Challenge #3 - “The only difference between hell and Thurmond . . .

[Kentuckian]

. . is that a river runs through Thurmond.” That would be Thurmond, West by thunder Virginia.  A few weeks ago a friend of mine was showing off his T-trak modules at a train show. There is a club in Cincinnati. So I have been thinking about it anyway, and the Challenge pushed me over the edge.

I’m still waiting for my double module kit to come in, but the track did come in this week. This is two nights work so far painting ties. I plan on using the Radical Flats paper kits over 1/16” micro plywood that is also on order. A water tank and a standpipe are also planned.

[Kentuckian]

If track was Step 1, the module is Step 2. The mailman just arrived.

[Kentuckian]

Module assembled and ties halfway painted. Once the track is permanently attached to the frame, I will go back and paint the ties at the joints.

Micro plywood for structures and a Plastruct order for the standpipe came in this week.

[jpec]

Crossing the bridge at Thurmond is a trippy experience, especially when you and the train are going in opposite directions.

[Kentuckian]

A wee bit of progress. Sky board is next.
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I think all of the tie painting was worth it. Painted concrete ties vs. the wood. I will fix the joint areas.

[Mark W]

I think all of the tie painting was worth it. Painted concrete ties vs. the wood. I will fix the joint areas.

Definitely! 

[Kentuckian]

A little more progress. Still need to paint the rails and ballast.
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[Dave V]

A little more progress. Still need to paint the rails and ballast.
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I would say that was worth the effort...wow!  Also love the photo flat.

[Kentuckian]

Thanks, Dave. These Radical Flats kits are pretty good. I don’t know how they got the lighting to look so realistic! 

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[Kentuckian]

Backdrop installed. Yes, those corner blocks were N-trak module legs, so I’ve got that going for me. Also painted the rails. Almost done with Thurmond National Bank; it still needs a leittle weathering and a final coat of flat finish. Mankin Drug is next.
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[wm3798]

Watch out for the dog who has been sleeping...  he is well rested, and ready to run!

[Kentuckian]

Like any good building contractor, I have at least three projects going: one that is about finished, one halfway, and one getting started. I like it when a project is explained, so I wanted to do the same.

If you are playing at home, or ever come across these Radical Flats kits in the future, a few caveats. The fronts and roofs of all three buildings are supplied, and both sides of both end buildings are supplied. You are on your own for all three back walls, and the side walls of the center building. Awnings are supplied.

The Thurmond National Bank Build is a pretty straightforward build. However, the Mankin Drug building does not have the same ratio between the front and side walls. The tops and bottoms don’t line up. I chose to line up the window elevations between the front and sides, cutting the extra height from the top and bottom of the sides. It probably won’t end up with as many chimneys as the prototype had.

The center building has been selectively compressed. It’s tough to do Thurmond in less than two feet, so I made a compromise. (“Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.” -Garrison Keillor) I believe the building still maintains its “squatty” look, and I picked up about 1.5”. Like the woman that was relieving herself in the river her husband was drowning in “Every little bit helps.” My trusty SERB allowed me to do my “Barber of Seville” act; I think once the window awning is installed the splices will not be noticeable. That is once nice thing about paper buildings, they are easy to cut down.

The photo shows the “downtown,” the water tank base, and the standpipe (which obviously needs to be cut to height).
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[Kentuckian]

Billions of bilious blue blistering barnacles!

I didn’t complete the module by the deadline.

I’ve been traveling most of the last two weeks unexpectedly, which of course took time away from completion. Anyway, here are the photos as of tonight. At least the three downtown structures are complete.

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The foreground structure is an old baggage car converted to yard storage. The small structure on the foam rise yet to be completed was known as the “dog wagon”, a small lunch counter. Note the two doors, required in the Jim Crow era. The water tank and standpipe also need to be finished, and a slope behind the buildings installed and covered with puffball trees. The ballasting also needs to be completed.

Lee, thanks for making this happen. This will give me a module to travel with, and also provide me with a concrete example of several things, such as what a 10” sky board looks like, as I plan my layout. Thanks again for the great example.

[wm3798]

Great use of the printed structures and photo backdrop.  Keep posting your progress!

[Vince P]

Really nice looking