Chris, Great update video! You are really doing a nice job on the scenery!!
Well, summer has come and gone and that means it's time to get back to work on the layout. I really started working on it again around late september and focused my attention on wiring up the upper level reversing loop, adding a switch machine (which is giving me issues!) and adding scenery, including a Menards building. I also added a blend of scenery around the pop-up so it isn't noticed as easily to visitors. The upper level now has two more buildings, an old run-down shop and an elevated passenger platform. I was able to snag both of these off of an online auction site and I'm pretty happy with both of them.
I also focused some attention on the stone wall that "supports" the upper level grade. I made this with a latex mold and casting resin instead of buying the $18 a section premade wall from the hobby shop. I had originally painted this with a gray paint and didn't like the color. I wanted to get this darker to match the premade wall color that the tunnel portals are. I spent some time mixing and testing and mixing and testing until I landed on what I felt was the right hue. I then painted all of the walls, one or two need some touch ups. I also began to add some foliage around the seams of the walls to make them appear worn down and in need of repair.
As I've been working I have been tossing around the idea of scrapping the Auto Rack Yard plan. You can see this in the foreground above where the Rio SD70 is sitting. I just don't feel I have enough real estate in this area to make it look real enough. I've decided to make this area a diesel servicing facility. I have purchased the Korber Models two-stall engine shed which will go in this location. I will have 2 tracks for the shed and an outer track for possible fueling operations.
Other work around the layout has been minimal, some ground cover here and there as well as some ballasting. I'm currently out of ballast, waiting on a shipment after the new year from Dennis Brennan. I did install some new display shelves. This has been a long time coming. I went to York in the spring with the intention on buying these and the booth was sold out. It's taken me a few months to finally send a check and get these delivered.
I have also spent some time weathering my reefer cars as well as the new Lionel Atlantic E6 that came in back in October. The reefers can be seen in the image above. The E6 is below...
To get a better idea of what I've been up to you can check out the most recent update video below. I've also added an unboxing video of the new UP SD70 from the 2018 vol 1 catalog.
Thanks for reading. I hope to have a new video posted within the next week.
Merry Christmas,
Chris
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Chris, Looks like you have been pretty busy as of late. The stone retaining wall color looks pretty good from here, as does the Atlantic weathering! Yes I suppose a diesel service facility would be more useful than the auto rack yard. Keep up the good work.
Chris,
Nice update. Things are taking shape wonderfully. Will keep tuned in for your next update. What type of camera do you use for your vids and what editing software do you use?
Happy Holidays,
Dave
luvindemtrains posted:Chris,
Nice update. Things are taking shape wonderfully. Will keep tuned in for your next update. What type of camera do you use for your vids and what editing software do you use?
Happy Holidays,
Dave
Thanks, Dave.
I actually just use my iPhone 8 with a. Cheap mini tripod I got off amazon. In my early videos with titles I used wevjdeo - a web based program with a subscription. In this video and all since I just use the free iMovie app on my phone. Takes me about 10 minutes to get a video ready to upload once the clips are filmed.
Pennsylvania & Pacific is a terrific name and concept for a model railroad. Could use PRR, Union Pacific and Southern Pacific motive power, rolling stock (especially passenger cars) and scenery. A transcontinental PRR is a fascinating idea with plenty of model equipment available to fill its roster.
MELGAR
Cmontagna posted:luvindemtrains posted:Chris,
Nice update. Things are taking shape wonderfully. Will keep tuned in for your next update. What type of camera do you use for your vids and what editing software do you use?
Happy Holidays,
Dave
Thanks, Dave.
I actually just use my iPhone 8 with a. Cheap mini tripod I got off amazon. In my early videos with titles I used wevjdeo - a web based program with a subscription. In this video and all since I just use the free iMovie app on my phone. Takes me about 10 minutes to get a video ready to upload once the clips are filmed.
Thanks for the info. Chris!
Chris,
Looking Great! Nice work.
Welcome back!
It's been a while since my last post on here. Since then I have been busy working on various projects around the layout. My YouTube channel has been active in the interim if you happen to be following along there. I have added two new diesels to the layout (UP SD70 and the Pennsy E8s). I have also posted a more recent update video (not as updated as this post) and a weathering video. Let's dive into the updates.
The first stop will be the turntable. After over of a year of being on the layout I finally decided to work on the detail pieces for the bridge. I also added some weathering powders to make it look a bit more aged. The ladder is a bit to stark for me, I think I'll add some dull rust to this or paint it black. Tips are appreciated!
Moving away from the turntable I added a roadway to the main area of the layout that guests view as they come down the steps. I also covered the gaping hole that was in the center of the layout, you can see this in older photos.
Here is a better shot of that new scene. I added the Menard's train station and Power and Light Building. With the train station I added a larger platform and some trees. The station was purchased from another forum member. The base of the kit was broken off so I have been working to create my own scene around the structure. I'm pretty happy with it so far.
Note the lines on the road were a first attempt. This will get redone eventually. The road itself was done with Woodland Scenics road kit.
The section with the Power and Light building is a pop up for working on the back end of the layout. I'll add some more bushes around edge of the popup to hide the gap in the wood.
Over towards the old autorack yard it has been transformed into a diesel servicing facility. The building is the Korber two-stall shed. I also added a driveway and some details parts. Overall, I am much happier with how this is looking compared to how it was before. I think this serves a much better purpose than the autorack yard idea.
This view gives you a perspective from the other side of the diesel service facility.
The stone wall has more overgrown grass in the joints. I have some paint work that needs to be done in the stone joints, other than that, I am pretty happy with how this is coming together.
Not much else at this point. the other end of the layout hasn't seen much love since I've been focused on areas above.
I have also started a new technique to make trees. I'll post that this weekend.
Please leave me tips or comments!
Chris
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Chris, Everything is looking great! Thank you for posting.
New video update for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for checking in! - Chris
Chris.....simply magnificent!
Peter
Chris, I'm sorry, I just now got back to finish watching your video. I really like your layout, and your video is well done too! The trees you did look good! If you mentioned how steep the grade in the back is, I missed it. It looks like I'm going to have a 3% grade on my layout and was wondering if yours is around that. Thank you!
Mark Boyce posted:Chris, I'm sorry, I just now got back to finish watching your video. I really like your layout, and your video is well done too! The trees you did look good! If you mentioned how steep the grade in the back is, I missed it. It looks like I'm going to have a 3% grade on my layout and was wondering if yours is around that. Thank you!
Mark - thank you for the kind words. The grade is right around 3 degrees. The only engines tht struggle with it are the new E units (only one powered) when they pull all the 21 inch passenger cars. Otherwise it hasn’t caused a problem.
Chris, Yes that makes sense with only one powered E unit and 21" cars! I think these engines in recent decades can pull a whole lot more than us old guys ever saw in past years! Thank you!
Magnificent work Chris!! WOW!!
Wow, that layout is really looking good, nice work. Keep them vids comin 
Well, it's been far to long since I've posted an update! The layout has seen attention in may different areas, mostly in adding ground cover and some smaller details. Let's get down to it...
Starting at the turntable side of the layout I've been adding some cinders around the turntable itself as well as some other groundcover. The biggest change on this side is the work around the control center. I've added a trim of oak and added sculptamold and groundcover behind it to blend it into the layout.
As we work out way down I scratch build the girders for the bridge that crosses the stream as well as added some ground cover here and there. As I said, not a whole lot of big changes.
I finally filled in the gaps between the facia board and the plywood. In older photos you could see a gap ranging from 1/2 inch to 4 inches. This has been filled in with cardboard weave, plaster cloth, and sculptamold, followed by brown paint and ground cover.
This photo shows the most work that has been done. I've added a building shadowbox from Todd Architectural models. Also, the popup hole that was behind the retaining wall is now covered. This was my project between the holidays. I can still access the top of the layout by removing the section of ground behind the walls. I need to add more trees to really help it blend in. On that note, I am having a very difficult time with my trees not standing straight. Granted, this is because I use plaster cloth and it's not a strong anchor. What do you use to keep your trees anchored and standing tall?
Last by not least the reversing loop. I haven't done much on this section in a while. The siding is powered now and I've added some ground cover. My thought is to had a town scene on the unfinished section here. Probably some more buildings from Menards.
I have made a new layout update video. Please check it out below. Also, if you want to see more images and short videos check out my new Instagram account that will also document some progress between these larger posts - @chrismontrains
Thanks for reading!
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Everything looks great, Chris!!
I agree.
Well it's time for another update and I think the easiest way to catch everyone up is to see it for yourselves. Below is a video that I published a week ago or so that goes over my entire layout in detail. I do plan to keep a more up to date post going on this thread. Thanks for all that are following my progress!
Finally another update! Lot's of SuperTress, a Lake, a Farm, some Mountains, and a Roundhouse highlight this layout update video!
Chris, Very nicely done video! Your water looks great as does all the scenery! Congratulations on your travels and all you have purchased!
Chris Montagna...regionally a very well known name over half a century ago. He even had a very short line wide gauge railway, less than 200' long. Initially it was used to haul his excursion boats in for service but then later covered over as his docks expanded.
Chris, would you happen to be any relation to the man who had Chris' Seafood Restaurant with high powered speed boats in Ocean City New Jersey? His brother Dan had an establishment next door.
Big addition to the layout has been completed! Check it out!
Looks great outside and in the roundhouse
Great video and beautiful work!
Peter
Fantastic work my friend! Can't wait to see this in person. I will never be able to fit this type of element on my layout so I will live vicariously through you.
I've decided to change things up a bit on the layout! I'll be posting 2 more videos of this entire project.
I decided that my yard was ineffective and wasn't ideal for scenery, so I demoed it!
That’s a great transformation, Chris!! You do very good descriptive videos!
Well I've been hard at work on the layout since my November update. If you're subscribed to my YouTube channel you've seen some of the new scenic elements that I've added. Today we will sum up all of that work in an update video and running session that includes double-headed Big Boys!
Thanks for watching!
Chris, The roundhouse looks great! The Big Boys running are quite impressive!
Awesome layout Chris! Thanks for sharing all your progress and procedures. I’m currently redoing my layout and all the tips, tricks, and advice are greatly appreciated!
@Cmontagna Awesome layout Chris and your videos ! Congratulations !
Awesome! I can't wait to see that lower reverse loop in operation. It going to add so many options for you once completed!
@Cmontagna posted:Well I've been hard at work on the layout since my November update. If you're subscribed to my YouTube channel you've seen some of the new scenic elements that I've added. Today we will sum up all of that work in an update video and running session that includes double-headed Big Boys!
Thanks for watching!
The layout is looking great Chris. When I was there the other day it looked phenomenal. I also loved running the double headed big boys/triplex. Keep up the good work.
Sid
@Sid's Trains posted:The layout is looking great Chris. When I was there the other day it looked phenomenal. I also loved running the double headed big boys/triplex. Keep up the good work.
Sid
Thanks Sid! Lots of changes to the layout and collection in the last 12 months. I appreciate your help and ideas as this layout evolves.
Chris, Saw your York post which led me to your ogr thread. Wow, what a nice layout, I sure do get the 100 revisions thing, but i guess that's part of the fun. Have a bunch of questions, but it's late and i'll hit you up tomorrow. Hey, curious, I see you have the same Dewalt drill as i do w the 18V batteries. Are your batteries going south like mine. I'm down to 1. Dewalt has none and i hate to buy off brand replacements. I'm def following this thread. Keep up the good work.
Tom
@TomSuperO posted:Chris, Saw your York post which led me to your ogr thread. Wow, what a nice layout, I sure do get the 100 revisions thing, but i guess that's part of the fun. Have a bunch of questions, but it's late and i'll hit you up tomorrow. Hey, curious, I see you have the same Dewalt drill as i do w the 18V batteries. Are your batteries going south like mine. I'm down to 1. Dewalt has none and i hate to buy off brand replacements. I'm def following this thread. Keep up the good work.
Tom
Yes - those batteries died on me. I ended up upgrading to the new set about 3 years ago. You can buy adapters for the new batteries for those older drills but it’s most cost effective to buy new drills with batteries.
Another layout revision complete. I've successfully added a lower level reverse loop and staging tracks. This was quite the project and a few minor adjustments are still needed, however, it's functioning just as I'd hoped.
