The Canal Line

[coosvalley]

So I got a few little projects done, and the results are leaving me feeling satisfied!..Although, the projects are not very photogenic.

First, I installed 2 pins to keep the mill parallel the the tracks in front of it, which means it will always go back in the same place. The whole structure is fairly flexible, so this will make sure it stays in the right spot.

Another project was also wrapped up, finally. Switcher madness has come to an end, for now. Last night I added the final touches to SW9 #1226, a detailed LL shell on a Bachmann NW2 chassis. It got all the handrails made that I had lost over the years, this is actually this locos 4th paint job, so it suffered a bit over the years..

Also completed was a frame swap, so now the B&M 1127 and 1128 have chassis with NO traction tires , and B&M 1117 and Pioneer Valley 27 have chassis with 1 traction tire. I didn't have enough wheelsets without traction tires to make them all without TTs, so this make the most used equipment have the better electrical contact. During this process, I also added tungsten 1/8 cubes anywhere I could on the locos, I found spots for 9 of them with any loco mods. A super easy spot to add these is either side of the couplers, as it doesn't even require taking the shell off. This won't give me tons of pulling power, but helps with the electrical contact with the rails. No matter how much weight I added, the models equipped with 1 traction tire could still outpull them, though they are a little more finicky when it comes to keeping contact with the rails.. I prefer more contact with the rails than pulling power.

Anywho, finally, a group shot...NO more messing with SW's!......for now, that is

[eja]

Nice family portrait !

[nuno81291]

Weeds along the ROW look excellent. Motive power as well.

[coosvalley]

Thanks guys!

This week I added some bits to one side of the bridge, to try to conceal the fact that it's made out of an Atlas turnout, and has normal, not bridge tie spacing....I also added the trim strip along the edge of the ties

Anywho, a couple shots..






I also planted some grass:, There's a write up in the scenery techniques page.

[peteski]

Nice!  A big thumbs-up for you! 

[DKS]

Really nice. This is among my favorite layouts on TRW.

[coosvalley]

Thanks David and Pete, your words are encouraging!

[txronharris]

Just went through this entire thread and took a look at your FB page as well. Great modelling and lots of good information. Thanks for keeping everyone updated on your progress.

[bdennis]

Love the look of the weeds in the tracks.. Great work.. following with interest..

[coosvalley]

Just went through this entire thread and took a look at your FB page as well. Great modelling and lots of good information. Thanks for keeping everyone updated on your progress.

Love the look of the weeds in the tracks.. Great work.. following with interest..

Thanks to both of you!.....

But, I don't have a facebook page for this layout ..I considered it, but chose to just have this one thread here on TRW.

[peteski]

But, I don't have a facebook page for this layout .

Hmmm . . . a FB doppelganger? 

[coosvalley]

I recently found an easy way to add the Shapeways ESM "wheel load" to the ESM depressed center flatcar.
I wanted it to be removable, if for no other reason than easy storage!..It should have tie downs and extra bracing, but I can ignore the lack of them, and if it bothers me enough, I can add them.

This is really basic, but also super easy. I cut 2 pieces of Evergreen strip #176 .100x .125 to the length of the well, insert them into the sides of the I beams of the Shapeways part, and insert that into the well, no glue was used, and you can center the Shapeways part in the process . It took more words than effort, so here's some pics..



Before being pushed into place, center the wheel at this point:

[coosvalley]

I have also been noodling with the trackplan that I showed recently. I have shaved it down to a 4 x 6 foot L shape, the 4 foot long side attaches to the current layout, and the 6 foot side is only 1 foot deep instead of two. The yard would be my "staging", and car storage, something I need badly. I would still scenic this area, because it's a small layout, and why cut corners? The 2 smaller tracks would be an open air engine servicing facility, based on a photo that I have of a similar spot

Forgive my landscaping skills, but the track is basically how I'd like it, though I need to include a run around at the yard end, and would like more space for the "departure" track, but train lengths are not long . The grade would be smoother than shown, I hope! The "curved switching lead/mainline" would be hidden under/behind structures, but not actually go anywhere..


Anywho, some pics...










This last scene is sorta based on this pic:..

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Sign me the f up!

[coosvalley]

I weathered this "Conrail green" boxcar, and also took the opportunity to fade the PC patches on my ESM X58, something I had been meaning to do for a while now, I think it looks much better now. This is one of my favorite cars.