Building a New Layout

[jbrock27]

Thank you for the info Len.

[Martha]

Thanks Len (and Jim) for rock wall info. M

[J3a-614]

Now I don't have to build an added hill on the other side of the mine.  On the other hand, now I have to find a way to fill in all the extra space on east end of the railroad:

Thanks!  I think...

Regards,

Jonathan

Hmmm. . .obviously some sort of industrial scene, something coal oriented, perhaps something like coke ovens. . .

And, perhaps, a chance for a bit of different railroading, in HOn30, and with appropriate American engines to boot!! (though this initial link is for another company):

http://www.central-hobbies.com/products/minitrains.html

How many of us remember the original incarnation of Minitrains, when they were brought in by AHM in the 1960s?

A review of the then recently revived Minitrains line, featuring the old Baldwin 0-4-0T (not shown--the little Plymouth diesel switcher that was a common prototype on narrow gauge industrial roads):

https://modelrailroading.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/the-big-city-hobbies-hon30-minitrains-0-4-0-mining-set-review/

Those narrow gauge 2-6-2Ts did run on some American logging roads, including one not too far from me in West Virginia.

Bachmann is supposed to have a narrow gauge 4-6-0T available, and like the 2-6-2T, is a WW I era prototype, and they too served in the US, most notably in training service at an Army camp somewhere.  Can anyone fill in details on the Bachmann model and the prototype?

EDIT:  What I did find:

http://www.bachmann.co.uk/prod1.php?prod_selected=branchline&prod=14

http://www.bachmann.co.uk/prod1.php?prod_selected=branchline&prod=15

[jonathan]

Ah, you're making the cogs turn in my addled brain.

While the thought of adding still more trains and track seems a bit like overkill (spaghettification), coal oriented industry does make good sense.  Perhaps a coal-fired power plant is in order.  This would give a good reason for hoppers to travel all the way to the end of my staging tracks. Coke works may also look pretty neat.

On the other hand, a little HOn3 action might be quite interesting.

I will ponder this some more.  Taking on a large structure, with all the brick or wood detailing is quite time-consuming.  However, as I complete the last of the trackwork, and put a dent in the scenery, this could become a good future project.

Thanks, J3a.

Regards,

Jonathan

[J3a-614]

Ah, thanks, Jonathan!  Glad some of this might be helpful!

A couple of comments that might be useful. . .

The coke oven bit might help in that the coke, like the coal, gets to be shipped out, vs. just consumed on site (though a power plant would look cool!)

Coke ovens need not be huge or elaborate if you model the old beehive style. . .and some of those were still working into at least the early 1950s--and the very last ones weren't retired until 1982!

http://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/12/us/beehive-coke-oven-to-fire-up-one-last-time.html

http://patheoldminer.rootsweb.ancestry.com/coke2.html

http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=32773

[J3a-614]

More info--of note are the illustrations, including a postcard, of such ovens, depicting the glow these things had, especially at night.  As a person who apparently loves lighting effects, this should be right up your alley!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coke_(fuel)

http://swpare.blogspot.com/2012/01/shoaf-coke-works-last-of-beehive-coke.html

Of course, you might also be obligated to provide smoke effects, too, but I'm not sure I'd recommend that. . .not unless you also added them to all those steam engines, and then you would have a train room that would be a most appropriate meeting place for Smokers Unanimous!

As an alternative, you could also work in a mining town scene. . .either that, the coke ovens, or even working in elements of both might be options to consider if you can get it all to fit!

[uscgtanker]

For the Hon30 bit shapeways has a nice conversion shell for the bachmann n scale MDT. It a very easy three part conversion and you just have to add roof stack and possibly headlight.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/35FPJFXQ3/hon30-bachhood-switcher-part?optionId=19196035
I have one for my Hon30 line along with a 2-6-2 and a G-42 garratt 2-6-0+0-6-2. For a little line the shunter MDT works beautiful then you need little cars.
https://www.shapeways.com/product/URQ9PV8L6/009-c-m-tipper-x5?optionId=11458065
or the minitrains side tip.

[jonathan]

I'll have a chance to check out some of these ideas at the next train show in early February.  Until then, allow me to change the subject. Overhead lighting...

One goal is to install enough bright lighting to give the whole layout a full daylight look, in order to facilitate photography.

In this low-light shot you'll notice my basement ceiling has that early 80's affectation; the false beam.  I was going to remove these one day, but I've decided to take advantage of them for hanging bright shop lights:



These false beams can support a little weight. So, I cut some quarter-inch plywood in 9.5" strips and attached them to one side of the false beams.  At the same time, I have started to install some LED shop lights to the bottom of the beams. The plywood is to prevent the shop lights from shining in one's eyes.

Here, with the layout light turned on, you can see I have the west end as bright as is necessary for daylight observation and photography:



Another angle:


Eventually, I'll work my way east and have bright lighting across the whole layout, without shining bright lights in the observers eyes.... I hope. 

Regards,

Jonathan

[ebtnut]

Chooch also has several varieties of plastic sheet stone.

[Terry Toenges]

This is just me thinking here as I look at your layout.
Regarding the small buildings on the left, they just don't seem right to me sitting above the tunnel. I think I would have moved them to the right side of the big buildings so that none of them are sitting above the tunnel.
Rather than being straight, you could have added a little more depth to your mountain and bent the town around the corner. They would be over the portal where the passenger cars are but that's not as visible. The part where they are now could be more mountain.
You're doing great work as it is so that was just my thought.
The reason it occurred to me was I looked at it and thought, for drainage on the small buildings, an unscrupulous landlord might have just drilled straight down and let the waste empty out in the tunnel. 

[jbrock27]

Thank you ebt.

[jonathan]

While I ponder my town's plumbing problems   , also working on the east end of the railroad.

I needed to add a removable access panel. The problem was I didn't haven any scrap plywood leftover that was big enough to make the panel.  I didn't want to buy a new 4' X 8' sheet just for one little panel... so, I cobbled together a bunch of scraps that I kept in a milk crate:



Used the rest of my hydrocal to fill in the gaps.  Still needs a bit of sanding, but this should work fine:


Now I can add structures and lighting over the panel.  I'll have to remember to use alligator clips to attach lighting the the bus feed.  Everything will have to be removable when I need access to that hole in the layout.

I've also started adding a few details to the east end.

Regards,

Jonathan

[HoModeler]

Looks Pretty Good.... But I would gotten a full sheet of plywood... Plywood is cheap this way you could of put a full piece in where you needed it. Instead of shoe horning it in with a bunch of scrap wood but I understand everyone is on a budget.

[Len]

If you don't want to use terminal blocks for your new access panel wiring, I would suggest male/female .110 or .187 insulated quick connect terminals. You can find them at most auto parts stores, Lowes, Home Depot, etc., and they avoid the problem of alligator clips touching.

Another alternative is PowerLock Blocks, but they're a bit more money.

Len

[jonathan]

Now that you mention it, I do have a couple terminal blocks left over from my last layout.  Thanks for tickling my memory.

I did consider buying another plywood sheet. I have a small car, and would need to have the sheet cut in half just to get it home. Then I would have yet more scrap wood sitting in my garage, taking up space. 

Regards,

Jonathan