I'm a retired Naval Officer residing in the Charleston, SC area, who is still supporting the United States Navy as a defense contractor. I am an avid Denver South Park & Pacific history buff and Colorado & Southern narrow gauge modeler for the last 30 years; I am actively building my retirement layout, which focuses on C&S narrow gauge operations between Kenosha, Como, and Boreas Pass. The layout will be DCC equipped, with state-of-the-art DCC components from Tam Valley Depot.
Welcome to the forum! Terrific job on the Argo,please post more photo's as you progress.The area you are focusing on is one of my favorites - I love that drop into South Park after coming over Kenosha(not so much in the winter...). Also,there is a thread every weekend called Weekend Photo Fun,where everyone is encouraged to post pictures - hope to see you there!
Mike
It looks like you are off to a good start, nice detail.
Is it HOn3?
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Welcome fellow defense contractor! Nice subject to model. Even though I grew up in California, trips to Colorado sparked my interest in modeling RRing there too, although I'm going standard gauge D&RGW.
Cheers, Jim
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I am LION. LION was in Navy.
Now LION lives in North Dakota, Him builds Subway Trains. Has Largest subway layout in state of North Dakota. 14 miles of track, 10 trains, 3-4 minute headway, fully automatic operation (flower of 1960s technology). LION not understand little black chips with pins sticking out of them. Him builds with real relays: goes CLICK when it works. LION can SEE what is happening.
LION builds as good as him can from whatever scratch him can find. After all, nobody pays LIONS anything (other than some tasty wildebeests), and 'sides, him has big furry paws that do not allow for fine model work. Still, LION is happy with what him builded, and that is all that counts.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Looks better than my efforts on the Appalachians. The Cawdor Southern still lacks scenery, and small industrial power. Plenty for through freights, nada otherwise. Unless I dual gauge some track for the TARDIS 0-6-0 that someone bought from Britain.
Hi DSPP and , also a very happy Remembrance/Veterns Day to you, and thanks for your service. The Same goes to all our Veterns dropping by this post.
The photo that you show of the Argo mine is great, very well done and has gained our attention, we will be watching for your further postings here.
Glad to have you on board. Be sure to drop by the Diner as well "Jeffrey's Diner" in this same Forum. We have a great buch there and it is open to more things than just Railroading as long as we keep it civil and not flamed.
We have some excellent modellers here, lots of different experiences and skills. They can help a guy out no matter what kind of a problem he encounters and all are welcome no matter how long you have been in the hobby of MRRing.
Great that you have found this site. Kalmbach does us a great service here and we appreciate it.
Johnboy out........................
from Saskatchewan, in the Great White North..
We have met the enemy, and he is us............ (Pogo)
Well hello and welcome back into the hobby - Thanks for posting and sharing your photo ! Nice job. When you need a break visit us in Jeffries dinner and have a cup of joe and join us for on and off topic stuff ( only place off topic stuffed is allowed ) Hope to see you there soon.
YGW
Welcome! You have done some awesome work on that mine. I am looking forward to you sharing more of your layout in the near future. I am a big fan of narrow gauge. And my the way, happy Veterans Day to you and the other Veterans on the fourm.
Ralph
DSPP Fan:
Welcome to the forums!!
You have done a great job on the mine scene. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work.
Dave
P.S. Happy retirement from an honourable career.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Thanks for the kind words guys!
The new HOn3 layout I am building is based on the C&S prototype, to the maximum extent possible, with the exception being the Argo Tunnel complex. Please allow me to explain - my first HOn3 Layout was based on Malcom Furlow's San Juan Central, with a C&S theme. This layout included a model of the Argo built from a set of Harry Brunk's plans in the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. Unfortuntley, the tight curves and steep grades caused major reliability issues and I wanted to convert to DCC; so I decided to salvage all the buildings and start over. I hated to do it, but it was the only way.
When I started to plan the new layout I just fell in love with Como, and decided that it had to be the centerpiece of the new layout. Here are the other requirements I set for myself, when it came to planning the new layout:
- No hidden trackage - too many maintainance and reliability issues for my liking- No duck unders - I'm just too old for that- Como Yard had to modeled, as close as possible, to the C&S prototype- The Argo Tunnel had to have a place on the layout, with a plausible explanation for its presence (more on that later) - No grades over 2.5 percent - reliability, reliability, reliability- No radius under 20 inches - again, reliabity- DCC a must- No turnout less than a #6- Large timber trestle, somewhere on the layout- Walk-in style, dog bone configuration to allow continuous running, with point-to-point flavor
Here is the track plan I settled on, which was created using 3D Planit software:
For this new layout, I decided to drop the Argo Complex into the area west of Kenosha and east of the pass, just before you round the big bend and drop down into South Park. This complex will be renamed the "Kenosha Tunnel", and provide the C&S narrow gauge enough revenue to keep narrow gauge operations viable in the South Park, despite the deepening Great Depression. As you can see from the track plan, I used modeler's license when it came to the the wye on the right side of the layout. The C&S prototype has a wye at both Boreas and Kenosha, so the wye in my trackplan does double duty. I'll post some pics of the layout's current progress in a seperate post.
All the best, Don
Cool. Lots of work for you there.
My maiden name was Donald. My name became Elias when I entered the monastery.
Alter Ego is the LION.
Don:
I love your track plan, partially because it is very similar to my own.
I only have 10' width wise so my aisle is narrower, but I have 23' to work with length wise. I'm also putting staging underneath so there will be at least one helix to access it.
My layout is on hold (has been for 10 years) until my son moves out. Believe me, I'm dropping all sorts of hints!
I don't mean to detract from your thread's theme, but could you explain how you got the image of your track plan to post in the forum?
I have done it in the past, and I looked up the thread where it was explained to me how to do it, but I can't make it work. When I hit the 'print screen' button nothing happens.
I can print a copy of the layout plan using the 3rdPlanIt commands but for whatever reason it comes out with very faint lines.
Thanks
Sorry to go
EDIT:
My wee dinosaur brain just went back and studied the 3rdPlanIt print screen and I discovered that I could control the minimum line width. After adjusting that to 1.5 points from the default setting of .25 points I actually got a clear image that is suitable for posting as a PDF. However, I still don't understand how to do it without printing the plan and then scanning it into a PDF format so I can post it. Any edification in that regard would be much appreciated.
Here is my track plan. The similarities are pretty obvious. This doesn't show the lower level staging or the helises to get there. The brown track in the lower left is an HOn30 mine scene that will sit about 8" above the main track.
hon30critterAfter adjusting that to 1.5 points from the default setting of .25 points I actually got a clear image that is suitable for posting as a PDF. However, I still don't understand how to do it without printing the plan and then scanning it into a PDF format so I can post it. Any edification in that regard would be much appreciated.
As far as converting your track plan to PDF format, I use a shareware program called CutePDF. Once you install it, it replicates an installed printer. You just select it when the window opens to select a printer. A dialog window will open so you can save the PDF wherever you want to. I'm using Windows 10 and there isn't any compatibility issues.
CutePDF Writer
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
hon30critter Don: I don't mean to detract from your thread's theme, but could you explain how you got the image of your track plan to post in the forum?
Happy Sunday critter! I haven't actually read the instructions for posting pics here, but here is my humble input. There are many apps you can use to capture that screen shot, so that you can upload it. I use an app called Snagit for the screen shot part of the equation, I save it as a .jpg file and then I upload it to Photobucket. All I have to do then is point the forum post pic I want to post to the Photobucket address, and voila.
Very nice - there isn't much not to like. Only thing I noticed was minimum radius of 20 inches but maybe for Narrow Gauge it's not too bad. In standard gauge that would be extremely restrictive, but std gauge has long cars and Narrow Guage all short so should be ok I'd think.
hon30critterI have done it in the past, and I looked up the thread where it was explained to me how to do it, but I can't make it work. When I hit the 'print screen' button nothing happens.
Once upon a time, when DOS was *the* operating system, and only text appeared on the screen, you could press the print screen button and it would print the text on your printer. You know : Print Screen.
Today is different. Today you hit "Print Screen" and it makes a copy of the screen on your clipboard. It is up to you to open a photo editor and paste the results there, and then make a .jpg or whatever of it.
riogrande5761Only thing I noticed was minimum radius of 20 inches but maybe for Narrow Gauge it's not too bad.
Typical narrow gauge cars are only about 30' long. Looking at minimum radius as a function of car length, 30' cars on a 20" curve is the aesthetic equivalent of 89' auto racks on a 60" radius.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Marlon:
Thanks for the lead on CutePDF.
Unfortunately CutePDF won't work with the 3rdPlanIt drawings. I'll have to see if I can re-format them.
Let's drop the issue. I am detracting from Don's thread.
'Just finished looking through the pictures you posted in the "Photo Galleries" section of this website.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/m/mrr-layouts/default.aspx
Very impressive - looking forward to more!
middleman DSPP Fan: 'Just finished looking through the pictures you posted in the "Photo Galleries" section of this website. http://cs.trains.com/mrr/m/mrr-layouts/default.aspx Very impressive - looking forward to more! Mike
Thanks for the kind words Mike. All of the backdrop painting is done and last night the track gang finished the last of the track, so it's time to start wiring it all up. Wiring is my least favorite portion of the hobby, but it's one that I absolutley have to get right if this layout is going to operate reliably. Almost all of the TAM Valley Depot components arrived, so I will start soldering feeders this coming weekend. Once the wiring is done this layout should come together very quickly.
I am also busy completing a 6-stall Model Masterpieces Como Roundhouse and 50' cast iron turntable. I spent over 20 years building structures, to the same standard as the Argo Tunnel, and I was fortunate to salvage all of them from my previous layout. About 80 percent of the structures are already done and the only ones that remain to be completed are: a scratch-built Como Eating House, two water tank kits, Como Depot kit, Jefferson Depot Kit, three Section House kits, and a few small lineside structure kits. All of the bridges are done.
Scenery is my favorite pastime and, with what I learned building my first layout, that should come together pretty quickly. Barring divine intervention, I hope to have the layout ready for layout tours by the end of 2016.
I will post more pics in the next few days to show you the structures I have already completed, so that you can get a feel for where I am heading.
I posted a 3D view of the benchwork and trackplan for the new layout in the gallery. Roundhouse is almost done - will post a shot of the progress on Monday.
Here a few shots of the Como Roundhouse Machine Shop. It's still under construction, but is coming along nicely. I'll post some additional shots, including shots of the overall structure, in just a few days.
carl425 riogrande5761 Only thing I noticed was minimum radius of 20 inches but maybe for Narrow Gauge it's not too bad. Typical narrow gauge cars are only about 30' long. Looking at minimum radius as a function of car length, 30' cars on a 20" curve is the aesthetic equivalent of 89' auto racks on a 60" radius.
riogrande5761 Only thing I noticed was minimum radius of 20 inches but maybe for Narrow Gauge it's not too bad.
Don likely already knows this, but 20" should be fine for his planned operations. I use 20" min R on my Cascade branch. The DSP&P is primarily 2-6-0s, plus a few 2-8-0s and they are generally OK on 20". With brass, there may be issues with a few models, but most will do it. I don't have any experience with model Mason bogies, which is the only really type that might be of concern, but IIRC all those were gone by 1900 or sooner and may lie before Don's interests.
The Blackstone K-27s operate down to 18" (maybe even 17" based on my experience) so even visiting locos like that will be fine on 20", if they need be accommodated.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
mlehman carl425 riogrande5761 Only thing I noticed was minimum radius of 20 inches but maybe for Narrow Gauge it's not too bad. Typical narrow gauge cars are only about 30' long. Looking at minimum radius as a function of car length, 30' cars on a 20" curve is the aesthetic equivalent of 89' auto racks on a 60" radius. Don likely already knows this, but 20" should be fine for his planned operations. I use 20" min R on my Cascade branch. The DSP&P is primarily 2-6-0s, plus a few 2-8-0s and they are generally OK on 20". With brass, there may be issues with a few models, but most will do it. I don't have any experience with model Mason bogies, which is the only really type that might be of concern, but IIRC all those were gone by 1900 or sooner and may lie before Don's interests. The Blackstone K-27s operate down to 18" (maybe even 17" based on my experience) so even visiting locos like that will be fine on 20", if they need be accommodated.
Hi Mike,
I model the C&S NG in the late 1930's / Early 1940's. I dearly love Masons, but modeling the link-and-pin coupler era is just not my cup-o'-tea.
My background story for the current layout revolves around a new mining complex opening near Kenosha Pass, to provide the C&S NG South Park Division enough revenue to convince Burlington management to keep the C&S around for a few more years. It also allows me to use the Argo complex I built for my last layout and the use of 3 D&RGW Blackstone C-19s leased to the C&S in it's last few years of existence. As a matter of fact, it generates enough business to convince managment to return the machine shop equipment to the Como roundhouse. The rest of my locos are Key Imports C&S brass imports with DCC encoders and stay-alive circuitry. Like most model railroaders, I have too many locomotives - he who has the most toys wins =D.
The machine shop and roundhouse look terrific! I look forward to seeing the finished scene.
DSPP FanMy background story for the current layout revolves around a new mining complex opening near Kenosha Pass, to provide the C&S NG South Park Division enough revenue to convince Burlington management to keep the C&S around for a few more years. It also allows me to use the Argo complex I built for my last layout and the use of 3 D&RGW Blackstone C-19s leased to the C&S in it's last few years of existence. As a matter of fact, it generates enough business to convince managment to return the machine shop equipment to the Como roundhouse. The rest of my locos are Key Imports C&S brass imports with DCC encoders and stay-alive circuitry.
Don,
You'll be fine then. My C-19s don't mind 20" at all.
BTW, I'm a big C&S fan (despite mostly modeling Rio Grande) and things look marvelous so far. Looking forward to more