You should send those pictuires of your technique to the Model Ralroader Mag! Beautifu work. :thumb:
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Okay here 'tis 2
A couple notes:
1. Grades - I managed to keep them at 3%. Not ideal, but not bad and WS makes 'em. This gives you an elevation of 4" at B, starting at A. The grade from C to D is necessary to clear the track on grade beneath it. Then from D down to E is one long grade.
2. Operations. Here's where it can be really fun. A morning passenger train leaves the station in the yard and heads through the tunnel, up the grade to B then around the loop to C. An intermediate station up here somewhere would be nice. Then up and over the hill from C to D and down to the small station before ducking into the tunnel at E and laying over there.
Meanwhile, the freight has been pumping up the brakes in the yard and has headed out. Arriving at B the freight switches the industry on the short siding. Perhaps an additional track can be added somewhere here. Anyway, as the freight finishes its work the passenger comes out of hiding and heads up the hill. The freight heads downhill into hiding at the tunnel E.
While the passenger train takes the cutoff at B and reverses direction, your shay or climax has coupled onto a caboose from the hack track and is 'gearing up' to leave. Ha. As the passenger arrives back in town the little engine heads up the line to serve the mine at C. This can be an out and back job, right back down the way it came up. It may have to hole up in the siding at the mine, however, as the freight heads uphill to take the reverse loop and head home to the yard.
While someone works the mine the freight arrives and is broken down. The engine heads off to the turntable for servicing in the shop and the little shifter comes out to put the caboose away next to the yard office (at the end of the yard track closest to the aisle), and work the industries. The long warehouse has two or three doors that require specific spots.
The mine run heads home and arrives just as the passenger train is ready for the afternoon run. And so on, and so forth.
Of course, DCC would make all this much easier. Micro Mark has got a great deal on the prodigy express system and MRC makes a reversing unit as well.
3. Scenery - I sketched in a creek tumbling down the mountainside and flowing into a stream below. There are areas where other structures can be added. The mine could be a pair of smaller industries, or put the siding on the other side of the grade (C-D) and run it into a dummy tunnel then use it as an interchange track - that universal industry. An additional spur next to the warehouse could act as the other interchange track, or just another yard track.
I'd put an access hole beneath the mountain to access the track from E to A and the 'yard lead'. Also a hole in the fascia on the far left would work to access the hidden track there. Again, those Woodland Scenics risers look pretty neat and I've heard great things about them. Setting the whole thing on two inches of pink foam would give room for the stream and any other ditches, culverts, etc. I chose 3% to allow for 4" clearance since the tracks cross each other 4 times. A piece of 1/4" ply or masonite will work for a 'bridge track', just nock out the grade risers and fit it in place. See the MR articles on building the wild west layout they did a couple years back...I think this is covered there.
Some sort of forest or non-attention-getting feature between the upper loop and yard area would be good to keep the distance (or lack thereof) from being so apparant.
All curves are 18" radius except the curve at D which is 20", just for fun and because it's the first thing folks will see coming into the room, if memory serves me right from your pictures. Not much difference, but a little.
Okay...plenty to digest. I may not have internet access Tuesday thru Friday so I may not be able to comment until Friday night or Saturday, we'll see. Have fun - it was alot of fun to sketch and plan (and dream).
Galen
Nazgul said:(SNIP) At the end of the day, I decided to post the pictures so that everyone would know what I was trying to do….and “let the chips fall where they may”. I am truly a glutton for punishment!…LOL!
Well………what do you think?
I am in no way capable of achieving this type of modeling excellence…
I'm with you...I would reply to more threads if I had something constructive to add but usually I just say: "Good job!"...We need experience and years in this hobby...it will come...I do appreciate all of the pats on the back that you and others have given me:thumb:Steve, hope I have been of help, in one way or another. I know I don't have much to say that would help, but I do try to show support at least.
Thank you Herb...that is probably the most eloquent complement I've ever receivedYes, this is great work... but, keep polishing your stone, it is shiny already and will only improve with time...
The inspiration is certainly there...As long as I keep it fun...I believe good things will happenSteve, the pictures you choose of the BSTR are among the most beautiful MRR pictures I have seen so far, and a scene like that would be a good addition to your layout.
Thank you, Galen (my friend and first modeling mentor)
Gary has been at some of the smaller train shows lately with a portable layout, but just as neatly done.
First one, the ground cover looks fine, then a bit more looks alright, and then BLAMMO! Greenery! That last shot...just waiting for something to come roaring around the bend! Excellent work!