Weekend Update 2/3/19

[up1950s]

https://www.railengineer.uk/category/infrastructure/page/4/ The Page

https://www.railengineer.uk/2018/02/22/tunnel-aerodynamics-how-pressure-changes-can-cause-significant-damage/ Info

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muzzle_brake and silencer and flash deflector

[CRL]

My wife says I need one of those. 

[coldriver]

Here's my latest (more or less) completed scene on the Oregon Joint Line - a ranch at the summit of the grade at Snowline.  After looking at a lot of different trackside eastern Oregon ranches on Google Earth I decided I wanted one that would span both sides of the track.  So what better place for a road/cattle underpass than where a creek bed already passes under the tracks?  The backdrop photos are still in mockup stage and forthcoming adjustments are likely.   I used Z scale cattle towards the backdrop to force a little perspective.   
 

[hegstad1]

More work on the Missoula Depot this week.

[wazzou]

That's really looking terrific Andrew. @hegstad1
Dean @coldriver very believable scene and very nice execution.

[nkalanaga]

UP1950s:  One theory I've heard several times on why we don't have the high-speed rail system Europe and Japan have is that we don't have the population density to support it.  Outside a few corridors, sizeable towns are few and far between, making cars much more efficient. 

We could build a rail line to every town for local rail service, and used to have one to most, but it would be very expensive to run multiple trains a day on every line, not to mention trying to find enough crews.  Without that, most people would have to drive quite a distance to the high-speed trains, and by that time, they could drive where they were going. 

And even at 200 mph it would take most of a day to cross the country, while an airplane can do it in a few hours, at lower total infrastructure cost.  As it is, Amtrak is, or should be, faster than driving, unless you have at least two drivers, and can drive 24/7.  A more complete 70-100 mph passenger network would be a better use of resources in the US.  It would satisfy those who can't or don't want to drive, and who don't need the speed of air travel.

[sirenwerks]

Here's my latest (more or less) completed scene on the Oregon Joint Line - a ranch at the summit of the grade at Snowline.  After looking at a lot of different trackside eastern Oregon ranches on Google Earth I decided I wanted one that would span both sides of the track.  So what better place for a road/cattle underpass than where a creek bed already passes under the tracks?  The backdrop photos are still in mockup stage and forthcoming adjustments are likely.   I used Z scale cattle towards the backdrop to force a little perspective.   
 

You need some appropriate signage - maybe a BLM Burns or Prineville District (not sure where your ranch is located) wood sign somewhere near that ranch and some Please Close the Gate signs, maybe a Johnny Horizon image somewhere, or the vintage Keep Oregon Green signs.

[Bob]

Really excellent ranch scene - could you maybe say something about the materials you used?  I especially like the dirt road.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I stood my Windsor St layout back up and leveled some of it.



Still LOTS of work to do, but it's nice now having TWO layouts in the house.

Although, ironically, neither of them is actually functional...

[wm3798]

It was a busy week on the Retro layout.  I took delivery of an old Atlas/Rivarossi Pacific, which of course needed a lot of love based on the price I paid for it.



I replaced the ailing can motor with a new open frame motor from a Bachmann engine, and it worked well enough to be pressed into service.  Still need to restore some weight and put a new light in it, but it's running much more smoothly now.



Also added a bunch of weight to my 0-4-0 switcher, increasing its usefulness tenfold.



Pulled one of the old structures from the 70s out of my cousin's collection, and gave it a little spruce up,



And got the trolley line laid out and elevated to give it some ups and downs to make the structure installations more interesting.

Lee

[cbroughton67]

I painted and installed the photo-etched grille offered by Keystone Details / @Lemosteam for the BLI N-scale T1. It fits perfectly and looks great!


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John discovered another missing mesh grate from the T1, so I think a small piece of BLMA chain link fence will work here after a little more clean-up and paint.


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[jagged ben]

UP1950s:  One theory I've heard several times on why we don't have the high-speed rail system Europe and Japan have is that we don't have the population density to support it.  Outside a few corridors, sizeable towns are few and far between, making cars much more efficient. 

...

There are parts of the country where that theory makes sense but many other parts where it doesn't.   It has far more to do with politics and the sway of the oil industry, among others.  Probably should keep that in the Crew Lounge though...

[dougnelson]

Cabover Makeover.

I love the White cabovers and the Classic Metal Works N scale version is not bad, but that oversized grill and bumper really annoys me, but it is not too difficult to fix. This makeover includes filing down the bumper/grill (it’s metal), a new set of wheels, adding a driver, billboard ad, and mud flaps.

[bnsfdash8]

I decided my freelance RR needed a SW1200 in the roster so I've been working on that this week. I added dynamic brakes just to be a little different.

[Kentuckian]

Doug,

Looks good. Which wheels did you use?