Seaboard Central 2.0

[OldEastRR]

Since some vehicles leave stains from leaking oil, trans fluid, brake fluid, diffy fluid, PS fluid, etc, when parked for a few hours, spattering some of those spills and dark spots of accumulation on the parking area next to the curb would also add some contrast.

[davefoxx]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.  All good points.

I've been staring at the street for a while and finally got up the nerve to go back at it.  I redid all of the yellow and white street markings, and then, after a few attempts I didn't like, I decided to just have one "patch."  The patches I did before were to hide flaws in the finish of the pavement.  So, I just enlarged the patch to encompass all of that area where two existed before.  I like this better.  I also repainted the small narrow patch with the original paint color, and it will become much less noticeable after some chalk weathering.  In fact, all of this still needs weathering to blend it all together:



Also, I tore out the track in Raeford and Dundarrach today, because I have never been enamored with the track plan and the space I had to work within.  I'm considering replacing Dundarrach with a three or four track staging yard.  Don't look now; clean slate!



More at eleven,
DFF

[davefoxx]

The cork roadbed is down, so you can get an idea of the new alignment.  It may not look too much different in Raeford, but the alignment fits the space better, and I gained a siding.  Most importantly, I fixed the feng shui that was lacking in the previous alignment.



What was Dundarrach will now be Fayetteville (end of the line for the prototype A&R) with four stub tracks for staging.  This will add car capacity to the layout which I sorely needed.  While these may be short, I have already measured the runaround in Raeford, which is one locomotive, six freight cars, and a caboose.  So, these stub tracks should be sufficient length for my needs.  My understanding is that six cars is just about the limit of what one locomotive can pull up Bethesda Hill on the prototype, so it's not far from reality to keep my trains this short on the A&R.



When I first designed the expansion of the A&R, I really wanted Raeford and Dundarrach to be operated separately, as if they were miles apart.  But, I can make better use of the line, if I just use the passing siding in Raeford as the runaround to sort cars in Fayetteville.  Maybe it's not ideal, if I were trying to match the operations on the prototype A&R.  But, it will be much more effective by expanding car capacity on the layout, and Raeford felt like it was the end of the line in the former track plan due to poor planning of Dundarrach.

DFF

[conrail98]

I really think the 4 stub ended tracks would look better on the other side of the water heater on that shelf, 

Phil

[davefoxx]

I've decided to bag that idea.  I really think that, for me, this layout is pushing the limits of my comfort regarding size.  I don't want it to grow anymore, and the benefits gained by expanding to the shelf are just not that great, especially considering the effort that would be needed to jump the water heater and transition to a not-so-large shelf.  I'd probably only get about the same car capacity as what I just added tonight.

Thanks,
DFF

[Blazeman]

  I really think that, for me, this layout is pushing the limits of my comfort regarding size.  I don't want it to grow anymore,./quote]

Interesting a "young" guy like you would make that observation. Very astute. Bigger is not necessarily better....better is better.

[conrail98]

I only jest, partially and I hear you but for all the other scenic elements you've done, that 4 track staging yard right there looks really, really odd when compared to the rest of the layout,

Phil

[basementcalling]

Dave, it takes a big man to admit that enough is enough. I wonder if you could hide the staging stub tracks under a removable terrain shell - a kudzu infested hill perhaps    -   that you can remove if needed, but otherwise hides the cars if the visuals are indeed too jarring.

A nice overall helicopter shot of all the changes would be nice to see if you can find a pilot. 

I like the one patch to rule them all job, but I suggest weathering it slightly. Seems rather monochromatic even for fresh macadam. If it's fresh fresh, how about some tire tracks on the downstream side exiting the fresh pavement?

[davefoxx]

Dave, it takes a big man to admit that enough is enough. I wonder if you could hide the staging stub tracks under a removable terrain shell - a kudzu infested hill perhaps    -   that you can remove if needed, but otherwise hides the cars if the visuals are indeed too jarring.

A nice overall helicopter shot of all the changes would be nice to see if you can find a pilot. 

Thanks, I'll try to get some more pictures tonight.  I'm actually considering ways to disguise that staging yard, although I don't think the visuals will be too jarring.  And, hey, it's really no worse than that reverse loop hanging off the north side of Aberdeen.   

I like the one patch to rule them all job, but I suggest weathering it slightly. Seems rather monochromatic even for fresh macadam. If it's fresh fresh, how about some tire tracks on the downstream side exiting the fresh pavement?

Yes, weathering remains to be done.  I was waiting for the paint to dry and then got sidetracked (heh) by the A&R track realignment.  But, I absolutely had that "tire tracks on the downstream side" planned, as it seems like fresh asphalt gets easily tracked.  Did you ever pave your driveway and track it inside your house?

Thanks,
DFF

[davefoxx]

The first A&R train made it to back into Raeford after the major track realignment project this week:



... and into Fayetteville!  End of the line.



DFF

[davefoxx]

Some brainstorming this morning resulted in the slight shift of a siding and the recycling of this structure.  You may recall this building was the former A&R enginehouse in Aberdeen, until I replaced it with a cardboard stand-in that is still in service today.   



I also came across this Walthers Northern Power & Light Powerhouse kit that seusscaboose gave me and am considering placing it in Southern Pines.  I glued the walls together this morning, so I could set it into place for a while to decide whether I like it there.  The turnout placed on the track should give you an idea of where I could cut in the siding.  This is not prototypical, but it would add a sorely needed industry on the Seaboard System and give a destination for the coal hoppers that I've amassed.  On the other hand, I really had intended to put an Amtrak station just adjacent to this spot, which probably won't look too good next to a coal pile.  Thoughts?



DFF

[packers#1]

Do you need the extra operations on the Seaboard Line? You already have the A&R branchline and the Aberdeen yardwork, plus the SCL's yard and Southern Pines (that is the town name right?  ) to keep you busy. If I were you, I would stick with the Amtrak station idea and enjoy that segment of the line as a great railfanning spot.

[davefoxx]

Do you need the extra operations on the Seaboard Line? You already have the A&R branchline and the Aberdeen yardwork, plus the SCL's yard and Southern Pines (that is the town name right?  ) to keep you busy. If I were you, I would stick with the Amtrak station idea and enjoy that segment of the line as a great railfanning spot.

Sawyer,

This is exactly what my thinking was before, i.e., try to use the empty spot just to represent miles between towns and avoid the spaghetti bowl.  But, having a destination for coal hoppers would be nice.   I'll think about it further while I'm on vacation next week.

Thanks,
DFF

[Chris333]

The rail side of a power plant would just be a shed where the coal is dumped with a conveyor to a big pile.

Here was my coal fired power plant (closed 2-3 years ago)
http://binged.it/1fmxQeE

I like the idea, but wonder if there is enough room in that spot.

[John]

The rail side of a power plant would just be a shed where the coal is dumped with a conveyor to a big pile.

Here was my coal fired power plant (closed 2-3 years ago)
http://binged.it/1fmxQeE

I like the idea, but wonder if there is enough room in that spot.

that is a perfect copy for the walthers paper mill house ..