SP's East Portland "Produce Row"

[pdx1955]

Then, on the other side of the layout (however not on the priority list in the Challenges thread, but these were in my to-do stack at the workbench), is the start of representing the large coal gas holders in this location. I cut the N scale Walthers version in half to represent two of the three that were here. If I had the room, I really should use the HO version to be in the correct cubic feet ballpark  , but we can't have everything. Both of these will be mounted on substantial concrete foundations to match the prototype which will raise these an inch or more and allow to be better fitted into the scenery. All of the steel will be painted a hull/Navy gray as they certainly aren't black in my photographs.

Also, to the left is the first industrial flat along the backdrop as there were a number of industrial structures that flanked the Brooklyn yard area with at least one saw-tooth roofed one. This is a old Model Power structure that I bashed into a single building with my own version of standing seam roofing (scribing styrene with a old blade plows up the plastic on both sides of the cut creating a noticeable ridge - this works for this 2+ foot view . I still have to paint the roof, foundation, and weather the whole thing.

[OldEastRR]

I remember that "bump-out" article in MR because it was part of the continuing series on David Popp's New Haven N layout. I really like that series because it showed how a simple 4x8 oval-type layout plan slowly evolved into a long linear U-shaped one. I was disappointed the "How To" build it book from Kalmbach changed it into one final giant project done step by step, rather than how it grew and morphed. MR did do that concept once "The HO Layout That Grows" which promoted the idea that you could start with a small layout then add to it. Allen's G&D layout did exactly this. Sellios' FS&M was another. Doesn't seem to be a mainstream idea these days.

[pdx1955]

Other than the final weathering on them, I got the Portland Gas & Coke Co's gas holders done. I still need to bring the scenery up to the bottom of the steps, but I'll do that when I tie everything together once all of the structures are completed next to the backdrop.



I also decided to change part of the transition between the Brooklyn yard terminal area and the East Portland industrial area. One thing I would do if I ever had more room would be to model more of the mixed commercial/residential area that is in this area. I was planning to model a dairy complex (with the spurs going toward the edge of the layout) . Since I had no real ideas on approaching the building of these structures, I wondered if I needed to build them at all? I've been staring at this corner for a couple years now and not really satisfied with it. Since I already have to replace one switch and pull up a major crossover to put in Bluepoint manual turnout controls (so I can also have DPDT contacts for signals) and infra-red detectors , why don't I just rip out the dairy trackage , realign a street and make room for about 5 houses and a couple other structures? I don't have room for pure "negative space" but I don't need to fill it all up with rail-served industry either, so this will help model the overall flavor of the area.

I already had a couple Atlas houses that didn't fit here in the original iteration of the plan, so I ordered another bungalow, a couple of Walthers Cape Cods and a few laser cut garages to create a neighborhood. the folded paper towel shows the new cross-street alignment which will have the nicer houses fronting it on both sides. I'll have a junkier-looking house on the next street over to the left (under the pile of stuff) next to the commercial structures which will face the coal yard, team track and stock pen across that street. This will also fit a bit better with the retail Copeland Lumber store (the orange building on the far upper right) and gives me something I can use as motivation to complete the needs of this location.

[OldEastRR]

I really like this layout. Great that you're adding some non-railroad scenery, too many modelers just put in railroady stuff, forget that people have to live there too. You have the right idea that there are "better" neighborhoods, and in that case those houses are as far from the RR tracks as possible. The shabbier and less-maintained ones' property lines butt right up against the ROW.  And for small shabby houses there's none better than

http://www.laserkit.com/laserkit.htm][url]http://www.laserkit.com/laserkit.htm (at the bottom of the page)

  Kit No. 698 Company Houses
Three typical company house kits included in each box.  Dimensions are 1.5" long x 1.5" wide x 1" high.  MSRP...$25.95/3

They're easy to modify and detail and don't take up much space. (These don't have the chimneys installed)



As you can see, some people like to keep the place up and others don't give a *****. All in the same neighborhood!

[pdx1955]

Finally got back to work on the railroad and got all of the ultimate creature comfort installed with the New Line cupholders in place at the yard terminals. They work well !



I also started on the track and electrical work in the Haig area that I've been putting off forever with the starting to put in the Blue Point throws (so I can use the extra contacts to help with signal installations). I also cleaned out under the layout and managed to get my latest Hex Frog juicer connected up to power and the related frogs for this junction and a couple important ones surrounding it. I also got to try out the suitcase connectors and pliers I got for Christmas last year to see how those work out. In the picture the track is lifted a bit so I can drill the throw and mounting holes for the BP's. Once those assemblies are done, the track can be refixed and I can move forward again.

[johnb]

I need a bottle holder to go along with the bottle opener on my benchwork...

[pdx1955]

I need a bottle holder to go along with the bottle opener on my benchwork...

They work for bottles too as they are adjustable.

[Cajonpassfan]

Peter, I like your choice of fascia color. I don’t know that I have seen a blue-ish fascia before, but it sure works.
Otto K.

[pdx1955]

Well, it's just Olympic  latex "black" that was leftover  from our kitchen wall mural ( a.k.a. giant paint-by-number) project. Think of it as "loco/grimy" black (it's pretty close to licorice  ice cream too) as its obviously  lighter than the molded and spray painted attached appliances .

[eja]

I like what you did with the two half tank gas storage facilities.


As I looked them from the photo's semi helicopter view, I couldn't help but think that they would look even better if you could paint the other half of the roof and the metal framework on the backdrop.

Just a suggestion.......

ed

[wm3798]

I like what you did with the two half tank gas storage facilities.


As I looked them from the photo's semi helicopter view, I couldn't help but think that they would look even better if you could paint the other half of the roof and the metal framework on the backdrop.

Just a suggestion.......

ed

Hard to do and keep the view effective from multiple viewing/photo angles.
Lee

[pdx1955]

Hard to do and keep the view effective from multiple viewing/photo angles.
Lee

Yep, I had considered  that but as Lee  mentioned  trying to deal with isometric  angles  and  perspective  might look more odd, so I left it alone.

[MDW]

Yep.
You can only make that work from a single point of view.....will look odd from any other angle.
Great modeling of a really cool area.
Michel

[pdx1955]

For the first time, I  have even lighting over the layout with the addition  of four 5000K  LED  strip lights I bought a few months ago. No more shadows which i'm liking  a lot too.

[pdx1955]

This week I got the Haig interlocking (where it goes from single to double main tracks at the Brooklyn Yard entrance) back together again with the new switch and filling gap where the original dairy spurs were to be. The hex juicer fixed all of the stall areas and once I fixed one cold solder joint and a problematic suitcase connector (while these things make it faster, in a tight location its harder to hold all of the connections and get the special pliers oriented correctly so the connector crimps correctly) it was done! Still have to paint the new track additions here and in a couple other spots plus do my next least favorite things which is installing switch motors from underneath (in this case Blue Points) . Did celebrate with a JFRT moment by testing out the new sound-equipped locomotives (BLI F7's, PA's and a Bachmann SD9) through this  track work with no derailments or stalls (whew!).