Weekend Update 3/7/21

[Jim Starbuck]

I got to hang out and run trains with altohorn25 on Bill’s modules as well.
This is the first time on the layout for the Davenport 45 tonner.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

[Pomperaugrr]

I'm late to the party on this, but I did manage to do some terra forming, get some basic ground cover down and plant some trees this weekend in the Canaan area.  The tree line along the backdrop hides the continuous running track, yet leaves it accessible from above for easy cleaning and rerailing, if necessary.  There are more photos in my N Scale Housatonic RR thread:  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=25361.msg702673#new



Eric

[Philip H]

@Pomperaugrr - that L shaped station is pretty off the hook!

[Pomperaugrr]

@Pomperaugrr - that L shaped station is pretty off the hook!

Thanks.  That is a Branchline Trains N scale Laser kit.  It represents the Canaan Union Station that once served both the New Haven and Central New England Railroads in Canaan, CT.  It is a great kit, but about a 40 hour build.  The actual station was mostly destroyed in an arson fire, but has since been rebuilt.  There is a Museum and Brewery in it now.

[davefoxx]

I'm late to the party on this, but I did manage to do some terra forming, get some basic ground cover down and plant some trees this weekend in the Canaan area.  The tree line along the backdrop hides the continuous running track, yet leaves it accessible from above for easy cleaning and rerailing, if necessary.  There are more photos in my N Scale Housatonic RR thread:  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=25361.msg702673#new



Eric

I'm not trying to criticize you, because that scene is fantastic, but that unpainted turnout at bottom left in your photo just kills the realism.  It appears that the rest of the track is painted, but, since it is all ballasted now, can you get in there with a brush to tone that turnout down?   Again, that scene looks great, and I agree with Phil about the station.

Kudos,
DFF

[Pomperaugrr]

I'm not trying to criticize you, because that scene is fantastic, but that unpainted turnout at bottom left in your photo just kills the realism.  It appears that the rest of the track is painted, but, since it is all ballasted now, can you get in there with a brush to tone that turnout down?   Again, that scene looks great, and I agree with Phil about the station.

Kudos,
DFF

Good eye.  Thank you.  Two weeks ago, the original Atlas code 55 turnout that was there, did the old self destruct trick after operating flawlessly for years.  The ballast under the turnout is only on the roadbed profile.  I scraped the rest off the cork when I replaced the turnout.  I still need to add ballast on the replacement and will weather the rails and ties soon, but I want to do the scenery under the short through girder bridge just to the left of the turnout, then attach the bridge and install the guardrails on the ME bridge track.  I figure I will weather it all at the same time.  All of my scenes are far from finished, I consider what I have to be the base ground cover. I still need to weather ties and ballast throughout the layout.  You can see the turnout and a short stretch of new track between the girder bridge and the new turnout here.  As I said, there is a lot of work to still do.



I really appreciate the feedback too!  That's why I started posting here again, for suggestions and challenges.  It only helps me to improve.

Eric

[R L Smith]

Eric, that is a fantastic scene!  Do you have space to model the hobby shop that is (or was) around the corner from the station? If so, be sure to include a figure (me) on the sidewalk looking in the window and drooling...

 

[davefoxx]

@Pomperaugrr,

Ha!  Your base coat of ground cover blows my finished scenes away.   

DFF

[Pomperaugrr]

Eric, that is a fantastic scene!  Do you have space to model the hobby shop that is (or was) around the corner from the station? If so, be sure to include a figure (me) on the sidewalk looking in the window and drooling...

 

I do miss Rolf Schneider's shop.  I was able to get some nice N scale Housatonic RR decals from him before he closed.  I experimented with placing some "downtown" North Canaan buildings, including Berkshire Hills Hobby Supply and the HRRC Headquarters building on the corner, just on the other side of the crossing, but it made the area too busy looking.  I want a little scenic separation between industries served by the HRRC.  I just couldn't make it look right, since the eye went directly to Specialty Minerals just to the right.  I opted for the trees, which also hide the continuous running track along the back wall.  If you know Specialty Minerals, I have a few in-progress photos a little higher up in my N scale Housatonic layout thread.  https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=25361.120

Eric

[delamaize]

Got the last of the track work done on my round the room layout, and a temporary lift bridge built. So for the first time in a very long time, I can run trains again.
Test run was done with my Late 50's North Coast Limited. This is the first time I was able to run it, As it was completed after all the covid stuff started, and the cancelation of all train shows. Now I can run it ag home!

(Bad video quality....)

[jjb62556]

Beautiful looking train! Did you paint most of it?

[cjm413]

Consider mixing media types: if you have access to a laser cutter, do the decking in laserboard or similar. I did that with my 35' Sea-Land flat racks.

Re: NYC flats, would if be feasible to print a mold to cast the body (less the deck, stirrups, etc) per the thread below for the purpose of additional weight and strength that would be better suited (at least in theory) for a laser-cut wood deck, etched stirrups, etc?

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=51669.0

[delamaize]

Beautiful looking train! Did you paint most of it?

A Majority of it is custom painted, But I didn't do the work. I got the train on trade for some decoder installs on a few locomotives that are extremely difficult to DCC. I was short a few cars, But luckily I had a few cars already, and was able to mostly fill in the gaps. They are mostly con-cor cars, so there is a lot of stand ins. Eventually I will start working on prototypical cars. But for now, I'm just happy to have it. The locomotives are Kato F units, with custom painted shells. DCC/Sound is Loksound and Lokpilots. only the lead unit has sound

[chessie system fan]

Re: NYC flats, would if be feasible to print a mold to cast the body (less the deck, stirrups, etc) per the thread below for the purpose of additional weight and strength that would be better suited (at least in theory) for a laser-cut wood deck, etched stirrups, etc?

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=51669.0

I saw that thread.  I've got some metal on the way to find out.  At a minimum that could work for the underframe.  I'm not sure about the body itself.  That'd be a big mold and the metal might cool before getting in all the crevasses.  Personally, I'm ambivalent about laser-cut wooden decks, but if anyone else is interested in this car too then I can look into it.