HOn3-mo

[dcarrell8]

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

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

I think it looks amazing, much better than my attempts.  Can you provide a little more info on materials and process please!
~Dennis

[Mark W]

Almost done with ballasting and I think its turning out exactly as I imagined it!


https://i.imgur.com/PCHRRF2.jpg

...I think the "ballasting" of the track looks very good.  I think in some places I would completely bury some of the ties...

Thanks Scott.  Yes, I'll have some of the industry spurs and yard tracks buried to the rail head!  I ended up with 3 distinct looks, all displayed here:
Up front (bottom) is the buried industrial track to allow foot and auto traffic in and out.  Middle is the better maintained main line.  Back (top) is the low maintenance yard and sidings.


https://i.imgur.com/X9pHK8a.jpg

I think it looks amazing, much better than my attempts.  Can you provide a little more info on materials and process please!
~Dennis

Thanks Dennis.  I just hope I can follow up with foliage at your level!
Here's my ballast mix.  The mainline track uses equal parts of each.  I added a double part of cinders for the yard tracks, followed up with a dusting of unsanded Summer Wheat after glue dried. 
And for buried track, I used only the unsanded Summer Wheat.  I try to keep at least half of the rail head above the dirt so that I'm not scraping scenery while cleaning track.  I used a tooth pick and even tweezers at times to clear flange ways.  I tried to keep them as small as functionally possible.


https://i.imgur.com/FVWd2kD.jpg


One more just because.

https://i.imgur.com/1qhE9R9.jpg

[Dave V]

Mark, that's looking really good.

One thing to consider as you begin to scenic around the track...  Weeds in the gauge in spots, particularly sidings, as long as they don't interfere with operation.  I think you'll like how that looks.  But for now, you have that great combination of mud and cinder so common on the Colorado narrow gauge.  So many guys end up ballasting their track like a class 1 railroad because that's what we see on the modern-day Cumbres & Toltec or Durango & Silverton.  During the regular common-carrier days you'd be lucky to find any deliberate ballast beyond ground up slag on the D&RGW.  So again, great job!

[Mark W]

Thanks Dave.

Yes, I definitely made the mistake of assuming modern day narrow gauge is a good reference for ballast.   It was also interesting to see that even after knowing I need to ballast lightly, it still came out heavier than I should have (especially my first attempt).  But as you said, that's where weeds and foliage will come in and cover any goofs. 
I might have to experiment on one of the in-between modules to see how tall and thick I can go with static grass.  I'm excited to see that none of the Blackstone engines have exposed gears, but it seems like pretty much every other brass engine does. 


Ok, I'll share it.  Here's my first attempt at ballasting.      Mistakes were made, but lessons were learned, so it's still a win! 


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

[Mark W]

I'm excited to announce my first public show with the Narrow Gauge Layout!


https://i.imgur.com/1VDaD7N.jpg

I have two modules left to be terraformed and given the basic scenic treatment.   Then hopefully I can clean up some of the cardboard building mock-ups a bit.


https://i.imgur.com/BFZZU9t.jpg


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

Speaking of buildings, I picked up this kit for way less than other similar kits I've been seeing!  It wasn't until I opened it that I realized why.  It's missing a pretty important part...

The phrase "Laser cut".   


https://i.imgur.com/qN4ulz4.jpg

Nonetheless, it should be a fun kit.

Lastly, I acquired my first true Brass Locomotive.  The Southern Pacific Slim Princess!


https://i.imgur.com/GB7T3MJ.jpg

It runs pretty smooth, but the motor is very loud.  I received a lot of help from the FB crowd, including a list of part numbers from NWSL, so that will be coming down the track too.

Ok, one more.  All the Blackstone Engines got together for a roster shot. 


https://i.imgur.com/Nfd2I6K.jpg

[Chris333]

I bought an old building kit like that and ended up just re-scratchbuilding the whole building out of styrene. I did use the window castings. I wish someone would just sell those old kit direction because they contain the plans for the building.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Break a leg!

[Buck.H]

I’ve appreciated your work for a while now, was curios if you had any updates and how was the convention in Denver?