Piedmont Blues - O scale 2 rail exhibition layout.

[DanielB]

Dave, Jordan, how's this look?

 

Still a ways to go, but it's already less of a stark contrast as it was before. I noticed when assembling it that one of the handrails is broken, so I'm going to scratchbuild a replacement post and use wire to fashion the replacement handrail. Shouldn't take too much work.

 

 

 

[F-UnitMad]

[Mike Boucher]

Dave, Jordan, how's this look?

 

Still a ways to go, but it's already less of a stark contrast as it was before. I noticed when assembling it that one of the handrails is broken, so I'm going to scratchbuild a replacement post and use wire to fashion the replacement handrail. Shouldn't take too much work.

 

 

 

Looks great, but did you paint over the headlights?

[DanielB]

Nope, that's blu-tac to keep the paint off the headlights.

[F-UnitMad]

Looks great, but did you paint over the headlights?

Nope, that's blu-tac to keep the paint off the headlights.

As Dan did mention, earlier in the thread.

(Edit - post #193 )

Edited May 26, 2018 by F-UnitMad

[DanielB]

For now, L&N #100 is complete. I'm just in the process of ordering some glazing sets from Jason Dickie, and then I'll need to save up for a new loksound decoder to go into it.

 

As such, I've started on the appearance of the GP35. I'll get photos as soon as I can. In the mean time...

 

 

 

 

 

[DanielB]

With the RS3 pretty much complete, I've made a start on GP35 #2709 - it just HAD to be a S&A unit.

 

So far, I've added decals and then given it a light dusting of a light brown (almost green) Pan Pastel to tone down the black.

 

Got to build this up in layers, as the matt varnish sealer takes a lot of the pastel effect away. Still, it's a start.

 

I'm planning on taking photos after each stage of the weathering job so people can see how I do it.

 

When the Southern RS3 gets it's turn, I plan on doing a video of the whole process too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 6, 2018 by DanielB

[shortliner]

Daniel, I know you are into Southern area railroading and came across one of these - it would make a different air-conditioning on a building - not sure if they are done in O scale

 

 

A click should enlarge it

Edited June 8, 2018 by shortliner

[DanielB]

Greetings everyone!

It's been a while, but I am officially moved into my new home, and I've settled into my new layout room with gusto!

I now have the space to have Piedmont Blues set up permanently, with space to expand it around walls. I'm over the moon.



Taking advantage of this, I used the new space to work on the layout a lot more to get it ready for the Seaboard Southern Exhibition that took place last Saturday.

I took a few photos from the day. Enjoy!

[J. S. Bach]

Greetings everyone!

It's been a while, but I am officially moved into my new home, and I've settled into my new layout room with gusto!

I now have the space to have Piedmont Blues set up permanently, with space to expand it around walls. I'm over the moon.

Taking advantage of this, I used the new space to work on the layout a lot more to get it ready for the Seaboard Southern Exhibition that took place last Saturday.

I took a few photos from the day. Enjoy!

 

I think that I am seeing double! While browsing OGR, I saw this same series of photos. Very nicely done and congratulations on the new abode. I have that same MTH tanker that has been two-railed. Please post a photo of the bottom of yours, I am curious as to how yours was done.

I may post over on OGR so others can see it.

[DanielB]

I'll get a photo sorted later tonight once I leave work.

[DanielB]

Hi Dave, sorry this took so long! Photos as requested:

 

 

 

 

 

Last night didn't see much progress on the layout, though I did finally manage to get round to replacing a broken truck-mounting pin on a Norfolk and Western bay window caboose, so that's another one to weather up and add to the fleet.

 

I also removed the cast on handrails and grab irons from a Williams centre cupola caboose kit and base painted it red. I also fitted some Intermountain (?) trucks. This will be getting some SOUTHERN decals to represent an ex-Savannah & Atlanta cab.

 

[J. S. Bach]

Hi Dave, sorry this took so long! Photos as requested:

 

 

Those trucks look like Athearn 70 ton Symington roller bearing trucks, they will accept Intermountain 33 inch metal wheels on pointed-end axles:

 

I like the metal wheels as they sound great and add a little weight down low. Most of my cars have metal wheels, both HO and O.

 

BTW, I live in South Carolina and you portray the small-town South quite well.

[DanielB]

Hi Dave,

 

Thanks for the kind words. The South is a wonderful place, though the only small towns I've visited so far have been in northern Florida, just below the Georgia border. Small town America appeals to me much more than the cities, but then the same can be said over here too, what with me being 'small town England' born and bred.

 

I've always been a fan of coal hauling railroads, as my town was surrounded by coal mines, most of the men in my family from my dad's generation and before were miners at some point, and as such coal mining always fascinated me growing up. It was natural for me to lean toward Appalachian railroading when I came back to model railroads a few years ago, but then when moving to O Scale I decided to go slightly south of my usual subjects after I found photos online of the River Street Rambler in Savannah.

 

I do still have plans for a Virginia based layout in HO scale at some point. I've been reading books on the Interstate railroad, which might become my next project after PB.

 

Regarding car wheels, I will eventually replace all the plastic ones I have with metal ones, however it's not a huge priority for me as my layout is pretty small so plastic ones work just fine. For weight, I just add automotive wheel weights to all my cars, though the loose loads in the coal hoppers do add plenty of weight anyway...

[DanielB]

Not a lot to add for now, I've been busy with other things. Ford has taken the centre module away to work on the wiring for the Arduino, and is planning to mount a dedicated power supply under the board to handle the next stage of the lighting, sound and animation for the layout.

 

I do have some photographs of some of my purchases from Seaboard Southern though. First, three TTX 86' flat cars from Jason Dickie:

 

 

These will eventually become tri-deck open sided autoracks. Nothing like making life easy, eh?

 

Finally, a Lionel(?) truss bridge I got for £10 from one of the other traders at the show:

 

 

I'm going to have some fun with this one when the next stage of the layout comes along.

 

More updates when I'm able.

[J. S. Bach]

Finally, a Lionel(?) truss bridge I got for £10 from one of the other traders at the show:

 

 

I'm going to have some fun with this one when the next stage of the layout comes along.

 

If the bridge is Lionel, it will most definitely have "LIONEL" or "BUILT BY LIONEL" proudly emblazoned on it somewhere; Lionel was/is never shy about claiming their products.

 

I can not wait to see what kind of "fun" you are planning as I like bridges. I once bought the Atlas 40" truss bridge:

The box is about the same size as one that a shotgun would come in. And I have absolutely no idea as to where I would ever use such a bridge.  Not to mention two MTH steel arch bridges pus approaches.

 

Hey, you can never have to many bridges; or flat cars for that matter.

Edited October 5, 2018 by J. S. Bach

[Regularity]

I once bought the Atlas 40" truss bridge:

And I have absolutely no idea as to where I would ever use such a bridge.

Seems ideal for bridging a walk-way near a door.

[J. S. Bach]

Seems ideal for bridging a walk-way near a door.

Good thought. Where I live now, I actually have a place to use it as such.

[DanielB]

That is one HELL of a bridge.

 

That would make a fantastic centre piece for a layout.

[J. S. Bach]

That is one HELL of a bridge.

It is about forty inches long. I originally bought the single-track version but shortly after I decided that I really wanted the double track version (actually right after I got home! ) and went back to the store and traded up to it. Now I wish that I had kept the single track version.

[DanielB]

I wish I'd not sold off all my sound fitted Southern and L&N models in HO, but on the flip side they paid for the deposit on my house, which means I now have space to operate and expand Piedmont Blues.

 

Besides, it's nice to see those hand painted and lettered L&N locos showing up on other people's layouts. :locomotive:

[jasond]

Now you've got me fretting again Dan.  My first make-something-that's-not what-it-says-it-should-be-on-the-box was a Maryland & Pennsylvania RPO/baggage converted from a LaBelle 50ft Menasha Woodware boxcar kit.  Wish I could see it again

 

Anyway..., only 3 weeks to go to the Winchester O-scale Meet:

http://www.winchesterogaugemeet.co.uk/ 

Jason

[DanielB]

Stop reminding me, Jason! I've got too much work to do for the layout between now and then!

[Boxcab]

Stop reminding me, Jason! I've got too much work to do for the layout between now and then!

 

Is the layout going to be at the Winchester show then? 

[jasond]

Is the layout going to be at the Winchester show then? 

 

Better be.................................