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Georgetown & Allen Mountain Railroad 5.0

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  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 31, 2017 10:53 AM

michaelrose55

 

 
richhotrain

What's the radius of that curve?

Rich

 

 

 

That curve has my minimum radius for tunnel track which is 15" (381 mm).

 

Are you running N scale?

 

Alton Junction

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    December 2010
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Posted by michaelrose55 on Thursday, August 31, 2017 7:52 AM

richhotrain

What's the radius of that curve?

Rich

 

That curve has my minimum radius for tunnel track which is 15" (381 mm).

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, August 31, 2017 3:50 AM

What's the radius of that curve?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 4:57 PM

Here comes the Barnesville passenger station:

 

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 8:54 AM

I'm using Atlas C55 and yes, I am using low profile metal wheels on everything.

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    December 2016
  • 231 posts
Posted by TrainzLuvr on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 8:34 AM

Are you using Atlas, ME or PECO c55 track/turnouts?

I also presume you've replaced all your wheels with low profile ones?

Thanks!

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 7:48 AM

Typical mistakes in N scale?

- using code 80 rail

- using tight curves

- using short turnouts

- spacing track centers too far apart

- using compressed structures

Many people think because N is so much smaller they should cram so much more railroad into that space. They use tight curves because it's possible. Looks terrible.

My minimum visible radius is 800mm which would be fine for H0! I use 27mm track spacing which looks prototypical. I use code 55 rail (would love to use code 40 but there's too much involved). My structures have close to real world dimensions.

In general I use big scenes with not too much railroad in them to get a feel of the real thing.

And no, I won't be able to help you build yours Big Smile!

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  • 231 posts
Posted by TrainzLuvr on Wednesday, August 30, 2017 6:59 AM

michaelrose55
N scale these days can look as good as H0. If you are careful and avoid the typical mistakes at least...Big Smile

What are these "typical" mistakes to avoid?

Also, next week when you finish your layout, could you come over and build mine, too? Big Smile

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 4:48 PM

In preparation for the next (and last!) batch of new roadbed I have cleaned the area where Barnesville and the Barnesville yard will come to life, starting tomorrow. 

 

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 4:48 PM

Randy,

N scale these days can look as good as H0. If you are careful and avoid the typical mistakes at least...Big Smile

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, August 28, 2017 12:40 PM

 I was going to mention the same sort of thing - in the pictures from Sunday with the track just stretching out, it could have been any scale (naturally I thought it looked like HO). The track doesn't have that old N scale giveaway of really tall rail, and there's nothing in those picture to give a sense of scale. That's quite an accomplishment that the scale is not readily discernable without some external object for reference.

                          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2010
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Posted by michaelrose55 on Monday, August 28, 2017 8:06 AM

I have given the abutments another wash with the alcohol/india ink mix, then applied zip texture as mortar, and sealed everything with thinned white glue.

 

 

A member of another forum mentioned that he has problems imagining the size of all this because it's N scale so I promised I would add my thumb to my next post to put it all in perspective...

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Sunday, August 27, 2017 10:08 AM

I've added four layers of paint:

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Saturday, August 26, 2017 4:39 PM

Adding a bit of texture:

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Saturday, August 26, 2017 10:51 AM

I spent the morning designing & building bridge abutments:

 

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Saturday, August 26, 2017 10:50 AM

rrinker

 Hmm, since your software should allow you to alter the pattern easily enough, you should come up with a reason to make one of the stone bridges a 'skew' bridge. Like this one 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skew_Arch_Bridge_(Reading,_Pennsylvania)

Simply because they look neat and interesting. And because you have a laser cutter that can engrave the pattern pretty easily.

                      --Randy

 

 

That's not a bad idea, certainly looks different!

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Thursday, August 24, 2017 7:49 PM

 Hmm, since your software should allow you to alter the pattern easily enough, you should come up with a reason to make one of the stone bridges a 'skew' bridge. Like this one 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skew_Arch_Bridge_(Reading,_Pennsylvania)

Simply because they look neat and interesting. And because you have a laser cutter that can engrave the pattern pretty easily.

                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • 967 posts
Posted by michaelrose55 on Thursday, August 24, 2017 2:18 PM

I'm making bridges again:

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 10:22 AM

When Con-Cor released the M-10000 in 2009 we had just moved from Germany back to the US and I was in the planning stage of the first G&AM. At this time I had no idea what kind of motive power I would end up with and so I completely missed this magnificent train. Later when became aware of the model they were sold out everywhere.

Two weeks ago Con-Cor sent me an email about several trade show samples of trains and passenger cars that they tested and were offering at a reduced price. I instantly ordered the M-10000 Big Smile.

Today it arrived and it looks as good as new. I will have to find a dcc decoder to plug in and then it can run in passenger service on the G&AM!

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 6:12 PM

TrainzLuvr

I think he meant white coats and a "suit with straps" :D

 

Yessssss!

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Posted by TrainzLuvr on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 6:06 PM

I think he meant white coats and a "suit with straps" :D

  • Member since
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  • From: Reading, PA
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Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 5:48 PM

 Professional help? I think even a fast working professional like Pelle Soeberg would just slow you down. Laugh

                           --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 231 posts
Posted by TrainzLuvr on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 5:24 PM

There must be something in the water you are drinking that's giving you the energy and drive to accomplish all these things so fast.

So next time you are at the tap getting a glass, please bottle some and send over! :)

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 5:16 PM

The sky is all blue and the roadbed has reached the very end of the benchwork:

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 12:22 PM

During my lunch break I couldn't resist cutting the subroadbed and installing the bridge. Maybe I need professional help...?

 

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 8:27 AM

I came in early this morning and gave the background a coat of blue paint. That can dry now while I'm at work...

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Monday, August 21, 2017 5:24 PM

The bridge is almost completely dry after getting the mortar lines filled and sealed this morning.

 

 

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Monday, August 21, 2017 4:27 PM

I sanded the background and put on the first coat of primer:

 

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Monday, August 21, 2017 7:34 AM

@Rich, @Randy: Somebody around here HAS to set a benchmark...Wink

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Posted by michaelrose55 on Monday, August 21, 2017 7:32 AM

hon30critter

 

 
michaelrose55
Tomorrow there will be another wash with alcohol & india ink, then I will fill the mortar lines.

 

Michael:

Do you really need to fill the mortar lines? I think it looks great just the way it is. To me it suggests a structure that has been exposed to pollution for many years. I can hardly see the seams, and I can't tell how deep the mortar lines actually are so if they are too deep I guess you are obliged to fill them.

My 2 Cents

Great work by the way!

Dave

 

Dave,

I make the mortar lines pretty deep because I really like to fill them. I use a mix of plaster and dry paint pigments as mortar which looks pretty much like the real thing. In my opinion it improves the looks of any wall.

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