CSX Hanover Subdivision

[basementcalling]

Hopefully sometime this week I plan on getting the airbrush out and dirtying up the yard.  Just too clean.  Still need 4 #8 Peco turnouts to finish the other end of yard, then I can finish ballast work in yard.

My paper mill has that same corky look to it in many spots right now. Are you going to try Ed's grout technique?

[mu26aeh]

My paper mill has that same corky look to it in many spots right now. Are you going to try Ed's grout technique?

At this time no, as at some point (maybe) the layout could move to where my garage is now.  In that case, benchwork and track work could change so I like the ability of the WS ballast to be able to be re-moistened and can pull the track up.  Most of grout I've seen, once it's wet, it's set .

[mu26aeh]

Even with the extended holiday weekend for most, railroad crews in Hagerstown Yard are always busy .  They took in CR SW1500 #9594 to the shops for a check up after coming over in the acquisition, and also switched the unit over to the CSX numbering system.  Goes in as CR #9594, comes out as CSX #1072.

Prototype photo
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/photos/SW1500/1072cr.jpg

20151227_173214 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

20151227_173259 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

I tried to decal the new numberboards, but I didn't have a decal set that had small enough numbers.  Ones I used ended up folded on itself and looked bad.  So I just painted them white for now until I try again at some point.  I will also at some point have to change out the handrails, as this unit had hood mounted version.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

My heart breaks. But it looks good.

[jpec]

Ever try the John Sing method of doing numberboards using Excel and mailing labels? I did it using regular paper and placing clear scotch tape on both sides of the paper before cutting it out and holding it in place with a dab of the Micro Scale stuff people use to make windows. I use the laser printer at the library to do it and I've gone as low as a 3 point type and they're still sharp.

Jeff

[mu26aeh]

"I sat too close to Ed and now I've got Conrail all over me..."

HA !!!!  I love it .

As I was reading your post, as soon as I read John Sing I remembered this technique.  I will have to try that and report back.

[basementcalling]

"I sat too close to Ed and now I've got Conrail all over me..."

HA !!!!  I love it .

As I was reading your post, as soon as I read John Sing I remembered this technique.  I will have to try that and report back.

We both have layouts in need of multi handed work sessions.

I ate lunch with Ed once. No Conrail on me afterwards thank goodness because on the Idaho Belt, there is no Conrail.

[Philip H]

but if given enough notice, there could be KCS . . . .

[mu26aeh]

First up, I found this site today while trying to figure out how I'm going to model the Butler Rd overpass at Glyndon/Emory Grove, MMID/CSX interchange.  Some good pictures of the bridge in question, as well as the old station.

http://www.railfanguides.us/baltimore/map2/index.htm

Also, on the other end of the layout.  I'm debating on how to block the entrance to west staging thru the scenic divider.

20151231_203243 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

On the prototype, on the very far western side of Hagerstown is Rt 81 so I could use a highway bridge.  Other option is having the area heavily forested and the trains entering under a canopy of trees.  I did a quick mock up but obviously this isn't enough to make a strong statement for this option.

20151231_203609 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

[Philip H]

I almost always find vegetation with an open cut much more convincing. Overpasses creat lines, especially with your coved corner. And those lines invite scrutiny instead of deflecting it.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Phil makes a good point, but if you want to do an interstate overpass, I'd say go big like the one I did.

[mu26aeh]

I'm not sure I could go big at that location.  There is only about 12-14" between divider and switch into yard.  I whipped this up this evening

20160101_194655 by Adam Henry, on Flickr

[Philip H]

Much improved imho. Heck you could even slap some of that Chooch timber cribbing on the one to the right and have some sort of . . . something over there.

[mu26aeh]

That straight vertical cutoff where I'm guessing you're talking about the cribbing is there just because that was the size of the foam board.  I'll shape out the rest of the hillside with a couple more pieces.

One other thing in this area is the yard backs up to the rear of a residential neighborhood with a line of trees, so I need some backdrop ideas of how to do that.

[davefoxx]

As @Philip H suggested, avoid anything that emphasizes the curved backdrop.  Also, I say avoid any detail in this area that would draw the eye into it.  It's better to draw the eye away from this area.  So, just use foliage.  Lots and lots of foliage.  And, don't be afraid to use taller trees.  Ask @Ed Kapuscinski; he knows what I'm talking about.

DFF