My unnamed HOn3 layout build

[Jim Costello]

How far north are you travelling Rod?  Days up this way are a little warmer than what you have been having down in Melbourne.

Jim
Modelling the NH downunder

[Santa Fe Guy]

Jim Heading up to Ipswich then South Brissy then on to Mooloolabar.
Rod.

[Jim Costello]

Your welcome to call in if you have the time, about an hour from Ipswich or South Brissy

Jim

[Santa Fe Guy]

Your welcome to call in if you have the time, about an hour from Ipswich or South Brissy
Jim

Thanks Jim we have a pretty tight schedule so probably will not make it.
Rod.
 
It was foggy, really cold outside and then really cold in the garage so I started to scratch build a warehouse for the new RR. whilst sitting in the comfort of the house.
I chose Slaters 4mm corrugated siding as the iron for the walls and the roof on this build as I had plenty of this on hand from the builds I did on the SFRSD.
This is where I got to on Thursday afternoon after about 2 hours of toil.
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I plan to lightly scribe vertical lines on the siding every 4 feet then when weathering hopefully the weathering solution will highlight these so it looks a bit like individual sheets of iron.
Well that's the plan so we shall see how it works.
Timber will be added below the iron to give it a different look.
This will be for either of the three towns on the RR I will work that out as I lay track.
Rod.

[bdennis]

Nice work Rod.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Got back from our big road trip up North and got stuck into completing my scratch-built warehouse.
Added some timber to the foundation and doors to bring it to life.
Did quite a bit of weathering to hopefully have it look a bit more aged.
The Slaters corrugated siding has turned out quite good.
Some scribing of separation lines and a wash of Rustall and black finished it off.
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Happy with the way it has turned out.
Now working an the first of two trestles for the newly named Monarch Branch.
Rod.

[Santa Fe Guy]

 Next project on my to do list was to construct the first of two trestles that will reside on the MB RR.
First off was to stain all my ties using the tried and true India ink and alcohol. I used black and sepia for these.
They were then cut to a scale 9 feet. Using a jig like Dave I slowly assembled all 130 scale feet before adding the side timbers.
ME code 70 track was laid then code 60 guard rails added on the outside both weathered in ME weathering solution.
After drilling 103 holes I then added Grant Line NBW's on the outside timbers.
I stained all my timbers for the bents using a Distressed Walnut Stain to help make it look more like creosote (as noted in some images) and as it dries almost immediately allowed me to get cutting and assembling all nine .
Here are the results thus far.
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A long way to go.
Rod.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Better lighting has now been installed in the garage er train room with the edition of three 3 foot LED's which will make working on the RR soo much easier.
The sub road bed is complete as too the two duck-unders. I have made them so they slide in and out and are held in place with two Latch bolts at each end.
Cork is being laid. The main yard at Gunnerson is almost complete as too Cimmeron yard.
The new trestles are coming along nicely with the second now sitting in place just waiting for scenery to be added to the area below.
Some in progress shots.
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This is where the town of Ponca Junction will be.
At the foot of the stairs
and one of the new trestles just completed.
Rod.

[Cajonpassfan]

Nice to see progress, Rod, looking good!
My first introduction to the Rockies was a drive over Monarch Pass way back when, nice country, should be very "model-able".
Otto

[Santa Fe Guy]

Thanks Otto.
It has been very cold here in Melbourne this past few weeks so nothing much done in the train room.
Not much rain however enough to keep our smallish garden wet. Not so for most of the East Coast and our outback farmers and graziers who are experiencing the worst drought in almost a century.
Grain to feed farm animals is coming from the West of the country by ship and hundreds of tons of hay is being trucked in each week to try and save their stock and herds. It is quite dire.
Rod.
 

[Santa Fe Guy]

Both of the trestles are complete and sitting in situ waiting for the track gang.
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More cork been laid and hand made turnouts are being prepared ready for installation.
Rod.

[Peter S]

Nice work Rod, looking forward to seeing a train run past and switch at this mine!

[Santa Fe Guy]

Started laying track and hand-laid turnouts (turnouts made by Big John) late yesterday in the town of Gunnison and after honey do's this morning got a bit more done this arvo.
Taking my time making sure everything lines up.
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So long since I have laid any track but good to start.
ME code 70, some weathered and some not.
Rod.

[Bob]

You have made tremendous progress in just a few months!  Really nice job with the trestles and buildings - they look great!

[bdennis]

Nice work Rod. I love laying track. My favourite part then comes wiring..