Genesee & Wyoming - The Bay Line

[DKS]

Recommend adding a couple of strategically-placed angle braces (1x2s or some such) as opposed to just more bolts in the legs...

[poppy2201]

Benchwork completed and installed.  Glad that task is under my belt.  There were a few missteps along the way but nothing that I wasn't able to overcome.

Recommend adding a couple of strategically-placed angle braces (1x2s or some such) as opposed to just more bolts in the legs...

I am going to add some cross-bracing in spots as I do the next step which is paint some masonite for the backdrop and attach it to the benchwork.

Regards,
Charles

[LKOrailroad]

Woohoo!!! Congrats. You are moving right along.

The near corner (lower right in picture) looks like it might be sticking out into the traffic path in the room. If so, consider adding a small cross brace (aqua line) just so the corner doesn't go cattywampus if someone bumps it.

[poppy2201]

Woohoo!!! Congrats. You are moving right along.

The near corner (lower right in picture) looks like it might be sticking out into the traffic path in the room. If so, consider adding a small cross brace (aqua line) just so the corner doesn't go cattywampus if someone bumps it.

Thanks for the comment.  It won't be but that's not to say Murphy isn't lurking anywhere nearby and I will probably beef it up.  That end is where the port and container ship will reside and the last thing needed is a good bump and an expensive ship model go crashing into the netherworld.

[Dave Schneider]

What goes on top of the frame? If you are using plywood, that will beef up all the joints.
Looks like some great progress.
Best wishes, Dave

[poppy2201]

What goes on top of the frame? If you are using plywood, that will beef up all the joints.
Looks like some great progress.
Best wishes, Dave

Plywood will be the soup of the day with a 1 1/2 inch sandwiched (all we can get here is 3/4") foam on top of that.

[davefoxx]

You may want to consider moving the legs back from the front edge several inches.  Think "toekick" under your kitchen cabinets.  Otherwise, you, your operators, and your visitors may kick the legs from time to time.  That won't be pleasant.

Hope this helps,
Dave Foxx

[poppy2201]

The main BUS wires are ran and hopefully start some plywood top today.

[poppy2201]

Moving right along, dry fitting some plywood for the base.

[poppy2201]

Got the plywood top cut and secured to the benchwork today.  Next step is to get some foamular and get it secured to the top.

[poppy2201]

I am at a point where some important decisions need to be made regarding the port scene.  Right now I have allocated a space of 5”x36” for the port berth/water and 3.5”x36” for the dock.  Any more than that it will start to encroach onto the track in the area and other spots that I would like to scenic with 20 and 40 foot containers, warehouses etc.

Question 1:  do you think this will give me enough room for berthing a ship?
Question 2:  will the size of the dock accommodate a crane for off-loading the ship?  Any sources of info and availability of cranes for this purpose will be appreciated.
Question 3:  probably one of the most important.  I know that there is not a lot out there for N scale container ships but does anyone have any recommendations?   Anything close to N scale that would work?   I don’t want to break the bank but I know that it doesn’t come cheap.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Charles

[Philip H]

Charles,
For small space port scenes, I'd like to recommend Lance Mindheim's work in HO on the Port of Miami:

http://www.lancemindheim.com/downtown_spur2.htm

If you scroll through his progress photos section you'll see some smaller coastal container ships and cranes that will, no doubt, give you some inspiration. 

And as to ships - our own Pete Nolan has a line of cast N scale container ships he's working on:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28073.msg291451#msg291451

[poppy2201]

Charles,
For small space port scenes, I'd like to recommend Lance Mindheim's work in HO on the Port of Miami:

http://www.lancemindheim.com/downtown_spur2.htm

If you scroll through his progress photos section you'll see some smaller coastal container ships and cranes that will, no doubt, give you some inspiration. 

And as to ships - our own Pete Nolan has a line of cast N scale container ships he's working on:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=28073.msg291451#msg291451

Thanks Philip for the link to Lance's site.  One can gather a lot of inspiration there.  I do keep Pete in mind and probably need to contact him and see what the latest update is.

Regards,
Charles

[Philip H]

I should also have mentioned that Lance is a very gracious guy - he's answered every email I've ever sent him.

[poppy2201]

I'm starting to foam but have no fear, I have had my shots.  I have to use 3/4" foam so I will be sandwiching at least another layer.  I wanted to cut and fit one sheet to get an estimate of how much more I'm going to need.  I just have to get around to tacking these two pieces down and let set overnight.



Regards,
Charles