BNSF Decatur Hill

[Denver Road Doug]

OT and maybe a dumb question, but how do you save the Google Earth images?

I just did a Print Screen then paste into MS Paint.   I also have an app called SnagIt which has more features (and the newer versions of Windows have a similar utility) but I just used standard Print Screen for these.   

[coldriver]

Well, being (likely) the only Decatur resident on this forum I certainly know where Decatur Hill is!  You're dead on about Poco Graphite - I've always thought it looked like a Pikestuff facility.  If it was me I'd be tempted to use the center of the layout for additional industries, but towns in my ideal world only consist of railroads, railroad facilities, and railroad served facilities...

[Denver Road Doug]

Dean, as far as I know, I'm modeling every industry in the 110 miles between Saginaw and Wichita Falls...and fabricating another 50% with the now defunct feed mill.  There's just not much to work with here.

Wait, what is your role with BNSF again?   

I could possibly figure out a siding for Bowie Industries, and then I could work in the plastic company on the west side.   But really, I just don't see this being some great switching layout.   I like the idea of it not being too spaghetti.   Besides, I'll be making money by running coal trains...surely you appreciate that!   

[coldriver]

Well... My role (in part) is to abandon stuff...  Fortunately it's not a high growth area

That big steel fab place next to the track south of Decatur that should have rail service is Marshall's company.  You could even include a model of Marshall scratching his head next to a caved in water tower!

[SSW7771]

That big steel fab place next to the track south of Decatur that should have rail service is Marshall's company.  You could even include a model of Marshall scratching his head next to a caved in water tower!

You know that would make a pretty neat scene; a bunch of guys standing around a water tower with a huge dent in it.  I even have some prototype pictures I can send you. On the other hand our shop in Decatur would make a good industry even though we do not currently have rail service. You have a rail spur under the overhead gantry crane with loads of steel plate going in and scrap and finished sub assemblies/tanks going out.

[soo]

I like the concept!! I really like the direction,,meaning that there is reason for everything.

Heck it beats removing the wreckage from WBTR Helix 1,lol

Adios, Wyatt

[Denver Road Doug]

Made some progress...

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I picked up some pink foam--one 4x8 each 1/2", 3/4", and 1"--and cut it to the rough dimensions and laid out the track.  The plan is to laminate the 1" and 3/4", and the 1/2" will be used on the "hill" end and as scenic fill in a few areas.   Probably could have managed without the 1/2" but I was testing the waters of *just* using the 1" and the 1/2" laminated.  It would have worked, but I decided to go with that little extra bit of support.  And, it was cheap so no major budget concerns.   

If you're thrown off by the odd track coloration, this is because I'm reusing some track that was in early stages of weathering (I have a system, of sorts) Combined with some new pieces that I needed given the track plan, it does look funny.

Overall I'm pretty happy with how the plan translated to the board. Still have to check the geometries but as it stands it looks like it will measure 33"x61" which is perfect.

[Chris333]

Now we're cookin' ! 

[wazzou]

You going to move all of the track to the right on the foam?   

[Denver Road Doug]

You going to move all of the track to the right on the foam?   

Actually....no!     See my earlier posts about the "front flats"...there's effectively going to be a wall adjacent to that track, so...no or very little possibility of cars falling.   OK, so I'll backtrack a little...there are two things at work here.  First, I'm not 100% sure how I'm going to implement the frontflats...my initial thinking is use some of the 1/2" foam (or 1/8", possibly) and basically trim out the entire layout with it, and just carve the flats into that.  So *effectively* yes I'll be moving the track about 1/2".  (other option is foamcore board attached in some manner)  Secondly, I think the track roadbed itself should allow for it, but I will make sure that a 60ft boxcar can clear the front flats when being spotted...so that might result in 1/16" or 1/8" shift as well.

This is very much one of those..."I know what it will look like but haven't worked out all the details yet" status updates.   

[wazzou]

Ah...OK, I remember now.

[Denver Road Doug]

And more progress today...

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I got all of the foam layers cut.  Still some finish work to do but they're mostly how they will end up.  I'm still contemplating what I'm gonna do with the squared-off ends.  That was a recent development and still a work in progress.  Stacked them (loosely, not laminated together yet and won't be for a bit) and also got all the track put together and the plan transferred to the board.  I had to modify a few pieces where two tracks came together at turnouts.   

Also cut out a small recess from the top 1/2" layer to allow for the Kato deck plate girder bridge.  Eventually this will be a creek...most likely I will carve into the 3/4" layer some as well.  You'll notice a dark line drawn down the center of the layout...this is roughly where the center divider/backdrop will go.  Still debating the location for now.

[SSW7771]

Looking good Doug!

You can use cardboard mock-ups of buildings and other scenery features determine where to locate the backdrop. That's what I did on a previous layout and it helped.

[Denver Road Doug]

I promise I worked like a dog on the layout this weekend, but it doesn't look much different.  Most of the work involved prepping everything so I could laminate the three layers together, including a lot of "figuring" which took an inordinate amount of time and in some instances I'm still not sure I got things right but I'm moving the yard markers nevertheless.   


This is the town side.  This is a very mocked up scene...just laid the track out and threw some buildings down just to give some bit of idea of how things will end up.  One turnout is missing because I have it all soldered up with feeders and it won't mock very well.  Noteable is the Zephyr pocket in the lower corner which was a recent "add".  It looks a little unappealing in the photo, but it actually looks (and more importantly works) pretty good.  Remember I have an extreme space issue and having it as a "built in" will be very helpful, even if I sacrifice some curb appeal.  Also notable is the center backdrop which still needs work and paint.


And the hill side...  Did some carving and rising and mocked up the graphite plant.


Bird view.   It occurred to me that I needed to square off one end so that it could be leaned up against a wall vertically when not in use.   Without a flat edge, it would be prone to simply roll around....not desired behavoir.     But, that feature also permitted the Zephyr cubbyhole.   So, I like it.  It'll look better once it is painted I think.

[Denver Road Doug]

Couple more...


This is what I'd call a progressive shot...you may recall the downtown Google maps pic I posted so this will eventually (hopefully) morph into that.


And finally, had to get one with a train in it!      Love me some 70MAC's... 

What you don't see, is I also not only glued the layers together, but cut "conduit" into the foam at various places for running feeders.   Making a layout entirely out of foam means you can't just run feeders under the framework....there is no framework.  So I cut channels and also two cavities for two DS64's to control the 6 turnouts.   Then painted it all...I don't like the idea of wiring laying around on exposed naked foam.     And I ran 50lb test line throughout before gluing everything so I can use it to fish (no pun intended) the wires through.  (if you look closely at the 70MAC pic you can see some line coming out from under the bridge.)

I also experimented with making my own "Woodland Scenics risers" out of the foam.  It was actually "relatively" successful but it did take awhile, and I'm still not done yet.   I cut out the subroadbed under the track (it's temporarily placed back for the pics) and then cut slots into a leftover 1/3 sheet of 1" foam.   THEN I cut out the custom measured grade out of that piece and cut opposing wedge cuts with a sheetrock knife.  The end result is really good, but it is just a very time consuming and tedious process.  If you look at the 1" foam wrong it will break, and it doesn't really like the tight curves I'm putting it in.  But it works.   So yes, I'm a master at taking a simple layout and making it overly complicated.   But I'm learning in the process...some of it will carry forward, some ideas will get bashed in the head.