Woodbine Industrial Track

[conrail1973]

After looking at the suggestions for a transflo terminal, I tried to find something comparable, and I came up with the Reading Bee-Line Service.  After reading about this service in the Summer 2016 Classic Trains, the RDG offered same day service for a load from shipper to receiver with the same crew performing all of the functions.  The minimum length for this service was 5 cars, and I could include this on my layout.  It mentioned products such as limestone, steel products, and piggy back traffic as possible products being moved.  I also found a picture of a 5 car train with  RDG boxcars in the consist.  This might be something to consider as an additional industry on my team track.

[jpec]

Unsanded or sanded grout. There is no better way.

What he said....

Jeff

[conrail1973]

A little scenic update.  After 10 years, I have a 1/3 of the layout covered with scenic material.  I ordered Scenic Express #50 Light Gray Ballast, and I completed the area around the team track.  I've received some feedback and done some research for the "pavement" on my layout, and I'm just intrigued with using the ballast for that purpose.  The next project will be the parking areas around some of the structures on the rest of the layout.

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I've also attached some updated photos for the rest of the layout, and I will attest that developing this little urban area will be my next goal 

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Enjoy,
Adam

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like it so far. It's a good start. I especially like the muted colors.

I have a few recommendations:
1. Supertrees! Those Woodland Scenics things are good for decorative shrubberies only, and the fall ones, well, they're a bit over the top.
2. Wooded ground cover. Areas that are going to be under trees or other brush need more "dead leaves" type ground cover. This is how I do it: http://conrail1285.com/winter-forest-technique/
3. Gravel as pavement: I dig it! I'm trying something similar with some unsanded grout. One thing I've found that seems to help is "tamping it down" with some foam to compress it a bit and tighten up the texture.
4. Variation: I'd recommend dusting a somewhat contrasting color of ground foam over the stuff you've got down to break it up a bit. I think, given the look you're going for, some of the "burnt grass" or "yellow grass" would be perfect.

[jpec]

Looking good! Did you use styrene for the roads? If you did and you haven't secured it or even if you have but the buildings are removable, sand the surface with some 600 grit sandpaper. A palm-sized or one of those really small sanders will be a friend here...if you sand it down it will go to a nice weathered greyish-black asphalt tone...unless you're looking for fresh asphalt. Here's how it turns out...

Jeff

[conrail1973]

Ed ~ Thanks! I like the idea of using Supertrees.  I just checked out the the link that you attached, and this will be a project to consider this year.

Jeff ~ Thanks! I did use styrene, and I do like the idea of sanding it down.  How much of the surface will I sand down to get the look that you have in the photo?

Thanks,

Adam

[SSW7771]

Looking good! Did you use styrene for the roads? If you did and you haven't secured it or even if you have but the buildings are removable, sand the surface with some 600 grit sandpaper. A palm-sized or one of those really small sanders will be a friend here...if you sand it down it will go to a nice weathered greyish-black asphalt tone...unless you're looking for fresh asphalt. Here's how it turns out...

Jeff

I like this idea!

@conrail1973 the layout is looking good! I definitely agree with Ed's comments. I used unsanded grout on my layout with good success for both a gravel lot and basic ground cover.

[jpec]

Ed ~ Thanks! I like the idea of using Supertrees.  I just checked out the the link that you attached, and this will be a project to consider this year.

Jeff ~ Thanks! I did use styrene, and I do like the idea of sanding it down.  How much of the surface will I sand down to get the look that you have in the photo?

Thanks,

Adam

It was maybe 60-90 seconds over an area. You'll get a feel for how much. I use .050 styrene (seusscaboose and I split a 4' x 8' sheet) that I got from Piedmont Plastics. If you use a lot of styrene buying it like that saves you some bucks over the long run. Black is a different animal because the outlet up in  Elkridge doesn't  stock it; We had to get it from their NC shop.

[conrail1973]

A motive power update.  My recent 2 purchases have given me a few ideas on which railroads I can model because it's not like I have flip flopped on this for 10 years with this layout 

Early Guilford

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The Valley

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Reading

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The first few months after the start of Conrail.

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I'm still fighting the temptation to add Penn Central black or bring back Big Blue to the mix!  If I ever make the move to DCC (I'm old school, and I would never run more than one loco at a time), I'm glad that some of these older locomotives are decoder ready.

Thanks!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man, you gotta throw some PC and CR into the mix!

But take my advice. Don't start an NW2 project, and DO NOT post about it here! lol

[jpec]

Oh man, you gotta throw some PC and CR into the mix!

But take my advice. Don't start an NW2 project, and DO NOT post about it here! lol

You can start one...just don't post it. Make it like the new girl after your old one...put it in the background and when someone asks, then you bring her to the foreground.

[conrail1973]

Good Morning,

I started sanding down the roads with the 600 grit sandpaper, and I really like how it's beginning to look.  I also have made the leap and acquired a Penn Central RS3    I will also be in possession of a PC RS11 by the end of the week, and I'll be sure to add the S2 if or when it is delivered this year.  I think it is safe to say that I have finally made the jump to represent the PC on my layout!

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Thanks,
Adam

[MichaelWinicki]

I think it is safe to say that I have finally made the jump to represent the PC on my layout!



Thanks,
Adam

Smart.

[conrail1973]

Good Morning!

I had a little spare time because my youngest had to stay home from school due to a fever, so I added a little more ground cover to the layout until I ran out of scenic cement 

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I also brought back the Big Blue to the layout, and who could resist a PC GP30?

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Thanks,
Adam

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Muy caliente!

Have you thought about what to do with your track? It looks way too nice to be hosting that 7652.

I haven't tried it with the Atlas stuff, but I feel like a black or dark gray wash might go a long way toward hiding the uniformity of the "whiteness".