PRR/Conrail Juniata Division Engineering Report

[John]

That "S" curve thing is one of those model railroading empirical rules .. in the real world, the effect is much less drastic ..

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qj3mn88m6y2b&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=9189331&where1=relay%20maryland&encType=1

[Ryan87]

The effect of "S" curves is the same on the prototype... You have to remember the rule is to avoid sharp "S" curves not avoid them all together...

[AlkemScaleModels]

That "S" curve thing is one of those model railroading empirical rules .. in the real world, the effect is much less drastic ..

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=qj3mn88m6y2b&style=b&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=9189331&where1=relay%20maryland&encType=1

True, but what would the actual radius be in n scale, about 12 feet? S curves are more troublesome in model RRs due to our tighter radii.

[Dave V]

Okay, here's a shot of the look I'm after:

http://thecrhs.org/?q=image/view/5369/_original

[Bob Bufkin]

Always liked that location for some great shots.  Here's one from about 3 years ago:

[Dave V]

One challenge is getting that mix of dirt, ballast, cinder, and weeds without it looking like some sort of goofy camouflage pattern.  I started ballasting the classification tracks with a combination of Woodland Scenics and Highball cinder, some weeds, and some sifted dirt.  I added a strip of roadbed between each track to try to make it look like they're at ground level.  That way on either side of the yard, where it goes down to the Styrofoam table top, it looks like a drainage ditch.

[John]

Try cammo paint ..

[wm3798]

How about from the 1980 period he's trying to capture?


Lee

[Dave V]

Very cool, Lee!  Is that an X58 with the giant can opener over there on the left?

[wm3798]

When I was that age, it was a "brown boxcar... a really cool brown boxcar!"



That's looking the other way at Overlook.  

Oooh, and looky what was on the ramp right after I took that first shot!


By the way, where's your D&H lash up?

Lee

[Dave V]

Whoo-hoo!!!!  A reason to buy more locos!!!

[Dave V]

More pics!  I was messing a little with the colors in iPhoto so I apologize if they look goofy.

[GaryHinshaw]

Wow, that's really coming along Dave!  Hard to say which of those shots I like best (they're all good), but the (ex) PC cars in a weedy yard really convey the "look".  You've got a good eye for that.

[womblenz]

I like the way this is coming together. Very well done

Hopefully mine will come out half as good


Cheers Warren

[DKS]

Looking really good, Dave. I'm envious for your ability to expand significantly beyond the original door.

Couple of suggestions, which may be moot depending on your plans. First, add more lighting. Double or even triple what you've got, if you can, because areas of the layout are getting swallowed up in shadows. And second, get some sheets of foamcore, spray them light blue, and prop them up in the background while you're shooting. It will improve the images by reducing distractions--even though they're just construction documentation shots. This may provide some insight on what to do about yet-to-build scenic features, and give you ideas on where the best "formal" shots may be down the road.

BTW, I hope "Rail Time" isn't being abandoned.