Seneca & Chetola Line

[jhsimpson62]

Once again time has flown. Have finished construction of the bunk house for the lumberjacks, and built one more version of the bungalow. This time with a cedar shingle roof and a large back poarch. Planted some additional Alberta spruce. Took time to visit the Train Show in Perry, GA and have cleaned up the weeds and wild onions from the winters neglect. Next in line is to run some drip irregation to the new plants. Here are some recent pictures. It is good to be outside working again.

[jhsimpson62]

Been busy repairing some buildings. Several houses and railway buildings were constructed with wooden slat roofs. I guess since there was no way to weatherize the bottom of the roof as constructed they were getting gaps where the slats were shrinking even where glued. To protect the insides of the buildings, I cut house shingles down to .6" x 1.75" and attached them over the original slats with silicone sealant. They maybe a bit on the chunkie side but I can live with the results. Also, just to show that I really did plant miniture elm trees here is a picture of one of them since it has started to leaf out.

[zakowitz]

Hey Howdy,

Very nice shingle work there...your buildings are looking cool...looking forward to more pics....

 

                                        Regards,

 

                                             Zak

[jhsimpson62]

Thanks Zak. I do have several more buildings in mind, but it'll probably next winter till I get at them. Don't like being in the workshop during nice weather, and I have a few projects to complete for the "BOSS" this summer while tending the trains. One never knows, if we get some rainy weather another building could sprout up!

[jhsimpson62]

While I was finishing reroofing the station, The CFO came by with her camera and thought you might like to see some shots of the job. Some time involved, but not to bad. Shingle cut pretty easy with a straight edge and a box knife. For final fitting, a pair of sissors works just fine. Here are the pictures.

[jhsimpson62]

I am still around. The last month or so has been busy preparing for a visit by a dozen or so "Shipmates" and their spouses from the late 70's. Had a great get-together over Memorial Day weekend. In addition, all cabooses made a trip to the paint shop along with one baggage car acquired from the Pennsy. Next weekend we will be hoisting a group of fellow Elks from town. Have some pictures in the working and will get them up in a little while. After the weekend the ex-Pennsy combine and observation cars will enter the paint shop and shortly thereafter (hopefully) the lettering shop. Jack

[Anonymous]

Jack,

Was that one roof wet-dry sand paper pulling up?

Toad

[jhsimpson62]

Toad, Not sure which roof you talking about but I haven't used any wet/dry sandpaper for roofing material. All the roofing I redone were simply cedar slats which didn't hold up because of lack of preservation on the undersided. Cut down house shingles look great and are doing a good job of wheatherizing the buildings.

[jhsimpson62]

The ex-Pennsy passenger coaches and baggage car are finally back from the paint shop. Along with the newly painted cabooses, they will create an image of a prosper, well managed railroad. I am continuing to putter with the log mill area. Finally have some logs to cut. Here are some pictures of the new paint jobs. Now we must get to the lettering shop.

[zakowitz]

Howdy,

   Lookin mighty fine around the Seneca & Chetola line. I especially liked the the end of track bumper you put in place on your lumber mill siding. I am gong to borrow your concept if you don't mind for my siding to the very used Pola lumber mill I picked up on evil-bay.

 Keep up the great work.

 

                                        Regards,

                                        Zak

                                       

[jhsimpson62]

ZAK, No problem. I was cleaning up the workshop and got into my bin of wood scraps and just started playing around. I figured a lumber mill wouldn't bother with a fancy factory product what with all the lumber laying around they would just stack it and brace it. Thanks for the kind words.  Jack

[jhsimpson62]

As stated before, a group of shipmates from the USS Independence (CV62) gathered for a weekend of reminiscence. They got some nice shots of the layout, but it was when the trains weren't running. you'll find the pictures here. Later today another group from the Elks Lodge will be coming. It may be a small turnout since Mother Nature has brought us August weather in June. It to be 101 degrees. Plans were made hoping to have the event before it got too hot. Too much trouble to change them so we'll see what happens. Jack

[jhsimpson62]

Been trying my hand at weathering some rolling stock as well as repainting some of it. Actually the undercarriage and trucks of all cars were repainted with a ultra flat black. Weathering was done with washes of Scalecoat II. Here are the results of my first attempt, not bad. Some may need to have additional washes  since its hard to tell they've been done. Rather too little than too much. Weather has been hot therefore the weathering project which could be done in the air conditioning. As always fighting weeds, several shorts trips and attempting to rejuvenate my lawn has made for a busy month.

[ttrigg]

Jack:

Looks good, but I'm more interested in your sawmill.  Q: Does the blade actually turn?  Looks like you put in some sort of motor or are my eyes failing me?

[jhsimpson62]

Tom, Saw blade does not turn YET. Hopefully in the future. What appears to be a motor, is just a block of wood with a nail run in for a shaft. Had a floppy disc cut with pinking shears to look like a saw blade. Did not hold up in the weather. One day it was gone. The reason why train layouts are never finished. Jack

[ttrigg]

OK: sure fooled me.  Most of the damage I continually repair is done by the gang of five pound dogs that run rampant through the house and yard.  Not that they try to destroy things, it just gets tangled in their six inch fur and end up across the yard.

[jhsimpson62]

Tom, I believe what did in the saw blade was just weather. I don't think the floppy disc was meant to be out in the weather. I think it just discinagrated over the winter when I wasn't paying attention.

[jhsimpson62]

Finally after a long hotttttt summer, I have gotten back to work on the Seneca & Chetola Line. For my first project I have commenced construction of a water tower. Here are the first pictures of the progress. My pages have changes slightly, This link will lead you to a INDEX page and you will have to select the page number you want. In this case the new pictures are on page 9. I'll include the page number of all future posts. Have been running the trains in the evenings now that the weather has cool off some and look forward to many more hours.

[zakowitz]

Jack,

   Water tower is lookin good!

   Are you working from a kit or did you come up with the plan on your own?  Is that redwood you are working with? What kind of glue are you using to withstand the elements? 

   Thanks for sharing your project with us. I look forward to your updates on your railroad!

 

                                               Regards,

 

                                               Zak

[jhsimpson62]

Zak, I found a set of original plans for the water tower on the internet that I am adapting as I go along to suit my needs. Am using Tight bond II glue and silicone sealant for adheasion. The entire tower will be made of cedar. Jack

[jhsimpson62]

Have made some progress on the water tower. Go here and then page ten for the latest photos. After fitting the bands, I removed them in order to paint the tub. I wanted to bands to stand out more than if they were also painted. Have the roof about half shingled.

[jhsimpson62]

We are getting closer to having a water tower in the train layout. The latest pictures of the project are here. If the weather holds and I don't have too many distractions it should be ready for planting by the end of the week. I say should because the CFO wants a tree planted sometime this week.

[jhsimpson62]

The water tower is complete and in place on the railroad. Here are the pictures. It was a fun project and I think adds a nice touch to the garden. It took a couple days longer than I had thought because of some rain and wind days. Can't paint then because of my "outdoor spray booth". Now on to the next project or at least deciding what its going to be.

[ttrigg]

Looking good!  Still say it would look better in D&RGW colors, but thats only my opinion.

[jhsimpson62]

Thanks Tom. At this point it would be difficult to convience to CFO (wife) or the CMO (me) to change the corporate colors. Since the Seneca & Chetola Line is a fictious railroad, we selected red for the railroad buildings primarily to add some color to the layout. Jack

[zakowitz]

Jack,

    Your water tower project sure turned out nice!  It should give you many years of service on your RR. What do you plan on building next?

     Keep up the great work!

 

                                                        Zak

[ttrigg]

jhsimpson62

. At this point it would be difficult to convience to CFO (wife)

Jack: I learned a long time ago to NOT aruge withthe CFO. Guess I'm gonna have to stop asking yuou to change color! 

[jhsimpson62]

Zak, Thanks it was a fun project. Next I think will be a church. Since moving to S Carolina we have been attending a small old country church. Over the years there have been some renovations, but I have found a pencil sketch of the original (or almost so) building that along with measurements of the current building I think I can scratch build a pretty close copy. I just have to decide how far back to take it. Originally there was no bell tower so it really dosen't look much like a church. I want to discuss this project with a few long time members of the church and see just how much they remember.

[jhsimpson62]

I have gotten started on the next construction project. It is a scaled copy of our old country church. Have finished the windows and started putting the siding on. Next comes the roof and then the steeple which is still in the design stage. The windows are scratched built and include some of the original glass from the church.  Pictures of this project can be found here.

[Rex in Pinetop]

I'm also working on a church.  My current idea is to do some stained glass windows from "mosaic glass" I found at a craft store.  Could you share your plans?

Thanks,

Rex