Wisconsin Central - Heritage Division

[Micke C]

Nice Work

//Micke C - CB&Q in Sweden - http://crawfordjct.blogspot.se/

[kc9jts]

Thats what I'm hoping for. I hope folks who know the area think it looks like central Wisconsin.

As a native cheese head who grew up with the WC and someone who is also modeling this region (in the Soo era) I think you captured the area pretty well.  It will be interesting to see what it looks like with the correct GRS searchlights whenever you get around to having the proper signals installed.  Keep up the good work.

Nick - a cheesehead in Omaha

[conrailthomas519]

Looking Good! Keep up the hard work! I'll be following along...

[w neal]

Thanks for the kind words. The Atlas signals were a bit of a cop out admitedly. I will probably want to kick myself someday for not taking the time to install proper serchlight signals. I will use the line that they are stand-ins until I have more time to devote to the signal system. Right now, its scenery, scenery, scenery. Its real nice to hear from all the cheeseheads! I'm glad to hear the layout resembles Wisconsin. Thank you.

[w neal]

Sorry. I'm on a bit of a posting binge lately.

I decided to squeeze in a representation of the signature (if you have ever railfaned the line, that is) "elevators" at Dale. I did not have much room for them - thats why you see the "swamp" right next to them. But its such a famous spot where so many Soo Line/WC pictures have been taken over the years, that I felt compelled to include a simulation. Again, I'm just hoping to capture the "look" of the place. The "elevator & barns" are not complete, nor 100% accurate - forgive me. More work to be done here. This is just the first sweep with scenery. It really hides the plywood & foam underneath. Something for the NMRA tour attendees to look at I 'spose. I'd like to go back & add some details later. I think I might try to simulate the city park across the tracks. That park would be a great place to park the time machine eh?

[kc9jts]

Sorry. I'm on a bit of a posting binge lately.

I decided to squeeze in a representation of the signature (if you have ever railfaned the line, that is) "elevators" at Dale. I did not have much room for them - thats why you see the "swamp" right next to them. But its such a famous spot where so many Soo Line/WC pictures have been taken over the years, that I felt compelled to include a simulation. Again, I'm just hoping to capture the "look" of the place. The "elevator & barns" are not complete, nor 100% accurate - forgive me. More work to be done here. This is just the first sweep with scenery. It really hides the plywood & foam underneath. Something for the NMRA tour attendees to look at I 'spose. I'd like to go back & add some details later. I think I might try to simulate the city park across the tracks. That park would be a great place to park the time machine eh?

100% accurate or not I recognized this as Dale before I even read the caption (again, your efforts are doing your target area justice).

Nick

[w neal]

AWESOME! Thanks Nick!

[w neal]

Did some detail work on Presto Products in Weyauwega recently. In reality, this is a doorless sheltered unloading bay for plastic pellet cars. Since it faced the aisle on my shelf layout, I thought it might be fun to simulate it as a closeable part of the factory. This would allow for some interior detail - something I rarely model. Plus, it would be fun for the crew switching it to have an interior view.

Apparently, there has been some forklift damage to the soda machines in the past as they are well protected.

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[w neal]

Did some "mudin'" last night. That is, mixed up a batch of ground goop & placed my Z scale barn & farm house in it. This is my attempt at some forced perspective. Will paint them later. It would have made a lot more sense to paint them first. Oh hindsight...



The main idea for "mixing up a batch" was to get this river crossing's banks "muded in". Its a really low bridge. Do I really need to mud in the banks? Sure the river is near eye level but nobody is going to really look under there are they? Yeah right.

[w neal]

Nearby lies this truck parking lot for the CelluTissue plant (Neenah). I'll get it weathered and fill in the gaps with a bit of static grass & mud.







And nothing says Neenah like a bridge over the tracks. Like everything else on the layout, more work to be done. Not really happy with how this turned out, but in the scope of things...

I seem to wander from project to project. I think I have 15- 20  areas on the layout I work on at once.

[Specter3]

That is quite a bit of work! Going to be great looking.

[HuskerN]

nice work.  I really like the open Presto Products building.  It adds a lot of interest to an otherwise closed metal building.  You have a nice span of mainline there. 

HuskerN

www.nscaleaddiction.blogspot.com

[kc9jts]

You mentioned that you are modeling Stevens Point.  Do you have any pictures of that area is or is still in the early stages of work?  I assume you plan on modeling the depot?  I have been to Point a few times and even got a tour of the shops once (as part of the Soo Line Historical & Technical Society convention).

Nick in Omaha

[w neal]

"Point" is all just track and boards at the moment as it lies on the lower level. Only about half of the yard tracks are installed right now. I am trying to get most of the upper level & a transition level "done" for the convention showing  in a couple weeks.  The lower level is on the back burner for a while.

No model of Point would be right without the depot and roundhouse area. Gotta include that shop building that has been there since 18 whatever too! You are so lucky to have gotten that tour of the roundhouse!! I missed the convention by one day. ARG!

 I'll post some pictures when I get some work done on Stevens Point. That may be a few months...

[w neal]

Just a couple more photos for fun...

Here is a shot of the Nelsons siding "corner":

The background here is next on the list. Did I mention I'm not an artist?






Below is the work of my friend Peter N. Mayor. We are trying to simulate Waupaca before CN replaced the bridge. When not busy with childcare, he makes great scenery.  More work to be done...