HOn3-mo

[Mark W]

Over the weekend, I build a few more cardboard structure mock-ups to start laying out streets and stuff in Dunwell.  It immediately became clear that I did not leave enough room on the southwest side of the tracks for a decent width main street and accompanying structures.  There is a bit more room over on the northeast side of the tracks, so I moved "Railroad Street" over there and things began to fall into place much better!  It even ties in better with the team track that swings off before the turntable.


https://i.imgur.com/UnSTqbn.jpg

Back to the southwest area, a few pictures in the link @Dave V shared caught my eye; the Montrose Flour Milling Co

https://ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/RD035-D-RGW-Cimarron-to-Montrose/G0000k7c4bha6Zfc/I0000_L0ZzfEOR_k/C0000Vd2qoA2MbNU

https://ngtrainpics.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/RD035-D-RGW-Cimarron-to-Montrose/G0000k7c4bha6Zfc/I0000i4529LTm6TU/C0000Vd2qoA2MbNU

I thought that might look kinda cool, so I made a quick mock-up.  Now that I see it, yes, definitely cool! 



https://i.imgur.com/BV0Inhu.jpg


After some looking, turns out those two silos still stand today! (The mill burned down in 1943)   And check out those cross bucks!   


https://i.imgur.com/yEmYLsH.jpg

So the area will still a little cramped, but this works much better than a main street.

[wazzou]

What's with the upside down sign.  When crossings are abandoned here, they just throw up an "exempt" sign.   

[Chris333]

I like that grain business.

[Mark W]

Well progress has been slow lately, mostly because I'm running out of tasks that can be done while trains remain operational.  One of those tasks is finishing up turnout ties.


https://i.imgur.com/B1B0Zu3.jpg

I'm down to 3 turnouts left, but I'm now out of micro spikes! 

I did get some more rough terrain complete on the two curve modules.  And took delivery of some more power!


https://i.imgur.com/En8nBBp.jpg

Here in a few weeks, trains will be packed away, and the real scenery work will begin!

[JeffB]

Looks great Mark!  Love the big/long turnouts.

What are the slide switches you're using to throw the turnouts?  I'm assuming you're using them for power routing to the frogs. 

Did you set the point throw to the (electrical) switch throw, or did it just work out right?  I say this because I don't see any "Omega" loop in the wire between the electrical switch and the point throwbar.  Usually, you'd need that to take up the extra throw of the elect. switch.

Jeff

[Mark W]

Thanks Jeff,

Got this batch of slide switches off Amazon.  I do like them a lot better than the ones I used to get from Digikey and Mouser. 
They do power the frogs and yes, the throw distance is the exact same the turnouts (2mm travel)! 

Looks like I forgot to post here, I'm working on a switch stand that is driven from the slide switch as well.


https://i.imgur.com/0DM1STm.gif

[glakedylan]

hey, Mark
i must say, "those cardstock structures look better than some kits i have built!
perhaps it is time to collect some cereal boxes and vitamin-Y boxes to see
what i can do with the flats i have designed and printed to scale.


thanks for sharing!


sincerely
Gary

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I love it. For many of the same reason Dave said.

For years I thought all of Colorado was sheer rock faces and spindly 1000' trestles due to that being the only thing that seemed to show up in narrow gauge models. His layout and now yours have really turned that all on its head.

[Mark W]

Bit of activity on the narrow gauge lately!

A while ago, I wanted to crew to the locomotives because the empty cab just looks weird. I picked up a pack of Woodland Scenics engineers and firemen.  Took a bit of re-shaping the arms and legs, but they're in!


https://i.imgur.com/v4wWOIK.jpg

Now that we have a crew, time to start working on a destination.  I've had the mock-up town laid out for a while, but something always seemed to be missing.  Inspired by @dcarrell8 I decided to give it a little bit of elevation.


https://i.imgur.com/HSMC2be.jpg

I instantly knew that was it, so let the terraforming begin!


https://i.imgur.com/rs1BJeY.jpg

Last night I spackled and painted the base coat. 


https://i.imgur.com/7MuXI7h.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/rmxY2OA.jpg

Today, I believe I'm ready to paint the track, then start laying down dirt!

[dcarrell8]

Awesome!  You make it look easy!!

[Mark W]

Got the track painted and a bit of scenery started!


https://i.imgur.com/FeGz2e5.jpg


I snagged a great deal on some passenger cars last week and captured the first arrival.


https://i.imgur.com/KCNNmyq.jpg


Along with fresh dirt and gravel road, the new residents wasted no time adding some color to the town.  Just some random shades of spray paint I had on hand.  Tried green on the station, don't really like it.  I'll go for the more traditional yellow station.
I'm torn on the red store front up top.  I'll draw back in the doors and windows and see if that helps.   


https://i.imgur.com/OkdJwVR.jpg

I tried a different color selection before that.  It was quickly re-painted.


Finally, sat down by the tracks after a good days work and caught this one heading home.


https://i.imgur.com/RokEAZJ.jpg

[Hawghead]

Looks great Mark,

Did you layout the red store at the top of the hill from an actual building?  I ask because, to me, it looks very big, almost like any early grain elevator.  Any way I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Scott

[dcarrell8]

Looks great Mark,

Did you layout the red store at the top of the hill from an actual building?  I ask because, to me, it looks very big, almost like any early grain elevator.  Any way I'm looking forward to seeing more.

Scott

To my eye it looks like Banta Modelworks Oakboro Hay and Grain. 

[Mark W]

Yep, Dennis is correct.  I mocked it up based on the Banta Model works building.  It's tiny in comparison to the flour mill mock-up. 


I started messing with ballast over the weekend.  I knew narrow gauge was going to be 'light' on ballast, but my first results of mixing in sanded grout still came out class 1 worthy (and I won't even say how bad I missed on color).   Luckily, I decided quick enough to vacuum it up before any of the glue set.

Here's the second try.  I'm liking the color and texture way better, but think I may have spread it too wide yet.  That's easily fixed though, with a follow up of dirt and foliage later on.


https://i.imgur.com/E63g3Id.jpg


Meanwhile, something beautiful just rolled into town!  I never expected to find one of these available any time soon, and definitely not for the price I got! 


https://i.imgur.com/arcmT6G.jpg

Well, let's see if I can keep improving that ballast stuff...

[Hawghead]

Mark,

I think the "ballasting" of the track looks very good.  I think in some places I would completely bury some of the ties.  In places where water stands, the trains moving over the track will cause the ties to move up and down and "pump" mud to the surface.  Over time this will cover over the ties in that area.  Congrats on the engine, finding any Blackstone locomotive at a good price is almost impossible these days.

Scott