Free-moNebraska

[Mark W]

I mentioned Marsland in my last post, that must have kicked off what I've been slowly working on the past few months, in between moving and everything else.

Marsland is one of the first modules I built; before I perfected the lightweight framework design. While there was nothing wrong with it, it was just too heavy and became the module that we paused to take a beat before setting up at shows.  Well, I decided to fix that!

I simply cut the foam from the old framework, saved the end plates, and cut new lightweight framework!


https://i.imgur.com/k9WWIq5.jpg


But then I paused again and decided to take it a step further, extending each section to 5 feet!
New Marsland has a longer siding, broader curve, and I'll be adding a stock yard. All this and still shaving about 4 pounds from the final weight!


https://i.imgur.com/61nkmEg.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/wy9uTFC.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/VEARD7T.jpg

We've gained almost 3 feet of siding!


https://i.imgur.com/fOferzZ.jpg


Tearing back the old mains quite a bit to accommodate the new wider curve.


https://i.imgur.com/JBOzOcX.jpg


Progress was stuck for a while as I lost my red scraper!  I finally just purchased a new yellow one and got back to work.


https://i.imgur.com/A1K1RTy.jpg


With the extra space, I decided not to tear back the industry tracks as much as was required on the mains.  I just added a new stub. 


https://i.imgur.com/c9cajOZ.jpg


When the track crews arrived, temps broke triple digits.


https://i.imgur.com/d6dmChw.jpg


Staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks, the crew was still able to open the mainlines rather quickly!


https://i.imgur.com/0asTm5O.jpg


Now we're just waiting for the new turnout to be built before we can re-connect the industry siding.  It seems the PCB turnout ties were lost in the move, but the new ones should arrive today!

[Vince P]

Love the way this is coming along

[Mark W]

New turnout done, track in, base coat down.  New Marsland is fully operational again!


https://i.imgur.com/jxUdgzj.jpg

[Vince P]

Looking really Great.

[Mark W]

With no more train shows for the foreseeable future, I was able to get a decent size setup in the basement.  I just had to make one minor hole in a wall! 


https://i.imgur.com/Ij3Snka.jpg

Not to worry though, this half of the basement is unfinished, so really I just had to remove one stud from the framing.

I also decided I want to catalog my favorite trains in a series of run-by short videos.  It seems the mid 1900's are the theme for the first set of videos.
Enjoy!

[Mark W]

Run-by #4  Atlas 4-4-0 American with a train of 3D printed and scratch built freight cars.

[Mark W]

Run-by Series 1 Train 5: Atlas/MicroAce Virginia & Truckee Mogul!

Now which train shall I do next?

[Mark W]

Train 6 and 7 are up.  The Wind Turbine Blade Train and the Olympian Hiawatha!

[davefoxx]

Wow, @Mark W, I shudder to think of the cost you have in that blade train.  What's the scale length of that train?  About 3/4 mile or so?  Wow!

Kudos,
DFF

[w neal]

Looks like you have a lot of ballasting in your future.

[Mark W]

Wow, @Mark W, I shudder to think of the cost you have in that blade train.  What's the scale length of that train?  About 3/4 mile or so?  Wow!
Kudos,
DFF

Thanks Dave.  No more invested in the Blade Train than in any other train of modest length.  Though, full disclosure, there may have been a video splice or two... 
The actual train length is about 1/3rd of a mile.  The video makes it appear about twice that.

Looks like you have a lot of ballasting in your future.

Eventually.  But what do we say to the god of ballast?  "Not today!" 




Instead, today we enjoy a run-by of the Circus Train, with a special guest!

[Mark W]

August 2009, I'm still in college and riding the California Zephyr home to Nebraska for a visit.  After a long night in Utah, we woke up to a big surprise leading the way!

[amato1969]

Great looking train and smooth operation @Mark W !

  Frank

[Mark W]

Thanks Frank.


I made it to the 10th train in the series!

[Mark W]

Taking a small break from the run-by videos, I finally got a little bit of the garage cleared out and have the Plattsmouth Bridges set free-standing for the first time!


https://i.imgur.com/uuWOPxj.jpg

Of course, I had to pose it with the bridge mock-up.  Time to find an answer the real question, how the hell am going to build the actual bridges!