Mill Creek HOn30

[Chris333]

   I'm so far into building this that I guess it's a thing now. I had built a HOn30 Maine style layout and it sat for a while with no progress. I hand laid all the track as there was no C55 HOn30 flex available. I over built the layout since I knew the track needed a stable base, but over time joints kept popping and the whole layout turned into a shelf. This is the general layout of the Maine layout:
https://goo.gl/photos/AJ7WvP96qajrojhF6
The squares are 12", the goofy circle were just light bulb spots.

Since then a started a smaller 13x44" HOn30 layout based around the Mann's Creek RR


I liked what I did and wanted more. So I tore up the Maine layout, kept the bones, and rebuilt a freelance layout. I came up with this for a trackplan:


I ordered some Shinohara C60 flex from the UK, they had to order it from Japan and it took a while to get here. Some pics of the layout while I waited for track:
https://goo.gl/photos/NTCVzENt4MwJGwnVA
https://goo.gl/photos/B7eTee7Vd9j8LF2F7

The track showed up. I built all the turnouts with C55 rail. To join the track I just filed the bottom of the C60 down .005" and they lined right up. I got the "mainline" up and running:

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I ran out of flex for the town site, but I was thinking that area would never get touched because of roundy round reasons    Since I had to order more track I figured I might as well extend the mainline. I came up with this:


This time the track didn't come from Japan, it was straight from the UK so it didn't take as long. I built turnouts while I waited. I got the new mainline up and running yesterday. I'll post more later... 

[Chris333]

Might as well talk about the name.

I called the Maine layout railroad the "Mill Creek & Lake Newport RR" after Mill Creek park in Youngstown, OH. When I did the Mann's Creek thing I called it the "Mill Creek Coal & Coke Co." I later found there was a real Mill Creek Coal & Coke Co in WV at one time. I want to still run the Maine stuff so I will keep that lettered for the MC&LN. The mining railroad will be the MCC&CCo. and any logging equipment will be "Lake Newport Lumber".

Mill Creek & Lake Newport


Mill Creek Coal & Coke Co.

[svedblen]

Awesome! Looking great. And all that progress while keeping us in the dark 

[Chris333]

Here is the "new" part of the layout.

That pink foam at the top left is were the main line used to go through the wall.

That white block will be a company store soon.

And the yard/dock area. I had to add a "Lake Newport".

[Dave V]

Man, Chris...  I don't know how you work as fast as you do and yet do it to such an incredibly high standard.  I love that you're now balls-deep into narrow gauge too!  The narrow gauge mafia gathers strength...

What are the stats on this layout?  Curious about overall size and minimum radius.

[Chris333]

I guess overall it is 8x11' with a 11.5" min radius.  The long part of the layout is built around the center beam in the basement. 2 of the support columns are inside the backdrop.  This whole layout is around a month old 

Cutting window openings for the company store now.
http://www.buffalocreekandgauley.com/STRUCTURES/SWANDALE/CompanyStore/CompanyStore.html

Love freelancing because I can use all the stuff I like from narrow gauge railroads.

[coosvalley]

Don't forget to add layout #4 to your tagline!

I look forward to watching this layout develop, I have a bit of the HOn30 bug myself..

[narrowminded]

I love these things.   Will it need a little battery mine locomotive?

[Chris333]

Days worth of company store work.

[andyl913]

Here is the "new" part of the layout.

That pink foam at the top left is were the main line used to go through the wall.

That white block will be a company store soon.

And the yard/dock area. I had to add a "Lake Newport".

I always look forward to seeing your work Chris... It's very inspiring, especially the N scale Erie HCD as I'm going for a very similar look. Can't wait to see this one develop!

[glakedylan]

Chris, you always amaze with your quality of modeling and pace of work
excellent!
thanks for sharing
Gary

[jpec]

Just beautiful, man....the stuff that you, Dr. Vollmer and DFF are cooking up is amazing.

Jeff

[Chris333]

Messing around with this 2-6-0 made from a Model Power loco. It is based on the Godchaux #4 that was used on a sugar plantation.

The cab, boiler, cylinders and pilot are all 3D. The cylinders are pushed forward a bit so it matches the scale drawings.

Wondering what all the hand layers do about this:

 

[bdennis]

Damn good question Chris.. I have the same problem.. How to cover the copper ties where the point rails rub...

[Lemosteam]

Neolube?