The Very Last White River and Northern Railroad

[DKS]

Didn't know PECO made N bridges.

https://peco-uk.com/products/girder-bridge-side-truss-girder-type-grey

[DKS]

Finished, painted and installed the steel trestle.





BTW, what looks like a kiddie pool in the background is the enclosure for the fireflies.

[robert3985]

I'm glad you like the design, and thank you for the kudos.

With respect to the statement I've bolded above, this is technically true. However, when the points are especially short, an issue arises that has posed a problem for me in the past. In the illustration below, the movement of the switch assembly is greatly exaggerated to highlight the issue. The points on the left are soldered to the throwbar, and thus the switch assembly must pivot on one of the heel hinges; this in turn causes the throwbar to cock at an angle. The points on the right pivot on the throwbar, which allows the throwbar to remain parallel to the ties in either position.



For longer turnouts, the problem is diminished.

Yup.  I agree completely and is one of the reasons I hinge my point toes at the throwbar too...even with longer turnouts.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[CRL]

https://peco-uk.com/products/girder-bridge-side-truss-girder-type-grey

Those are some good looking trusses.

[DKS]

Continuing on my quest to reuse as many effects as I can on the new layout, I finished rebuilding the animated mill spillway, and installed it on the layout. In the process of rebuilding it, I changed the design significantly: now the water falls freely, ranter than wedged in between two wing walls. To achieve this, I dismantled the old falls mechanism and started over, beginning with a chunk of stone wall that I notched for the waterfall loop (below left). I kept the background part from the first mechanism (below right); this part not only gives the water loop some added visual  depth, it also provides spring action to keep the loop taught.

   

After attaching the background part to the stone wall (below left), I installed the water loop along with the drive drum, which this time is located behind the falls (below right), rather than under it as before.

   

Because the parts were rearranged, the water loop tended to slip on the drum, so I had to add a roller to apply some pressure on the drum (below left). I changed the motor and drive scheme as well, using a more powerful motor to directly drive the drum shaft (below right), rather than a gear train as before. This made the mechanism much quieter. Also, the link between geared motor and the drum is self-adjusting, so precise alignment wasn't necessary.

   

After giving the mechanism a test-run (below left), I posed it on the layout to get a sense of what I'd need to do to finish the scene (below right).

   

The upper water level was a key part: I shaped the edge of the black sheet styrene "water" with a Dremel cutoff disc to fit around the top of the water belt, and blend it into the body of water; this will be coated with gloss medium later on. (Incidentally, this is much further than I got with the Mountain Vista.)





By this afternoon, I had all of the main components installed. All I have left to do is model the rip-rap and water "foam" at the base of the falls.



Then it was on to the fireflies. Work on reinstallation began on 11 May 2021 by partially dismantling it—the box on which the field was mounted was made to fit the Mountain Vista, so that had to go. In the process, several fibers were damaged, so I made repairs. Then I fabricated a new box in situ, carefully positioned the field on the new box, and secured it with sewing pins, just as I'd done on the Mountain Vista.



I also installed the train order signals...



...and the fishermen.



All in all a productive day.

[peteski]

Excellent re-purposing of those two iconic scenes David!


I also visit your "blog" from time to time, and despite all that doom and gloom there, I have to say (borrowing from Monty Python): YOU'RE NOT DEAD YET!

[Chris333]

This has got my layout juices flowing again! 

[davefoxx]

I look forward to the video demonstration, because, even in a still photo, those falls are damn sexy!

DFF

[dpharris]

The geared motors are stupid cheap on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/143869385324
Thousands of listings for similar motors.

Likewise for microswitches:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294170935020
So, total cost is ~$2-3 for parts, plus some plastic, a few screws, and your time.
Nope, I'm just doing this to save money.

Very nice work.  I am always thinking of how to make inexpensive turnout machines. 

It occurs that one could also use a servo motor, modified to run the motor off DC, and otherwise using the gears inside.  Two micro switches do the magic! 

[DKS]

I look forward to the video demonstration, because, even in a still photo, those falls are damn sexy!

[davefoxx]

As Dave Vollmer would say, “Faptastic!”

DFF

[eric220]

‘Grats on getting that up before YouTube went down. I can’t wait to watch it!

[Dave V]

As Dave Vollmer would say, “Faptastic!”

DFF

I would also have accepted "Faptacular."   

[CRL]

Just… WOW!!!

[glakedylan]

wondertastical!


sincerely
Gary