Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Scarpia wrote: I'm just beginning in the hobby, and after reading for a while on this forum and other resources, I thought I'd throw up what I've dug myself into and see what other more experienced hobbiests think. I'd appreciate any feedback folks might have before I get too deep, especially if you see a major "duh" that I haven't picked up yet on.I have a site for it located here My idea has been to work up a small layout that I can break a few times before I begin construction on "the big one"; sadly I've already gone through that process a bit so far. I've learned a fair bit, from track laying to soldering, and now I've recently discovered that not all magnetic couplers from different manufacturers are created equal. Thanks you in advance for your help! Scarpia
I'm just beginning in the hobby, and after reading for a while on this forum and other resources, I thought I'd throw up what I've dug myself into and see what other more experienced hobbiests think.
I'd appreciate any feedback folks might have before I get too deep, especially if you see a major "duh" that I haven't picked up yet on.
I have a site for it located here
My idea has been to work up a small layout that I can break a few times before I begin construction on "the big one"; sadly I've already gone through that process a bit so far. I've learned a fair bit, from track laying to soldering, and now I've recently discovered that not all magnetic couplers from different manufacturers are created equal.
Thanks you in advance for your help!
Scarpia
I think you losted your link because I don't see it
4x8 are fun too!!! RussellRail
See how the word "here" in the middle of his post is blue?
Just click on that, and you'll go to the site.
Just a quick, non-photo update, now that the weather is shifting. I've added a few new building model kits to my queue, including the Campbell Coaling tower and Warehouse. I am also going to add another siding in my yard area before I move to finish that area, and I spent part of yesterday afternoon rewiring the head end of the layout. I added in a toggle switch on the fascia that allows me to switch from DCC to DC, a super easy job.
I will hopefully have some more meaningful updates in the near future!
I'm trying to model 1956, not live in it.
Toggle switch
Dual control
Yard Expansion.
I'm going to add another siding in this empty space here, as I could definitely use another siding in this small yard. I want to put a RH starting right on top of the magnet. Is that a bad idea for any reason?
ScarpiaFunny you mention that, wm3798. I actually do have some, just wanted to get the bridge painted up before I tackled that. As the bridge is almost done (from a painting standpoint, I'm going to put some track down this weekOne quick question - how do you affix the track to the bridge? just CA?Thanks in advance.
Funny you mention that, wm3798. I actually do have some, just wanted to get the bridge painted up before I tackled that. As the bridge is almost done (from a painting standpoint, I'm going to put some track down this week
One quick question - how do you affix the track to the bridge? just CA?
Thanks in advance.
I used latex caulk, Phenoseal was the brand name. It stuck well to the rather slippery plastic ties. The clear stuff dries invisible. I think it ia stronger than CA in this application, 'cause it stays soft and flexible where as CA dries hard and brittle.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
I've moved past that part, but thanks for the input. Especially as this is just a test layout. I've made a note of the name.
I received the turnout I needed, and got to work. While I had initially planned on adding only a single siding, I ended up finding another turnout that I had used before, and plugged it in. While the addition doesn't really improve my storage capability, it seemed like one of those "why not?" decisions.
First up, cutting the old flex track.
I than filled this area with cork to even out the height. I also broke that long siding to the right out, and curved it away from the new mini-yard I was constructing.
I purchased a track laying set from Micromark a while ago, this alignment tool keeps tracks spaced and parallel, in case anyone else wanted to see one in use.
And how it looks now that the glue is drying. I think it's going to improve my operational fun over the previous single track.
Just a quick update, I managed to finally get around to ballesting this new yard area.
Looking good
I realized after ballast dried, that I had created dead spots due to the insulated turnouts. I also was pretty short on suitcase connectors (just two left). Not wanting to tear up some ballast, I decided instead to add the feaders at the end of the stubs. This allowed me to solder the three feeders together below the layout with one being long enough to connect to the bus with my remaining suitcase connectors.
Of course, now I had to hide them. First up were the bumper stops from Caboose.
Than a layer of turf, mixed colors and sizes
Finally some trees, shrubs, etc. This is a mix of Woodland Scenics ground foam, Busch trees, Woodland Scenics premade trees, Super Trees, and Silfor.
Another view. I don't consider this 100% done at this point. I think I'll make the tracks look less used after this dries.
This is a very small yard - the middle track only holds these two small coal hoppers; the outside track one car. Still, as I had nothing before, I'm pleased with it.
I've browsed your website and intially I'm impressed with the site- I love the amount of pictures that let my eyes tell the story insted of reading about it. There was more than one picture that I noted that I couldn't even tell it was a 4X8.
I think you are doing a great job and I look forward to what you do to it in the future!
Modeling the N&W freelanced at the height of their steam era in HO.
Daniel G.
Thanks a lot for your kind comments. I discovered one thing recently, that I'll be sure to use on my next one - I'll avoid the Woodland Scenics plaster "dyes" for the plaster cloth. I had used the "earth" colored one, but it was too faint - in this more recent work, I've simply used Apple Bottom Brown craft paint. It coats a lot better, and looks pretty good under a few layers of WS turf.
I wasn't sure what I was waiting for concerning scenicing other areas, so I went ahead and turfed some other large areas that were waiting. I also plugged in the majority of the pine trees that I had waiting around.
Next, I need to ramp up my Super Tree prodouction.
I'm intending on a "path" from the road to the water that will wind through the trees (the greener section of turf)
I've assembled a home built static grass applicator for testing purposes
and it's working pretty well. Here's the first area I tested it.
Before
and after
Once I got some longer (6mm) grass, I took a look at this area
and did that over
I'm pleased with the results so far, now to keep trying some different things....
I like the trackplan and the pics. It's a nice balance between track, scenery, and structures.
Could you provide a breakdown of the track you used both in manufacturer and quantity.
I will be working in On30 (On2 1/2) and this plan looks ideal. Yes, my space is a 4X8 as well.
Thank you.
The flex is a mix of Atlas and Peco code 100 (Approx 14 pieces, I didn't really keep track)
one piece of ME bridge flex track (code 83)
The switches aer all Peco insulfrog, all code 100.
1 medium curved left.
2 medium right
4 short right
1 medium left
3 short left
Hope this helps - and note its from memory, which is increasingly suspect!
Nice job blending track, structures, and scenery. No component overwhelms another. Would it be possible to provide a list of track you used. The layout is somewhat similar to what I have seen elsewhere.
ScarpiaThe flex is a mix of Atlas and Peco code 100 (Approx 14 pieces, I didn't really keep track) one piece of ME bridge flex track (code 83) The switches aer all Peco insulfrog, all code 100.1 medium curved left.2 medium right 4 short right 1 medium left3 short leftHope this helps - and note its from memory, which is increasingly suspect!
I had listed the track I used in an earlier post, but I've quoted it above for your information.
I should say that the layout plan was from Basic Model Railroad Track Plans, one of the Kalmbach books. I am using the plan on page 24, The Atlanta Central, but with modifications. Basically I am removing the intersecting connecting track, and most of the far switch yard. Instead, I'm keeping the small passing siding, and adding a double track truss bridge in the rear. I am also running 22 inch radius curves, so a couple of my larger road locomotives can navigate. These modifications will allow me to play with some terrain, including a water feature, and removing the connecting track intersection cuts down on track costs (switches mostly).I did bulk up the yard, so my cost savings was kind of negligible.
Were I to do this again, I would keep the connecting track, as it would be nice to attach some staging.
Could you provide some info on how you made your static grass applicator?Thanks!
Todd
Todd, sure thing.
Mine is hardly an original idea, I just got a 12 volt negative ion generator from Electronic Goldmine, and attached a canning jar and some alligator clips.
You can find a more detailed description here
I'd strongly recommend to anyone to do this. The look of static grass is so far superior over flock when it's applied with a device like this, and it's certainly not any harder to do.
Cheers
Thanks! Is the automotive ion generator is one of those rust modules? If so, I have one of those kicking around!
no, not a rust module. Think air purifer.