Hi Mark,
The operating session looks like it was a lot of fun. Well done.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Mark,
Your monthly and annual updates were absolutely fantastic. Your ability to plan and carry out your layout plans are something we should all aspire to!
Don; Prez, CEO or whatever of the Wishram, Oregon and Western RR
Thanks Dave, tankertoad135!
10 July 2022
Since my last photo update of 14 June (wow! Nearly a month ago!) I've continued working on scenery between Casper and into the south end of Wind River Canyon.
I patched that cut-away spot above the rock face:
And went on to add some more rock castings. These will all be blended together with additional plaster, then stain and paints:
I continued brushing on a layer of hydrocal over the plaster cloth in the canyon, getting to this point on 18 June:
I can't go further right now because the plaster cloth that's still exposed is only one layer. I'll add a second layer when I get more cloth, then continue brushing on the hydrocal.
Wyoming has a lot of sagebrush, so it was about time I started to figure out how to make it. Going on a suggestion from someone on another forum, I bought a small block of florist foam ($1.99 at Hobby Lobby) and ground it up in a blender (orange juice is going to taste funny for awhile!):
I cut a tiny length of sisal twine, glued the threads together at the base, and dipped it into a Hunterline weathering solution to make the branches of the sagebrush:
Then I sprayed it with Super 77 adhesive and dipped it in the bag of ground up florist foam. The leaves were a bit glittery, so I sprayed the bush with Dullcote and propped it up on the layout to see how it looked. Pardon the slightly blurry look in the photo - the camera focused on the blue tape behind the sagebrush:
Not terrible I think, but there's room for improvement. It should look more like the sagebrush in the foreground here:
But hey, it's a start.
To get a sense of how much I need, here's a zoomed-out shot of the Powder River / Wind River Canyon section of the layout. The red circle is where that sagebrush is:
Boy, I need a whole more of this stuff!!!
The last week I've been focusing on coating the area between Casper and Shobon, including the Powder River siding area, with plaster in preparation for ground cover (and sagebrush):
The areas nearest the roundhouse are still wet. The color from one batch to the next doesn't match exactly, but this will all be covered with tile grout dirt, spotty prairie grass and other scattered foliage, plus lots (and lots and LOTS) of sagebrush, so the differences in the plaster colors shouldn't be noticeable.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Great update, Mark. I'm enjoying dropping in here from time to time and watching everything take shape.
Pruitt Boy, I need a whole more of this stuff!!!
I model southern CO, where sagebrush also abounds. I've tried a bunch of sagebrush techniques, and like the sisal rope (it's great for huge WY brush, I think I first saw it as an O scale technique.) The approach that has fit my needs best so far for smaller brush came from Rob Spangler-- as I remember it, he used 3M grey scrubbing pads that were cut up, pulled and teased apart to make the branch structure, then Super 77 and a sprinkle of the right sage-color ground foam. That might be a good way to make a lot of brush quickly, so you can get that vast expanse covered!
Phil
Thanks Phil!
I checked out Rob's approach to sagebrush. I'm going to give it a try.
19 July 2022
I just posted a video on how I added wifi to my layout:
PruittI just posted a video on how I added wifi to my layout:
That was a very interesting and well done video. Thank you.
I do have one small question. Why are the left and right marker lights on the caboose controlled separately? I have always assumed that both lights would show the same indication. Am I wrong?
Thanks,
Mark, thank you for convincing me to never add Wi-Fi on my iPhone to run my trains.
I should mention that I am a graduate of the Sheldon School of Model Railroading.
Rich
Alton Junction
hon30critterHi Mark, That was a very interesting and well done video. Thank you. I do have one small question. Why are the left and right marker lights on the caboose controlled separately? I have always assumed that both lights would show the same indication. Am I wrong? Thanks, Dave
Both markers do show the same indication. The Light It will only drive one LED per output, so it takes two outputs, which by default are functions 1 and 2. The outputs can be remapped to a different function number, but as far as I know both outputs cannot be mapped to the same function. So each marker is activated by a different function.
richhotrainMark, thank you for convincing me to never add Wi-Fi on my iPhone to run my trains.
Rich, I don't particularly like running trains with my phone either. But for less than the price of one radio throttle (Cab06er), I have the capability to connect four wireless throttles that are more reliable (in terms of reception and transmission) than the radio units. Pretty much everybody who might come over to operate will have a smart phone, so they're all carrying throttles in their pockets, whether they know it or not.
For the future I plan to purchase at least one of the TCS UWT-50's for use at home and at the club.
PruittBoth markers do show the same indication. The Light It will only drive one LED per output, so it takes two outputs, which by default are functions 1 and 2. The outputs can be remapped to a different function number, but as far as I know both outputs cannot be mapped to the same function. So each marker is activated by a different function.
I have to say that I find it a bit disappointing that the Light It can only handle a single LED per output. LEDs do not draw a lot of power so I will suggest politely that they need to up their game (no criticism of your use of the module intended).
In my cabooses I use a circuit designed by Mark R which delivers constant lighting to the marker lights as well as a light inside the conductor's cubicle. The lights are controlled by a magnetic latching reed switch.
Here is the wiring diagram:
The fact that the capacitor is rated lower than the track voltage doesn't matter, but you can use a higher voltage capacitor if you choose. The reed switch is optional. You could use a manual switch. In fact, finding the latching magnetic reed switches may prove to be rather difficult given the age of the technology.
I'm not suggesting that you change your methodology, but my option may prove interesting for some viewers.
Cheers!!
3 August 2022
I just uploaded my latest layout update video:
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Another interesting video! The pallet company looks good! I don't envy your having to make so much sage brush, but you have a great work ethic so I'm sure it won't take you long.
Thanks Bear, Dave! I was afraid the roof looked too garish. "Subtle" never crossed my mind.
7 August 2022
The past few days I've spent ripping two sheets of 3/4" plywood down to 3" wide strips (in a stiflingly hot garage!). and building most of the benchwork for the Worland / Greybull peninsula.
There's one small section left to add in the foreground, plus a couple more legs. Tomorrow, maybe.
I also have spent a couple hours adding static grass in a small area just west of Casper. This is only the first layer. Yet to coe are low bushes, weeds and sagebrush. Hopefully it get more realistic as I go.