Jan 8 St Joseph Yard Test - with the goal of having the lower level ready for visitors in time for the LOTS convention in Lawrence KS, the team is laying track fast and furious. I posted this pic in the ‘what did you do on your layout’ thread also. Just a fun pic.
Video is test of the Yard 1 track out to the main yard entrance. First test had significant (2mm?) transition within the Gargraves switch. Added some track pins and now it’s pretty smooth. Photo of track pin.
Dan, Nice test run through those switches! No hiccups at all! That is an interesting BN engine with all the merged railroads' logos represented!
Thank you, Mark. That’s a Lionel engine I preordered in 2020 - very tolerant of track imperfections!
I really like engines that are tolerant of track imperfections! I certainly need them! 😃 🚂
Full Disclosure - I make a mess when I work. Multiple mini projects in various stages - Grand River valley along the wall, Lionel truss bridges being modified to accept Gargraves track, overall view of lower level peninsula with cardboard simulating visual divide.
2nd photo - yard track painted and ready for ballast, incline/decline out of Marceline still taking shape
last photo - Disneyland - Marceline wiring needs finishing, latest iteration of monorail just clamped in place.
This is the real deal - progress and chaos and visualization at the same time!
It’s over 65 today - so I’m Painting bridges to look rusty.
The bridges certainly do look rusty. 65 Degrees, Yes a day to take advantage of!!
I’m very slowly making progress on my layout - and so I’m excited to share what I have done. I was hung up on thinking I had to put water down before the bridge piers, but I finally changed my approach from painted plexiglass beneath the bridges to poured epoxy water sometime later. That allowed me to proceed with getting the bridge in place and moving on.
Nov 19, 2024 finally glued the Grand River (near Chillicothe Missouri) photo backdrop onto the fiberboard and set it in place. Epoxy water and sandy river bottom will be added later. First I need to power the tracks over the bridge and verify all is good there.
I took a Google Map photo and cleaned it up using Photoshop, including replacing the sky, and had it printed at FedEx during a sale on banners.
Taking a step back to show the overall view. Note there will be an upper level shelf about at the top of the backdrop eventually. The land makes a very gradual descent starting at the right end down to the river spans. The girders in real life basically touch the ground at one end. Foam and plaster are in my future!
I condensed the bridge considerably for the model, and it’s still 8 feet long! Highway 65 view of one of the three spans plus part of the girder, actual Milwaukee Road bridge:
Dan, that is a tremendous backdrop and bridges! You really did a great job with photoshop
Thank you, Mark - you are always kind on this forum. it’s nice to see a bit of scenery on the layout for sure
Dan, tHank you. Your method of taking a Google photograph and preparing it for a background is inspirational for anyone who wants to try it.
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