HOn3 Rio Grande Southern First District 1938-1945

[garethashenden]

I can't remember if you're going the DCC sound route or not, but if you are some grade simulation things can be done with ESU's Full Trottle feature.

[Dave V]

I can't remember if you're going the DCC sound route or not, but if you are some grade simulation things can be done with ESU's Full Trottle feature.

DCC and sound, yes.  I already use Digitrax, so I was planning on staying with it.

[garethashenden]

DCC and sound, yes.  I already use Digitrax, so I was planning on staying with it.

It works fine with Digitrax, just needs Loksound decoders.

[Dave V]

I'm super happy with the existing Tsunami decoders onboard the Blackstone stuff...that's half the appeal!

[Dave V]

The 37th National Narrow Gauge Convention was in Denver this week.   I spent an obscene amount of money and ended up with quite a bit of narrow gauge goodness.   Just as I was getting ready to leave the show, I saw a gentleman with a very weathered model of the Ophir depot.  Although I have the kit it is a primitive kit and I was not looking forward to having to build it. I paid $10 for an already built version. It had been given the full Malcolm Furlow treatment  and frankly I thought the walls were too pale and the trim was too red.  After much very careful handpainting I was able to come up with this.

The original:

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Redone:

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[Dave V]

Less is more.

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[Carolina Northern]

Dave,
You're headed toward minimal locos and cars - eliminating staging. That's a route I've been thinking about more and more as a fellow lone wolf, roundy guy.

Don

[Dave V]

Dave,
You're headed toward minimal locos and cars - eliminating staging. That's a route I've been thinking about more and more as a fellow lone wolf, roundy guy.

Don

I think I still want to do staging.  I have 3 locos and a Goose right now (plus my dad has a brass RGS 4-6-0 in need of paint and DCC) so it would be very RGS-like to have the fall stock rush involve deconflicting stock extras with Geese and mine turns.

BTW, two more structures for Rico:

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

Is there room for a long lap siding behind that ridge? One long track with a crossover in the middle gives you two staging tracks capable of holding passenger trains or geese.

[wcfn100]

I'm just going to sneak in one night and cut a hole in the wall to the utility room.


Jason

[Dave V]

Is there room for a long lap siding behind that ridge? One long track with a crossover in the middle gives you two staging tracks capable of holding passenger trains or geese.

Good call.  Yeah, probably.  Not sure I'd want a crossover hidden like that but the long passing siding makes sense.

Also probably gonna ditch the passing siding at Lizard Head.  I put it there for cutting off mid-train helpers but it's kinda squashed and the RGS just as frequently put the helper on point.

I'm just going to sneak in one night and cut a hole in the wall to the utility room.


Jason

LOL

I socialized this plan on the RGS modeling Facebook page and the subject of grades came up.  I feel like maybe trying to cram grades in here just to have 'em (it's Colorado after all) will cause more problems than it will solve.  Lizard Head is the highest point on the RGS and yet Rico, almost 2,000 feet lower, is right there.

[Point353]

I socialized this plan on the RGS modeling Facebook page and the subject of grades came up.  I feel like maybe trying to cram grades in here just to have 'em (it's Colorado after all) will cause more problems than it will solve.  Lizard Head is the highest point on the RGS and yet Rico, almost 2,000 feet lower, is right there.

Have you considered using a short (1 or 2-turn) helix between Rico and Lizard Head to gain elevation and effectively increase the distance/running time between towns?
It could pass (unseen) behind/beneath the steep hillside onto which the mill is built.
Another helix could then be used at Placerville to drop the elevation back to that of the track hidden behind the ridge.
The old MR Clinchfield project layout used this technique.

[Dave V]

Have you considered using a short (1 or 2-turn) helix between Rico and Lizard Head to gain elevation and effectively increase the distance/running time between towns?
It could pass (unseen) behind/beneath the steep hillside onto which the mill is built.
Another helix could then be used at Placerville to drop the elevation back to that of the track hidden behind the ridge.
The old MR Clinchfield project layout used this technique.

Meh...  I'm going for simple and scenic.  I'm not interested in helices, multiple levels, or any of those things.  To do a helix would involve a tunnel of some sort and the RGS had none.  The one visible spot on this plan where the track penetrates the backdrop is in visible staging, and a dense grove of aspen and cottonwoods will take care of that.

I'm not trying to make this a super basement monster either.  I like small layouts because I can detail the hell out of 'em in a reasonable amount of time.

[Point353]

Meh...  I'm going for simple and scenic.  I'm not interested in helices, multiple levels, or any of those things.  To do a helix would involve a tunnel of some sort and the RGS had none.  The one visible spot on this plan where the track penetrates the backdrop is in visible staging, and a dense grove of aspen and cottonwoods will take care of that.

I'm not trying to make this a super basement monster either.  I like small layouts because I can detail the hell out of 'em in a reasonable amount of time.

Adding a short helix (or two) doesn't have to change the footprint of the layout or introduce multiple decks.
The objective was to simply create some change in the relative elevations between Rico and Lizard Head.
It would also increase the running time and add a grade between the two locations. 

Wonder what the response would be if you "socialized" the suggestion?

[Dave V]

Adding a short helix (or two) doesn't have to change the footprint of the layout or introduce multiple decks.
The objective was to simply create some change in the relative elevations between Rico and Lizard Head.
It would also increase the running time and add a grade between the two locations. 

Wonder what the response would be if you "socialized" the suggestion?

I don't really want a helix.  Simple as that.  Not trying to be a jerk about it...just not interested.

And yes, it would in fact change the footprint because these curves are already pretty sharp (around 19-20") and to drop a helix in the middle of that requires either a tighter inner radius (no-go) or fatter peninsulas (also no go given the space).