Outstanding work. I think the whole helix structure shows excellent craftsmanship.
While you still can, though, think about hiding those Atlas switch machines. It's a bit tricky, but you can glue them to the underside of the turnouts themselves and mount them in the roadbed. I really wish I'd done that before I ballasted a lot of my track. They just don't look right anymore. Also, you can get small SPDT momentary contact toggle switches, electrically equivalent to the Atlas buttons, for about 75 cents a piece. The Atlas buttons have a poor reliability record. Worst case, they sometimes stick on the down position, and if you don't notice it pretty quickly you'll have a fried switch machine.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley wrote: Outstanding work. I think the whole helix structure shows excellent craftsmanship. While you still can, though, think about hiding those Atlas switch machines. It's a bit tricky, but you can glue them to the underside of the turnouts themselves and mount them in the roadbed. I really wish I'd done that before I ballasted a lot of my track. They just don't look right anymore. Also, you can get small SPDT momentary contact toggle switches, electrically equivalent to the Atlas buttons, for about 75 cents a piece. The Atlas buttons have a poor reliability record. Worst case, they sometimes stick on the down position, and if you don't notice it pretty quickly you'll have a fried switch machine.
Thanks for the comments. Doing the climbing loops (helix) was a lot of fun and kinda like weaving a basket to fit a mental design. I sure will need a lot of tunnel portals.
I decided that the atlas switches (due to cost) were acceptable to me; even though others would look better. They are mounted on plywood without cork. I am not going to cut the plywood to try and hide the switch machines.
I do plan on using control panels with momentary toggle switches and LED status lights. This will happen sometime in the future. That is why the control panels are just printouts instead of nicely laminated and colored stock. I now have two fried switch machines from leaning on them while working on the layout (I now turn off power to them when working on scenery).
A build-it-yourself capacitive discharge circuit will help protect your switch machines, even with those control buttons. It was my first "electronics" project for my layout, and it works like a charm. The CD circuit stores a big charge and then releases it all at once when you push the button. After that, though, the voltage rapidly drops off as the circuit recharges itself, and the current available to otherwise melt your switch machine is restricted by the circuit.
You might try mounting the switch machines upside-down. This will flatten the top and make it easier to disguise. Yes, you will lose the ability to operate them manually, but it looks like you're already committed to electric controls anyway. All my turnouts are wired, and I almost always use the control panel, even if the turnout is right in front of me. (I just don't like the "big hand from the sky" approach. I like magnets for uncoupling, too.)
I bought one plaster tunnel portal and a jar of Woodland Scenics latex rubber. I made a mold from the portal, and now I cast my own portals as needed from Hydrocal. I like the way Hydrocal castings take paint and India Ink weathering for stone portals, rock walls and the like.
MisterBeasley wrote: A build-it-yourself capacitive discharge circuit will help protect your switch machines, even with those control buttons. It was my first "electronics" project for my layout, and it works like a charm. The CD circuit stores a big charge and then releases it all at once when you push the button. After that, though, the voltage rapidly drops off as the circuit recharges itself, and the current available to otherwise melt your switch machine is restricted by the circuit. You might try mounting the switch machines upside-down. This will flatten the top and make it easier to disguise. Yes, you will lose the ability to operate them manually, but it looks like you're already committed to electric controls anyway. All my turnouts are wired, and I almost always use the control panel, even if the turnout is right in front of me. (I just don't like the "big hand from the sky" approach. I like magnets for uncoupling, too.) I bought one plaster tunnel portal and a jar of Woodland Scenics latex rubber. I made a mold from the portal, and now I cast my own portals as needed from Hydrocal. I like the way Hydrocal castings take paint and India Ink weathering for stone portals, rock walls and the like.
I have thought about building a capacitive discharge circuit ; any recommendations on a "quick and simple" circuit.
The switch machines will be painted and have some scrub brush planted on them; this tends to reduce visibility somewhat. I use the control panel to switch; not my hands. I am doing everything that I can to operate without any hands (except for the handheld DCC control unit). I emptied the shelves at Caboose Hobbies twice on magnets !
I have one portal left over from the prior layout that I designed around a rock formation; I am going to make more of them. I bought one of the Woodland stone portals to see if it would fit in and it seems that I will have to cut it down (width wise) to use it. I bought a jar of latex to make some new molds.
I use hydrocal and have about 40 pounds left over from 13 years ago. It has been kept dry and is working great; so I am in good shape there.
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
Weekly update:
Since all of the track is in, and working well, I am spending a fair amout of time actually operating instead of building an empire. Still finding minor problems with old rolling stock (sticky couplers, etc,).
I did get started on general forming of one of the mountains. Basic hardshell is in about 1/3 of the front mountain to define the general shape and where tunnel portals will be needed. Boy, I am going to need a lot of portals!
Here is a shot of #6 with a short passenger train comming out of the first tunnel on the lower level running loop.
Weekly up date:
Work on the mountains continues. Two bridges (of three) have been installed and more plaster work done.
This is the "inside" side of the first mountain (shown last week):
This is a continuation of the front mountain, showing the bridges connecting to the back (or large) mountain:
This is the other end of the mountain range; part still is just screen (no plaster yet):
I have cropped off the tops of the mountains to appease the "clutter police".
Next update in a week !
It has been a little slow around here for a couple of days; here is a mid week report:
Most of the lower levels of both mountains now have basic shape (in hard shell). Today, I got started on the area where the two mountains meet. The two lower bridges have been in for a week; however, the upper bridge actually needs mountain to rest on. Getting the upper bridge in is my next task.
This photo shows the start of the junction of the two mountains and gives a general idea of how the bridges function.
More later - thanks for looking and your comments.
The major push for this week was to get the bridges in. Some work was also done on forming the back mountain (the front mountain has not changed in a couple of weeks. I also ran a feeder to the continuous run loop at the lower level of the mountains; this had been powered from the same feeders as the mountain loops. I made a lot of operations runs between Hardspot and Arock; and had to correct a couple of clearance problems with the new mountain work.
As it stands now:
Back side of front mountain:
The three bridges connecting the mountains:
And the back mountain:
I now have to work on the top levels of the two mountains and the community (silver mine) of Between that sits on top of the back mountain. This may take a few weeks as I have to build some shelving to hold the "stuff" stored on the back wall before I can build a mountain top.
More weekly updates to follow. Thanks for looking and your comments.
Here is the latest installment:
I got a new 4-4-0; so I spent most of my time playing with it and with operating instead of building. I wrote a mini-review of the 4-4-0 (posted on the general discussion forum) at:
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/915137/ShowPost.aspx
I did some routine "corrections" or modifications to the mountain work. I did get some color on the white plaster mountains (boy that was a lot of white to stare at). Current status is:
The new 4-4-0 (to be #10) took over the passenger route and demoted the old 4-4-0 (#4) to hauling loads of ore and empty hoppers.
Old #7 (shay) got relieved of the ore car loads and went back to MOW service. Of course, MOW work right now is plaster and painting - such an easy life.
Another update next week. Any comments?
I almost did not post an update as I did not think that I got much done; however, I changed my mind.
I built and installed a capacitive discharge system to flip my turnouts.
I built three 2-shelf storage units ( 2' h x 4' wide) for under-the-layout storage and cleared off the back wall (over Between) so that I could continue my mountain building.
I got color on most of the mountains, to keep from staring at all that white plaster.
I painted (sky blue only) the last 3' section of lower level backdrop and installed it.
I installed and painted (sky blue only) 20' of upper level backdrop.
Arock over Hardspot:
Lead-ins to Arock and Hardspot:
Bridges with new 4-4-0 headed up with ore cars (shows mountain color progress):
ereimer wrote:excellent progress !it's nice to see the new roundhouse 4-4-0 running up your mountains , it looks right at home keep up the work and the photos
I spent a lot of time running the new 4-4-0 up and down the mountain with 2% S curves.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
Alan,
I am enjoyng your progress photos. Keep up the good work!
The mind is like a parachute. It works better when it's open. www.stremy.net
jxtrrx wrote: Alan, I am enjoyng your progress photos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks ! - Here is the weekly update:
I added backdrop (yet to be painted) to the right side of the room back end:
and the left side and around to the back wall (again un painted) so that I can build the mountain top at Between.
I got all of Arock and most of the lead-in to Arock done with basic landscape (no detail or clouds yet). None of the structures are glued down yet; they are just sitting on the ground. Here is Arock over Hardspot.
A few close ups:
The mine end of Arock:
The entrance to Arock:
And an extra bonus: The new scale is weighing a ore car load for the trip down to Hardspot.
Thanks for looking.
No responses to last week's report to comment on.
I got the added backdrop painted sky blue.
I am almost through building 4 more ore car kits.
I added about 6 feet of rock "wall" along the Arock lead-in (from the weight station to the back wall.
I am "playing with" the shape of the top of the back mountain. I have decided to have the train approaching Arock to come "around" the mountain instead of emerging from a tunnel portal. The basic shape is mocked up in the following photo's with paper towels and masking tape on sticks. As usual, lately, I have been doing a lot of operating and debugging of areas about to get scenery.
Here is a train "coming around the mountain":
Here is a train of incoming empty ore cars pulled by the new 4-4-0 past the new scale and past the waiting MOW Shay.
Any comments this week? Thanks for looking.
NeO6874 wrote: Your layout is looking more and more like a real world. Its coming along great! I can't wait for the next installment of pics!
Thanks ! The wait is over - here is the weekly update !
It has been another busy week, with a lot accomplished.
I spent $100 on lighting supplies and got under fascia lights in the upper fascia (7 25 watt bulbs on a dimmer); and track lights to light the upper levels.
I have had one yard lead with a 15" radius curve in the lead-in. It worked great on all of my old engines and the easy-to-modify P2k 0-6-0's. However the new Roundhouse 4-4-0 simply would not handle the small radius. I like the yard arrangement and did not want to basically change it (plus all of the basic scenery was already in). I finally deleted the first turn-out in the yard and replaced the lead-in with two lead-ins. One to the original entrance and the other to the end of my caboose storage track (also my programming track). I was able to get a 22" radius and a 18" radius lead-ins to the yard. Operations is really not affected; and the 4-4-0 now can use either lead-in to the yard. You can barely see where the old yard lead-in was in the following picture. Damage to the scenery is minimal.
I also got started on the top of the back mountain. Here is the left side:
And the center section:
This back mountain starts at 30" from the floor (level of continuous run loop) and ends up 7' tall, 6 1/2' wide and 4' deep. It will be another week or two until I "finish" the right side of the mountain top. Here is a picture of the "whole" mountain with the 4-4-0 headed down with the "daily" passenger train.
Thanks for looking. comments ?
WOW amazing work
With that many tunnels you could keep a whole herd of Hamsters happy
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
WOW amazing work With that many tunnels you could keep a whole herd of Hamsters happy
Thanks. No hamsters; however, the tunnel vore/portal crew will be happy to have all that work.
gottaBreal wrote:Great work sir looking swell
Thank you - here is the weekly update:
I got a lot of mountain work done. What I expected to take two weeks, I did this week. the reason is that I got a contract for some furniture/cabinetry work that will support my railroad hobby for another year. Layout work will slow down for the next couple of months.
I got the new yard lead ins scenic-ed (is this a word) and ballasted. I got the right side of the back mountain done with some base color. Next step is the bottom left side of the mountain (between the two shelf levels).
The added mountain section (in white):
The whole mountain with the 4-4-0 headed down with a load of ore from the mines:
The mine at Between as it looks now:
Comments ?
Excellent progress shots Alan, great to see a RR developing before my eyes with such great results.
BTW, congrats on the new contract, great news for funding, bad news for free time, aint that always the way? Its either money or time you have plenty of, personally I would like them to coincide more often
Glad to see someone making good progress, I guess my time will come, keep up the good 'work'.
Have fun & be safe,Karl.
ukguy wrote: Excellent progress shots Alan, great to see a RR developing before my eyes with such great results. BTW, congrats on the new contract, great news for funding, bad news for free time, aint that always the way? Its either money or time you have plenty of, personally I would like them to coincide more often Glad to see someone making good progress, I guess my time will come, keep up the good 'work'. Have fun & be safe,Karl.
Thanks !
I "retired" from making a living building furniture and kitchen/bath remodel work. I intend to do a couple of furniture or furniture quality cabinet jobs a year to keep the cigarette/train fund solvent; so this is not a real setback. No large commercial shop; however my home shop is complete and adequate for this type of work.
Progress comes from devotion to getting it done. The more time that you have, the faster it goes. I am "lucky" in that I can now schedule my time to do what I think needs to be done.
Loco wrote:Very cool to view.I can understand your wanting to run them Loco's.
Running loco's is about all that I have done to the layout that is visible. I have been finding and fixing nits all week.
The BAH R.R. had ordered 8 new ore cars. Four of the kits are now complete. Photo below is delivery of the first four ore cars (Tichy 22' kits):
Old #4 ( 16 yr old cheap 4-4-0) died and had to be replaced with something. I decided to try the Bachmann Spectrum line; not entirely happy with the value though. I got the small wheel 4-6-0 (found one unlettered), put in a Lenz controller and it runs. After about a 15 hour break-in it smoothed out. It does not have very good low speed performance; I can switch with it, but it is somewhat of a pain.
Here is the front view:
and the rear view:
It was intended to do duty hauling ore cars up and down the mountain and to do "duty" running on the continuous run loop, which is the connection to "the outside world". It does OK; however I am spoiled by the great performance of the two P2k 0-6-0's that look great, run great, and sound great. I am probably not going to add sound the the 4-6-0, even though poor sound is better than no sound (at least to me). If the construction of this spectrum is what I have to look forward to with the soon-to-be-released Spectrum 4-4-0; I will end up with another Roundhouse 4-4-0. Here is a picture of the 4-6-0 leaving Hardspot with a load of empty ore cars for the Arock mines.
Thanks for looking. Comments ?
This has not been a good week. My Roundhouse 4-4-0 died (dead short across the engine) and had to be replaced. Caboose Hobbies did swap it out for me, even though it was 50 days old. I did get started on building two more ore car kits.
I got the new 4-6-0 badged for the BAH RR.
This is the replacement for the old 4-4-0. It will remain as D & RGW and pull a D & RGW passenger consist and act as the interface with the outside world.
I bought another Roundhouse 4-4-0 that will end up re-badged as BAH # 10:
I did get a few non-visible nits picked on the layout. Since I now have to work for a few weeks; I will probably not do another update for a couple of weeks.
Thanks for looking. Any Comments?
Not a lot to add for the past week's activity. I did a fair amount of operating. I fixed a few nits in the existing track-work.
I broke down and got a DCC system for my work bench. I got the Digitrax Zephyr and a LocoBuffer-USB so that I could hook up my laptop computer for programming purposes. The Zephyr turned out to be finicky reading some of my standard decoders so I had to figure out that it was load sensitive and add a 1.2k resistor (switchable in and out - across the track) to the programming track to make it work.
When I bought my Prodigy Advance for the layout; I went in planning on buying a Zephyr. After playing with the Zephyr on the work bench; I am glad that I got the Prodigy Advance for the layout. The PA fits my layout and style of operating much, much better. They are both good systems.
Here is a photo of part of the work bench. I have a 4' track on the front edge of the shelf which doubles as an operating track and a programming track by using toggle switches (one for track usage, and one to switch the 1.2k resistor across the track when needed). Shown is the laptop reading all of the CV's for one decoder. Decoder Pro really works well; however, the process is slow (not the computer, the process).
Thanks again for looking.
BUMP
Since I am working (for a change); there is not a lot of progress.
I have been operating for an hour or two per day, and fixing small things as I go. Nothing photo wise on the layout, I got a new switch tower for Arock, now I need one for Hardspot. It is just sitting on top of the ground and has not been weathered yet, still shiny plastic.
The main event is that my Tsunami came in for the 4-6-0. The tender is so small that there is no room for the Tsunami (boy is it large) and a speaker. I removed the coal load and mounted the speaker on top of the tender deck and will make a new coal load to cover it. I also added a rear light to the tender. I am not impressed with the sound on the Light Steam Tsunami. The whistle(s) are weak, the bell (at it's fastest rate -1) is a little too slow, I can only get three chuffs per driver revolution not four, and the overall volume seems low (even with a larger speaker). sound quality is good and the motor control is great. The once balky at low speed engine will now idle up the side of the mountain and speed steps work great. The Tsunami was worth the price just for the motor control and should sound better when I get the coal load installed (to direct the sound somewhat). It was a joy to program, on the bench, with Decoder pro; and on the layout with my Prodigy Advance.
I will report as new information becomes available (i.e., when I can get away from work enough to get something done to show).
Here is a picture of the 4-6-0 still needing the new coal load and some paint touchup:
Thanks for looking in.
ARTHILL wrote:I love the scope. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks - sharing is the reason most of us are here !
Not a lot to show for the past week. I am making tunel portal linings using the Woodland Scenics mold and and using Sculptamold for the first time ( almost forgot what paper mache' was). I am adding color to the water and things seem to be going OK at about 3 lining halfs per day (I need 17 complete portals).
I am building a kit switching tower (Atlas, it was cheap). I am documenting the process in the hope that it will help answer some of the questions that keep popping up here. It may take several weeks of 15 minutes-at-a-time sessions before I can try and put something together. This is a sample photo:
Other than that; some operating and actual income producing work.
Christmas update.
Still not a lot of photographical progress here; a lot of operating though.
I bought two switching towers; one assembled and one kit. The assembled one, un-weathered, just sits on the ground at Arock (will be planted after weathering). Here # 11 waits with a load of ore cars bound for Hardspot while the tower operator tries to figure out which level to use for connection to the outgoing track.
I have made a lot of tunnel liners; though not enough yet. I have 17 tunnel portals to line and make/install portals. The Woodland scenics liner mold works well with suclptamold though. Here is # 11 with the new coal load and rear light entering one tunnel with a liner just sitting there (for testing).
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all !
the reason that the volume on your tsunami ma not be very loud could be lack of a baffle. The one I know I had a problem with (not with my tsunami but my other soundtraxx loco) was that I had a small speaker (3/4") with no baffle (no echo chamber). This was for a shay. it made the sound so weak I could barely hear it at all. I had to go back in and seal the tender part so that no air could move in and out of the coal tender in order to have a baffle. It was much louder after that.
Also for the chuff rate have you considered using a cam on the axle? The Tsunami includes a feature for this. This is what i use to control the chuff rate on my loco allowing the chuff to match perfectly with the cylinders.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Renegade1c wrote: the reason that the volume on your tsunami ma not be very loud could be lack of a baffle. The one I know I had a problem with (not with my tsunami but my other soundtraxx loco) was that I had a small speaker (3/4") with no baffle (no echo chamber). This was for a shay. it made the sound so weak I could barely hear it at all. I had to go back in and seal the tender part so that no air could move in and out of the coal tender in order to have a baffle. It was much louder after that. Also for the chuff rate have you considered using a cam on the axle? The Tsunami includes a feature for this. This is what i use to control the chuff rate on my loco allowing the chuff to match perfectly with the cylinders.
The tender shell is sealed up and is the baffle/enclosure for the speaker. I did my initial testing with a soundtrax speaker in a soundtrax enclosure. I just got the high boiler 4-6-0 and put an oval speaker in it with the same volume level as the low boiler version. The volume level is acceptable; however it is not as loud as my MRC and QSI equipped engines. I have the Tsunami turned up to max on the whistle and turned way down on the MRC (set at 0 of 0-4) and QSI (set at 45/127) units. Except for the whistle, all sound levels are run at 1/2 to 3/4 volume on the Tsunami.
I did not want to mess with a cam for chuff rate. I just expected a wider chuff rate to be available in the Tsunami. At max rate it just hits 4 chuffs per wheel rev with the large driver version of the Bachmann 4-6-0. Above crawl speed; you can not tell that the chuff rate is slightly low (for all that I know, it is dead on at higher speeds).
I will put more information in my next project update as I just got the high boiler version of the 4-6-0 this week.
End of year update.
Not a lot done this last week on the layout; however I added one new engine with Tsunami to the fleet (Christmas gift + some of my train fund money). It is the high boiler Bachmann 4-6-0 (I bought the low boiler version about a month ago). The tender in the high boiler version is huge compared to the low boiler version. I did not need a shoe horn to install the Tsunami decoder and the original coal load even worked.
The two newest engines from the top (to show speaker installations):
The two engines together:
And finally, the new engine properly badged (flash makes the flat coat look bad - can't tell the difference in normal viewing):
The woodworking project is expected to end this month; and then back to the layout full time. 2007 shows promise for getting a lot done in "completing" the layout.
Canondale61 wrote:Great job All the snow you have gotten makes for lots of hobby time. Your mountain scenes are extremly realistic. Have you thought of makng any snow for the mountains?
I have lots of hobby time, all of the time, as I am semi-retired and work out of my home. The current project was scheduled at 20 hrs per week and will end late this month.
I have considered some snow on the peaks of the back mountain (the one that goes to the ceiling). I will make the final decision when it comes to detail time. I will not add any snow to tracked areas though.
It's been great watching the progress of your layout. Keep the photos coming.
John
jjbmish wrote: It's been great watching the progress of your layout. Keep the photos coming. John
Due to working on a furniture project; progress is slowed way down. I will be back to the layout full time around the end of this month though.
Based on questions about consisting, I tried consisting with my Prodigy Advance system. I used the two Tsunami equipped 4-6-0's even though they were not speed matched and it worked great with no problems or even having to use the instruction manual. Today, I speed matched the two engines (reduced the speed curve of the High boiler unit to match the speed of the Low Boiler unit) and ran the consist part way up the mountain. It really worked great. I don't have any real use for consist; however, it is nice to know that it actually works as it is supposed to work.
Here is a picture of my first operational consist headed up the mountains.
Feel free to comment. More updates as I get back to work on the layout. Thanks for looking.
The engines are the Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0's, # 11 is the low boiler version and # 13 is the high boiler version. Both have Tsunami decoders. # 11 is used to haul ore cars up and down the mountains and # 13 gets general usage. They both run great with Tsunami's and only so-so on DC or with a cheap decoder. Since the high boiler version has larger drivers, I had to adjust the speed curve to slow it down to match the low boiler version for consist use.
Hi Alan, your layout is great. I wonder... whatever will you do when its finished?
I am returning to the hobby after having it as a kid. I have two major restrictions: budget and space. The space you have there would be like the size of Kansas or Texas compared to my allowances.!
I have two questions:
1) how do you adjust the speed like that???
2) I am doing a 1800s (pragmatically from, oh, 1830-1880-ish) segment for N scale. And I am collecting things for an HO as well, right now the 1940-1960s-ish, but may do an 1800s module in HO as well. Where do you find the 1800s and "western style" stuff?
Thanks in advance
-G
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
galaxy wrote: Hi Alan, your layout is great. I wonder... whatever will you do when its finished?Thanks !I don't believe that it will ever be "finished". After the initial construction is comple, there will be years worth of detailing to do.I am returning to the hobby after having it as a kid. I have two major restrictions: budget and space. The space you have there would be like the size of Kansas or Texas compared to my allowances.!My layout room is only 6.5 x 15 feet.I have two questions:1) how do you adjust the speed like that???Many of the DCC decoders use speed tables which allow matching of engine speeds.2) I am doing a 1800s (pragmatically from, oh, 1830-1880-ish) segment for N scale. And I am collecting things for an HO as well, right now the 1940-1960s-ish, but may do an 1800s module in HO as well. Where do you find the 1800s and "western style" stuff?Some of it was purchased many years ago when it was commonly available. Nowadays, I just wander through Caboose Hobbies and grab what is available.Thanks in advance-G
I don't believe that it will ever be "finished". After the initial construction is comple, there will be years worth of detailing to do.
My layout room is only 6.5 x 15 feet.
Many of the DCC decoders use speed tables which allow matching of engine speeds.
Some of it was purchased many years ago when it was commonly available. Nowadays, I just wander through Caboose Hobbies and grab what is available.
Comments interspersed above.
Thanks for the reply. I never thought of DCC capable to adjust speeds. I am stuck in DC. I have read a lot about DCC, and frankly it doesnt seem to be all its cracked up to be.......yet. It has potential....and from the ones I have heard with sound...novel idea, but not impressed.
I figured your 1800s stuff was aquired earlier. Someday again it may be available, or I may just have to build some things.Buildings I may have little trouble trying to build scratch, IF I know what was appropriate then. The rolling stock is what I have trouble with. THere seems to be engines available of that time, but cars less. OH, well.
And my layout room is: 0x0 feet. Available space for layout: 0x0. that is why I said what space you have available is like Texas to me. Whatever I do must be small enough and light enough and easy enough to say...stand on end in a closet when its not up taking space set up/out!???The 31''x46'' table under the x-tree was great !!!! LOL--its is still up!...(not the tree though!!)
Thanks and keep workin hard
galaxy wrote: Thanks for the reply. I never thought of DCC capable to adjust speeds. I am stuck in DC. I have read a lot about DCC, and frankly it doesnt seem to be all its cracked up to be.......yet. It has potential....and from the ones I have heard with sound...novel idea, but not impressed.I figured your 1800s stuff was aquired earlier. Someday again it may be available, or I may just have to build some things.Buildings I may have little trouble trying to build scratch, IF I know what was appropriate then. The rolling stock is what I have trouble with. THere seems to be engines available of that time, but cars less. OH, well.And my layout room is: 0x0 feet. Available space for layout: 0x0. that is why I said what space you have available is like Texas to me. Whatever I do must be small enough and light enough and easy enough to say...stand on end in a closet when its not up taking space set up/out!???The 31''x46'' table under the x-tree was great !!!! LOL--its is still up!...(not the tree though!!)Thanks and keep workin hard-G
It sounds like you should be working in N scale; you can fit a lot on a single hollow core door (which is easy to stand up out of the way). Just make sure that everything is glued down or removable.
I actually model 1900-1910; but stretch things a little to use what is available. Some of my rolling stock is scratch built and about half of my buildings are scratch built. I grab figures and horse drawn wagons when I find them; most everything else can be modified or adapted to work. I tore down a large layout about 15 years ago, saved the buildings, turnouts, and misc stuff. I am rebuilding now with that stuff, new track, some new turnouts, and several new engines. DCC is well worth the switch and I will not buy any engine that either does not have sound or that can not have sound added. Even poor sound is way better than no sound.
Finally back to work on the layout - here is the latest !
I got the furniture project mostly complete. A few adjustments to doors/drawers when the counter top goes on, in a couple of weeks. The customer is happy and paid in full; so now I have train money (some of it already spent).
I added a ramp meter to the layout. I was somewhat concerned about amperage consumption with my six sound units running. The display is DCC voltage over amperage used.
I did several comparisons to see what was really happening:
from left to right - top row:
Layout on, no units accessed yet
Short on one power district
Old Roundhouse Shay running, one 4-4-0 running and one 4-6-0 climbing the 2% grade
Bottom row:
All six engines at idle, sound on, lights on and all bells ringing (boy what a racket)
One 4-4-0, one 4-6-0 and one 0-6-0 running
The full lineup sitting on the layout:
Two P2k 0-6-0 with sound
Two Roundhouse 4-4-0 with sound
Two Bachmann 4-6-0 with Tsunami sound
One old Roundhouse Shay (built from a kit 15 years ago)
I am continuing work on the Atlas switch tower construction.
More progress when it happens. Thanks for looking.
Post 2 of regular weekly update:
I have had a prebuilt (factory assembled) switch tower in place for some time; I also was building a kit.
The untouched prebuilt in position in Arock (not planted - just in position):
The painted and heavily weathered tower, ready to be "planted":
The assembled, painted and weathered kit in place in Hardspot (ready to be "planted"):
These guys (MOW crew) have been together for over 17 years waiting on company in the way of other figures on the layout. Today, I started some more "rough" detailing.
Hardspot passenger station with some "people" activity (the white stuff around the base of some figures is the still wet glue):
I assembled one Buckboard and have started another. Here is the first, near the tracks in the Hardspot yard:
Here is a more distant shot of old town in Hardspot:
Most of the buildings in Arock and Hardspot are just sitting on top of the ground. I will start the process of "planting" them shortly. By doing things this way, I don't end up with buildings "just a little bit out of place; I get to run the layout and move them sightly so that they end up where I really want them.
Next week - more mountain work and more detail work.
Weekly update - no comments from last posting.
I am still working on some details and basic scenery.
I have had a gapping hole at the edge of the back mountain for a long time (months). I finally had time to close it up. Here is the hole:
This is after the hole was closed up:
I added a buckboard, delivery wagon (both Jordan kits) and a few people to the Hotel:
I built a water tank for the Hardspot Station. Here it is with a Roundhouse 4-4-0 used to pull the daily passenger train between Arock and Hardspot (loco still needs to be re-badged to the BAH R.R. and the tank has not been planted yet, it is just sitting on top of the ground)):
Here is a shot of the daily passenger train arriving at the station, from the yard:
A view of the Station, new water tank, and observation car on the end of the Passenger train:
And finally, a view of the area that I worked on this past week:
I have ordered one new switcher ( P2k 0-6-0) as I realized that I only had two and needed both of them operating. The third will give me a safety factor, in case one quits for some reason. I also have on order, 10 optical block detectors to place in the mountains so that nothing will get lost in the non-viewable areas. I will continue on some more preliminary detail work.
If anyone is interested in the "furniture" project that kept me from working on my RR empire; I just did this post on WoodCentral showing the project.
http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/messages.pl?frames;read=309062
I haven't commented at all on your layout construction efforts and results, but I enjoy reading the updates. Don't stop posting them!
(Nice furniture, by the way)
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
Alan_B wrote: If anyone is interested in the "furniture" project that kept me from working on my RR empire; I just did this post on WoodCentral showing the project.http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/messages.pl?frames;read=309062
Really beautiful work Alan
It takes special talent to make cabinets like that !
Here some photos of a custom cabnet my friend made for
car and loco storage under the layout
Not only is your layout moving along great, but you make beautiful cabinets. Please don't let my wife see those or I will be supporting your Train habit. LOL Really nice work on both of them. I had a brother-in-law who did woodworking like that, but unfortunately he passed away a number of years ago. Well hopefully you will have more time to work on the layout now.
Wow, absolutley and udderly beautiful, great work and nice video!
-beegle55
Brunton wrote: I haven't commented at all on your layout construction efforts and results, but I enjoy reading the updates. Don't stop posting them!(Nice furniture, by the way)
Thanks Brunton, C&O Fan, jjbmish, and beegle55. I am enjoying the railroad work. I made a living building furniture and cabinets until I retired mid last year; however I need to do one or two "jobs" per year to fund the cigarette and train fund.
Next update in a couple of days.
Hi nice layout! I can se you have a lot of false front buildings on your layout. Can you tell med what maufacturer that makes them?
Bjarne
perstuen wrote: Hi nice layout! I can se you have a lot of false front buildings on your layout. Can you tell med what maufacturer that makes them?Bjarne
Some of the false front buildings are Cambell (spelling ?) but most are scratch built. These buildings are recovered from a layout that I tore down about 15 years ago.
Weekly Update !
Second try; the first disappeared when I hit refresh instead of spell check.
A lot happened last week.
I built three new wagons (one Jordan and two Musket minatures);
I have been operating with two 0-6-0 switchers (P2k w/sound). With two major towns to service, separated by over 100' of main line, I had no safety factor in case one quit. I "gambled" and ordered another from the cheapest on-line site (Train World). The "gamble" paid off. It will be re-badged as BAH RR # 14.
I have had three "problem" areas, building wise, on the layout for some time. I think that I may have solved the problems (thanks to just having the building sitting on the ground, not "planted").
I moved the company houses from between the Hardspot engine house and hotel to become company houses at the Between mine. I will add a couple more and build a freight house / dock for the large area behind the houses. This should finish off the buildings for Between
I have had three buildings in old town Hardspot that just looked out-of-place. I moved these to the space vacated by the company houses. the three story will become (top down) living quarters, Grubstake Mines headquarters (they own the silver mines on the layout), and headquarters for the Between, Arock and Hardspot RR. The General store will remain the General Store with living quarters above. The brick building will become a Tack and Saddle shop with living quarters above.
This leaves a big open space in old town Hardspot. Next to the Sheriff office/jail; I will add the Ken Burns Coal and Fire Wood complex. To the left of that will be a team track/dock.
This should finish off the buildings in the three major communities. What do you think ? Did I -get-it-right this time ?
user="C&O Fan"]I dunno seems like thier should be a livery stable and blacksmiths shop some where in town for all those horses
Not forgotten - just slighted a little bit. Since there are no living quarters in this part of town, people take their animals home for transportation and care/boarding. There is a need for temporary stable facilities and it does exist, right next to the small blacksmith shed.
Thanks for noticing !
Weekly update !
I got a lot done this past week.
For a long time, I have been casting tunnel liners for the 17 tunnel openings on the layout. I started installing them and even started molding the liners to the mountains in several places. This picture shows two of the tunnel portals (with liners) of the four completed this week (still need paint, but otherwise complete).
I "solved" the problem with moved buildings and open spaces. I am going to put the Ken Burns Coal and Fire Wood company next to the Sheriff's office/jail. I have a thread going on the evolution of Ken Burns Coal and Fire Wood. This is the cardboard mock up in place.
I got the new water tank by Hardspot station "planted".
The newly arrived 0-6-0 switcher allowed me to retire # 8 and # 9 (one at a time) and finally get them re-badged for the BAH RR. Here they are with some preliminary weathering (cleaned up and lubricated as well).
The major time consuming event was to install one new piece of fascia with lights for indicating position of trains inside the mountains. There are 12 lights (however, I only ordered 10 IR detectors). The bottom row is for the continuous run loop (also used for staging) with three indicators. The other lights are rows of alternating (by row) amber and green to show progress in the three loops of main line between Hardspot and Arock. After using this for a couple of days; I am glad that I did it. Now I "know" where my trains are in the hidden mountain trackage. I will order three more IR detectors to finish the job (the two that I need plus a spare).
Next week I think that I will get # 10 (Roundhouse 4-4-0) and # 14 (new 0-6-0) re-badged for the BAH RR and continue on the Ken Burns Coal and Fire Wood complex.
Callan89 wrote:Would you be willing to do a photo-roster of your locomotives, both current and retired? I'd be a good resource, so I can keep track (pun intended) of which engines you speak of. More specifically what engines are No. 1-10?
I don't have a current listing of #1 to 6. On the layout are # 7 - # 14. Pictures and basic information at:
http://home.comcast.net/~cabierbaum/Trains/engines.html
My numbers are just the order in which I got the loco's and 1-7 are all over 15 years old. The only engine worth saving, that is not on the layout, is # 6 ( brass 2-6-2) which resides on my workbench waiting a major overhaul. A photo of the tender for # 6 is in my signature block.
Ah, yes. I see! You have those 15+ year old botchmann 4-4-0's (or are they AHM/IHC's?) Who makes the interesting brass 2-6-2? I can't say that I've seen such a diminutive tender attached to a 2-6-2 before, it looks interesting! :) I'd imagine that those 0-6-0's are working well for you, espically due to you procuring three of them?! Are they DCC/Sound equipped, of just standard DC? Your layout is impressive, to say the least, and the scenery looks death-defying around every bend! I eagerly look forward to more updates on this layout. :)
Callan89 wrote: Ah, yes. I see! You have those 15+ year old botchmann 4-4-0's (or are they AHM/IHC's?) Who makes the interesting brass 2-6-2? I can't say that I've seen such a diminutive tender attached to a 2-6-2 before, it looks interesting! :) I'd imagine that those 0-6-0's are working well for you, espically due to you procuring three of them?! Are they DCC/Sound equipped, of just standard DC? Your layout is impressive, to say the least, and the scenery looks death-defying around every bend! I eagerly look forward to more updates on this layout. :)
I found this photo back on page 1 of this thread. A poor photo of # 6 running as a 2-6-0 (it has a non-sound Lenz decoder added). It models a version of the 2-6-2 used on the Cripple Creek RR and I think was done by Hallmark (I painted it).
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n123/Alan_B/091006-006_r.jpg
The 4-4-0's are the new Roundhouse with sound. They are acceptable running and sounding(barely) loco's.
The 4-6-0's are new with added Tsunami sound. They look good, run great with the Tsunami decoders and sound OK.
The 0-6-0's are all new P2k with sound. These loco's are terrific in all ways; run great at low speeds, sound great and well detailed. They are the best running and sounding loco's that I have.
All of the new engines purchased within the last few months.
The old Roundhouse shay was built from a kit over 15 years ago but sports a non-sound Lenz decoder and works OK for MOW service ( mostly just sits at Arock and looks good).
I spend a fair amount of time on the Ken Burns Coal and FireWood building. It is finished except for planting and final details.
I built and installed an Atlas water tank kit in Arock; the old "Branch line" tank will be moved to Between.
I am starting to "finish" the layout of Between. I threw together a cardboard mock up of the dock/warehouse/company store and am trying it out during operations.
I have also started working on the Arock mine area. I will "detail" this area of town first, and then move to the front edge. I built and installed a bent under the mine car track and built a trash bin under the end of the track.
I expect to continue the above projects this coming week.
It looks great! Your Helix complexity gives me faith that my complex helix might actually work too!
Have you considered adding some earth coloured paint to your plaster while it was still wet to help with the scenery process? It can affect the setting time a little, but I found when I did it on my last project the time spent later colouring the mountains was easier... plus any nicks in the plaster didn't show through white.
Kepp posting... it looks really cool!
user="C&O Fan"How do the miners get up to the tracks that lead into the mine on the side of the mountain ?
How do the miners get up to the tracks that lead into the mine on the side of the mountain ?
A ladder (not yet installed) on the far end of the tipple box. detailing of this area is now in process. Pictures in next weekly update.
user="Dustin" It looks great! Your Helix complexity gives me faith that my complex helix might actually work too! Have you considered adding some earth coloured paint to your plaster while it was still wet to help with the scenery process? It can affect the setting time a little, but I found when I did it on my last project the time spent later colouring the mountains was easier... plus any nicks in the plaster didn't show through white.Kepp posting... it looks really cool!
I have tried adding color to the plaster but find that the color ends up too uniform and still needs to be painted. I really did not find that it saved any time and quit doing it. I only get nicks in the plater when I am making changes; those get painted anyhow.
My mountain climbing loop is 100' feet of track to rise 24"; this is a 2 % grade.
Another weekly update !
I jumped around on the layout (figuratively) doing a bunch of things this past week. I am going to list them more or less in the order that I photographed the results.
I received the last three IR block detectors and installed them; now all of the hidden track is monitored for occupancy.
I added about 3 feet of plaster mountain on the lower level. This connects the tunnel on the continuous run loop to the ground level on the outside of the track (this was just a 2" plywood strip). No picture though. I also got most of the tunnel portals done so that the tunnel liner blends into the mountain. Even got these colored with a basic color.
Oops - found a poor photo. You can barely see the portals. the lowest area on the outside of the track is the added plaster section.
I got started on some preliminary detailing in the barren areas of Arock. The area by the mine got talus, a few trees and a rip-rap bin. Mike the miner showed up with some of his friends and one of the two new baggage carts. Throughout this update you will see some white paper printed signs that represent the to-be-applied decals.
People (and a new baggage cart) started showing up at the Arock depot:
Ken Burns Coal and Firewood took delivery of a new coal wagon. The wagon and the driver's shirt were color matched to the building.
I did another series in "The evolution of"; this time for a company house (Thread in this forum). It is the blue building in this photo.
Plus I did a lot of operating.
Toucan wrote:I have just finished reading all the posts in this thread. I am facinated with your abilities and skill. I am in the planning stages of a new HO layout to be built in a small spare bedroom. Hopefully it will turn out 1/10 as good as yours. This will be my first layout in almost 30 years. Much has changed. I just retired and hope to have more time to devote to this endevour. Thanks for the photo history. It has shown me a few options to try in my designs.
Thanks for the compliments. My abilities and skills are probably just average. My dedication is high though and I have all of the time that I need/want to work on the layout as I am "retired" from the full time job market. I do have over 50 years of modeling "experience" and about 20 years of model railroad "experience". I tore down a large layout about 15 years ago; so I made most of my "mistakes" on that one, not this one.
One of the reasons for this post, and the others that I do, is to help people that are struggling with a new layout, or who are updating a layout. What I do is one more bit of data for them to use. There are many on this forum who post to help others and many who are better modelers than I am.
Plan what you want to do very carefully. Make sure that it will provide for the type of operation that you want and that everything will really fit (especially structures). Ask for help (read prior threads on the forums first) when you need it. Good luck.
Not a lot of visible stuff to show this week. I have working a few nits and had to take a couple of days off for personal business.
I got some more of the Arock back edge started with talus, weeds and a few trees.
I finally got around to re-badging the Roundhouse 4-4-0 and the new P2k 0-6-0; and added some light weathering.
For some time now, I have not liked the low sound level of the whistle in the low boiler 4-6-0. I finally ripped out the 1" round speaker and installed a 3/4 x 1.5" oval on top of the tender deck. Needless to say, the replacement coal load would not fit. I made another to fit the new speaker. It is way too large for the tender; however, it just barely covers the speaker and is just barely tall enough to actually get a layer of coal in. That tender is the smallest one on my layout. The tsunami fills the tender shell.
It now sounds good and that is more important, to me, than having a smaller coal load. I also added some "light" weathering.
Next week: a scale for the Arock mine and more basic detailing work. I will probably start the freight dock/company store for Between as the cardboard mock up seems to be working out well.
In addition to a lot of operating, and a couple of days off for urgent family business; I got a fair amount of work done.
I got most of the Between basic work done. A few trees and scrub brush on the mountain and all buildings placed and basic scenery installed. I built and installed the freight depot/company store/loading dock. Some minor detailing was also done.
The community of Between:
The company houses:
The depot/company store:
A couple of miners added to the mine building:
And a new scale for the mine at Arock:
Next week; detail work will continue.
Alan_B wrote: The depot/company store:
This might seem odd, but my favorite place on the layout is the patch of dirt and rocks between the housing and the shead where it slopes down a little.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
SpaceMouse wrote: Alan_B wrote: The depot/company store: This might seem odd, but my favorite place on the layout is the patch of dirt and rocks between the housing and the shead where it slopes down a little.
Gee - I hope that I have not ruined your favorite space . Actually, the ground is dead flat; the colorization created the look of a slope.
Thanks for looking and caring.
Excellent work Alan Keep posting please Thank you Kevin
Canondale61 wrote: Excellent work Alan Keep posting please Thank you Kevin
Thanks ! - Weekly update.
I am still working on the Between area. I need to fill the space between the blue company house and the outcropping at the lead-in to Between. As usual, I use cardboard for a temporary scenery item to see how it works.
It turns out that the cardboard does indeed hide the track area (what I intended); however, it is too high to work when actually switching the area. I cut it down in stages until it worked correctly.
This is what it hides:
I am going to have a small grove of trees in this area. I had the trees made, and ready to plant when I decided that the hidden turnouts should be replaced with FastTracks built and Tortoise controlled turnouts.
I have ordered the FastTracks #4.5 code 100 fixture and enought supplies for 10 turnouts (approximately 4 week wait for the stuff), and will replace the five turnouts in this area before I complete the landscaping. This wait means that I have to work on other areas on the layout.
This is the way things will be for a few weeks:
Most of the other things that I am doing do not photograph well (or at all). I am adding guard rails to the turntable tracks:
I am about 90% through replacing all the plastic wheels on rolling stock with metal wheel sets. The Tichy ore cars that I use are way too light to be bumping over turnouts and any roughness in the track and they do not push well through any type of curve. There is almost no way to add invisible weight to these cars. I also find that the metal wheels roll so well that coupling/uncoupling (any type of car) becomes a problem. A sting of cars works great. An individual car wants to roll during the coupling/uncoupling operation instead of sitting still and letting the coupler work. I am experimenting with several ways to introduce a little "drag" to improve coupling/uncoupling and to also add weight to the ore cars.
I will keep at the "improvements" while waiting on the turn-out fixture.
Thanks for looking. Comments?
Alen
I am new to this forum ans was wondering if I could ask a few guestions? First, I was wondering (iknow you menchened of prevuse updates) If you could post the layout diagram? Second,Could you tell me the diamenter of your helex mountain? third, you stated that the distance between the 2 towns was 24 inches ,correct?Like what I have seen of your progress . thank you for your time
Ed
slow train Ed wrote: Alen I am new to this forum ans was wondering if I could ask a few guestions? First, I was wondering (iknow you menchened of prevuse updates) If you could post the layout diagram? Second,Could you tell me the diamenter of your helex mountain? third, you stated that the distance between the 2 towns was 24 inches ,correct?Like what I have seen of your progress . thank you for your time Ed
I did my initial layout with a CAD program (not a track layout program) and only showed centerlines and only worked it enough to know that things would fit.
Here is the lower level (Hardspot) and a schematic of the climbing loops (mountains).
This is the upper level (Arock).
The community of Between is not shown on these plans. The plans did change a little during construction. construction is fairly well documented in this thread and the thread referenced in the first post here (page 1, first posting).
Exposed mountain curves are all 18" radius. Hidden curves are 20" radius except for part of the front mountain where I had to use a few 18" radius hidden curves. the front mountain is the one without the community of between (it is on the back mountain).
There is a 24" elevation difference between the towns of Hardspot and Arock. With 100' of track, this works out to a average of 2% grade. I used slightly higher on straight runs (mostly hidden) and slightly lower on the tight 18" radius curves.
Thanks for the comments.
Another weekly update.
Not a lot of visible layout changes this past week. I spent a lot of time making and planting trees. It seems like 40 trees just disappear when spread over 6 -10 feet of layout.
Here is Hardspot before the new trees:
And after a bunch of trees, and scrub, along the ridge line:
I spent a lot of time working on weighting the small (empty), ultra lightweight, ore cars. I think that I have found the solution; however, I want to run them for a while before making a real commitment.
Operations continue.
Comments?
ARTHILL wrote:Looking Good. Like the updates. About 200 trees ago, I though 40 would be a lot, But I can't figure where the 200 went. Some of the guys talk about thousands and I am beginning to understand why. Fortunatly, I enjoy making them. I hope you do as well.
I know about that feeling ("But I can't figure where the 200 went"). It is a good thing that I am modeling the Rocky Mountains not the Carolinas where I grew up.
Trees, need more! I just got into tress in the last 3 months. I lost count at 289 not counting around 50 watting to be planted. I am guessing I will only need around 5000 more!
Thanks to MR Hill I am making around 5 a day so in 2.7 years I will be done!
Cuda Ken
Alan B looks good.
I hate Rust
pamam wrote:the helix showes A LOT of goot craftsmenship
Thanks ! Here is the weekly update.
As some of you know by now, I tend to use temporary structures (cardboard) and simply place my building on top of the ground until I am sure that things will work out like I expect. since my FastTracks jig has not arrived; I have to work on areas other than Between (need new turnouts there in order to continue).
I got the false front buildings planted at Arock, and some preliminary detailing work done.
Including a little more work around the depot.
In Hardspot, I worked on the shelf part of the layout. "Planted" the switch tower and weathered, detailed and "planted" the 3 story building, Saddle shop, and General Store. Some talus and weeds were also added to the area.
I am still playing with weights for the Tichy ore cars; no "solution" yet.
Next week, I will "plant" the old town buildings in Hardspot along with the church and school house. Everything else is already "planted".
I sure hope that FastTracks jig gets here soon
No comments from last week.
Here is the weekly update.
Instead of "planting" buildings; I worked on the tichy ore car problem with lack of weight and sensitivity to "any" track roughness. I had one area (around a turnout) in the Hardspot front yard that was causing problems with backing of ore cars. This was the turnout tied to the yard lead that was increased from 15 to 18" radius a while back. After careful analysis; I decided that the are needed re-working. I ripped out the turnout and surrounding track (including some of the scenery).
Here is the area in question:
Here is the new track work on the plywood base:
And here is the final (some scenery touch up still required) result:
This rework allowed me to sightly change operations in the front two tracks, where the ore cars are staged, switched and stored. Now I can put the caboose on the string of empties instead of having to pick it up on the way out of the yard. I also gained some length in track two which gives "better" switching operation for handling incoming trains of filled ore cars. so far; operations have been easier/better with the new track arrangement.
I was waiting and planning on putting a FastTracks turnout in this location; however, the re-used Atlas snap switch is working perfectly. The FastTracks jig, with supplies, is scheduled to ship on 4/18; so it is a couple of weeks off yet.
Next week, I will try to "plant" buildings.
Sorry I have been kind of preoccupied so I missed your weekly updates. Excellent work I can not imagine the numbers of trees you will have to make. The latest images the rails did not show up very well in the post but when I went to reply they came out much clearer. very good job scenicing the area. Can you make a mold of your ore cars and use material that is used to make sinkers and jigs and such for your ore car weights?
Kevin
Canondale61 wrote: Sorry I have been kind of preoccupied so I missed your weekly updates. Excellent work I can not imagine the numbers of trees you will have to make. The latest images the rails did not show up very well in the post but when I went to reply they came out much clearer. very good job scenicing the area. Can you make a mold of your ore cars and use material that is used to make sinkers and jigs and such for your ore car weights? Kevin
Thanks for the comments. I can make a mold, or just pour lead; however, I really want the empty ore cars to look empty. I am close to a solution now. Sorry about the pictures, but it is a fairly large area and does not photograph very well.
Actually, it has been two weeks; however, 1:1 activity has interfered with model RR work. I bought a new truck, got an after-market sound system installed, and looked for a topper (truck too new and toppers not available yet). Lost 2 days to dental visits, and 2 days on house inspections (daughter is trying to buy a condo). On top of all of this, I am watching 2 NHL hockey games per day and trying to operate the RR for a couple of hours per day.
With that out of the way; the Fast Tracks turnout jig arrived. I built the three turnouts needed and prewired the tortoise machines and switches. I want to replace the turnouts in the Between area so that I can finish the scenic work there (then I can move to easier to reach areas).
Here is the area to be worked on:
Here is my first Fast Tracks turnout:
Here are the three turnouts needed:
The Fast Tracks # 4.5 are not quite an exact drop-in replacement for Atlas snap switches:
Some modifications are required to make them work:
Here are the three turnouts modified, cleaned up, and painted; ready to install. Rail joiners are installed on each piece of track as shown. The first full day available during the coming week will be used to get the installation done. This should be about Wednesday.
More updates later. Thanks for looking. Comments ?
Life tends to get in the way of the railroad. I kind of been keeping an eye on the sabres. How do the jigs work? Could you do a mimi tutoral on building a turnout? T hanks keep up the great work
Canondale61 wrote: Life tends to get in the way of the railroad. I kind of been keeping an eye on the sabres. How do the jigs work? Could you do a mimi tutoral on building a turnout? T hanks keep up the great work Kevin
The Sabers kinda forgot to show up today ! I tend to follow the Avalanche as I live in the Denver area; however, they missed the playoffs this year. I had figured that retirement would allow ample time for the RR; boy was I wrong.
The jigs work great and the end product is the smoothest turnout that I have seen. The best video's are already on the Fast Tracks website (same ones supplied on CD with the jigs). I just followed these instructions - no complications or complaints.
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/documents.php
Jason
Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale
jguess733 wrote:Alan, the railroad is looking great. I look forward to this post, it helps to keep me motivated and inspired.
Thanks for the comments and a new Weekly update !
Every new process has a learning curve !!!!
What started out to be a "simple" replacement of three turnouts became a major rework of Between. It appeared that I could sightly modify three Fast Tracks # 4.5 turnouts to replace three Atlas snap switches - WRONG !
After one fruitless day of carefully cutting turnouts and track, and trying to get things to fit; I realized that the process was not going to work. The turnout from the main line into between would work by replacing the lead from the turnout to Between. I got this one in and the Tortoise installed (along with the switch and LED) without too much of a problem.
I then built two new turnouts to replace the mangled ones that I had tried to install in Between proper. I learned that installing jumpers in the turnouts reduced the number of feeders required to get things connected and working properly. Here they are in the two new turnouts:
Now I was ready to get back to my major mess, and try to reconstruct Between (I had completely wiped out the community by this time).
I got the two new turnouts installed:
I then set the buildings in place to see if things would really work.
An overhead view of the new track layout:
Now the rest of the learning curve. I thought that I had followed the video instructions for the turnouts carefully. It turns out that I did not follow carefully enough on the two replacement turnouts (for the cut up ones that I was replacing). This was my problem, not Fast Tracks, as the video is very careful in explaining how not to have the problem that I had. I ended up replacing, turnouts glued down in place, two point rails (one in each turnout) because I did not file them down enough. Due to the use of the Fast Tracks jig, this turned out to be fairly simple (except for the fact that the turnouts were almost six feet high and three feet back from the edge of the layout). I made replacement point rails and soldered them into the glued down turnouts.
I ended up with this track layout:
With this overall view of Between:
The moral of this story is that a half day process can turn into three solid days of work and then a few more to re-landscape the town. I will operate this layout for a few days before I start the landscaping process. By leaning my 200 pounds in the center of Between, I now have a sight out-of-level situation. I will have to add a prop under the center of Between to correct this (minor problem).
Boy what a week !
Comments? Thanks for looking.
I am glad that I am the not the only one that has issues like that. Good job, thank you for the post and pictures. Are the turnouts really that easy to build? Could you, or have you, taken a series of pictures from start to end of the line.
Canondale61 wrote: I am glad that I am the not the only one that has issues like that. Good job, thank you for the post and pictures. Are the turnouts really that easy to build? Could you, or have you, taken a series of pictures from start to end of the line. Kevin
The turnouts are really that easy to build. The jig aligns everything and really lets you make interchangeable parts. Once the rails are glued to the wooden ties; changing them would be a little bit more difficult than what I did in changing the point rails (not glued to the wood ties). The jig uses PC board ties for all of the soldered joints and enough of them to maintain alignment of the parts without the wooden ties.
Are you referring to pictures of the BAH RR, or did you mean the turnout process ?
The turnouts are really that easy to build.
I've enjoyed following your progress. Thanks for posting your "issue" building the FT turnout. I've ordered a jig (#6) and it will be something for me to watch out for. The video sure makes it look easy, though it will take a little practice to get it really good.
Question: Did you use a belt sander on the stock rail -- as Tim did in the video -- to create the inset for the points? or did you use another method? I ask because I don't have belt sander and am wondering if I must have one or if there are alternatives. For instance I have a bench grinder; I'm not sure if using that is an option.
Glenn -- PRR in Georgia
gderem wrote:The turnouts are really that easy to build. I've enjoyed following your progress. Thanks for posting your "issue" building the FT turnout. I've ordered a jig (#6) and it will be something for me to watch out for. The video sure makes it look easy, though it will take a little practice to get it really good.Question: Did you use a belt sander on the stock rail -- as Tim did in the video -- to create the inset for the points? or did you use another method? I ask because I don't have belt sander and am wondering if I must have one or if there are alternatives. For instance I have a bench grinder; I'm not sure if using that is an option. Thanks.
Thanks.
Thanks for the comments. The jig is easy to use; however, playing the video while actually building is not an option for me (I don't want metal filings anywhere near my laptop computer). I figured that a few mistakes would happen as they would with any new process.
On the first three, I used a motor tool (similar to Dremel) and a cut-off disk to grind down the rails for the point rails (this is covered in the instructions). On the last two, I used the course wheel on my bench grinder. I will use the bench grinder for all future turnouts.
Alan_B wrote: On the last two, I used the course wheel on my bench grinder. I will use the bench grinder for all future turnouts.
On the last two, I used the course wheel on my bench grinder. I will use the bench grinder for all future turnouts.
Thanks Alan. That will save me from having to buy one more tool.
Landscaping update.
I have run the new trackage for a little over one week; and it works out great. Basic landscaping is now in. Here is a view from the mine end of Between:
This work all started a couple of months ago when I started to put a grove of trees at the entrance to Between. I had the trees made and ready to plant when I decided that I should change out the Atlas snap switches to Fast Tracks # 4.5 turnouts. I thought it best to change the turnouts before further landscaping work.
That grove of trees is now in !
Here are the trees, with the Shepard and his flock, in the morning sunrise:
Now I can go back to doing the preliminary detail work on the rest of the layout.
Thanks for looking in. Comments!
Hey Alan,
The layout is looking great. I have really enjoyed watching your progress. I haven't been working on my layout so watching your progress has kept me wanting to start back on my layout. Maybe in the near future.
Thanks again
Excellent job Allen love the mine, ore loader, and water tower. Trees are excellent the scene really has changed. The deer in the trees make think of fall. Used to love to hunt now the only hunting I do is with a camera.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
wickman wrote:Hi Alan I seen this thread a while back and didn't have time to go through all of it but today I got a chance to grab a big Timmy's coffee sit relax and read through your entire progress thread and it was quite enjoyable. I wish there were more threads like yours to enjoy.
Thanks - thanks also jjbmish and Canondale61 for the nice comments.
I hope that my mistakes, and successes, will help others with their layouts. I am having fun and wish that others will also have fun.
Looks great, Alan! Keep up the great work and pic's....
Brian
ShadowNix wrote: Looks great, Alan! Keep up the great work and pic's....Brian
Thanks !. I am having fun operating with the new Between trackage.
I'll second that
Not much progress since the last update. I have been operating for 2-4 hrs per day and fixing a few nits. I have the ore cars working correctly, I think. The turnout from the main line to Between is a little rough for loco's and perfectly smooth for all types of rolling stock. I built a replacement which will go in this coming week (part of the darned learning curve, I guess). I should be able to "clean it up" on the workbench when it is replaced. I did find, after buying a new file, that the Fast Tracks instructions to buy a new file are dead on. I had been using a "almost new" file and found that the quality of the last turnout was greatly improved using a brand new file (more learning curve).
Here is the daily load of ore headed down to Hardspot.
More next week. comments ?
Thank you for the pics. Great scene I have been watching for your latest post.
kevin
railroadinmedic wrote:WOW...absolutely amazing...call me simple, but that is one layout I "wish" I had the mentality to build! Great job.
Thanks ! - Latest update !
Not much progress on working on the layout; however, I have been doing a lot of operating. The layout is a point-to-point, which requires turning trains at each end.
Here #14 turns the passenger train from that just arrived back from it's round trip to Arock:
#14 has parked the turned train (ready for the next trip) in the front yard at Hardspot and added the boxcar with new goods for Arock. The boxcar that just arrived from Arock is being spotted at the Freight Depot for emptying.
I have been spending too much time upside down in the Dentist chair to get much done on the layout; maybe more work this week.
At last some pics of your layout, refreshing after all the philosiphy going on in this site. Looks great, could you do a series starting from Arok and progress to Hardspot as if we were passengers? Might be fun and help me tie it all together.
Thanks great job Kevin
Canondale61 wrote: At last some pics of your layout, refreshing after all the philosiphy going on in this site. Looks great, could you do a series starting from Arok and progress to Hardspot as if we were passengers? Might be fun and help me tie it all together. Thanks great job Kevin
I have been thinking of doing something like that around the end of next month. I started with a "bare" room the end of July last year and have been documenting progress from that point. This thread is getting kinda long and probably should be followed up with a 2nd year tour and progress thread. I still haven't settled on how to do the documentation as the room is small and photo access is now restricted by mountains (one runs from 30" above the floor to the ceiling and across the full width of the room with a 4' depth). From end to end, both Hardspot and Arock are about 17' long (Arock is 24" above Hardspot). I had figured on about 4 or 5 "overall" shots and a bunch of more detailed shots with each one showing about 3' of track length going from one town to the other.
How does that sound?
Great idea. Thank you
Canondale61 wrote: Great idea. Thank youKevin
This is a quickly done merged image of Arock. Is this type of image useful ? If so, I will try to get properly merged images for the year end update.
Yes gives the viewer an idea of the overall size
Thank you
Canondale61 wrote: Yes gives the viewer an idea of the overall size Thank youKevin
I will see what works for the yearly update - thanks.
Weekly update.
Friday/Saturday - I got the replacement turnout installed on the main into Between. I initially set the turnout at the same location as the old one. It was there because that is where the Atlas snap switch was originally installed. Since the Fast Tracks # 4.5 is not an "exact" drop in for the Atlas snap switch; I had to really work to make it function in the same location. The result was a curve that was a little under 18" radius. Here it is, pinned in place.
I decided that as long as I was reworking the whole area; that the turnout should be moved to make the curve into Between a "real 18" radius". I moved it 4" toward the camera position. This required trimming the small hill resulting from cutting the mountain for track access to Between. I got everything cut and installed and tested with both the switcher and 4-6-0. I could run both, with normal consists, forward and backward at over twice normal operational speed with absolutely no problems. Here is the installation.
I cleaned up and put in a little plaster ground cover. I will run things for a week or so before doing the preliminary landscaping in the area. I did have to rearrange the uncoupling magnets in Between due to the new curve in the lead in track.
Replacing the three turnouts in Between did teach me that simple things sometimes get very complicated. I will be replacing other snap switches with the Fast Tracks turnouts; however it will be done with the knowledge that it will not be an easy replacement. Now I can get back to some of the other areas that need landscape work.
Weekly update - no comments from last week.
While I am running trains over the new track work; I got some buildings "planted".
I planted the little red schoolhouse, the church (along with 6 former members) and put in some rocks and greenery.
I got Ken Burns Coal and Firewood planted and some minor detail work done.
I got the "old town" building set planted and a few figures added.
I did some minor detail and landscape work along the industry service track behind the coal co and old town buildings.
This is an overall view of the area that I worked on.
Thanks for looking - Comments ?
I have done a lot of operating and little actual layout work.
I did add a few trees by the water tank at the Hardspot entrance.
And I got one of the dirt roads, with wooden rail crossings, in place in Arock.
gr8 and was wondering if you was going to elecrticfy your switches? If so with what?At least you are doing some thing on yours thank you
slow trains Ed
slow train Ed wrote: gr8 and was wondering if you was going to elecrticfy your switches? If so with what?At least you are doing some thing on yours thank you slow trains Ed
I guess that I do not understand what you are asking. All of the original construction was with remote controlled Atlas snap switches (you can see the switch machines in the various photos). I have recently replaced three of them with Fast Tracks turnouts and tortoise motors.
Sorry to have not replied very quickly Been working to many 12 hour shifts. You deserve to enjoy the fruit of your labors. Operation is needed to balance the scenery work. Please dont forget to post, maybe your next project?
tortoise ok I wasn't sure on your new swiches and I didn't put it vey well. thank you for veriflying that.
slow Ed
Canondale61 wrote: Sorry to have not replied very quickly Been working to many 12 hour shifts. You deserve to enjoy the fruit of your labors. Operation is needed to balance the scenery work. Please dont forget to post, maybe your next project?Kevin
No apology necessary - been there, done that. Comments like that make me really enjoy "retirement".
I have been doing a lot of operating lately and mainly just making small "tweaks" to the layout. I have moved several uncoupling magnets a couple of ties up or down to get the type of operations that I want and done some other minor stuff.
I did finally get some kids out and around the little red school house.
I also got a few kids out playing by the company houses in Between.
Maybe I will get ambitious next week.
Thanks for looking in - comments?
No comments from last week's post - new Weekly Update !
Another week of mostly operating. I am doing a bunch of small things to the layout; most not photographed. The "major" changes:
Another dirt road and planked crossing in Arock.
Another road near "old town" in Hardspot.
And two roads near the depot in Hardspot.
More next week and the year end summary in a couple of weeks.
Thanks for looking; Comments ?
Always nice to see more progress pics Alan.
What is the manufacturer of the small passenger cars , I've been looking for some 35 footers in that style 1880's to earliy 1900's era?
wickman wrote: Always nice to see more progress pics Alan.What is the manufacturer of the small passenger cars , I've been looking for some 35 footers in that style 1880's to earliy 1900's era?
All of my passenger cars are old MDC/Roundhouse Overton cars purchased about 20 years ago. I believe that they are now discontinued; however, they routinely show up on Ebay. I have three consists: BAH RR, D&RGW and some misc for the third consist. They look good on my 18" & 20" curves.
I am working on the first yearly update. I am going to show overall pictures here, and more detailed pictures on my web site (no ads or popups). The link below is to my first cut on Hardspot pictures - How about comments ? Thanks.
http://home.comcast.net/~cabierbaum/Trains/Hardspot.html
secondhandmodeler wrote:I've enjoyed following your progress so far. It's nice to see your approach to modeling an under represented era. Did you scratch build your company houses at the mine? I ask because I need to build some small office sort of buildings for my quasi mine.
Thanks - What about my approach to the year end document process?
Yes the company houses are scratch built; all but the blue one about 17 years ago. The Company Store/warehouse and blue company house are new; both were documented here.
Here is the link to the company house: http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/1053604/ShowPost.aspx#1053604
secondhandmodeler wrote:Thanks for the link. I think the website looks good. Progressive shots of your construction and detailing would be nice. A sort of compressed version of this thread if you will. It seams pretty easy and straight forward. I think you have finished more of your layout in one year than most do in five years! I think the lack of comments on your progress has to do with people sitting back and enjoying the show.
Here is the first yearly update:
I have completely reworked my web site (still under construction though) and provide a lot of detailed pictures and the requested progress pictures. The web site is non-commercial with no ads or pop ups; however is is very photo intensive and may be slow for those of you on dial up (please let me know what you find out and how you like/dislike it). Look in the signature block below for the WWW button.
I will also duplicate this post in a new posting titled 2nd year of the BAH RR (or something close to that). The second year posting will be used for all future posting of progress and I will cross link the two threads for those of you that want to go from one to the other.
The photo's that follow are intended to show what happened; it is not an exercise in great photography (I tried, but it was not worth the effort).
The room on 7/28/2006:
One of the preliminary layout "plans" that shows overall layout and dimemsions:
Going clockwise around the room - starting at the door (same spot as above):
Notice that I cut out some of the clutter but left the top of mount messy (another community will be built there) intact. The posting is continued at:
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1174212
Comments ? Thanks for looking.
Cederstrand wrote:Alan, I am amazed how fast you are getting all this work done. Very interesting to look back at the start and watch the progression. Thanks for sharing the photos. Look forward to seeing the finished layout. Rob
This empire is basically my "job" now. In the first month, I probably averaged 8 hrs/day, seven days per week. This got all of the track in and allowed me to devote more time to operations. For the next 2-3 months, I probably averaged 20 hrs/week on construction. This gradually tapered off to the point that I probably only average 10 hours per week on construction. I spend a fair amount of time on this forum and operate for 1-3 hours per day.
It will never be "finished"; however, I will keep plugging away and keep posting (although probably not a weekly update).
secondhandmodeler wrote:The web site looks great. It's funny how narrow some of your scenes are. They look much deeper in the close-ups. I like all of the pictures taking you around the room. You do good work.
Visual depth is all in how you construct the scenery and from photographic angles. My biggest problem (other than trying to cram everything into a small room) is that I really can't get far enough away to photograph one complete "town".