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George Lasley and I are hard at work adding the final section of the mainline to the Duckunder to improve point-to-point operational capability.  Pictures shown take in yesterday as we added the shelving for Suffolk to begin the process.  New sections are six feet above floor level.

Two new industrial areas will be added for Suffolk: a Planters Peanuts factory, a construction supply house and lumber yard, a refrigerated foods warehouse, and two more.  The entire area under and around the new "Suffolk" mainline and switch districts will be reorganized and cleaned up when the railroad construction is complete.

Best regards, 20160321_14305120160321_143102[0)20160321_14314820160321_14321620160321_172912

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Will,

     When I was employed by Nabisco I had the pleasure of visiting the Suffolk Planters plant numerous times, it was always a pleasure. Nice area right near the NS tracks, always saw a train. Please post pictures as construction proceeds as it will bring back some nice memories.

JohnB

What really caught my eye was the last picture in your first set. On the right side, I like the combination of full depth buildings, what appear to be partial depth buildings, and thin cut outs of buildings over a nicely painted background of a series of hills receding into the distance.

Could you elaborate more on this area, particularly how you made the thin cut outs of buildings?

You are speaking of the Roanoke scene.  Yes, there are all three types of structures.  The backdrop is painted on hardboard.  There is no sky section as I didn't want to deal with clouds at the time.  The rear buildings are cut from a purchased backdrop, recolored with watercolor pencils, cut out and laminated to foamcore and mounted to the backdrop.  The building flats are about an inch in depth and are constructed from cut down buildings and Ameritown or DPM flats.  The ends of the scene have full depth structures to end things.  The station is fully scratchbuilt from styrene sheet and strips (1800+ pcs).

Go to previous Duckunder posts to see more of this scene.

The cutouts are a bit of work but worth the time and effort.  I think they are actually a bit undersized to ad to the depth and perspective.

 

George

 

 

George has done a fabulous job, as always, bringing my designs to life.  I visualize, and George realizes.  I will be posting a few more photos later tonight (Monday).

This big section actually (finally!) completes my original layout design to enable me to run more realistic point-to-point trains to and from Norfolk.  I have enjoyed the leisurely pace of getting it done while I have worked on real-world transit matters in my area, and George has, too, in the meantime building a number of other great layouts.

I wish OGR would do an article on George's work to demonstrate his extraordinary skill.

wb47 posted:

totally ridiculous but at same time a stoke of genius.

Ha!  Yep, you are right, but it solved the scarce real estate problem without eating up more floor space.  I love the dual-use areas where the Duckunder's upper levels keep table space below available for cards, studying, listening to music, watching videos, socializing, and so on.

George Lasley posted:

You are speaking of the Roanoke scene.  Yes, there are all three types of structures.  The backdrop is painted on hardboard.  There is no sky section as I didn't want to deal with clouds at the time.  The rear buildings are cut from a purchased backdrop, recolored with watercolor pencils, cut out and laminated to foamcore and mounted to the backdrop.  The building flats are about an inch in depth and are constructed from cut down buildings and Ameritown or DPM flats.  The ends of the scene have full depth structures to end things.  The station is fully scratchbuilt from styrene sheet and strips (1800+ pcs).

Go to previous Duckunder posts to see more of this scene.

The cutouts are a bit of work but worth the time and effort.  I think they are actually a bit undersized to ad to the depth and perspective.

 

George

 

 

Thanks for the info, George.

I searched and found some of the old topics. Impressive work.

One more question, what type of glue did you use to glue the backdrop cutouts to the foamcore?

thanks.

That' such an interesting concept, having the layout at eye-level to a grown man. You get an intimate view right at ground level, it seems, which must add to the realistic impression the whole vista possesses. And having all that easily approachable space under the layout is something significant to think about, too. I have never such an arrangement previously. Congratulations on your success with it all.

FrankM.

P.S. Does the train we see on the shelf close to the ceiling, above the eye-level layout, run?will allen2

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Further progress report with more pictures to demonstrate testing of the first section of new main leading to the Suffolk scene.

Note the photos also demonstrate that George is confident that the bridge will safely carry the double-headed train with two VERY heavy locomotives (Lionel Legacy N&W Y6b & Lionel Legacy Clinchfield Challenger).  The span did not bow in the slightest.  Nice engineering, George!

We also made a short video.  Though it's barely over 100 MB, it still exceeds the Forum's upload limit.  I'll edit or reshoot it to shorten and then post.

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I seem to remember using spray adhesive to laminate the structure cutouts to the foamcore,  I also used black foamcore so the edges did not have to be dealt with.

Hello to Sam.

The train on the shelf at the ceiling ids display only.

The suspended roadbed does not sway or move.  If I was inclined (which I'm NOT) I could do pullups on it.

The high level for viewing is very nice and not bad for working. A stepstool helps but your back says " Thank You"for not having to bend over.

 

George

I should have mentioned that the trains today were just test-runs to ensure the bridge spans are sound and level, and to make certain that the electrical and Legacy systems are functioning properly.  We have a long way to go before the bridge structures are hidden by scenery detailing and every scene is complete.  That will take months to do properly, whereas the basic bridge and track work will consume just 3-4 weeks.

Will and George, just saw this. Am really interested in your Suffolk scene as I have lived there since 1957, worked at Planters one summer, and my Grandad was traffic manager at Planters back when Mr Obici was building the company thru the mid-1960's. I have several posters that the N and W gave to him back in the day.

If I can help you with any pictures, names, history, etc, I will be glad to do so. Planters also had an oil (peanut oil) mill that would be an interesting structure to include.

oldhokie70@charter.net is my e-mail address. I will be gone until about April 6.

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