Sorry you got the bad deal. Women you can't live with'em and you can't live with'em. On another note I am coming up on what I think is my 29th anniversary, and hope to finally get to begin building my first real layout. I built one 4x8 for the kids when they were little. Lately I have been acquiring cars and locomotives and structures. I have also been stocking up on track and power packs. All I have been able to do so far is plan and build a "few" kits.
Your layout was most impressive and I am sure you got a lot of enjoyment out of it. Just remember if things were easy anyone could do it. It's nice to hear of someone getting up after being knocked down, keep on going it's the American way.
Thanks Robb, the support here has been huge. It has given me something to look forward too.
So today, was a fun day. Warn you now, this update is not for the lighthearted.
So I ended my last up date with getting two new buildings in and trying to figure out how to squeeze in my concrete plant. Well today, the concrete plant went to work with me and after being introduced my 4.5" grinder, it all worked out.
I measured where the building needed to be cut so the shed would line up with the track. I removed all the upper structure, vents, ducts, etc and set it aside. Migth kit bash something new for the background version.. so off it came and then set it aside.
Now, all that was left for my master plan, was to cut the building. I have to admit, I would not recommend this to just anyone. I have been working my own fabrication shop for over 12 years and I am quite the whiz with a 4.5 grinder. I have a pretty big one, that is meant for metal/steel work. Needless to say, have to give a lot of respect, other wise, it will want to dig into the plastic and take off on you. Strong hand and steady nerve. A dremel would have worked great for this. I just went with resources I had and what I know. This is the kind of overkill that Tim Allen would love.
So, I marked a line and whacked it. Took about a minute. I used a old cutting wheel, normaly meant for cutting metal to do the rough cut. Truth be told, it really doesnt cut the plastic persay, more or less it melts in a straght line.
After the rough surgery, I went back with a 120 grit sanding disc and clean it up the edges. Then trimmed the extra off with a razor knife. A little measureing and test fitting with the table, and bammo! All done. I smooth the other half out so that maybe some day, I could use that as well for a background building.
Got home and worked it in. I am very happy with the final fit. It needs some paint and weathering along with some detail work, but that is for another day. Now, I have my spot for my 2 bay covered hoppers.
Also tonight, I removed most of my regular trees. The layout is getting a bit dusty being in the room with me and those trees are just to fragile to be blown off. So, I packed them back up and busted out the pine trees. Which, I am not sure how to fit them into the scenery, but I do like them.
So now, with all the buildings in place, I can start the road down the middle and push along witht he scenery.
Thanks for looking.
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
Howdy, John,
Love the way you're getting those background buildings to work - especially your cement plant. I'll probably swipe some of your ideas when I get to the point that I need 'visible' scenery. (I'm still working in the netherworld, but now only 15 scale meters below ground level instead of 75 scale meters...)
I think your switch to pine trees just moved you in a northerly direction - much more Flagstaff in flavor. Still, very effective.
So far, my family has a mixed record on marriage. My son had one wife who didn't last as long as yours, my daughter has been through two husbands and is currently unattached, my parents didn't split until my mother's funeral (68 years after their marriage) and my next anniversary will be my 50th. Guess Dad and I just got luckier than we deserved to be.
All the best,
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Thanks Chuck. it hit me as I was reading your post, that you have watched me go through a lot in regards to the trains. Watching my last one get built, now this one. We should get together sometime, if my memeory serves me right, you are in southern AZ. Yeah, marraige is a tricky thing, no doubt about it. I thought I had a good deal, but alas, better things await.
In my old Kiva Valley, I had one place along the wall where I get to mess with some back ground buildings and I had some fun. I knew when I started this one, it would eb pretty much all background buildings. I think I am just about there, now I just have to finsh off the ones I have and get them all together. Do some detailing, etc. I have a loose idea that when I am done with those, I will make more that fit in the same foot print, allow me to change them out and to switch things up both in "looks" and also operational wise. I am hoping tpo pick up some kits for the the Walther's Modular building this weekend, see if I can get that farther along..
Good call on the Pine trees. I cant help think about Flagstaff. I admit, I do love them and I am sucker for the mountains. Since my Whitton Branch is line that runs off the Kiva Valley, which is in central Arizona, this line may now run a but farther north. Not sure how plausible it all is but when I get up in the morning and when I go to bed at night, I stare it. It makes me smile that is all that matters to me.
Thanks for the comments, good hearing from you.
Howdy everyone. Well, got another good update to bring to the masses. I guess to start, I want to wish everyone a Happy Father's Day. Mine has been good as my son has been hanging out with me all weekend. He tagged along with me to the train store for the first time in a loooong time. Felt so good.
(For those that dont know, My "son" has been my side kick and the reason I got into the train thing in the first place. I have been talking about him here and there for almost 6 years on this Forum. Techincally, he is my soon to be ex-wife's son from a previous marraige, I was only his step-dad. The real father has been out of the picture. Drugs, jail, dead beat parent type. I have been in his life since he turned 3 and he cosniders me his Dad. He has made it clear he wants to stay in my life.. and in turn, I have moved the world to keep him in my mine)
So, I have been busy with the Whitton Branch. Still working on the new buildings but they are coming along. Have had to order some more modular kits from Walthers to finish it off, I think I have everything now.
I also made the big jump and installed the road. Its a sticker kind, peel of and stick it down, made by Busch. Worked out very, very well. Really helped set off the layout. With it in place and set, I have been busy putting down some more scenery. With the introduction of the pine trees replacing my regular trees, I am leaning to more of a northen Arizona look. So I think I will be going back and "greening up" some more of the original scenery. I am diggin' it.
So here some more pics. Most of the work has been on the west end of the layout. The Modular building is coming along and the Walthers Heritage Furniture kit has been a great addition. Still have weathering and detail to do but the building is in to get the feel of it.
Thanks for looking and following along. I finally got a new camera, just haveto figure out how to get the pics off it and on the computer. Next weeks project. Happy Rails.
I love the railroad , it looks fantastic !!!
Mike
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon