Killashandra - Irish Nn3

[160pennsy]

Sometime last week, Facebook told me that it's been three years since the Layout arrived on my doorstep.

It's been an amazing journey into the Nn3 realm thus far, of which there are a number of folks from various parts of the US and other parts of the world who I have to thank for either continued support, encouragement, advice, some much needed scenic parts (thanks to @Lemosteam for the stone arches and @160pennsy for teaching me the art of static grass.

Of course, none of this saga would ever have taken place without @Chris333 to whom I owe a great deal for enabling this adventure.

Over the weekend, the layout was out at the Atlantic City N-scale Gathering, and while some unexpected floor-based condensation prevented the layout from being run on Saturday, I did manage to get the layout running for a bit on Sunday.

In the coming days/weeks I plan to get back to doing some actual modeling on the layout. There's still a number of projects that I wish to complete on the layout, namely I think some trees/shrubs/bushes of some kind are in order as well as some detail elements that I've had planned.
Plus, the track could use a proper cleaning treatment. I plan on using varying grades of fine sanding film (1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, 12000) to really get the track cleaned and almost polished. My 0-6-0's wheels could use a similar treatment as I recently noted that a previous owner must have used abrasives on the wheels as they have segmented wear patterns on them. I plan to come up with a solution to polish the wheels in-motion using the 12000-grit sanding film.

No photos to share of the layout at the show, but there will be video footage of it in the official NJS video of the AC N-Scale Gathering.

Hello Cody,

Do you have plans to bring Killashandra to Danville, VA Old 97 Rail Days - Sept 22-24, 2017 ? Some of those pending scenic projects could get crossed off your list such as trees, shrubs and bushes. Regarding detail elements are you thinking about adding stone walls, fence posts, items on the loading dock, structure, figures, or sheep, which would all help break up those large expanses of rolling green fields?  How's your progress on adding a durable facia to protect the foam, scenery & stream during transport?  Let me know what your plans are so I can pack all the required materials & tools in my truck.

[VonRyan]

Hello Cody,

Do you have plans to bring Killashandra to Danville, VA Old 97 Rail Days - Sept 22-24, 2017 ? Some of those pending scenic projects could get crossed off your list such as trees, shrubs and bushes. Regarding detail elements are you thinking about adding stone walls, fence posts, items on the loading dock, structure, figures, or sheep, which would all help break up those large expanses of rolling green fields?  How's your progress on adding a durable facia to protect the foam, scenery & stream during transport?  Let me know what your plans are so I can pack all the required materials & tools in my truck.

Not 100% sure one way or the other yet as to whether or not I can make it to Danville this year.
I'll have to check on whether or not I have any personal days left. I know that I've already used up my 4 vacation days.

[VonRyan]

So some minor progress here in “Ireland”.

I converted the layout over to a DKS-throttle. It’s like a protothrottle, but not.

Now the layout has no external wires. It only needs six AA batteries, and it can make even a Märklin 3-pole motored 0-6-0 creep along.

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[Chris333]

So after all this time none of that rail popped up?

[VonRyan]

So after all this time none of that rail popped up?

I thought there might have been a contraction spot in one area but I was mistaken. I think there is just one joint that experienced some ever so slight expansion, but not enough to have any effect on operation.
Even with some difference in storage conditions at times (it got stored in my basement for about a 8 months at one point) the rails are still holding up fine.

[DKS]

In case anyone who is not familiar with this throttle would like to learn more, see this:

http://davidksmith.com/modeling/projects/throttle.htm

[VonRyan]

Yesterday I shot some video of the layout under natural light.
Today @DKS worked his magic on the clips and even found some audio to add in.

[chicken45]

I really think you should consider putting a face on that locomotive.

[DKS]

I really think you should consider putting a face on that locomotive.

[Philip H]

Needs more sheep!

[Dave V]

Needs more sheep!

And Ed.

[Chris333]

Dang that runs pretty good!

[VonRyan]

Dang that runs pretty good!

I’m equally surprised. Especially given the fact that the 0-6-0 is one of the 3-pole motored ones.

[peteski]

Dang that runs pretty good!

Must be that DKS throttle. 

[jpec]

Great job, Cody!

Jeff