Seaboard Central 2.0

[Chris333]

Mo layout mo roads 

[Scottl]

Is it me, or is that framing by the water tank is seriously leaning?

[davefoxx]

Mo layout mo roads 

Heh, I think I have that under control as far as the technique.  I just need to get motivated to actually finish the road in Aberdeen.  The bigger problem is "Mo layout, mo wiring, mo ballast, mo structures, mo weathering."   

DFF

[davefoxx]

Is it me, or is that framing by the water tank is seriously leaning?

The camera is playing tricks.  The framing is straight and, for the most part, plumb.  Even the hot water heater looks crooked in that picture.  Blame the photographer, not the carpenter.  Plus, there is a few pieces of lumber leaning against the studs in the wall cavities that don't help with the perspective.  I'm just noticing that I may have permanently marooned a scrap piece of stair rail that I inherited with the house behind the layout extension at Dundarrach.  Hopefully, I have enough play that I can slide that out under the layout to set it free. 

DFF

[sizemore]

I can spot a B-17 a mile away, literally probably more like two miles. When ya know, ya just know. The two most "popular" B-17 groups that featured full red vertical stabilizers was the 91st BG, and 381st BG. The 381st was formed about a year after the 91st, and since that "G" is still in OD yields it to more likely be a 91st BG plane.

Well all that and I own the same desk trinket, from Model Power.


The S.

How in the world were you able to decipher that from such a distance?!  But, you're correct; it's a model of the "Chow-Hound" from the 91st Bomb Group.  It's up on the shelf keeping the Space Shuttle "Endeavor" company.

DFF

[davefoxx]

I got to spend a few minutes in the train room today, so I did a little foam carving.  I actually find that carving in 3D is relaxing and enjoyable (instant gratification!).  The good news is that if you cut off too much, it's really easy to glue a piece of foam back on and try again.  So, it's very forgiving.  I'll go at these landforms with a power sander with an aggressive grit and then use lightweight speckling to smooth it out.



Some folks were worried about the closeness or transition between Hamlet and Aberdeen.  As you can see, there is a ridge and a highway bridge to be built and installed that will create a separation.  I try to avoid flat areas in the landscape, but you may notice the level area behind where the highway bridge will go.  That, however is merely to save room for the yard lead to be built, and then I'll blend in the scenery and minimize the flat area.

DFF

[wazzou]

Things are looking really great Dave.  You've got a keen eye for terraforming.

[Rich_S]

Dave, The layout is really taking shape, literally  It's good to see the A&R has finally made it to Dundarrach, now the MOW needs to finish that run-around track so the engine can get back to Aberdeen. 

[Iain]

Rode through Aberdeen on the Amtrak earlier.  On one side was a couple Aberdeen, Carolina, and Western (operates the former NS Western Division) GP40s and on the other were Aberdeen and Rockfish GP38, GP7, and CF7.

[davefoxx]

Rode through Aberdeen on the Amtrak earlier.  On one side was a couple Aberdeen, Carolina, and Western (operates the former NS Western Division) GP40s and on the other were Aberdeen and Rockfish GP38, GP7, and CF7.

That's awesome.  When we came through North Carolina on the Auto Train back in June, of course, we went through Fayetteville, so I missed that opportunity.  That, and it was the middle of the night.

Those AC&W GP40-2LWs with their wide cabs are really cool, but, unfortunately, they're way too late for my era, when that line would have still been owned by the Aberdeen & Briar Patch Ry. and their former SCL GP7.  I do appreciate how long that A&R GP38 and GP7 have been around, though.

DFF

[davefoxx]

Dave, The layout is really taking shape, literally  It's good to see the A&R has finally made it to Dundarrach, now the MOW needs to finish that run-around track so the engine can get back to Aberdeen. 

Thanks, Rich.  I'm waiting on Atlas' Code 55 #5 turnouts to become available.  Rumor has it they're coming off the boat this month.  So, I have been holding back on my order for more cork roadbed to save on shipping.  Because of this, I'm at a standstill on the A&R line.  I look forward to runarounds someday, though, because push-pull operation doesn't really work well in this case.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So, it's very forgiving.  I'll go at these landforms with a power sander with an aggressive grit and then use lightweight speckling to smooth it out.

Please, for the love of Kudzu Jesus, make sure to protect the existing layout with something. Make it look all Heisenberg...



Seriously, protect the layout. Foam dust is insidious and difficult to remove.

[davefoxx]

Seriously, protect the layout. Foam dust is insidious and difficult to remove.

Oh, man, you aren't kidding!  If you look close in that last picture of mine, that was all carving and NO sanding.  While carving, I was still careful every time a stray piece of foam went off in the direction of the kudzu, and I carefully picked it out.  The existing scenery will be covered when I start sanding.  I also like to have the sander in one hand and the wet-dry vac in the other, minimizing the dust as I sand the foam.  I also have concerns about getting the vacuum too close to the kudzu.  So, sanding foam won't be fun, but I hope you'll agree by looking at the original portion of the layout that the results are worth it.  It's the best way to get free-flowing landforms.

DFF

[wazzou]

It's the best way to get free-flowing landforms.

DFF

Or benchwork in Ed's case.   

[Scottl]

I get the foam thing for scenery- it is very handy and works great.

I don't get the sanding part.  Why would you sand foam?  The dust must be brutal, and it sounds like work!  Seriously, why not leave it irregular and rough?  That is the way most landscapes are and the surface treatments cover much of it anyway.