Reporting in.

Reporting in.

Been working on the Staging area so not much to show.  Progress is slow.  Turnouts soldered in and now adding connecting tracks.  Hopefully by next Monday will have some pictures to show progress.

Thanks Cameron

Been awhile

Guess it's been awhile. Had to go work on my Mother's Estate in Alabama. Boy was that difficult, lots of memories and lots of stuff to throw away. Still need at least one more trip.

Since getting back have done work mainly on the new staging area. Most of the base wood in. Probably going to forgo blackboard and roadbed. Will see if noise is acceptable. If not I will add the blackboard.


Here is a shot of the yard temporarily laid out just to check spacing. This is the view and clearance if you were coupling and uncoupling cars. Seems acceptable based on limited testing. Still need LED's, waiting on another power supply as I think I really pushing thins one.


Show turn-around.

So far had to adjust grade. Did this by lowering grade in Denver, sort-of George Sellios like. Got all Grades below 3%.

Beginning to work on affixing track, wiring and doing turn-outs. Thinking of using on-on toggle switches to control turn-outs. Tim of BHI publications recommended using bell cranks so I had more freedom in actual placement. If this works well it will most likely replace most turn-out controls both due to cost, and absolute polarity control.

More to follow later.

Thanks Cameron

Update on Deck 0

Update on Deck 0

Ok so time to get to work. With the plan mostly done I had to verify it would work. So off I went.


So this is the before image. The right side is where we have the height issue.


Cut out blackboard and plywood. Note cut on right side, the rock work hides it, boy was that lucky.


This is the underside. Pretty good clearance at 3.5". Pretty much eliminates dual gauge.


Putting the joists in-place.


This is the 10' section for yard in-place, still need either a return loop, wye, or turntable to turn loco's.


Last shot shows temp track placement and car to show clearances. Don't think reach will be a serious issue.

So far this looks to be a win. The incline to main in Denver still to be put in, but as long as I can get that smooth, this should turn out well.

Thanks Cameron

Lost it!

Lost it!

Ok folks around here always thought I was a little overboard. So this proves it.

Stared at the empty space under the middle peninsula. All that wonderful space gong to waste.

So the idea hit me, how about using it for staging. Denver was a weird mix, detailed engine yard and not detailed staging. I also have 2 FSM (Jacobs Coal & the Flour Mill) kits and 2-3 (Butchers Way, Avram's Bakery and maybe 1 other like Elijah Roths or Yehudah's) that I wanted to use. This would allow adding these and maybe a passenger terminal.

So whats the problem you ask? Well the track going around the Roundhouse would nee to drop 3". This was an issue as Clear Creek Canyon on the middle peninsula has only 3-4" separation. I didn't think a 50% grade was going to work.

Solution:

First of all needed to discuss with my friend Dave. He's local, we work together and he has a real good head for spotting problems with my grand ideas. So we discussed and came up with "the plan".


First Deck 1 plan. Staging removed and replaced by Denver detail including the FSM kits I mentioned. Note roundhouse and track behind. Dropped run around from plan (moved to deck 0) and cut a section out to allow track to begin lowering about 24" from middle peninsula.


Deck 0 plan. Double ended Staging with a pass through to allow either end to be worked. Added a track for building the consist. Main-line does a 180 to provide a reverse loop. With 15-16" clearance and a 18" depth, it should be easy to couple and uncouple cars. Will use LED' strips for lighting.

Dave and I discussed operation issues and fact to stage you have to sit-down. All of deck 1 is designed for sitting so I think that is ok. Layout is a 1-3 person (max) so not much passing in aisles. Next layout will have 36" aisles.

Thanks Cameron

Weekend update:

Weekend update:

So the work on Forks Creek to Black Hawk and Idaho Springs continues.


This is looking downgrade from Argo Area to Forks Creek. Mountains on both sides and another bridge with creek going from left to right (front) on layout.


This shot is Forks Creek towards Argo Mill (will be just to left of the far corner. Lots of plaster cloth and rock castings to go. The foundation on right is for the Section house. Temp placement just to verify rock wall clearance.


Rock work is coming slowly. It looks like 12 castings just in the is one area. On the right you can see the scene separator, acts like a picture frame. The mountain will restrict view so track will disappear. The hidden area is about 4 sq ft and will just about hide a 6-8 car train before appearing in Black Hawk. Will need to plan how it will be hidden from Black Hawk side, worse case, tall trees.

Here is the area from the Clear Creek Canyon to Golden.


Here is the Black Diamond mine test fitted. Not sure fit there is an opportunity to use a picture frame in the right corner, left will have formed by mountain wall and fascia.


Looking through from Golden to Magpie. Base Scenery in place, will have to make some decisions about right wall. Right now a photo back-drop seems best. Needs another light added, way too dark.

Now to a few miscellaneous items:


Began laying out Roundhouse and turn table in Denver.

Just wanted to share these 2 shots, I really like how it is turning out. Shot 2 still needs Matte/Gloss Gel treatment. Once color and height is right will complete it.





Progressing well. With this track going into service it will really increase ability to run some. Still have issues with turn out controls and fixing several Turn-outs.

Thanks Cameron

Wednesday Update

Wednesday Update

Going to try and work last two days into one post. Birthday was Monday so we went to my favorite place, a Sushi Restaurant, that knows what we can and cannot eat. Ate myself into a Sushi Stupor.

Had about 6 hours on Monday and 7 yesterday so tackled some tough areas:
1. The problem turn.
2. Area from Forks Creek towards Black Hawk.
3. Magpie toward Golden
4. Some more Deck 1 work on creek
5. Tweaked water, lowered tunnel and worked on Beaver Brook

The Problem Turn

Got some good advice and decided to proceed with recessed wall. Barkeep over in HON3Chat recommended a rock casting around support, that turned out nice. Used wrecking saw to remove more of brace.


Sort of a work in progress photo, rock work temporarily in back.


This is the new scene, still needs more detail, a little more dirt and rock and the trees added on right to blend the recessed wall with the foreground wall. LED's added 300 per 5m x2 bright white and warm white. Note vertical brace on left now hidden by rock work.

All in all pretty happy with the result. Will snap a picture when all rock, water and trees added.

Area from Forks Creek towards Black Hawk
This area will require a good bit of work, lots of rock work, a foreground mountain and the track work & water. Thinking of using fascia like a picture frame here on right corner to give impression of more distance to Black Hawk.


First shot is the beginning of the rock work. Creek cut in. The beginnings of foreground mountain seen on right. Left it cardboard web only so I could work around it. Once in work in back will not be so easy.


More progress. Back rock work progressing slowly. This is going to require probably a dozen casting on back and more on foreground.

All in all, slow going. I hope the foreground mountain will reinforce the narrowness of the canyon and add a feeling of distance with tracks going behind it. With the fascia forming a shadow box type effect hoping the 4 sq ft "lost" in the corner can be made to look natural.

Magpie toward Golden

This section is progressing rapidly, not near as much rock work as about. Will have to re-lay tracks into Golden. Going to try attaching feeders under rail, if it works well will hopefully result not only in better looks, but eliminate a spot were solder can interfere with trains if overdone. One turn-out to install with a spur to the Black Diamond coal mine.


Working downgrade from Magpie, turn towards Golden.


Working through mouth of canyon, creek behind track.


Future home of the Black Diamond coal mine. To right will be water tank and station. Golden proper will be to right of station against wall.

This section is not real challenging but should make a good foreground scene. Coal mine should generate a few Gondola's worth of traffic going up & down the creek to the smelters and mines.

Some more Deck 1 work on creek

Deck 1 progressing. Getting dirt and rocks in and adding any needed detail painting. Water getting real close. Since I think I have my formula for water I will pour soon. Out of Enviro-tex, Scenic Express has some water material on sale, may try it.


Creek on Chimney Gulch side of layout. Adding rock and dry fitted retaining wall. Lots of dirt to add at odd angles so slow going.


Turn in creek.

Deck 1 is getting close to water and detailing. Looking forward to that.

Tweaked water, lowered tunnel and worked on Beaver Brook

So took some input from folks and made a few changes.

First the final water formula: A matte only picture first, then 2 pictures of matte with just a little gloss gel to add some sparkle.


Matte Only. Close, missing something.


Shot 1 a little gloss get added over matte to add a sparkle.


Final shot showing water with sparkle.

Finally satisfied with water, looks like flowing, not too clear, sparkles without being shiny.

Lowered Tunnel

I was really nervous on this one. I liked the scene, but agree tunnel was too tall. Pulled tunnel, lowered, put back in (still in progress). While at it put liners in so you don't see any thing unwanted in tunnel.


First shot head-on. Still needs to be blended in with scenery.


2-8-2 Mike creeping out of tunnel, to left is old road bed with rock slide.

Beaver Brook

This is just a simple update shot of platforms bedded into scenery.



Wrap-up

Good couple of days. Hopefully will get a few more before holidays are over.

Thanks Cameron

Sunday Update

Sunday Update Today was day 1 of 3 for modeling. Went in several directions: Continues tweaking scenery and water (more of a fill-in activity), Continued working on the problem curve (slow going), Working on Magpie and moving downgrade to Golden, moving upgrade from Forks Creek to Black Hawk and working on Beaver Brook. Beaver Brook platforms rebuilt and put in-place, much better. Turn-out to Beaver Brook, added sculpt-a-mold to level track and plant platform. Here is the downgrade turn at Magpie, cutting creek out and adding plaster cloth. At the other end, going upgrade from Forks Creek to Black Hawk. Having a rough time with large mold. Tried to pour in 2 settings but second I had let sit too long. Tweak of water on deck 2. I think it looks like moving now, not sure yet. That's it for today, hopefully tomorrow will make more progress. Cameron