Milwaukee Road - "Derry, WI"

[pdx1955]

Last year, I got this craftsman kit for Christmas from a family member. Instead of thinking that I can't use this , I'll just build a small layout around it.


Occasionally over this year ,I'd noodle on a plan sketch,  but then an overt act occurred after selling at a local show and this came home with me:


The overall idea is just a 1 x 6 footprint that can straddle the staging yard of my SP T-Trak layout by resting on the structural backdrops . I'll have a removable tail track on one end to allow for more flexibility. The location is entirely fictional but is heavily inspired by many locales here in Oregon's Willamette Valley where there is a grain elevator and maybe a freight/warehouse or team track adjacent to the main track.It will use Code 70 on N scale cork as I want that secondary track look. Because this is small ,DCC and sound is important for realism. I ordered a ST SDL39 as that emulates what I want to see - light rail and half weeds for ballast under a late 70s time-frame. More pics later once the framework gets put together...

[pdx1955]

A day or so of work produced the completed module framework and backdrop. Here it is set about where it will be. It overhangs the SP layout on one end, but that module is off stage and will not be part of the "visible" layout.


I will also reuse a removable tail track that I had on the last layout. Here it is temporarily positioned. One end will rest on a small support on the module while the other end will have a leg resting on the wire shelving. It's long enough for a couple car lengths.


Lastly,  I more or less have completed the general track plan. I plan to have an overpass at one end with it bridging over the main and maybe over the siding. The N scale gas holders are the same diameter of the planned grain bins, so those work well for the mockup. The remaining third away from the bins will have a rural roadway crossing, the before mentioned house kit and a small drainage crossed by a culvert.

[pdx1955]

Next steps will be to cut out the roadbed and set the various elevations for the track ,roadway, and creek before working on the trackwork in earnest.

[pdx1955]

The pantry to the rescue! Got all of the risers placed and most of the subroadbed glued down except for the creek crossing area. Placed an order for the major structures as well so that will be some more winter projects to do.

[pdx1955]

Been making some more progress as of late. Got the track all laid, frogs isolated and Bluepoint throws attached and wired in. Wire bus is in place and connected to the feeders. Created a programming track with both HO and N on it and this will plug into a lead from the command station so it doesn't have to be there all the time.

Next step here is to create the power bus for the modules that this sits on so this can be plugged into it. This layout is in sense an isolated block of the larger DCC system. After that it's testing and painting of backdrop, profiles and the like.

[pdx1955]

Continuing to push forward with the completion of the profile boards, wiring and debugging. Everything runs smoothly now, so started on the scenery task by painting the base sky blue on
 the backdrop. Next is the foam landforms, 
roadway subbases, and base hardshell followed
by track and ground painting.

[pdx1955]

Starting to rough in the landforms...
 

[pdx1955]

Completed the foam carving yesterday and got the remainder of the plaster guaze in place. Also, got the culvert glued in along with some painted inserts so you can see all the way through it. Once this dries, it's on to the sculptamold which will further refine the topography prior to painting.

[pdx1955]

Tonight, I completed painting the base ground, roadway, and culvert colors. I also touched up the profile boards and weathered the ties to give it that worn deferred maintenance look. Next step is to wind up the painting with the backdrop clouds, hills, and trees.

[pdx1955]

Got the clouds painted on the backdrop and got most of the plastic structures underway. The bridge and related abutments and pier are assembled awaiting digging in the foam to finalize placement before final assembly,  painting,  and detailing. The feed shed is assembled awaiting painting. The grain bins are assembled with base paint before they are toned down and weathered. Still working on the conveyor assembly and will mount the bins to a piece of Masonite so I can get a solid base before doing the piping.

[pdx1955]

Completed weathering the grain facility structures and working on fitting the bridge abutments and pier in place. First trial resulted in the bridge being a bit low so will add some footings to raise everything up.

[pdx1955]

Completed the backdrop painting with the final layer of trees. Touched up the earth paint in preparation for soil and ground cover. Most structures are finished, but working on adding some lighting to a couple.

[pdx1955]

Got the industrial structures placed tonight.  Also started with the the first layer of soil sprinkled on top of full strength glue. Still need to feather in the elevator base with sculptamold once the base gets attached.

[Philip H]

Definitely starting to look like Wisconsin.

[pdx1955]

Starting to look a bit greener now with some of the first application of fine grasses and scrub.