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Viaduct Bridge Project

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  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, January 28, 2021 10:16 PM

Well there doesn't seem to be much interest in this thread.  But I need to clear the air before I kill it.

I've been taking my time on my model railroad for 3 years.  I do believe that it was 37 years from the last time I was involved in model railroading. 

Two years before I became a member on this Forum I was a lurker reading everything provided here and learning.  I gathered so much information through those years that it made me happy and excited to start the hobby again.  I thank you all.  I started another model railroad with the knowledge that I gained here.

There is so much of this hobby that I still don't know.  Probably about 70% of it.  With that I sit back, read, listen and learn.  I don't reply to most threads because I know little or nothing of the content.  When I'm knowledgeable on a subject I do Post when I know what I'm talking about.  A retired Master Carpenter, some things I do know about.  Other things with this hobby after a laps of 37 years I have no idea.

And that's what I thought this Forum was all about, sharing your knowledge you know about and learning from others that you don't.

I did learn on my own that the brick styrene sheets treated with India ink came to life 2-3 minutes after it looked like it was dry, rubbing a credit card across it and then taking 2000 grit sandpaper over it to create the different colors.

After that, rubbing your fingers over and over until they actually hurt the next morning enhanced the effect more schmoozing it all together.

 

Edit next paragraph deleted

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: Canada, eh?
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Posted by doctorwayne on Thursday, January 28, 2021 11:11 PM

Track fiddler
...It took me a while crawling around on the floor looking for that little triangular sliver to glue back on. It flew about 6 feet away.

...and now, if anybody's able to see it, it looks like a simple stress crack, rather than a slip of the blade.
I'm impressed by the combinations of curves that you've created, and it'll be interesting to see how the underside of those arches will be done.

I do like your touch with the brickwork, too. Thumbs UpThumbs Up

EDIT:

Track fiddler
Again I say that I think there's no interest in this thread. I respectfully ask Tom or Steve to Lock It.

Huh??  I very much doubt that I'm the only interested party following your progress, as we're already on page two.

Wayne

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Posted by Track fiddler on Thursday, January 28, 2021 11:46 PM

Thanks Wayne

I've always admired your work, especially that bridge of yoursStick out tongue  Always appreciated your exceptional talent.

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
  • 3,392 posts
Posted by Pruitt on Thursday, January 28, 2021 11:59 PM

Hey Track Fiddler, I know where you're coming from thinking there's no interest in the thread. Sometimes when I post an update to my layout thread, I'm thinking "boy, everyone's gonna have something to say about this!" And... crickets. For days!

But then I post some tiny little thing I think won't be of much interest, and there comes comment after comment! I've given up on trying to figure it out.

It is disheartening when you've put in a lot of time and effort, and then it seems like no one is interested. I don't post a lot of comments because most of the time it would be along the lines of "Yeah, what he said!" Maybe I should more often, even if it isn't something more than that.

I've been following your bridge build. It's looking really good! I especially like the way the brick coloration came out. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Lafaytte , Indiana
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Posted by energizer on Friday, January 29, 2021 12:15 AM

Track Fiddler don't close this up. I'm learning how you do your bridge so I can do mine.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 29, 2021 12:25 AM

Thank you Mark

I was just getting ready to hit the rack and saw your post.

I really appreciate your words.  You seem to have a way with them as that's exactly the way I thought.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
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Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, January 29, 2021 12:35 AM

Track fiddler
Again I say that I don't think there's much interest in this thread. 

Gidday Mr.TF, you’re not the first person that I’ve given this reply, “Just look at the thread count!”
 
2380 views ain’t chicken feed. Believe it or not I actually look far more than I comment. The Bear is not a Cheerleader for obvious reasons, if you ever got to see him!!Ick!
 
Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 29, 2021 12:37 AM

energizer

Track Fiddler don't close this up. I'm learning how you do your bridge so I can do mine.

 

 

Ya melted my heart Energizer.  

I can tell your good people.  Don't worry, I just had a ruffle in my day or something.  I will be back tomorrow.

It would be my pleasure to answer any question you or anyone hasWink

 

Nighty Night Kids  It's about an hour and a half past my rack timeIndifferent

 

 

 

TF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 29, 2021 12:51 AM

Thanks Bear.  You always crack me up but on the serious side I read you loud and clear.

And now I really have to hit the rack!  We are gaining on the 1 A.M. hereLaugh

 

Thank you everyone.  Sleep well tonight and I will see you tomorrow.

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, January 29, 2021 7:48 AM

Come on TF!  Keep it going!  Look at all the views you have!  Many of us keep coming back, even if we don't reply.

Anyone on here that likes bridges and scratch building are watching! 

Mike.

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Friday, January 29, 2021 8:45 AM

I agree with Mike.  Keep us posted TF.

 

I was on a Forum in the UK and like you I wasn't getting any response when I posted.    I stopped posting and a couple of months later I found out that people were asking of me.

 

There are people on here admiring your work and want to see more.

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 29, 2021 12:30 PM

Good afternoon

Thanks for all the supportSmile, Wink & Grin

Started the stencils for my inner arch panels this morning.  Regular paper was way too flimsy.  I had to call Judy at work to find out where the construction paper was.

Years ago she worked as a team leader at Saint Michael's Church at the daycare.  I volunteered my time to go in every Friday for a couple hours as the art teacher.  The kids loved it and so did I.  I knew I had some of that construction paper left over from then.

Sometimes geometry is really a trip.  I was surprised to see the S curve when I took the stencil off the bridge.  Hope that doesn't derail any of my trainsLaugh

Now I just need to remove them and trace them on to the brick styrene sheets.

 

Thanks for looking

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Friday, January 29, 2021 1:04 PM

Great idea with the stencils. Yes

Mike.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 29, 2021 3:24 PM

Good evening

Thanks Mike  Thanks DavidYes

I seem to be having a serious geometrical discrepancy.  I don't think I've ever said anything like that before in my lifeLaugh

Do you see it.  # 1 especially,  #2 don't look so good either.  #3 & 4  are longer than the width of the sheet so they have to be split.  That ain't the problem.  It's number 1 & 2 that are the problem.  They have opposing angles on the bridge and the geometry does what it wants.

I just learned bricklayers would fudge their mortar joints just a little bit so everything would come out in the end.  I've heard of this before but I've never seen it.  Now I have! SadLaugh  I don't have the luxury of fudging joints with pre-made styrene sheets.

I don't have enough material here and will have to order some more.

Number one and two will have to be split in the center the same as number 3 and 4 so you don't see the discrepancy of the crooked brick line.

Hope my product for a color match holds out that long until the delivery gets here

 

 

 

IndifferentTF

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 29, 2021 4:51 PM

Well,  I have mentioned it here before and I'm sure some of you remember common sense is not one of my strongest suits.

It dawned on me I could split the stencils down the center instead of the styrene.  I guess I do have enough material here after all.

The Crooked lines on the end of the brick patterns will be hidden under the top center of the arches. 

Unless any of you have a head the size of a golf ball to look, nobody will ever see itLaughSmile

 

HappySmile, Wink & Grin

 

 

 

TF

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Friday, January 29, 2021 6:08 PM

And I also have a little Sheen problem.. Do you see the glare in the camera pictures.

I would not recommend Krylon matte clear finish to anyone.  They might as well have called it gloss.

When I'm finished I will spray the bridge with testors dullcote.  Unless any of you have a better product suggestion.

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    February 2001
  • From: Wyoming, where men are men, and sheep are nervous!
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Posted by Pruitt on Friday, January 29, 2021 10:21 PM

Track fiddler
Unless any of you have a head the size of a golf ball to look, nobody will ever see it

Ya know, there are cameras smaller than golf balls these days...Clown

Just sayin

  • Member since
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Posted by energizer on Saturday, January 30, 2021 1:27 AM

I could be wrong. How about a black wash to look like soot. would that get the shine off? Just thinking.

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Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:04 AM

Looking good TF.

You were looking for a place to get away for a while.  I found this on my face book this morning, looks pretty cool, and does the social distance thing with individual cabins.

http://palmquistfarm.com/index.html

I remember you said your PM doesn't work, so that's why I posted this here.  This place is just up the road from a CN branch line.

Mike.

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, January 30, 2021 7:33 PM

Mark. 

Thanks for letting me know they have cameras smaller than a golf ball.  Now that you made me aware of that I will not be buying one of thoseLaughWink

I would hate to take pictures of defective modeling tactics.  I will always know they are there but no one else needs to.

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, January 30, 2021 7:36 PM

Energizer.

Your advice had been given to me in the past.  Interesting you brought this up.  On my grain elevator project someone advised me to do gray washes to get rid of the sheen and extreme vibrancy of green.  And it did work.

I will be doing experiments with your suggestionYes

 

Thanks

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, January 30, 2021 7:42 PM

Mike

I thank you for the compliment and the information on the get-away in Wisconsin.  I am sitting down with Judy right now going over it.

She is all excited and I'm saying hold on Nellie, we will check this outLaugh

 

Thanks MikeYes  

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:04 PM

When I seen it pop up on my Face Book, I immediately thought of you and Judy, looking for a get-away.  

Mike.

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:12 PM

You know,  I just have to say it's nice to know I have friends that I have never even met looking out for me more than some of the friends that I do know in my every day life.

 

Thanks again MikeYes

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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Posted by Track fiddler on Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:24 PM

Well

Judy just got done thoroughly looking over the site.  It isn't too far from her sister's and my brother-in-law's place.  Now she's excited!  She's going to get on the phone tomorrow to try and arrange everything to put this thing together.

Cha-ching cha-ching cha-ching! Laugh  I don't really care how much it costs.  I'm very hopeful she can put it all together because I would love a vacation with familyYes  There has never been a time we didn't all have a great time togetherStick out tongue

 

You really stirred the pot over here MikeYesLaugh

 

 

 

TF

 

  • Member since
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  • From: SE. WI.
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Posted by mbinsewi on Sunday, January 31, 2021 8:09 AM

PLUS!  CN runs a daily train on the tracks just a stones throw south of this place.  It's L584, runs from Bradly to Prentice and sometimes up to Park Falls.

WB train through where your going to be is somewhere around 9:00 and 10:00 am , the EB about 2:00 pm, unless it goes to Park Falls, it would be a little later.

Hope it all works out!  Yes

I think I took your thread Off Topic   Laugh  Oh well, you'll have that!

Mike.

 

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Posted by Track fiddler on Sunday, January 31, 2021 8:29 AM

But it's good off topic MikeLaughYes  And not too off topic with the CN train schedules in Wisconsin and all.  Maybe not so far off topic after all.  A modeler could use some R&R and time to think for inspiration for his modeling projectLaugh

I'll probably need it.  This hasn't been the easiest build.  Perhaps this afternoon when I get up off the couch I can get the arch panels installed to re-rail things a bitWink

 

Thanks MikeYes

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
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Posted by Overmod on Sunday, January 31, 2021 11:04 AM

Track fiddler
Do you see it.  # 1 especially,  #2 don't look so good either ...  They have opposing angles on the bridge and the geometry does what it wants. I just learned bricklayers would fudge their mortar joints just a little bit so everything would come out in the end.  I've heard of this before but I've never seen it.  Now I have!   I don't have the luxury of fudging joints with pre-made styrene sheets.

You don't fudge joints in structural brick... but you DO organize it so the TOP of the panel aligns with the courses... and at the bottom you build a footing, probably in 'concrete' or larger coursed stone, down to the 'ground' level.  (Or step it to match partial brick courses...)

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Posted by dew3896 on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 12:39 PM

TF - I just found your thread and am enjoying it very much.  I'm considering building a viaduct bridge and your experiences and techniques are very helpful and informative.  Please keep posting.

DEW

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Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 12:47 PM

Thank you DEWYes

I anticipate I will get back to it when Judy goes back to w**k.  When she isn't at home anymore, that's when I usually pick my projects back up againYes

 

 

 

TF

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