Fixing a bench work problem

Having 3 decks is it's own challenge. When I built the decks they were tradition L-girder. I added 2x2 legs on front L-girder and supported back by lag bolting into studs. Over the last 18 months I started noticing issues. As work on Idaho Springs began those issues had to be addressed.

Talked to folks on several solutions from shelf brackets to longer wood legs. Each seemed to have issues. The legs were too distracting and hard to hide. The shelves had to support a 2' wide bench work and most had angle supports which would be distracting (in my mind) to the background.

Solution - Threaded rod. First idea was to go from floor through all 3 decks. This did not work as friends told me the 1/2" rod would bend. However, by securing to roof, hanging down it would hold the weight. So after planning and a trip to the local hardware/lumber store my son and I get started.

Sorry pictures with Iphone.


First step was installing a 2x8 across several rafters to spread weight out. Lag bolts gave it plenty of grip. Threaded rod inserted in hole with washer and 2 nuts behind wood support. Additional washer and nut in front of wood to secure.


Bolts through 2x4 on edge. Nuts and washers attached. Use same approach for both deck 2 & 3. Deck one uses legs to floor.


Wide view of span.


Shows rod and the old wood leg. I have 3 ways to hide rod: Tree, smokestack, or in mountain side. Will chose based on need and surrounding scenery. Not using washer and 2 nuts to lock into position to prevent loosening over time.


adjusting is a simple wrench turn and it is very precise. Here show a spot on level back to front. Sag also eliminated.

There are many solutions and this is what worked for me. I'm sure there are many others that might work better for you. All and all very pleased with result. Will duplicate it on the Black Hawk Side.

Will be testing for any 2x4 sagging. If an issue I can add either metal l beam to 2x4 or OSB strip as a laminate.

Thanks Cameron

Sunday 9-9-2013 Update - Idaho Springs

Moving into Idaho Springs now. Having to reinforce L-girder with angle iron and threaded rod.


New removable mountain, sculpt-a-mold in place. Will decide about rock castings then color.


Argo Tunnel bin mock-up and expanded creek bed. Trying some grass mat, not sue I like it. Will have to camouflage joint with static grass or dirt.


Creek entering Idaho Springs with coal dealer spur.

Got to work on angle iron and grade some more next.

Thanks Cameron

Update 09-03-2013

Update 09-03-2013

Spent most of my time on a new creek bed and building foreground mountains upgrade from Forks Creek towards Idaho Springs.

The mountain area is in 2 parts, one stationary, the other removable to maintenance.


First another 3-4 ft of Creek. This is in front of where Argo Mill and mine will be. There was a park across river in foreground so working with some static grass. Need some other colours to mix in so working real slow. Have old Noch static applicator, they have new more powerful one I'd like to try.


Location where removable mountain will go.


Small removable mountain compared to previous. Made on Blackboard with cardboard webbing (use precut from Micro-Mark) with plaster cloth added. Will add Sculpt-a-mold then rock castings.


Here is the in-progress mountain placed on layout to test fit. This is wider than real area on Clear Creek but had to make some compromise to allow reaching turn-out and trains for maintenance or derailments.

Guess that is about it for progress so far this week.

Thanks Cameron

Update 09-02-2013

Update 09-02-2013

Focused on the removable mountain part of the Forks Creek Scene. The lights were washing out the removable mountains colors and it was simply too bare.


Scene about done. Coal bunker is temporary need to lower sides. Trees on Mountain really help and the seam were you can remove is now camouflaged pretty well.


Trees are improved Bachmann, Supertrees, and Timber Line Scenery (got a good deal on e-bay).


Close up. Redid telegraph poles using Rix plastic cross arms painted. I think these are better then the metal ones before.


Another angle made while working on upgrade removable mountain. Not happy with water flow below trestle, will have to redo and try again.


Wider shot from the same angle as above.

That's it for today. Will post progress on the upgrade removable mountain tomorrow.

Thanks for looking
Cameron

Rivers, Rapids & Rushing Streams - Detailing 3

Rivers, Rapids & Rushing Streams - Detailing 3

2nd set of pictures, this is the completed scene (at least until section house done).






Mine in place, looking at cribbing on left.


Removable mountin in place looking towards Forks Creek from downgrade.


Forks Creek


Looking towards Forks Creek from Idaho Springs




This shot really shows the removable mountain as the train weaves through it.


Close-up




Final shot crossing Forks Creek

This has been fun, hope it helps someone in their water creation. Just remember give it a try, if you don't like result, try again, you learn more each time.

Thanks Cameron

Rivers, Rapids & Rushing Streams - Detailing 2

Rivers, Rapids & Rushing Streams - Detailing 2

So got 2 more work sessions in, though still limited to what I can do.













Will post the last section with mountain and mine in place.

Rivers, Rapids & Rushing Streams - Details 1

Rivers, Rapids & Rushing Streams - Details 1

The journey is almost over. With all the steps listed to make moving water, its time to look how details finish the scene and enhance the water effects. A note on super detailing, it never ends so don't try to force it all. Do some until you want to move to something else, then revisit later. This allows a fresh prospective and keeps you from getting stuck (analysis paralysis).

Before

Some lets see a before image: lots of items missing: track ballast, ground cover, bushes, tress, power/telegraph lines, animals and people.


Forks Creek


Looking upgrade towards Idaho Springs


Looking upgrade towards Black Hawk

Adding the details

Now the fun begins. Did some research and found my cottonwood trees trucks were too brown, so switched to tan color for bark. Color changes as they get larger.

Focusing on ballast, ground cover, bushes and trees along with a few figures for interest (they are movable). Will add power/telegraph poles tonight hopefully.


Ballast added. Narrow Gauge roads were known to use local rock, dirt, cinders and even mill slag as ballast. Here used dirt (Colorado collected, backed, sifted and iron removed) adding a little Cumbres & Toltec ballast from Arizona Rock plus a light addition of cinders (coaling stop so cinders falling out and collecting makes sense). Once coaling platform in place will add spilled coal. Ties painted with Dr Ben's driftwood with grim added in center with rail brown on rails. needs a little rust still.


Adding first cottonwoods. From what research I've seen, cottonwoods were not used for building or firewood generally due to poor strength and burning quality. Made most small as a lot of clearing would be done laying track. Original track laid about 40 years earlier (and I like trees) so added quite a few.


Adding trees upstream.


More trees, this time some fairly large. Cottonwoods grow to 50-60 ft, these are roughly 30 scale ft.


Some figures added fishing. These little surprises draw people into the scene.


More trees and brush added, car shows scale. these little details add to the water effects making the scene come alive.


Here is what it looks like when trains run over the trestle.  How many trees to add and where is a subjective decision, put them were you think they look good.


Tweaking look


More low lying trees along water.


Looking from other side of Forks Creek towards Black Hawk at the (almost) completed scene.


Final shot.

My wife helped me with trees making it go a lot faster. Will add the power poles next and some more trees on the Idaho springs side and will take some final photos.

Thanks for looking - Cameron