if you are thinking of moving this around at all you will regret that. Scenic materials like plaster will add even more weight, and that can be significant.
I'm a big fan of pink foam. It's light and easy to work with. 2-inch thick foam is quite stiff and structurally sound as well. if you add 1/4 inch plywood beneath it, you'll get some additional rigidity as well as protecting the bottom piece from damage.
Ok I bought two 2x4 and two 2x2 sheets of 3/4" plywood so I should return them and buy a sheet of 1/2x4x8 foam board and a 1/2x4x8 sheet of plywood, and get HD to cut it into three 2x4 sheets (foam and wood) and two 2x2 sheets so a total of six 2x4 sheets and four 2x2 sheets of both. So they would be a total of 1 inch thick once laminated together. Would that work? Also should I use glue and/or screws to put the panels together?
If you are building a 2x4 module, why not buy a 2x4 piece of plywood and 2 1x4x72 boards as framing. You could by two 2x2x96 as legs.
Cut each 1x4 into either a piece 48" long and a piece 22.5" long or a piece 46.5" long and piece 24" long. Cut the 2x2 into two 48" pieces.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
I use 2-inch foam. The extra thickness gives it rigidity. It also lets you dig down a bit for ditches and such. I'd make a frame around the sides of 1/4 inch plywood to protect the edges, which will otherwise get banged up.
This is a liftoff section I built for my layout. It's a block of 2-inch foam, protected on the sides and underneath with Masonite hard board.
Even with the track, bridge and scenery, the whole liftoff section is very light and easy to remove.
hon30critter Hey Steven: Sorry that reality has put a damper on you plans, but that's life. I'm going to second Mike Lehman's suggestion about scratch building your own mine. Scratch building is a lot of fun, and it is very rewarding, and it is relatively cheap too. Here is a small mine structure that will sit towards the back of the HOn30 part of my layout: Obviously this is a very small mine but it suits the space that I have available. Like Mike said, mines are relatively simple structures so they are easy to scratch build. If you want more detailed suggestions, please ask. Regards, Dave
Given its pictured location, I'm guessing this is a copper, nickel, or zinc mine.
The best coal mine diorama I have ever seen, bar none, is in the library of the small Illinois town of Cherry, site of one of the worst coal mine disasters in history. The fellow who built the model is an historian of the mine disaster (and a musician who has composed music about it) and he has put his model and prototype photos together into this very extensive website.
http://guitarjourney.tripod.com/cherrycoalminedisaster/index.html
follow ALL the links to the site on the left margin because there are many vintage coal mine photos. I think you will find the story totally absorbing as well.
Dave Nelson