Changes to the "Santa Fe Room" layout

[Bsklarski]

So why the change from flex to unitrack?

[arbomambo]

Brian,
I've definitely decided to stick with the  code 55 flextrack now...the trackplan is VERY simplified (no turnouts at all...just two coencentric loops now) so I'm going back to my superelevated curves on the narrow ends and Atlas code 55.
The Unitrack has been a real boon in helping me formulate a plan that actually works with my long, bodymounted coupler equipment.
As much as using Unitrack will quicken the running of equipment, I just can't rationalize NOT using a finer scale track considering all the work I'm putting into detailing the locos and rolling stock...
Thanks,
Bruce

[GaryHinshaw]

Looking good Bruce.  I had the same question about track.  The rest of your work - especially the detailed locos - really begs for finer track to show it off, so I'm glad to hear of your choice.

-gfh

[robert3985]

...I just can't rationalize NOT using a finer scale track considering all the work I'm putting into detailing the locos and rolling stock...
Thanks,
Bruce

Excellent logic Bruce.  You'll be happy with your decision.  And...your layout is looking very nice, and your use of less track and more scenery will yield big rewards when you photograph and railfan your trains.

[arbomambo]

Hello all,
Trying to get something done on the layout before leaving town for a bit...
Now that the backdrop/divider is built, I can start seriously thing about laminating and adding the foam layers that will form the canyon walls; once they're actually formed and shaped to rough dimensions, I can start carving the detailed rock features...everything else will get a layer of sculptamold and celluclay, only the carved and worn exposed 'rock' will remain foam.
In order for me to define the beginnings of the slopes on the canyon walls, I had to establish more features that will be below the track, such as the wash that dictates the need for the ballasted deck timber trestle on the lower (Westbound) track, and the ballasted deck girder bridge on the upper (Eastbound) track.
Here I've carved and rasped, to rough shape the wash...it will disappear 'around' a slope to the right, where it meets the backdrop..a road will also follow it, rise over a gentle 'hump' and disappear 'over the rise' where it meets the backdrop.
 It's going to start to get 'serious' soon...I still have to purchase trestle bents, timber, and a couple of deck girder bridges (I guess Micro Engineering is my only choice; I'll have to build the timber deck).
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[arbomambo]

Hello all,
Last day to get any modelling work done for a week or so...
I wanted to 'rough in' the base of the ridges that will rise to either end (and completely wrap around and extend along the other side); also, roughly defining the wash and road locations that give the trestle and girder bridge a 'raison d'etre'...with the Alabama-Ole Miss and tu-Cowboy games in the background, I grabbed some scrap foam and hotwire formed the outlines you see here; now, with the base of the ridges up to the level of the surrounding foam, I can start to layer foam, in a contour fashion up to the height I feel I desire, then begin the slope shaping process. I'm having to do my absolute best to take things in a logical order; I don't want to start using sculptamold and celluclay until every portion of the foam is in proper place (I'm so tempted to start final contouring of the lower level topography-my eye isn't enjoying the temporary view).
Getting to this point is important for me to tweak my basic ideas about the ridges and how I want them to frame the scene on this side of the layout.

Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[arbomambo]

Hello all...
finally home after three weeks out of town!
I had added wood putty to fill the fascia countersunk screw holes to the other side (now the 'showcase' side) of the layout before I left for Destin; returning home last night showed them to be ready for sanding and finishing.
Also, I made a major change in 'support' for the layout. Although I have legs for it (in case I decide to take it to a show), I chose to use a yard sale chest of drawers find to be the base and support for the layout in it's room location. I just added support legs to the top of the chest, and the layout rests on top of these very strong supports; it's quite stable and has the benefit of being able to be moved and 'slid' around a bit when I start the wiring. The chest also provides 'built in' storage space for locos and rolling stock as well as providing a table for power and sound supplies. A floor length cloth skirt will be attatched (curtain style) underneath the fadcia to hide the chest and help showcase the layout. A Southwest-style pattern will go a long way to add to the room decor.



The little sander did a great job of smoothing the fascia surface; all holes are filled and there is no evidence of seams where two pieces of hardboard were butt joined to continue the fascia.
I also sanded the edges and top of the center backdrop/divider as well as filling the coutersunk screw holes that may be visible.



I also decided to raise the upper-'eastbound' track by one foam sheet thickness; just in case I decide to add a branch off of both lines on the far side to route to a series of staging modules. I haven't yet made up my ming to do this yet, but if I do decide to add staging to this layout with a series of wall mounted modules, I'll be able to clear the lower-'westbound' track with a  girder bridge spanning  it. I'm about 50-50 right now on adding this feature.
I want to keep this layout simple, but adding a turnout on both lines in the least viewable corner would allow some flexibility in being able to stage various trainsonto the layout. The disadvantages are the fact that there aren't any turnouts or branches within Kingman Canyon, and certainly no areas where one track goes over another. Also, having only one line coming off of both tracks in one diresction would force me to back trains onto the layout to retain the 'directional' aspect of the two lines through the canyon...ehhh...we'll see.

here are some pics of the inner track being raised.





To the casuaL observer, it's difficult to see how this is going to resemble Kingman Canyon, but try to imagine the two visible areas on either side of the wash.cut rising to canyon forming eroded rock buttes rising to a height equal to or perhaps higher than the top corners of the backdrop/divider.

The Weather is perfect here on the Alabama coast right now so I may attempt to paint the sky portion of the backdrop tommorow.
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[billvassar45]

Bruce this is looking real good, keep up the good work.  know the area very well.  can't wait to see it finished as i used to live in that area many years ago..

[arbomambo]

Hello all...
I was able to paint the initial coats on the backdrop/divider this evening!
I had my local Home Depot match a phpto of a spring Kingman Canyon sky and mix a quart of flat interior latex. I also bought a small pint of flat interior latex white to lighten it...
I painted the whole divided the blue, then mixed successively lighter shades and applied them in bands toward the bottom...then blended them into the previous darker blue...
looked great in the afternoon sun, but not 'distinctive' enough under the room lighting...I'll let it dry then blend lighter coats and blend on the weekend...I don't want to overdo it, but I do want just a little more 'haze' toward the horizon.
I'm very happy with the color of the blue...it captures the clear sky in Spring!...I won't be adding any clouds, but, on the front side, between the two ridges, I'll paint a disatnt mountain on the horizon.

like this:



Here are pictures on the divider set into place:






the 2nd pic shows the other side of the layout...most of the divided will be covered by steep canyon walls, but a bit of sky will show from the very top...

Here are some pics from closer to 'track level' to get an idea of the effect:









Of course, right now, the two ridges have flat tops at the height of the last piece of foam I added...but they'll slope up and away from this central point to the top of each corner of the divider/backdrop, wrapping around to continue along the other side...
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[Scottl]

I'm just catching up on this thread.  I really like your concept with this layout and the progress so far is looking very good.  Thanks for sharing.

[arbomambo]

After blowing leaves I had a moment to paint a little more on the backdrop/divider...making more of a contrast between the darker blue of the upper atmosphere, and the lighter, haze blue along the horizon.
I'm satisfied now with the result...here are some pics, from track level, showing the backdrop in place.
I won't be able to paint the distand topography and mountain until I finalize on sand, dirt, and rock colors for the scenery...this will be quite an excercise unto itself...MANY different colors and hues in this canyon...the volcanic rock formations alone vary from red, rust, brown, and black!
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[arbomambo]

yardwork and cleaning done...big pot of chili in the crockpot, and college football on the TV...I had a little time to start laying cork on the upper, eastbound track...I'll lay, wire, and test this track before I pull the Kato track on the lower level and lay cork there.
 I use only one half of the cork strip; more prototypical for this era and ballasting is much easier-the ballast forms it's own, prototypical slope, and needs much less ;fiddling' and manicuring before wetting and gluing.
 I posed some of my new, little, CMW vehicles on the stretches of 'road' that will be Route 66 , running on the opposite side of the canyon from the rail lines...the road that will run for a bit between the tracks is the National Trails Hwy; a road older than Route 66, I believe. 5 or 6 vehicles, per side,  will be sufficient to suggest 1957 Route 66 without 'crowding'.

I won't start laying track for a week or so; I need to have a plan as to how I'm going to solder and drop feeders on this Atlas code 55.
Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[MVW]

Man, that looks very nice, Bruce. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

Jim

[arbomambo]

Hello all...
Actually had some time to lay the code 55 track on the upper level...went fairly quickly once I set up with all the tools in order.
I first soldered a number of sets of terminal joiners...I used solid 22 gauge wire and Atlass code 55 joiners. Then, after making certain the cork was level and blemish free, started applying Gorilla Glue brand gel CA in a thin layer on each cork section. I clipped two ties from each end of a piece of flex, then positioned the track, holding it in place with tack nails...then drilled for feeder drops. Slid on the feeder joiners, then repeated the process...I dropped feeders at every flex track join.
 i've run all my equipment over the trackage...beautiful!!!!





Here's a shot of the code 55 and the Kato track still on the lower level...an amazing contrast...I have no clue what I was thinking when I considered just sticking with the Kato Unitrack!



Thanks for looking,
Bruce

[Bsklarski]

That is starting to look pretty sweet!