The Housatonic Railroad in N Scale

[Pomperaugrr]

I think there may have been a problem withthe photo links.  I think I fixed them this time. 

Wow, it has been over a year since I did anything with the layout.  I finally got back in the groove about 6 weeks ago and am moving forward on completing phase 1 of my industries.  Everything needs paint, details and finishing touches, but at least my track placement is finalized, now that the basic buildings are in place.  I am trying to capture the feeling of the actual businesses and actual car capacity as well.  Here are a few progress shots:

Becton Dickenson, in Canaan, CT.  This is a medical supply manufacturer.





 

Sheffield Plastics - Sheffield, MA





 

New office section for Kimberly Clark - New Milford, CT  (Note, the saggy roof on the office section has been corrected since the photo was taken.)





 

Here are a few more new industries.  Sheffield plastics (shown above), Schweitzer Malduit (Medical specialty paper) and Mead Paper Co. are in a 2' x 11' closet.  The industries provide switching, similar to the prototype, plus they hide a small staging yard representing the CSX interchange in Pittsfield, MA. 

 

Schweitzer - Malduit





 

Mead Paper Co. - Lee, MA  I have fitted a roof onto the main mill building since the photo was taken.





 

 

 

There is still al lot to do, but at least I am getting something done.

 

Eric

[Jesse6669]

Looks really good!  Will be looking forward to more updates.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Holy *****, this is looking great man! I'm really glad to be seeing progress on it.

[Pomperaugrr]

Thanks.  My teenaged daughters have been keeping me busy, plus work, yard work and daily life gets in the way.  The size of the layout also contributed to the burnout factor, since.  Taking a year off from all work on the layout gave me a fresh perspective and new energy.  Prior to starting on the structures, I fixed a couple of expansion and contraction track damage issues and tore up, the realigned areas that just never felt right to me.  I am committing to doing small projects to keep some progress going.  The buildings will all need a few more doors, tons of details and paint/weathering.

Here are a few more progress shots:

New overhead (Traincat) crane at Neeltran.  (Transformer refurbishing/rebuilding plant)



Specialty Minerals - Canaan, CT  (Basic structures taking shape, including scale house/office modification to the mill building.  Dozens of conveyors and storage silos to be added)  The oversized blue girders in front of the scale house will be replaced by scale sized "H" columns and protective bollards when I get the materials I need.




One more of the Kimberly Clark Office Addition:  Disregard the temporary paper sign.


This is a totally fictitious scenic section on the layout.  I have named it "Letourneau Gorge" in honor of Louis, a/k/a Trainforfun here on the Railwire.  There is no bridge anything like this in the entire state of CT, let alone on the HRRC.  I saw a similar bridge on Louis' layout when I visited him in Montreal.  He convinced me to add one to my layout for the scenic factor, so I did.  Since it is Canadian inspired, I'm experimenting with making a beaver pond below the bridge.  One can never have enough beaver action...   I also replaced the original solid tower legs with small lace girders from an HO scale Central Valley bulk bridge girder pack.




Eric

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

looking good. great to see updates and that you are working on the layout again!! Keep up the great work

Jeff

[basementcalling]

What an update. Nice. Outstanding. Terrific. Love the variety of industries you have.

What materials did you use to make the office section addition to Kimberly Clark?

[Pomperaugrr]

Thanks.  The office complex is made from sections I cut from an Atlas High Rise extension kit.  I painted the window frames with a silver sharpie marker.  The rest is styrene strip and sheet.

[auburnrails]

Thanks.  The office complex is made from sections I cut from an Atlas High Rise extension kit.  I painted the window frames with a silver sharpie marker.  The rest is styrene strip and sheet.

Turned out great, like all of your structures. I think this is a layout that a lot of us appreciate because it contains elements like large industries, sweeping curves, etc. that we want to have but don't always achieve for various reasons.  Heck, if you ever hit a wall and decided to change it up, you could easily make a mortgage payment or two by selling those industrial structures. 

Can't wait to see what more you do.  I know how it goes, though.  I started a blog last April for my layout, then promptly got overwhelmed at work, lost motivation, gained 40 pounds, and moved.  lol  Finally getting back at it in the new house, but it's almost April again.  haha

-Dave

[Pomperaugrr]

I have done some more work on structures, since last weekend.  Here are a couple of more progress shots.  Again, my goal is to block out the basic structures, so I can finalize track placement.  All of the structures will require painting, extensive detailing and weathering.

This is the new "Pharmco" building.  This company makes ethanol based pharmaceuticals as well as flavorings for the food industry at the actual plant.  The office addition is not attached to the main building yet.





Here are a couple of work in progress shots of Specialty Minerals, in Canaan.  I replaced the temporary placeholder for the curved roof building.  I still need to add the roof.  Note the windows are only taped in place temporarily. I'll glaze them and attach them after I paint the structure.  I am including a photo of the prototype building for reference.   

I am not trying to make exact duplicates, but I want to capture the basic character of these unique structures.




Specialty's Crusher and scalehouse building.  I still need to add the bump out over the two storage silos on the side of the building.



Eric

[lashedup]

Looks great Eric. Love all the industry structures. N scale gives you the ability to put so much into a small space and it looks great.  Keep it up. I know what it's like to have life distractions over and over... 

-jamie

[mcjaco]

I know what it's like to have life distractions over and over... 

-jamie

Those are called kids, Jamie.   

[Pomperaugrr]

Those are called kids, Jamie.   

Yes, yes they are...

[LIRR]

You've definitely captured the look-and-feel of the prototype buildings. Nice work

[Pomperaugrr]

Thanks.   I am trying to find a balance between the prototype and what looks "right" modeled in 1:160 scale.  I am ok with compromises if it looks and feels right to me.  As evidenced in my photos,  there is damage of tried but failed scenes being ripped out, I am willing to accept mistakes and try to improve upon previous attempts. Honest and constructive feedback is always welcomed.

Eric

[mu26aeh]

Thanks.   I am trying to find a balance between the prototype and what looks "right" modeled in 1:160 scale.  I am ok with compromises if it looks and feels right to me.  As evidenced in my photos,  there is damage of tried but failed scenes being ripped out, I am willing to accept mistakes and try to improve upon previous attempts. Honest and constructive feedback is always welcomed.

Eric

Trying things to see if they work is only way to learn.  If it works, great. If not, try again until you get what you like.  Continue the excellent work !