Delaware & Hudson - Champlain Division

[Bsklarski]

I really like this one. I am a partial D&H fan, living so close to the region. The time frame is perfect to work a spur into the plan that goes to Plattsburg AFB. Your time frame would have been when it was a SAC base. KC-135 simulator cars, tank cars with fuels and such. Even tank cars with deicing fluid for use in the winter. I am sure they got much more than that inbound.

[bdennis]

Brian
Thanks for the info.. I will PM you to get a bit more info on Plattsburgh AFB... As I live in Australia such info is hard to come by.

[bdennis]

A little bit of progress on the backboards / dividing wall on the D&H this week..
http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/
Per the blog. I have installed the concave corners of the backboards.


You may notice that the laminex does not go all the way to the base board sub structure.. This is becase the base of the main structure is at staging level. I have installed the laminex to just below main deck level in the 3 corners.


Any feedback welcome.

[Leggy]

Looking good!

Only thing that comes to mind is why have the backdrop go below the height of the main level?

[bdennis]

Leggy,
why the backdrop go lower? The only reason was.. "Because it was easier" to sit the MDF on top of the cross members and then screw it home. I could then use a full size sheet and did not need to trim it..
In sime places the cross members are lower but I added blocks so they are all the same height (roughly).

Originally I had planned to set the bottom of the backdrop to be just below the main deck.. However as the height of the main deck changes at different places.. This way was simpler..

[Leggy]

Fair enough!

[S Class]

Ben, Leggy, how are you guys for track?

Just as an FYI Trainworld in Brighton, Victoria, has basically all the Atlas C55 bits available bar flex.

[Flagler]

Great work,Thanks for the ideas.

[bdennis]

Ben, Leggy, how are you guys for track?

Just as an FYI Trainworld in Brighton, Victoria, has basically all the Atlas C55 bits available bar flex.

Tony,
Thanks for the tip...
I just purchased the 90 odd lengths of Code 55 flex that they had in stock, so I have the stock of flex I need now.
Unfortunately they dont have c55 joiners.. So am still looking but have enough to keep me going.
As for turnouts, I have just over 1/2 I need and I will be making the rest with Fasttracks..

[bdennis]

A quick update re the progress on the D&H..
All backboards are up and now painted a light sky blue.
Now for the Valance.

Today I also did a Build #1 of my first fastracks turnout. While it is not perfect, Im fairly happy with the way it came out.. It wont be used on the layout as it has some flaws but was a good first try.
The main flaw is in the area of the switch points. I did not take enough meat off the rail where it comes in contact with the stock rail on the diverge route. Also I made one of the point rails too sharp and it broke away at the top. I would prefer to make non hinged turnouts and given Im using a wider throw bar I will go back to the turnout thread now that I have seen how the process works first hand and apply the learnings from that thread.



See my blog for the progress pictures of the painting and the turnout.

http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks..

[Philip H]

Hey Brendan,
glue a bunch of ties to it, stain them, and toss it in a 62ft mill gon as a panel turnout.  it will be great fun to route it around the layout during ops sessions.

The blue looks great.

[bdennis]

Another update on the D&H..
I have now installed the valance for the layout..
http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/
Here is one of the pictures.
I still need to install the lights behind some of the valance.. Hence the dark spots..


I also need to close up some of the gaps between the valance and the ceiling to stop the light leakage..
Then paint the walkway part of the ceiling black.

[bdennis]

Have been doing some more work on the room and been testing lighting..
I ahve now painted the ceiling in the walk way and installed fluros' to 1/2 of the room..
See my blog update
http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/

[Ian MacMillan]

Brendan,

I just read your lighting post. I have been looking at ways of lighting mine with LED's from the Cree medium base bulbs, to the strips that you used. How is the light output of the 5m strings? I cant really tell from the photos, but is one pass enough to light say a 20" deep area?

[bdennis]

Ian,
In terms of the 5050 type LED, I dont think they are as bright as a normal Fluro and Im only using the narrow T5 type.
I am yet to do more testing so will keep you all posted. The widest part of my layout is about 500mm so just under 20 inches.
My ceilings are 2400mm (94.5 inches / 8 ft) and the bottom of the valance is 2000mm from the floor (78 inches) with the layout being 1400mm from the floor (55 inches).
So the light needs to reach from the bottom of the calance down to the layout that is about 600mm (23 inches).

I will do some more testing and advise.