This is a continuation/update from the following thread:
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/885598/ShowPost.aspx
All of the track is now in for the BAH R.R. Things are still a little messy; however it is fully operational.This photo tour shows the "complete" BAH R.R. as of today.
Between is being leveled in place in the layout:Trackwork and mine in Between:First empty ore cars being spotted in Between:The other major mine is the one in Arock:Overall views of the complete BAH R.R.This is Arock over Hardspot (24" real world difference):Both towns take a turn to the right (12" shelf portion of layout) for the town leadins (Station in Hardspot):The rest of the wall (shelf side):To get from Hardspot to Arock; a 96' climbing loop is used. This will be a pair of mountains with a low level continuous run loop at the lowest level (another 33' of track).
The layout has 34 turnouts and 300' of track in a 75" x 178" room. Hardspot, Arock and Between are all level. The continuous run loop drops 3" away from Hardspot (halfway through the loop). The three climbing loops between Arock and Hardspot are about 30' long each with a average (continuous) grade of just sightly over 2 %.
Time period is early 20th Century Silver Mining in Colorado (no automobiles or diesels). Small steam with short trains is the norm.
Trial runs indicate that it takes 6 minutes (actual) to get to Arock from Hardspot. Running a train between the two, turning everything around, running back down, and then turning everything around (ready for the next trip) takes an actual 40 minutes. There is a LOT of operating in this small layout.Thanks for looking; I will keep you posted on scenery and detail work. Thanks to all of you that gave input during the design stages (your input really helped).Comments?
Outstanding work. I think the whole helix structure shows excellent craftsmanship.
While you still can, though, think about hiding those Atlas switch machines. It's a bit tricky, but you can glue them to the underside of the turnouts themselves and mount them in the roadbed. I really wish I'd done that before I ballasted a lot of my track. They just don't look right anymore. Also, you can get small SPDT momentary contact toggle switches, electrically equivalent to the Atlas buttons, for about 75 cents a piece. The Atlas buttons have a poor reliability record. Worst case, they sometimes stick on the down position, and if you don't notice it pretty quickly you'll have a fried switch machine.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley wrote: Outstanding work. I think the whole helix structure shows excellent craftsmanship. While you still can, though, think about hiding those Atlas switch machines. It's a bit tricky, but you can glue them to the underside of the turnouts themselves and mount them in the roadbed. I really wish I'd done that before I ballasted a lot of my track. They just don't look right anymore. Also, you can get small SPDT momentary contact toggle switches, electrically equivalent to the Atlas buttons, for about 75 cents a piece. The Atlas buttons have a poor reliability record. Worst case, they sometimes stick on the down position, and if you don't notice it pretty quickly you'll have a fried switch machine.
Thanks for the comments. Doing the climbing loops (helix) was a lot of fun and kinda like weaving a basket to fit a mental design. I sure will need a lot of tunnel portals.
I decided that the atlas switches (due to cost) were acceptable to me; even though others would look better. They are mounted on plywood without cork. I am not going to cut the plywood to try and hide the switch machines.
I do plan on using control panels with momentary toggle switches and LED status lights. This will happen sometime in the future. That is why the control panels are just printouts instead of nicely laminated and colored stock. I now have two fried switch machines from leaning on them while working on the layout (I now turn off power to them when working on scenery).
A build-it-yourself capacitive discharge circuit will help protect your switch machines, even with those control buttons. It was my first "electronics" project for my layout, and it works like a charm. The CD circuit stores a big charge and then releases it all at once when you push the button. After that, though, the voltage rapidly drops off as the circuit recharges itself, and the current available to otherwise melt your switch machine is restricted by the circuit.
You might try mounting the switch machines upside-down. This will flatten the top and make it easier to disguise. Yes, you will lose the ability to operate them manually, but it looks like you're already committed to electric controls anyway. All my turnouts are wired, and I almost always use the control panel, even if the turnout is right in front of me. (I just don't like the "big hand from the sky" approach. I like magnets for uncoupling, too.)
I bought one plaster tunnel portal and a jar of Woodland Scenics latex rubber. I made a mold from the portal, and now I cast my own portals as needed from Hydrocal. I like the way Hydrocal castings take paint and India Ink weathering for stone portals, rock walls and the like.
MisterBeasley wrote: A build-it-yourself capacitive discharge circuit will help protect your switch machines, even with those control buttons. It was my first "electronics" project for my layout, and it works like a charm. The CD circuit stores a big charge and then releases it all at once when you push the button. After that, though, the voltage rapidly drops off as the circuit recharges itself, and the current available to otherwise melt your switch machine is restricted by the circuit. You might try mounting the switch machines upside-down. This will flatten the top and make it easier to disguise. Yes, you will lose the ability to operate them manually, but it looks like you're already committed to electric controls anyway. All my turnouts are wired, and I almost always use the control panel, even if the turnout is right in front of me. (I just don't like the "big hand from the sky" approach. I like magnets for uncoupling, too.) I bought one plaster tunnel portal and a jar of Woodland Scenics latex rubber. I made a mold from the portal, and now I cast my own portals as needed from Hydrocal. I like the way Hydrocal castings take paint and India Ink weathering for stone portals, rock walls and the like.
I have thought about building a capacitive discharge circuit ; any recommendations on a "quick and simple" circuit.
The switch machines will be painted and have some scrub brush planted on them; this tends to reduce visibility somewhat. I use the control panel to switch; not my hands. I am doing everything that I can to operate without any hands (except for the handheld DCC control unit). I emptied the shelves at Caboose Hobbies twice on magnets !
I have one portal left over from the prior layout that I designed around a rock formation; I am going to make more of them. I bought one of the Woodland stone portals to see if it would fit in and it seems that I will have to cut it down (width wise) to use it. I bought a jar of latex to make some new molds.
I use hydrocal and have about 40 pounds left over from 13 years ago. It has been kept dry and is working great; so I am in good shape there.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
Weekly update:
Since all of the track is in, and working well, I am spending a fair amout of time actually operating instead of building an empire. Still finding minor problems with old rolling stock (sticky couplers, etc,).
I did get started on general forming of one of the mountains. Basic hardshell is in about 1/3 of the front mountain to define the general shape and where tunnel portals will be needed. Boy, I am going to need a lot of portals!
Here is a shot of #6 with a short passenger train comming out of the first tunnel on the lower level running loop.
Weekly up date:
Work on the mountains continues. Two bridges (of three) have been installed and more plaster work done.
This is the "inside" side of the first mountain (shown last week):
This is a continuation of the front mountain, showing the bridges connecting to the back (or large) mountain:
This is the other end of the mountain range; part still is just screen (no plaster yet):
I have cropped off the tops of the mountains to appease the "clutter police".
Next update in a week !
It has been a little slow around here for a couple of days; here is a mid week report:
Most of the lower levels of both mountains now have basic shape (in hard shell). Today, I got started on the area where the two mountains meet. The two lower bridges have been in for a week; however, the upper bridge actually needs mountain to rest on. Getting the upper bridge in is my next task.
This photo shows the start of the junction of the two mountains and gives a general idea of how the bridges function.
More later - thanks for looking and your comments.
The major push for this week was to get the bridges in. Some work was also done on forming the back mountain (the front mountain has not changed in a couple of weeks. I also ran a feeder to the continuous run loop at the lower level of the mountains; this had been powered from the same feeders as the mountain loops. I made a lot of operations runs between Hardspot and Arock; and had to correct a couple of clearance problems with the new mountain work.
As it stands now:
Back side of front mountain:
The three bridges connecting the mountains:
And the back mountain:
I now have to work on the top levels of the two mountains and the community (silver mine) of Between that sits on top of the back mountain. This may take a few weeks as I have to build some shelving to hold the "stuff" stored on the back wall before I can build a mountain top.
More weekly updates to follow. Thanks for looking and your comments.
Here is the latest installment:
I got a new 4-4-0; so I spent most of my time playing with it and with operating instead of building. I wrote a mini-review of the 4-4-0 (posted on the general discussion forum) at:
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/915137/ShowPost.aspx
I did some routine "corrections" or modifications to the mountain work. I did get some color on the white plaster mountains (boy that was a lot of white to stare at). Current status is:
The new 4-4-0 (to be #10) took over the passenger route and demoted the old 4-4-0 (#4) to hauling loads of ore and empty hoppers.
Old #7 (shay) got relieved of the ore car loads and went back to MOW service. Of course, MOW work right now is plaster and painting - such an easy life.
Another update next week. Any comments?
I almost did not post an update as I did not think that I got much done; however, I changed my mind.
I built and installed a capacitive discharge system to flip my turnouts.
I built three 2-shelf storage units ( 2' h x 4' wide) for under-the-layout storage and cleared off the back wall (over Between) so that I could continue my mountain building.
I got color on most of the mountains, to keep from staring at all that white plaster.
I painted (sky blue only) the last 3' section of lower level backdrop and installed it.
I installed and painted (sky blue only) 20' of upper level backdrop.
Arock over Hardspot:
Lead-ins to Arock and Hardspot:
Bridges with new 4-4-0 headed up with ore cars (shows mountain color progress):
ereimer wrote:excellent progress !it's nice to see the new roundhouse 4-4-0 running up your mountains , it looks right at home keep up the work and the photos
I spent a lot of time running the new 4-4-0 up and down the mountain with 2% S curves.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
Alan,
I am enjoyng your progress photos. Keep up the good work!
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
jxtrrx wrote: Alan, I am enjoyng your progress photos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks ! - Here is the weekly update:
I added backdrop (yet to be painted) to the right side of the room back end:
and the left side and around to the back wall (again un painted) so that I can build the mountain top at Between.
I got all of Arock and most of the lead-in to Arock done with basic landscape (no detail or clouds yet). None of the structures are glued down yet; they are just sitting on the ground. Here is Arock over Hardspot.
A few close ups:
The mine end of Arock:
The entrance to Arock:
And an extra bonus: The new scale is weighing a ore car load for the trip down to Hardspot.
Thanks for looking.
No responses to last week's report to comment on.
I got the added backdrop painted sky blue.
I am almost through building 4 more ore car kits.
I added about 6 feet of rock "wall" along the Arock lead-in (from the weight station to the back wall.
I am "playing with" the shape of the top of the back mountain. I have decided to have the train approaching Arock to come "around" the mountain instead of emerging from a tunnel portal. The basic shape is mocked up in the following photo's with paper towels and masking tape on sticks. As usual, lately, I have been doing a lot of operating and debugging of areas about to get scenery.
Here is a train "coming around the mountain":
Here is a train of incoming empty ore cars pulled by the new 4-4-0 past the new scale and past the waiting MOW Shay.
Any comments this week? Thanks for looking.
NeO6874 wrote: Your layout is looking more and more like a real world. Its coming along great! I can't wait for the next installment of pics!
Thanks ! The wait is over - here is the weekly update !
It has been another busy week, with a lot accomplished.
I spent $100 on lighting supplies and got under fascia lights in the upper fascia (7 25 watt bulbs on a dimmer); and track lights to light the upper levels.
I have had one yard lead with a 15" radius curve in the lead-in. It worked great on all of my old engines and the easy-to-modify P2k 0-6-0's. However the new Roundhouse 4-4-0 simply would not handle the small radius. I like the yard arrangement and did not want to basically change it (plus all of the basic scenery was already in). I finally deleted the first turn-out in the yard and replaced the lead-in with two lead-ins. One to the original entrance and the other to the end of my caboose storage track (also my programming track). I was able to get a 22" radius and a 18" radius lead-ins to the yard. Operations is really not affected; and the 4-4-0 now can use either lead-in to the yard. You can barely see where the old yard lead-in was in the following picture. Damage to the scenery is minimal.
I also got started on the top of the back mountain. Here is the left side:
And the center section:
This back mountain starts at 30" from the floor (level of continuous run loop) and ends up 7' tall, 6 1/2' wide and 4' deep. It will be another week or two until I "finish" the right side of the mountain top. Here is a picture of the "whole" mountain with the 4-4-0 headed down with the "daily" passenger train.
Thanks for looking. comments ?
WOW amazing work
With that many tunnels you could keep a whole herd of Hamsters happy
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
WOW amazing work With that many tunnels you could keep a whole herd of Hamsters happy
Thanks. No hamsters; however, the tunnel vore/portal crew will be happy to have all that work.
gottaBreal wrote:Great work sir looking swell
Thank you - here is the weekly update:
I got a lot of mountain work done. What I expected to take two weeks, I did this week. the reason is that I got a contract for some furniture/cabinetry work that will support my railroad hobby for another year. Layout work will slow down for the next couple of months.
I got the new yard lead ins scenic-ed (is this a word) and ballasted. I got the right side of the back mountain done with some base color. Next step is the bottom left side of the mountain (between the two shelf levels).
The added mountain section (in white):
The whole mountain with the 4-4-0 headed down with a load of ore from the mines:
The mine at Between as it looks now:
Comments ?
Excellent progress shots Alan, great to see a RR developing before my eyes with such great results.
BTW, congrats on the new contract, great news for funding, bad news for free time, aint that always the way? Its either money or time you have plenty of, personally I would like them to coincide more often
Glad to see someone making good progress, I guess my time will come, keep up the good 'work'.
Have fun & be safe,Karl.
ukguy wrote: Excellent progress shots Alan, great to see a RR developing before my eyes with such great results. BTW, congrats on the new contract, great news for funding, bad news for free time, aint that always the way? Its either money or time you have plenty of, personally I would like them to coincide more often Glad to see someone making good progress, I guess my time will come, keep up the good 'work'. Have fun & be safe,Karl.
Thanks !
I "retired" from making a living building furniture and kitchen/bath remodel work. I intend to do a couple of furniture or furniture quality cabinet jobs a year to keep the cigarette/train fund solvent; so this is not a real setback. No large commercial shop; however my home shop is complete and adequate for this type of work.
Progress comes from devotion to getting it done. The more time that you have, the faster it goes. I am "lucky" in that I can now schedule my time to do what I think needs to be done.
Loco wrote:Very cool to view.I can understand your wanting to run them Loco's.
Running loco's is about all that I have done to the layout that is visible. I have been finding and fixing nits all week.
The BAH R.R. had ordered 8 new ore cars. Four of the kits are now complete. Photo below is delivery of the first four ore cars (Tichy 22' kits):
Old #4 ( 16 yr old cheap 4-4-0) died and had to be replaced with something. I decided to try the Bachmann Spectrum line; not entirely happy with the value though. I got the small wheel 4-6-0 (found one unlettered), put in a Lenz controller and it runs. After about a 15 hour break-in it smoothed out. It does not have very good low speed performance; I can switch with it, but it is somewhat of a pain.
Here is the front view:
and the rear view:
It was intended to do duty hauling ore cars up and down the mountain and to do "duty" running on the continuous run loop, which is the connection to "the outside world". It does OK; however I am spoiled by the great performance of the two P2k 0-6-0's that look great, run great, and sound great. I am probably not going to add sound the the 4-6-0, even though poor sound is better than no sound (at least to me). If the construction of this spectrum is what I have to look forward to with the soon-to-be-released Spectrum 4-4-0; I will end up with another Roundhouse 4-4-0. Here is a picture of the 4-6-0 leaving Hardspot with a load of empty ore cars for the Arock mines.
Thanks for looking. Comments ?