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Good Afternoon Guys and Gals,

Below are some pics of some work I have been doing in the 2 Rail room. I installed a stone arch bridge over a section of the yard. I also finished the majority of the rock work. Lastly, I was able to put down some ground foam and start planting trees. The third from the last pic shows the blending of the left side of the layout to the newest section which is the right side. The last pic shows the installed bridge with surrounding rock work and ground foam. This project is far from being completed but I have achieved a level of accomplishment where I feel it would be appropriate to post.

Unfortunately I didn't do the best job of showing progress pics because I simply forgot to stop and snap them.  What was mostly omitted was the sub terrain(pink foam) pics before the plaster cloth and rock molds were applied.  If you go further back in the thread you will see this technique used on other sections of the layout. 

Thanks for following my progress. More to come soon...

Dave

Uninstalled Stone Arch Bridge 1

Installed Stone Arch Bridge #2

Installed Stone Arch Bridge 2

Unpainted Rock Work 4

Unpainted Rock Work 3

Unpainted Rock Work 2

Unpainted Rock Work 1

Unpainted Rock Work and Retaining Wall

Painted Rock Work 1

Painted Rock Work 3

Painted Rock Work 4

Painted Rock Work 5

Painted Rock Work 8

Stone Bridge #3

Attachments

Images (14)
  • Uninstalled Stone Arch Bridge 1
  • Installed Stone Arch Bridge #2
  • Installed Stone Arch Bridge 2
  • Unpainted Rock Work 4
  • Unpainted Rock Work 3
  • Unpainted Rock Work 2
  • Unpainted Rock Work 1
  • Unpainted Rock Work and Retaining Wall
  • Painted Rock Work  1
  • Painted Rock Work  3
  • Painted Rock Work  4
  • Painted Rock Work  5
  • Painted Rock Work  8
  • Stone Bridge #3
paul 2 posted:

Dave, your scenery work is superb. You're a natural at capturing it. One more question. How did you hide the third rail on some of that track. Inquiring minds would like to know. LOL......................Paul 2

Hey Paul thanks for the compliment. As far as your question, the "die hard" 2 Railer's created a special dust that instantly lowers the profile and makes the middle rail go poof. I think the Proto 48 guys and gals are working on the width between rails as we speak, lol. 

I said if all I have to do is use some of that then what the heck, I'm not against trying something new.

Dave

Hi Everyone,

This past week a great modeler named Peter visited me and there were a few projects started on the layout. Unfortunately with time, nothing got finished so in the next couple of weeks I will try to get a more completed look with these particular areas. I also need to work on a couple of other areas of the layout that I am not happy with.

Anyhoo, we worked on the town scene(complete make-over). The pics show the initial layout of the buildings, then added foam, then finally the start to the road system. The center of the layout will feature a small park with a creek that ends at a pond. This gives the truss bridge more of an excuse to be in the way. The park area is a much needed pop out for this area of the layout.  I have provided two close up pics of the two main roads that run east-east on the layout and what work has been done on each of them thus far...sidewalks, retaining walls, steps. At the top of both of these roads will be Main Street which made use of some flats I acquired a few years ago. 

The next area was the hillside. With Peter's suggestion I decided to removed the outer tunnel and just have that part of the hillside act as a section that was "blown out" by the railroad. You see pictures of the initial tear out of a large section of the hillside to the beginning stages of the alterations with plaster cloth. I now need to create a rock face on the vertical area in the front along with some rock carving. Below the track and in front of the hillside is another project in itself. There was a hatch that was closed up and another was created in the same area. It gives me more access to this section of the layout as well as a large portion of the hillside. 

Lastly, I made use of my 4X8' closet in the 2 Rail room. It is now an industrial area that comes off the mainline. This gives me more switching options and also adds more interest to this relatively small area of 2 Rail. You will see pics of the initial framing to the installation of the valance(with storage already being utilized), to the initial laying of the track. 

As always, thanks for viewing and any comments are welcome.

Dave

Town Redo 1

Town Redo 2

Town Redo 3

Town Redo 4

Town Redo 5

Town Redo 6

Town Redo 7

Town Redo 9 Park Street

Town Redo 10 Hill Street

Mountain Redo 1

Mountain Redo 2

2 Rail Industrial Area 1

2 Rail Industrial Area 2

2 Rail Industrial Area 3

2 Rail Industrial Area 4

2 Rail Industrial Area 5

Attachments

Images (16)
  • Town Redo 1
  • Town Redo 2
  • Town Redo 3
  • Town Redo 4
  • Town Redo 5
  • Town Redo 6
  • Town Redo 7
  • Town Redo 9 Park Street
  • Town Redo 10 Hill Street
  • Mountain Redo 1
  • Mountain Redo 2
  • 2 Rail Industrial Area 1
  • 2 Rail Industrial Area 2
  • 2 Rail Industrial Area 3
  • 2 Rail Industrial Area 4
  • 2 Rail Industrial Area 5
Last edited by luvindemtrains
luvindemtrains posted:

Good Afternoon Guys and Gals,

Below are some pics of some work I have been doing in the 2 Rail room. I installed a stone arch bridge over a section of the yard. I also finished the majority of the rock work. Lastly, I was able to put down some ground foam and start planting trees. The third from the last pic shows the blending of the left side of the layout to the newest section which is the right side. The last pic shows the installed bridge with surrounding rock work and ground foam. This project is far from being completed but I have achieved a level of accomplishment where I feel it would be appropriate to post.

Unfortunately I didn't do the best job of showing progress pics because I simply forgot to stop and snap them.  What was mostly omitted was the sub terrain(pink foam) pics before the plaster cloth and rock molds were applied.  If you go further back in the thread you will see this technique used on other sections of the layout. 

Thanks for following my progress. More to come soon...

Dave

Uninstalled Stone Arch Bridge 1

Installed Stone Arch Bridge #2

Installed Stone Arch Bridge 2

Unpainted Rock Work 4

Unpainted Rock Work 3

Unpainted Rock Work 2

Dave, is the photo immediately above a kitbashed structure from parts of a dual stall engine house? 

The reason I ask is I tried unsuccessfully 20 years ago to kitbash an International Hobbies engine house. The shape of the arched windows and color of your structure reminds me of that International Hobbies engine house.

If your structure is a result of a kitbash, I think you did a great job.

What is your structure in the photo immediately above supposed to be?

Arnold

Hey Andy,

Thanks a lot man I appreciate the encouragement. While I am off I am trying to get in and do at least one project a day even if it's small. Of course the larger projects take longer. 

Arnold the structure is an Atlas 3 stall roundhouse and it is being used for that purpose. Probably not the best view as the main purpose for the pic was to show the rock work below it. I plan to detail the interior but that is not quite a priority at this time. The building sitting on top of it goes with a coal tipple and was just placed there to clear some space so I could do some work.

Dave

Hi Everyone,

I realized a couple of things just now. One is I haven't done and update since way last summer. Secondly, I started this thread with this particular section. I have had 3 transformations with what I originally did and it's simply because I wasn't satisfied with it. It's in an awkward corner but still in your face when you walk in the room. I will add all of the structures, road, etc. before I make the decision to change it again but I think this may work. Not to mention as I add more things I can't just get up on the table to do serious work back there.

This was my first attempt using resin and though it was a little more involved I really like the outcome. I try to show the stages and have pictured some close-ups so you can see the detail. Elbee asked me to put him near the finished product for a photo opp and I couldn't resist. 

I have many more updates and hope to get them posted within the next couple of months. I have been enjoying everyone else's work and have neglected to show my own. 

Thanks for visiting,

Dave

First Stage Hillside [resin)

Second Stage Hillside [resin)

Third Stage Hillside [resin)

Completed Stage Hillside [resin)

Hillside with resin close up 3

Hillside with resin close up 4

Elbee after hillside with resin

Elbee Photo Opp hillside with resin

Attachments

Images (8)
  • First Stage Hillside (resin)
  • Second Stage Hillside (resin)
  • Third Stage Hillside (resin)
  • Completed Stage Hillside (resin)
  • Hillside with resin close up 3
  • Hillside with resin close up 4
  • Elbee after hillside with resin
  • Elbee Photo Opp hillside with resin

Hello Guys and Gals,

It's been a very long time since I posted any progress on the layout. I have done some work on the layout but between not feeling it was worth posting to just plain ole' laziness, I haven't posted in a while. With that being said there has been quite a bit of work done since my last post. Some of that work is "do over because I didn't like". I have no particular order I am working in and that's exactly how I navigate different projects on the layout...good or not so good that's me. However I am getting better with the use of logic in moving from one project to the next.  I will post more projects in the next couple of weeks that will give you a glimpse into my shenanigans.

I will start with some added "furniture". These are pics of my work bench and the finished bench work for my harbor scene. I have posted the harbor scene bench work unpainted but wanted to show the finished product. Before about three days ago it was my work bench but now I have a permanent area to do work.  The first pic is the harbor bench work and the last three are of the work bench. Both tables fold under the layout as seen in the last photograph. This project was necessary because I do not have a basement or another room I can set up shop. I was tempted to buy a work bench from one of the hardware stores but decided against it because those things can get pretty pricey.

I also wanted to post some progress on the installation of the signaling system. The photos show signals installed on the lower level of the layout. They are not yet wired. I also have provided a photograph of the panel where the signal circuit boards, etc. will be housed. This is the last major electrical related endeavor on the layout and it is a big undertaking. I am happy to say that things are moving along pretty good. A few people reached out to me after one of my posts about the signaling system and have been of great support.  I also have to thank Dave Bennett, of Train Installations and one of our forum sponsors, for his help with both of these projects. Any bench work or major wiring on the layout is being or was done with Dave's help and expertise.

Dave



Finished Harbor BenchworkWork Bench InstalledFinished Work BenchWork Bench FoldedSignals Unwired #1Signals Unwired #3Signals Unwired #2Signals Unwired #4Signals Unwired #5Signal Circuit Board Panel

Attachments

Images (10)
  • Finished Harbor Benchwork
  • Work Bench Installed
  • Finished Work Bench
  • Work Bench Folded
  • Signals Unwired #1
  • Signals Unwired #3
  • Signals Unwired #2
  • Signals Unwired #4
  • Signals Unwired #5
  • Signal Circuit Board Panel

Dave;

you may want to put a wiring label list on your signal board panel, so that you can easily see which wires go where. I made one out of an XLS spreadsheet. After a few test prints, I was able to make the printout match the locations on the signal boards. There are so many wires involved, proper labelling is very important, and can help when troubleshooting the initial design, plus later when something goes wrong.

This is the front of the panel, before most of the circuit boards were installed. Note the distribution block at the top, so all internal wiring can be completed, the just connect the wires from the layout to the top of the board. This terminal strip covers all occupancy detection, power and switch position. The signal phone plugs go straight from near the signals straight to the circuit board plug.

IMG_5833

This is the back of the panel, with the power and detection wires all connected from the circuit board to the distribution strip. Be sure to leave enough wire to re-strip and connect, as the wires can break and replacing the wire is a bit more work. I used 22ga phone wire.

IMG_5836

Below is the panel as pre-wired in my workshop.

IMG_5908

This is the panel, up at the layout. I have enough wire length that I can pull the panel out from under the layout to easily and comfortably work on it. I place the panel on my lap, while sitting in a chair. This panel is quite large, so I have two sides to it, connected by a door hinge.

IMG_5914

This is the panel opened up to show both sides.

IMG_5907

If you have any questions, email me from my profile or just ask here. I can send you my excel files, which you could use as a starting point. Again, be sure to develop a wiring label standard. I can share my standard with you if you are interested. Really, anything that has short names will work OK. I printed out multiple copies of all my label names on a piece of 8-1/2x11 label paper, then cut out the wire labels, stuck them to the wire and reinforced with scotch tape. I figure the label will dry out and fall off, so the scotch tape will help it last longer.

I also have developed a troubleshooting list. You would not believe how many mistakes can be made. I have had a bad signal board, bad switch board and a few bad (or mysteriously inconsistent) signals. Of course I had spares, as perfection is just a theory.

Then there were my mistakes, too numerous to discuss here. I kept notes as this helps with future installations. You will also need a logic table to keep track of what needs to be checked and verified for each signal. The logic list allows you to conduct your testing over a period of time without the need to remember where you left off. My list started out small and kept growing, as no assumptions are allowed on a real railroad. Again, the logic list is to catch all my wiring, plug connection and maybe a few logic errors.

Good luck and enjoy hooking up and testing your signals. It can be fun if you have the time and patience it requires.

Attachments

Images (5)
  • IMG_5833
  • IMG_5836
  • IMG_5908
  • IMG_5914
  • IMG_5907

Thanks Mike,

I can better show you than tell you. But, a hole was drilled into one side of the tables just large enough for the pin on this latch to go into. This holds the tables up under the layout just fine. Also the legs fold inward. They are attached to the inside of the framing. I used a washer and wing nut to tighten the legs when they loosen up from being folded in and out. The harbor table will not be folded often, only for maintenance or work on the main bench work. I will only fold the work bench under when I have visitors, taking pictures/video, or again doing work on the layout.

Dave

Attachments

Images (2)
  • Work Bench Latch
  • Work bench Leg

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