AC&Y - Litchfield to Spencer OH

[SAH]

Steve,

What bulbs are you using for lighting? And do you think it matters that you mounted them sideways?

I have CFLs mounted straight at the layout like this:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/NewLayoutSpace#5975366674338888594

I have since added a 12" wide aluminium flashing between the bulbs and ceiling. Just wondering if sideways is better.

I'm using daylight CFLs Chris.  They're mounted parallel to the track.  Go WAY back in this thread to see installation technique.  I'm still using the same method.  I've installed a couple of daylight LEDs too.  There is a color and intensity difference but it's not real noticeable. 

Probably the main reason I went with the parallel mount was the depth of some of my sections is only 8" and I felt there would be too many funky shadows if they were perpendicular.

[SAH]

The handrail conversion concept seems to work well.  Here's the jig.  It's simply layers of cardboard built up to the necessary depth.


The finished but unpainted result.  I like it.  Confidence to move forward.

[svedblen]

Those handrails look terrific! And what simple but clever jig.

[PiperguyUMD]

Who made the stanchions?

[SAH]

Who made the stanchions?

Detail Associates 0.01" x 0.018 flat brass stock cut to length.

[Rich_S]

Steve, The NKP ALCO Road Switcher looks great. I wish I had the eyesight to be able to do that kind of detail work in "N" scale. As bad as my eyes have gotten, I'd be hard pressed to create custom handrails in "O" scale 

[SAH]

My eyesight isn't all that great either Rich.  I've been wearing specs since the 1st grade.  Some 1.5x reading  cheaters and moving the work closer to my face by raising the work surface helps a great deal.  Making use of patterns, jigs and such eases the work too.  Still, handrail work is not for everybody and I only do it when the handrails are painted yellow.  A thick coat of yellow paint on black plastic ruins the model, to my eye anyway.

[Rich_S]

My eyesight isn't all that great either Rich.  I've been wearing specs since the 1st grade.  Some 1.5x reading  cheaters and moving the work closer to my face by raising the work surface helps a great deal.  Making use of patterns, jigs and such eases the work too.  Still, handrail work is not for everybody and I only do it when the handrails are painted yellow.  A thick coat of yellow paint on black plastic ruins the model, to my eye anyway.

Steve, I agree 100% about the painted plastic handrails. That is one of my biggest complaints on my P&WV H16-44's. It seems like I just can't get enough light and my OptiVisor just doesn't seem to magnify objects as well as it did 10 years ago    You do great work, I enjoy seeing your projects and layout progress.

[SAH]

Thanks for your kind words Rich.  I'm pleased that you enjoy the layout.  It has been a lot of fun.

[sirenwerks]

Steve,

Echo on the fact that you do great work.  I love the headlight package.  I wish someone would make screen etchings for the Alco models available, like the RSs and FAs to bring them up to todays ever-increasing detail standards..

[SAH]

Thank you sir.  The round headlight housing should be higher on the nose than the stock Atlas model but this was supposed to be an easy conversion.  Yeah right.  I left the stock position as is but reamed out everything but the housing frame.  Then I changed the horizontal beam orientation to vertical (which does match the prototype) by cementing clear plastic strip inside of the shell, slicing the plastic beams off the clear headlight insert and remounted them in the verticall orientation inside the housing on the clear strip.  It captures the look of the prototype but is a far cry from an accurate representation.  A casting or etching would be good.

Steve

[SAH]

Where once there was a railroad.





I've always said it was never a question of if.  Only a matter of when.  The time has come.

On the positive side:  The new space is slightly bigger and has fewer dual use constraints.  And there are lots of great layout here in central NC to satisfy the ops bug.
The negatives:  6 years to get this far.  Gone in 6 hours.

Building in sections means it can rise again and likely will in one form or another.

With this post I suppose it's time to terminate the AC&Y - Litchfield to Spencer thread.  Thanks for all your kind words and encouragement over the years.  We'll see what happens next.

Steve

[Chris333]

Why terminate? Isn't this the second move and still kicking.

[Cajonpassfan]

Steve, having one through a couple of " life events" I sympathize, but I think the railroad can come back to life quicker than you can imagine! Best in your efforts!
Otto K.

[MVW]

Sorry to see it come down, Steve. But at least you had the foresight to build in sections.

Looks like this layout served you well, and likely will again someday. Best of luck!

Jim