Cisco Bridges: a new layout concept

[Scottl]

Whilst I know the loss of the garage is disappointing, I was feeling a little sad that Cisco wasn't part of the planned operations considering all the work gone into it and the amazing result.

On the plus side, my partner raves about Antarctica and how amazing her trip there was, so much so that her parents are on their way there now. I'm sure this planned trip will be very memorable for you mate.

I was a little sad about having to move on from my current layout too, even though the operational aspects are very limited.  I am especially happy about my rockwork on the Skoonka side and it is even harder to give up on.  Yesterday, I cut the removable top that covers the hidden staging yard  into several pieces and it is more manageable to get access now.   

This will be a first for me going to Antarctica.  I get to "sing for my supper" but we could not let the opportunity pass for my wife.  No regrets and really looking forward to the trip.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Very interesting. What do you do that's taking you there?

[Scottl]

The trip is arranged by my university alumni office and one or two professors come along to give lectures and accompany people on the excursions to enhance their experience.  I did it a few years ago on a trip through the Northwest Passage and it was a blast.  The passengers on these trips tend to be very adventurous and interested in learning. 

[Ed Kapuscinski]

The trip is arranged by my university alumni office and one or two professors come along to give lectures and accompany people on the excursions to enhance their experience.  I did it a few years ago on a trip through the Northwest Passage and it was a blast.  The passengers on these trips tend to be very adventurous and interested in learning. 

That's pretty cool!

[Philip H]

The trip is arranged by my university alumni office and one or two professors come along to give lectures and accompany people on the excursions to enhance their experience.  I did it a few years ago on a trip through the Northwest Passage and it was a blast.  The passengers on these trips tend to be very adventurous and interested in learning.

And what will you be lecturing on?

[Scottl]

It depends on who else is lecturing, but topics such as sea ice, glaciers, ice shelves and the geology would my initial thoughts.  I have a presentation on the Cisco bridge too, to pass time in Drake Passage 

[wcfn100]

It depends on who else is lecturing, but topics such as sea ice, glaciers, ice shelves and the geology would my initial thoughts.  I have a presentation on the Cisco bridge too, to pass time in Drake Passage 

Hope you're on a big ship, or you won't be doing anything but looking for Damamine through the passage.

Jason

[Scottl]

We were on this ship for the Northwest Passage in 2013 http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:349703/mmsi:273413400/imo:8507731/vessel:AKADEMIK_IOFFE.  It is a Russian oceanography ship that pays the bills as a charter. Crossing Baffin Bay the waves were over the bow and hitting the bridge and that is pretty small water compared to Drake Passage.  This time we'll be on a larger ship- it is larger and was built as a cruise ship.

[wcfn100]

I did the Drake on the Endevour which is under 300 ft. The crossing back was so bad even the crew had issues.  I had to stand outside just to see the horizon.



The only thing worse is the smell of guano. 

Enjoy! 

Jason

[svedblen]

Enjoy! 

YouTube will not play the clip. Says it is private 

[Scottl]

I can hardly wait   

[svedblen]

I´m glad I'm not going. I get sea sick while still moored 

[Scottl]

A tunnel update: my most recent approach has been with 3D printing.  I did up drawings in Tinkerkad online and had them printed at a local site through 3Dhubs.  He did a great job (and even printed a second copy when the first had a crack form).  I did this in 150 micron PLA so the cost is very modest (and no taxes or shipping, a great bonus!).

The artwork did not take very long, and the results are very good.  The raster lines can be sanded out and a few coats of spray paint cover the rest, so I think I have a good solution.  The shot attached shows the trial positioning of the raw print, but I need to center it over the track and clean up the raster surface.

All in all, I am very happy with this solution.   I hope to have these sheds and portals all finished and installed soon so I can finish the scenery in this section.

[James Costello]

More inspiration for you Scott from 7idea Productions (whom I can't recommend highly enough):

Travel with 7idea Productions to beautiful British Columbia, Canada where both Canadian Pacific and Canadian National traverse the rugged Fraser Canyon. Cutting a deep swath through the Cascade Range, this is an important link in the trans-Canada rail network connecting Vancouver with Montreal. 

This program follows each line’s course along opposite banks of the Fraser River between Hope and the confluence with the Thompson River at Lytton. These competing railways operate jointly in the canyon. Eastbounds use Canadian Pacific’s Cascade and Thompson Subdivisions, while westbounds travel over Canadian National’s Ashcroft and Yale Subs.

One of the many highlights of the canyon are the Cisco Bridges where both railways cross the river with the CN flying over the CP.   Our summer and winter visits reveal the grand seasonal contrast of the canyon’s appearance. Add to that a great variety of trains from hot shot intermodals, to coal, grain, potash, mixed merchandise, and the Rocky Mountaineer and you will know why railfans the world over love visiting Canada’s Fraser Canyon!  This program was shot between July 2016 and January 2017.

1 Hour 37 Minutes

WIDESCREEN DVD and 1080 Hi Definition Blu-ray

Preview video and details here:
http://7ideaproductions.com/shop/new-releases/canadas-fraser-river

Enjoy

[Scottl]

Thanks, that looks like a must-have for me.

Small update- I have all my Skoonka tunnel portals and rock sheds 3D printed and it worked out very well.  I need to do some minor clean up but this turned out to be the best way to go for sure.  The local printer was excellent, reprinted a few on his own when there were defects, and kept me informed as it proceeded.  Compared to Shapeways, it was a very attractive option for lower resolution materials like PLA.