AC&Y - Ohio's Road of Service

[SAH]

I decided to build a FreeMoN module a few months back.  Long time list members might remember my ACY/NKP Spencer, OH sections.  For various reasons I no longer own them, but I kept the scratchbuilt depots.  The FeeMoN module will be Spencer v2.

I reached a milestone today.  I assembled the three sections and tested the trackwork.  So far so good.  It is designed to go under the existing layout and would be the last part of the "some day" lower level.  It's not as accurate as the v1 Spencer but that's the way things go sometimes.  The structures in the photo are mock-ups.

[SAH]

My goal was to finish the scenery on the East and curve section by New Years.  It looks like only the East section will be done, but the curve should go quickly based on what I've learned so far.  I'm happy with how things have gone so far.



Here's the overview.  Forgive the bad lighting temperature mix. The open block at the front left will be a corn field, using the dried stalk set from Bluford.

[btrain]

That cow underpass really tells the story and ties the scene together. Excellent work Steve!

[mdltrn]

I really like the uncluttered look of that module with the cows in the pasture. Really gives a sense of a much bigger area than can be physically modeled in the area allotted.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You know I'm such a huge fan of modeling nothing.

This is an exquisite example of it.

[SAH]

Thank you Gentlemen.  I was smarter about the photoshop execution and also added micro fiber shrubbery along the fence line.  A small addition, maybe unnoticed, but adds a bit of extra depth to the scene IMO.

[SAH]

I shifted my attention to the curve this week.  A added the trees this afternoon.  Still very much a work in progress as I try new (to me) scenery techniques.

On Thursday I discovered several spots on the main and one on the pass were out of gauge.  After the track had been ballasted naturally.  The culprit turned out to be a production defect.  Excess plastic under the rail was preventing the spike heads from gripping the rail web.  When the track was set to a curve the rail went OOG.  Easy to fix (remove the track and reinstall) but a pain nevertheless.  I'm glad I don't use grout as ballast.   Jackhammer time.

[SAH]

With completion of the corn field the East section is done.  The close up  shows the "back" side of corn field.  I did a lot of coloration work on the corn stalks but the lighting washes it out in photos.  Oh well.  You'll just have to come visit in person.   

[chessie system fan]

I'm loving these modules!  I'm kind of wondering about that inside curve on the left hand side.  It kind of goes flat and narrows as it goes left, almost as if there is supposed to be a #10 switch just on the other side of the next module.  If there isn't going to be a switch, I fear there's going to be an unpleasant kink at the module mating joint.

[wazzou]

I’m sure there is a turnout on the adjacent module.

[SAH]

There is a turnout on the adjacent module.  The white slab between the main (center) and the pass (inside) marks the former location of a water column.  On the prototype this is all straight track, except for a small offset at the point of the water column location.  I wanted to include this little detail but working it in on the curve produced the funky arrangement you see.  When the sections are joined it makes sense.

[SAH]

Good progress on the Spencer proper FreeMo N section.   Spencer is compressed and twisted to meet my 12" depth constraint.  The photo shows the two scratchbuilt depots (AC&Y near, NKP back) and Grandma Leiby's house at center rear.  Grandma Lieby's place has been under construction for some 20+ years now.  Maybe I'll finally finish it soon, before she files suit.  The three push pins to the right of the house will be apple trees.  The mocked up mill is on the wrong side of the AC&Y tracks.  I'm not sure I'll get it done by the Ohio N Scale Weekend event in May.  To the right of the road will be Tri-County Oil.  Someday.

[SAH]

The FreeMoN module is more-or-less finished.  I'll use the next few weeks to work on structures.
I also tested my planned lower deck lighting system.  It works pretty well and will probably look even better with a backdrop in place. 
The comparison photos with the top deck illuminated and not, really points out the hazard of mixing lighting suppliers.  All claim to be 4000K light.  So many variables at play in the real world.  The color kind of evens out with both deck lighting turned on though, to my old eyes anyway.

[nickelplate759]

The blue backdrop on the upper deck, vs. the white wall on the lower, is going to alter the perceived color on the layout at well.  I'll bet once you put the lower backdrop up things will look more even.

[SAH]

Spencer made it's debut at the Ohio NSW FreeMo N setup this weekend past.  A good show, nice facility, good people and of course, all N scale. 
An added bonus was spending some time talking with @freedj.  Great discussions about modeling and prototype selection.   

The layout reflects Spencer in the 1960's +/-.  You never know what will show up to make the time machine spin like crazy.

Amtrak in Spencer anyone?



And some era disfunction