Sunkist Packing House, Orange County CA - N Scale Switching Layout

[160pennsy]

Hello timgill,

When you start the orange orchard scenery, you might be interested in the detail parts available from Shapeways & Showcase Miniatures.



http://www.shapeways.com/shops/voltscooter



http://www.showcaseminiatures.net/century-foundry.html

[timgill]

When you start the orange orchard scenery, you might be interested in the detail parts available from Shapeways & Showcase Miniatures

AWESOME! These are just the details I was looking for to accent my planned orchard scene. What a great find.

I am still ruminating about the best way to make orange trees. I know there are a few options available commercially, but I haven't found ones yet that I am happy with. I am thinking of trying the twisted-wire method like I do with oak trees, though orange trees have a thinner and more delicate trunk structure. We shall see.

Nice progress so far - are you intending to uncouple cars with a pick , manually , or some other method?

I use bamboo skewers to uncouple the cars. I prefer this method because it is simple, straightforward, cheap, and replicates prototype practice.

[basementcalling]

Great concept and plan.  Love the photos.

How do you like the Bulfrogs?

And how do you plan to cut the track over the gap between modules, or do you?

[timgill]

Great concept and plan.  Love the photos.

Thank you. M.C. Fujiwara's plan is awesome, I was really lucky that he was able to help out.

How do you like the Bulfrogs?

They are really great. For only a few bucks a piece they are very cost effective and the power routing option is worth the effort.

And how do you plan to cut the track over the gap between modules, or do you?

I decided to skip doing this as a modular layout and opted for a permanent install, so cutting a gap won't be necessary. To name drop M.C. Fujiwara again; he has a great tutorial on YouTube about cutting perfect "butt joint" gaps for FreeMo modules, worth checking out.

[chuck geiger]

Thanks Ed - Tim has a nice plan coming to life. Also check out Bob Smaus's layout (he did some rockin Citrus in and around LA).
http://www.bobsgardenpath.com/trains_arroyo.html

[timgill]

Well, it sure has been a while since I last posted an update. I've been working on small projects here and there, though modeling time has been limited as of late. Life tends to take over.

I finished the west-end staging extension, which is a 30" clamp on cassette. I would have liked to do semi-permanent transfer staging like on the east end, but at this side of the layout staging must extend over a tool chest and pegboard. I tried building it using a masonite spline, but that cracked and fell apart during assembly. So, common whitewood pine was used, along with masonite fences. Still have to drop feeders for the track.


IMAG1397 by timgill1983, on Flickr


IMAG1398 by timgill1983, on Flickr

Another cool project I've been working on came as a bit of serendipity. A fellow citrus-modeling aficionado found my layout online and got in touch with me to talk trains. Turns out he created a laser-cut version of the Olive depot, which resided directly across the tracks from the Olive Heights citrus packing plant I am modeling. I decided to purchase a copy of this unique little kit, which will really set the SoCal AT&SF "tone" for the layout with its unique adobe-style architecture.

The original depot:


p-bm_depot_195X by timgill1983, on Flickr

My model, in progress. Still working on doors, window sills and sashes, and roof.


IMAG1399 by timgill1983, on Flickr

I have unsuccessfully made two attempts at starting the scratchbuild on the packing plant, but I am *really* unhappy with how the Plastruct N-scale brick sheet looks. I am seriously considering finding someone to just laser-cut the whole thing for me, since I have the drawings done. They could be easily converted to be set up for laser cutting.

Otherwise, progressing slowly. Dad and I hit up the GTE in Anaheim last month and I came away with a few new additions to the fleet. One vendor had a bunch of these undecorated Roundhouse 34' Overton kits, which are fresh out of the paint shop and ready for lettering. They won't see operations on this layout, but I am building a 2x4 racetrack with a turn-of-the-century setting that they will haul passengers around on.


IMAG1401 by timgill1983, on Flickr


IMAG1402 by timgill1983, on Flickr

Also scored an undec Spectrum 2-8-0 for a song, into which I successfully performed my first ever decoder installation! (applause) 


P1012027 by timgill1983, on Flickr

That's all for now! I leave you with this shot of #2408 resting forlornly on the team track.


IMAG1400 by timgill1983, on Flickr

[160pennsy]

I have unsuccessfully made two attempts at starting the scratchbuild on the packing plant, but I am *really* unhappy with how the Plastruct N-scale brick sheet looks. I am seriously considering finding someone to just laser-cut the whole thing for me, since I have the drawings done. They could be easily converted to be set up for laser cutting.

Hello timgill,

Found this aerial view of the packing house & depot which I'm sure you already have.  Should be a neat scene with a string of PFE reefers getting iced on the siding. Have you looked at the brick sheets from N Scale Architect? - http://www.thenarch.com/catalog/building-sheets/n-scale-sheets

[timgill]

Have you looked at the brick sheets from N Scale Architect? - http://www.thenarch.com/catalog/building-sheets/n-scale-sheets

Now I have! Thanks for the link to that resource. I'm almost thinking that the concrete block would be more appropriate for this building.

That photo you posted was the original inspiration for this whole layout. 

[Miles]

The Olive packing house is made out of board-formed concrete in classic 1920's construction. My parents used to live across the street before it caught fire in the 1980s, releasing thousands of rats into the neighborhood!   

My favorite, but relatively tedious way to model that texture is to build a styrene shell of the building and then clad it with scale lumber, occasionally warping some boards in and out. Then coating it in a light layer of hydrocal. Conversely you could make scale wooden molds for the building and pour hydrocal walls in a modular fashion, but I've yet to try that.

Your Olive depot is beautifully done! I really look forward to seeing this module take shape.

[timgill]

Thanks for the clarification on construction; I was really pondering how to accurately represent the texture of that concrete in N scale. I think the basic texture of the MDF board itself, along with a bit of stippling with a brush, really helped it along in that direction.

Now I need to find some N-scale rats... 

[Baronjutter]

Let me know if you need anything laser cut!

[timgill]

Well, it's been quite a while since I last had time to work on the layout. Had a little time this evening to do a little bit of detail work and to get a few photos taken of what the next few steps will be.

IMAG1433 by timgill1983, on Flickr

The Depot is almost finished. I am saving the roof over the waiting room and baggage room for last, as I will be wiring in some golden LEDs for light and putting in a simulated wood plank floor. Today, I sculpted some lightweight spackle to contour the cork foundation into the surrounding scenery base.

I spent the rest of the evening adding some details and texture to the team track area...putting in the small touches is very relaxing, and really sets the scene. First, some pallets:

IMAG1573 by timgill1983, on Flickr

IMAG1574 by timgill1983, on Flickr

IMAG1578 by timgill1983, on Flickr

At the other end of the track, a bunch of barrels:

IMAG1575 by timgill1983, on Flickr

IMAG1576 by timgill1983, on Flickr

And miscellaneous crossties, etc:

IMAG1577 by timgill1983, on Flickr

Using some powders, paint pens, and india ink washes, started trying out some general dirtying-up of the track. I want the level of grime to imply that this is a somewhat under-maintained pair of spurs.

IMAG1579 by timgill1983, on Flickr

IMAG1580 by timgill1983, on Flickr

IMAG1581 by timgill1983, on Flickr

IMAG1583 by timgill1983, on Flickr

I noticed a big problem tonight that is occurring when I use my 50/50 Matte Medium mix to flood the scenery (for attaching ground cover/etc.); it is drying glossy and/or milky, which is giving the landscape a very annoying sheen. Has anyone encountered this before? I usually soak the area in Iso Alcohol, and then flood with 50/50 mix of Mod Podge Matte Medium and Water.

[Greyryder]

Modge Podge doesn't like alcohol. That's why it's giving you that sheen. I've had similar experience with it. I just use a little bit of dish washing soap to make the mix "wet."

[timgill]

Modge Podge doesn't like alcohol. That's why it's giving you that sheen.

Aha. I thought it might be something along those lines.

I'm going to mix up a 50/50 modge podge batch with a couple drops of dish soap, as you say, and flood the scenery with that...hopefully it will kill the glossy sheen.

[Ali Kenneth]

I have been looking for an inspirational plan for an 8x1 layout in my garage and have finally found one. However, mine will be transported into the 20th century and the Eastern US as Norfolk Southern is my railroad of choice.
Now if only i could get the Atlas switches to get this plan done....
And there is no way my modelling will be as good as that you have already done!
Alasdair