H0n3

SPV

That color looks right on, Wolfgang.  Very reminiscent of southern Utah to my eye.

Here is southeast Utah, along the San Juan River

A top part of the Goosnecks, carved by the San Juan.

Mark

 The second bridge, a trestle, at the construction place.

More bents, and the creek have to follow. :    

Wolfgang

With the trestle's bents not parallel with the flow of water and the tremendous power of moving water, I would be afraid that rising water and debris caught by the bents would result in in the trestle's failure.

Mark

and since the bents are not built using piles (round timbers pounded into the ground), some kind of foundation is needed under each bent to secure them

Mark

 Mark, you're right.

But couldn't be the foundation under water? 

And the creek meanders.     

In any other case I had to build this trestle new. 

Wolfgang

 Can you use piles at rocky ground? I think, they wouldn't try to drive the piles into rock. Therefore the square timbers with foundation.

Wolfgang

wedudler

 Can you use piles at rocky ground? I think, they wouldn't try to drive the piles into rock. Therefore the square timbers with foundation.

Wolfgang

Depends on how deep the silt has built up over the millenia filling in the once-steep valley....And even if the stream "meanders," there would be times of high, fast-moving water.  If the water is above the foundations of the square-timber bents, this would be a period of high water and fast flows.  That truss bridge looks a lot better off than the poor trestle!  It isn't too late to re-engineer that trestle!

Mark

markpierce

It isn't too late to re-engineer that trestle!

Mark

Mark, you're right. Thank you for the tip.

I would be angry for the next years. Knowing better and doing worse.

I rebuild!

Wolfgang

wedudler

Mark, you're right. Thank you for the tip.

You're welcome.

... Strange.  Your scene looks similar to my photo of the San Juan River.  The river flows along the cliffs on one side of the valley, with the flattish valley extending some distance on the other side.  (Note: The San Juan carries very silty water.  The river is shallow yet fast-flowing, and is brown in color.)

Mark

Just my but one also has to take into account that in the southwest there might be water in those "washes,gullys, arroyos" only temporarily and in gret quantities only to be gone in as little as a few hours. These gullies can't be filled because of the great amounts of water and debris when they flood. Excellent point Mark. BILL

markpierce

... Strange.  Your scene looks similar to my photo of the San Juan River.  The river flows along the cliffs on one side of the valley, with the flattish valley extending some distance on the other side.  (Note: The San Juan carries very silty water.  The river is shallow yet fast-flowing, and is brown in color.)

Mark

I've never been to the USA. So this similar look is only incidentally.   

Wolfgang

Wolfgang,maybe you were here in another life?? Maybe you were an Apache warrior.Maybe! BILL

reklein

Wolfgang,maybe you were here in another life?? Maybe you were an Apache warrior.Maybe! BILL

Nope, probably Navajo, Ute, or Zuni.

 Silver Creek update

More work with the trestle.

My son Benjamin suggested to create a hill between the two tracks in the middle of the module. Some rocks there.

What do you think?

I'm still waiting for the 8x8 strip wood to make bridge ties. The bents are now parallel to the flowing water. Like you see, the creek will be only at one side of the valley. I've added a few rocks there, too.

Wolfgang

wedudler

 Silver Creek update

More work with the trestle.

Much better.

Mark

markpierce

Much better.

Mark

One picture more.

Wolfgang

To maintain a consistent level of detail, bolt the trestle to the piers.

 The crew used some dynamite to get the rock ready for the last bent.

And the other direction with trestle.

The mud sills are fastened to the foundation. I've also used NBWs.

And now the water.... 

Wolfgang

 Now I've started with water. The first step was a basic layer of gloss varnish. Next step will be some color, black, blue, ...

Wolfgang

Hi Wolfgang,

Looking good! When it comes to water, I always use black. When I did the rivers and streams on my layout, here is the process I used;

• Use extruded foam for the river bed
• Make sure the river bed is as level as possible, so that epoxy resin stays where you want it when it comes time to pour
• Detail the river bed with plaster rock castings, talus, real dirt, fallen logs, etc.
• Use india ink, diluted with water, to color the river bed. Brush on more coats to make it darker in the areas you want it to appear deeper
• If required, build a  duct tape dam at appropriate locations where you plan to pour resin. Resin will find any pin hole leaks in the river bed or the dam, so make sure there aren't any
• Use a foam compatible eposy resin, like Envirotex
• Pour resin in layers no deeper than 1/16 - 1/8 th of an inch - make sure you have good ventilation, as fumes are an issue
• After resin cures use a brush and gloss medium to make small waves and eddies, and gloos medium paste for larger waves and eddies around rocks, obstructions in the river, etc.
• After gloss medium dries, dry brush waves with white acrylic paints, in appropriate locations; just hit the wave tops
• Apply more gloss medium to provide final seal coat to river
• Periodicly clean with damp wash cloth to maintain sheen; if scratched, brush on a new, thin coat of gloss medium to refresh

CS_NG_Fan

Looking good! When it comes to water, I always use black. When I did the rivers and streams on my layout, here is the process I used;

Thank you for the tips. I will see what I can use with my gloss varnish.    

But that's for me easy to get at a shop.

Wolfgang

 Still waiting for bridge ties this part of the project has a break.

Now I've started with track work. Here's the first dual gauge code 70 turnout. With my "new" throw bar type. This turnout is made with PC board ties and wooden ties between.

Wolfgang

 I've built more turnouts, nos 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the first crossing. Remember, only Turnouts 1 and 2 are dual gauge and code 70, all other trackwork is code 55:

This is the first H0n3 crossing.

Only one crossing more and two stub switches to build. But at first I have to glue these trackwork down and do some wiring.    

Wolfgang

 With this curved crossing all elements for the first two segments are finished and ready to glue down.

Trackwork:

The dual gauge track are tie strips from Central Valley. I've glued the third rail onto it.The PC board ties are at the segment border and for safety.     

You see the crossing is next to the segment border and its curved.

Wolfgang

 Now I've cut the rails at the segment border.

And an overview. This type of special turnouts you can't make with jigs. All I need is the NMRA gauge and soldering tools. I made also a drawing with the centerline and tie border line. You can see this revised plan:

 Now I can turn the segments on edge and do wiring as well as the mechanical device for the turnouts.

 Wolfgang

 Wiring is easy with the segments put on edge.

Wolfgang

 The second crossing is built in place.

You see, it's next to the segment border. Ties are Kappler ties and PC board ties. Track will be code 55 like the other narrow gauge track. I will cut the rails to separate the segments when the crossing is finished.

Wolfgang

 The second the last crossing at Silver Creek is finished. Remember: H0n3 code 55 !!

Tha hardest part were the inner guard rails.

I've - due to my lack of an engine - pushed a car. Great.

Now I have only to wire this piece, but that's no problem.

Wolfgang

Work goes on. The first stub switch is soldered and glued down. I have still to build my usual push-pull-device.

Wolfgang

 The second bridge is in place, all rails are laid. Now I have to work under the segments.

When wiring is done I can test run - and take more pictures.     

Wolfgang