Proposed HO/HOn3 Layout. Colorado Midland/D&RG/C&S

[dcarrell8]

Dennis,

Your work is outstanding as usual.  Sorry to hear about the job but it's only for a few years.  As we used to say on submarines, "I could stand on my head in bucket of sh*t, snorkeling through a straw without a head valve in a state 7 sea for 880 days!"

Scott

Thanks Scott!!
I totally agree, I can put up with a lot of crap over the next 18-24 months. My biggest issue is no one will give us straight answers about when/where we will be allowed(told) to go.  It's lack of knowledge that is the most stressful part of all this.

~Dennis

[dcarrell8]

Finally got to spend a little time on the layout, it's been a busy summer.  I definitely could have done a little better.  My newest patch of static grass ended up too bright as compared to the previous grasses, probably due to my inability to read German!  The Grade crossing turned out ok, but has a slight credibility issue due to how it interfaces with the backdrop and the other road.  I'm amazed at the quality of the Martin Welberg products, it's so much better than ground up foam.
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~Dennis

[CRL]

Thanks Scott!!
I totally agree, I can put up with a lot of crap over the next 18-24 months. My biggest issue is no one will give us straight answers about when/where we will be allowed(told) to go.  It's lack of knowledge that is the most stressful part of all this.

~Dennis

I really hate to ask, or even broach the subject, but have you been given any of the transfer information in writing? Usually when a company closes a facility, it has to declare their intent to the state unemployment commission along with the plan as to who will be laid off and who will be offered transfers. If they’re being this closed mouthed about the plan, it’s possible they’re trying to string you along to keep you from jumping ship before they’re ready to shut down. If they’re wanting you to transfer, they shouldn’t mind putting it in writing. Different states have different employment laws, so YMMV of course, but I experienced 3 office closings during my working career before I retired.

[dcarrell8]

I really hate to ask, or even broach the subject, but have you been given any of the transfer information in writing? Usually when a company closes a facility, it has to declare their intent to the state unemployment commission along with the plan as to who will be laid off and who will be offered transfers. If they’re being this closed mouthed about the plan, it’s possible they’re trying to string you along to keep you from jumping ship before they’re ready to shut down. If they’re wanting you to transfer, they shouldn’t mind putting it in writing. Different states have different employment laws, so YMMV of course, but I experienced 3 office closings during my working career before I retired.

Yes, I have everything in writing.  I have put in for a different position within the agency, I'm just waiting to hear back for an interview.  I'm a classified state state employee and have merit protections so they can't really just lay me off.  They are certainly being closed mouth about how they are doing it though.
~Dennis

[dcarrell8]

Tried some Focus stacking, it's time now to learn some photography skills.
~Dennis

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[LIRR]

nice work

[Cajonpassfan]

Very nice work, Dennis, looking good!
I’ve been inquiring about dual gauge turnouts here, and here I see one in your photo. Is it a commercial product, or did you built it? We need a handful for a layout I’m helping with.
Thanks, Otto

[dcarrell8]

nice work

Thanks!

[dcarrell8]

Very nice work, Dennis, looking good!
I’ve been inquiring about dual gauge turnouts here, and here I see one in your photo. Is it a commercial product, or did you built it? We need a handful for a layout I’m helping with.
Thanks, Otto

Thanks for the kind words Otto.

This is a Fast tracks turnout.  I have the dual gauge jig and did attempt one, but it wasn't quite good enough to make the layout.  I need to do many more standard turnouts before attempting another one.  I purchased this one from James Town Trains.  http://jamestowntrains.com/turnouts/narrow-gauge-turnouts 

~Dennis

[dcarrell8]

Today I started prepping benchwork for my first staging yard.  I believe I will use a mix of benchwork techniques for the entire layout.  So far I've ripped one sheet of plywood for some framework and one sheet of 1/4" tempered hardboard to give spline roadbed a try.

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I'm trying my hardest to avoid putting in a helix.  I believe I can use spline roadbed coming out of staging to gain the needed elevation for the majority of the layout.  I plan on having it "peak out" in various places rather than be entirely hidden.  Other areas between "Towns" Will also be good areas for spline.   My thought is, it will be less expensive than creating the same runs with plywood and much easier to  manipulate curves as well.

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I'm also making an 8' test track to see what kind of grades can be handled by my various Locos with different lengths of trains.

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I know some of you were concerned about my safety while using my DeWalt radial arm saw.  I'm happy to report that after fine tuning everything it works like a dream.  I added some extension wings with roller bearings to help feed a full sheet of Ply. 

For the record the loss of a digit is only a small sacrifice for the ease and convenience of owning a Radial Arm Saw that can do EVERYTHING!.  I still need to make some floor rollers so I can stand a sheet on it's edge and roll it through for a cross cut... with the blade at belly height facing me. 

~Dennis

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[Ed Kapuscinski]

Somebody's been watching Stumpy Nubs!

Looking good man. Nice blood color too.

[LKOrailroad]

I'm also making an 8' test track to see what kind of grades can be handled by my various Locos with different lengths of trains.

~Dennis

You may want to make that test track a curve of the smallest significant radius on your layout. Big difference between pulling a hill and pulling a curved hill. Just a thought.

[Cajonpassfan]

Thanks for the kind words Otto.

This is a Fast tracks turnout.  I have the dual gauge jig and did attempt one, but it wasn't quite good enough to make the layout.  I need to do many more standard turnouts before attempting another one.  I purchased this one from James Town Trains.  http://jamestowntrains.com/turnouts/narrow-gauge-turnouts 

~Dennis

Thanks Dennis, info and link appreciated!
As to the grades, yes the curves do add extra friction. I “compensate” my grades by using a straight level across the (longer) arc when setting the grade. Works pretty well…
Otto

[dcarrell8]

Thanks for the input gentlemen!
I did some testing today and found that my K-27's (Both Blackstone & Precision Scale co.) could pull ten cars on straight track at a 3.5% grade.  The Sunset Models K-28 didn't do quite as well and struggled with 2.5%.  The C-19 could do 3% with 5 cars which is my goal for those little guys.
I have a Westside Models K-37 and it could handle 4%.  Untested is a Fuji K-36 that is currently getting DCC & Sound put in, but I expect it will be similar to the K-37. 

I'm not set up yet to test grades on a radius.  According to some of the calculators on line a 1.5% on a 18" radius is equivalent to approx. a 3% grade.  I have planed on a 1.5% grade but have been concerned at what the radii would do.  I'm a lot less concerned now, and will do some more testing as soon as some benchwork is up.
~Dennis

[Cajonpassfan]

The other good thing is that two locos pull a bit more than twice of what one will do.  A case of 1+1= more than 2. Useful when one likes helpers….
Otto