Meadow's Lumber: HO 1930's Geared Steam Layout Refurbish & Expansion

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Well, the layout is back on track.
My freelance work & continued search for "real" employment (as well as a garage workspace that gets up over 100 deg in the summer) has left little time for or interest in my own model railroading.
But a few weeks ago I was contacted by Dwight's widow, and she and her son (& grandkids) want the layout finished.
I gave her several options of smaller layout design options, but they want to stay with Dwight's original plan.
(Which is nice, as the benchwork & foam was already in place)

Just a reminder what "Phase II" looks like (the "L" of the far left side and bottom to the drop-down bridge):



Started with completing the trackage to the logging camp:



Wanted a more haphazard tie arrangement, so I cut all the ties underneath with a hobby knife, removed about 1/2 of them, then crazy-angled them.
You can see the difference between the top siding and the untouched other sections of flex.

I did the same wonky-tie technique for all the other flextrack in the logging camp area:



Started to attempt with the Peco turnouts but chickened out. Will de-emphasize their "perfect" ties with dirt & paint.

A shipment of sheds showed up from the MidWest, so I started playing with them to ensure car clearances.
There'll be a raised loading platform in the middle, which I'll scratch on top of this high-tech template:



After covering the points & throwbars with blue tape, I spraybombed the track a base of dark grey with spritzes of light grey & rustish brown:



I'll go back and paint the points with Neolube later.

Dwight wanted switch machines & toggles on control panels, but the turnouts on the new section will be totally finger-flicking manual.
(Thank goodness, as the control panels were a time-sucking PITA)

Finished installing the cleats for securing the fascia between the logging camp and the sawmill pond:





2"x2"s attached with woodglue & CA around the edges to hold piece in place while woodglue cures.

And started attaching the 1/4" MDF fascia along the Phase II section:



The clamps are holding pieces of MDF reinforcement behind the fascia panel edges.
Spackle fills in the screw sinks.

I left a lip where the log pond touches the layout edge and sealed the gap with clear caulk:



So none of the future thin Magic Water pour drips down to the floor.

Just got the latest turnout shipment in, so will start laying the rest of the track in the town & yard soon.
That, and design/build the bridge between sections:



Thinking about a flat drop-down bridge, hinged on the left, with a deadbolt underneath that slots into a reinforced hole on the right.
Probably with wiring to ensure the last few inches on either side are dead when bridge is dropped.
(And adjust plan so there's room for a engine at the end for runaround move)

Anyway, so things are moving again.
Any/all feedback & suggestions always appreciated.

Thanks for looking.

[Scottl]

This is a great layout and it is nice to have you back. 

[MVW]

I was just thinking yesterday that it had been some time since we heard anything from you. Was also wondering what became of this layout. Good to see you back at work, and that the family will have the layout completed. That's a memorial any model railroader would appreciate.

Best of luck on the employment search.

Jim

[Baronjutter]

I was just thinking yesterday that it had been some time since we heard anything from you. Was also wondering what became of this layout. Good to see you back at work, and that the family will have the layout completed. That's a memorial any model railroader would appreciate.

Best of luck on the employment search.

Jim

Exactly this.

[jpec]

Outstanding to see you back...the layout couldn't have a finer steward to see it to the finish.

Jeff

[dnhouston]

Glad to hear you're back at it, I've been wondering what happened with this layout.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Thanks for the kind words & well wishes.
Progress continues!

The fascia is 1/4" MDF except for the inner curved section: there I'm using 1/8" masonite to get the curve.
To prevent cracking while installing, I first dampened the section (didn't have a spray bottle so used soaked papertowels):



Then installed:



The clamps are holding slim masonite splicing plates / reinforcement behind the fascia.

Spackled the fascia and sculptamolded the gaps between layout & fascia:



Will paint new rocks later.

Cut out the access panel:



The panel will have hinges on bottom and hook latch at top.
Installed the stop at the top, which doubles as reinforcing where the hook latch hardware will screw in:



Back on other side, sanded down the fascia:



And started with the primer:



Been using a spray primer but think I'll switch to roll-on paint get get a more even coating.
Eventually will be all flat black.

Thanks for looking.

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Looks great as always. Love seeing your updates.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Given materials available, I finished priming all the fascia with the dark grey spray stuff:





[the access door is in place to receive the primer, will get hardware hinges/hook later]

Removed all the NCE PCP panels & turnout control panels (had to wrap those with plastic baggies), sanded the surface, and then painted fascia with a flat-black interior latex:











Later will paint all the rockwork greyish back to the fascia.
Slimed another layer of caulk along edges where future water will meet woodwork.

Will paint another layer of black after ALL the scenery is done.
Am very much debating using a satin or enamel for the final coat, as the flat seems to attract smudges more than my kids' soccer cleats do mud & goose/dog poo.

A bit down the line, but any suggestions for the final fascia coat?

Thanks for looking.

Now back to enjoying the 3rd SF Giant World Series in 5 years.
Be sure to wear flowers in your hair while you chug 4 straight.

[Baronjutter]

Looks awesome in the photos, but nothing shows smudges and dirt like black, and nothing holds smudges and dirt like flat paint.  You've almost created a chalk board.  I love the look of the black, but would a dark gray satin maybe not show shmutz as bad?

[Philip H]

MC,
Given that you have stained wood on the inside fascia, I'd go with something that compliments that.  And I agree about flat paint (you and I have kids of similar ages) - it holds stains really well.  Satin could be good depending on the paint brand.

[mcjaco]

In former life, I was a paint salesperson at a local Benjamin Moore chain.  I would at minimum go with satin, or eggshell.  And that's only on higher end paints.  I've found that the big box stuff just does not hold up well to washability when compared to Benjamin Moore products.  I painted my entire house with Valspar this last go round thinking the $10 a gallon savings would be worth it.  Nope.  Wherever the kids (or my wife), have bumped into walls, scratched them, etc, I can't get marks off the walls without pigment release.  For example, one wall that is a light beige, now shows yellow streaks where I tried to wipe down some smudges the kids left behind.  I never had that issue with BJM eggshell at my past townhouse. 

You could go with flat, then apply a satin varnish over the top.  At minimum if you want to go by paint, go eggshell, even up to semi gloss.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Thanks for all the paint suggestions.
Will probably go with a high quality satin or eggshell dark grey or brown when all's done.

Trying to finish the depot before finishing the track, as the depot will determine track positioning.
I thought shingling N scale structures was boring, but at least a single strip is enough for the whole roof!
Not only are HO structures huge, but necessitates splicing shingle strips.



Just ONE SIDE took almost fulltime of the San Jose Earthquakes last match (vs Portland), which turned out to be almost as mind-numbing as the shingling.
Felt like McMurphy at the end of Cuckoo's Nest.



But next season Quakes have a proper new manager & a proper new stadium, so hope exists!

Started laying track out of the tunnel:



Left track will be the log dump, right is the yard lead.
As track had to adapt to benchwork constraints, accessing the yard involves dropping cars off over the turnout, running around the log-dump side, pulling the cut back into the tunnel and then pushing into the yard:



[Yard ladder is directly at bottom center in photo]

A bit awkward operationally, but only 1-2 operators and short cuts will help.

Laid that section, then brought in the depot and saw an opportunity for a team/freight loading track, so spliced in a wye turnout:



By using a Dremel and carefully shaving rail back, was able to just drop the turnout directly in.

Laid rest of yard tracks:



The new freight/team track runs up to the depot freight dock (where flatcar sits).
Depot (with shingles still half-finished  ) & other structures are just temp placed to ensure spacing.



Yard tracks at 2.5" spacing & plenty long to sort / store most rolling stock available.
If I keep water next to depot, then will raise on a foundation.

Next trip will focus on turntable leads & figuring out exact pit location.

Overview of whole Town:



Track on rightside not caulked down yet.

Next steps:
--cut foam & install TT
--building drop-down bridge to connect both wings
--finish Town track & spur down to lumber mill
--track wiring

But moving along nicely

Today at home I'll be shingling the other side of the depot (while listening to the 49er's beat New Orleans)
And starting to build the Fuel Supply structure that will be opposite the TT.

Thanks for looking.

[Baronjutter]

I don't have much to say other than it's always great to see your updates!

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Great as always