Weekend Update 12/29/13

[jnevis]

not actually working on the RR but I am doing something N scale=ISH.  One of my co-workers volunteers teaching 7th graders about Gettysburg, with an annual field trip to the battle field.  One of the things he said he'd like to have is something to show the kids a little bit of the tactics by pointing out features that an army would try and defend/take.  I'm building him a small 2x3' diorama with a river, hill, road, RR tracks, and some farms.  The river has a bridge and a shallow ford.  The farms will have different types of fencing; split rail, stone, and hedgerow to demonstrate the difference between cover and concealment.  I as going to try and make it in 1/285th and use Z track and paper buildings but found that most of the Civil War wargame figures out there are 10mm which is closer to N.  Pic when I get  further along, all I've got so far is the basic foam cut and glued.

BTW anyone trying to use MTLs Civil War trains for a layout would be quick to note that if they searched on 10mm ACW there are a large number of general and battle specific buildings and features out there.  Most are resin cast and not 100 perfect but will definitely look good.  The selection of figures and equipment is limited to Union and Rebel soldiers and artillery, unlike the more modern stuff that includes some civilians.

[Tom L]

Built this walthers crossing shanty a while ago, but finally planted it on the layout .



Tom L
Wellington CO

[Jeff AKA St0rm]

Well today I did my first layout video. Also I have been working on my grain elevator but It is not fare enough along for photos yet. Here is a copy of the track plan to go along with the video.

[BCR 570]

Jeff:

The combination of layout diagram and video is a great way to show us your layout - well done.  I look forward to seeing more.

Tim

[Dave V]

One of the ubiquitous Penn's Cave billboards now graces US522 in Lewistown...



The prototype:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~rochballparks4/route15/07sv_upd_signs.jpg

[bnsfdash8]

I didn't get anything special done this weekend, just a pair of NS locos primered and ready for paint. The SD40-2 is ex BN 7149, the experimental LNG SD40-2, now NS 3528.

[kalbert]

Just hangin out down by the tracks with a mug - o - coffee and a camera when.....





Two different weathering efforts on some of those wonderful BLMA hoppers. The heavily rusted hopper is based on this:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/gn/gn71739akr.jpg

It looks a little "louder" in photos than in person....

Hope to get a chnace to weather a few more of these today.....

Those are gorgeous!

[Puddington]

Thanks; glad you like my GN weathrites.....

Got a better shot of one of two of my Prairie Shadows CN (yuck) Vans traversing the PVR rails on a diversion....



CN looks better (and more realistic) when dirty and running on someone elses rails... (snicker)

[unittrain]

Thanks; glad you like my GN weathrites.....

Got a better shot of one of two of my Prairie Shadows CN (yuck) Vans traversing the PVR rails on a diversion....



CN looks better (and more realistic) when dirty and running on someone elses rails... (snicker)

Man that looks real had me fooled!

[nkalanaga]

Dave:  The turnout looks good.  Nn3 isn't any harder to lay than standard gauge, is it? 

I've read comments from people over the years saying they couldn't lay narrow gauge track because it was "too small".  Never has made sense to me, because if you can lay standard gauge, in any scale, the narrow gauge uses the same techniques...

[dougnelson]

One of the ubiquitous Penn's Cave billboards now graces US522 in Lewistown...

Hey Dave: 

And here is my Lincoln Caverns sign made from a photo of the actual sign on Route 22 just west of Huntingdon, PA.

Doug.

[pjm20]

I have been to both those caves! It seems that Penn's Cave has a sign on every route out of where I live.

[davefoxx]

Dave:  The turnout looks good.  Nn3 isn't any harder to lay than standard gauge, is it? 

I've read comments from people over the years saying they couldn't lay narrow gauge track because it was "too small".  Never has made sense to me, because if you can lay standard gauge, in any scale, the narrow gauge uses the same techniques...

Thanks.  I agree.  It should be similar, except that you might need a smaller tip on the soldering iron to get into a couple of tight spaces.  Should require no more skill, though.

DFF

[davefoxx]

One of the ubiquitous Penn's Cave billboards now graces US522 in Lewistown...



The prototype:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~rochballparks4/route15/07sv_upd_signs.jpg

Dave,

The background "wall" color looks good in photos.

DFF

[trainforfun]

Did you had anything left after rebuilding it ,  like an IKEA project ?
Great works , you da man !