Jump to content
 

D&RGW narrow gauge: Back to scenics.


JZ
 Share

Recommended Posts

Back to work tomorrow, so I'll be giving you a rest for a few days. Maybe.

I took one of the Geese out for a few posed shots.

217015760_10161395267824012_300996995983510038_n.jpg.4bd1c9c7eac153a802c7c43277194d86.jpg

A few more trees have been added, some cheapo from ebay and a few budget Busch ones. All helps disguise that top corner.

217030078_10161395268254012_1721963437359273410_n.jpg.790cf4f8adb51010eda7aa9b7c03842c.jpg

Area to the left of the trestle looks to a bit more work.

218179804_10161395269029012_3872261778820530373_n.jpg.3bb844ecbe48cc3fd35e44bb148e0a70.jpg

218389378_10161395268449012_2676183953794406989_n.jpg.25278455bba63be08eb1a47e7fe8466a.jpg

Plywood is the base for the river.

218647264_10161395269394012_597858255451561748_n.jpg.c580861f9fae3da63f026a9b138f111f.jpg218647441_10161395268564012_761973522488015108_n.jpg.9cc06a785ab22290db396e3849a2b8af.jpg218811283_10161395268114012_4695640158082454025_n.jpg.a76a42c02637f0715e8901bcbdaa5b75.jpg

I have stepped the ply to form the basis for rapids.

218867390_10161395269504012_8327961832080576194_n.jpg.0b0ef5dd393dcccc389521719cc7ed9b.jpg219261461_10161395268929012_1854855790247039802_n.jpg.1630dac2feae16bae93ddb63ffa402aa.jpg

Another view of the wildlife, I've changed the focus between shots.

218675938_10161395267329012_2646257710785105010_n.jpg.6653b5f88732d2a5f16f701c0ad0e643.jpg218910342_10161395267684012_4415718963643402615_n.jpg.6c0bb13a883dcb843a973c9823651a0c.jpg

More wild lfe will be added as I work along the layout. I have bears and wolves to add, as well as the rattlesnakes and jackalopes in the desert section. The sasquatch will also end up here somewhere.

And finally, a rough, very rough, sketch of what this section will look like.

Untitled.png.f8ee3a859289e854abc47870455bc4dd.png

  • Like 10
  • Round of applause 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Came across the shot today on the high bridge near Ophir on the Rio Grande Southern.

217589344_10223136144006265_46561102205597998_n.jpg.7b17cb6f8128a7e8722f6c34bdad575a.jpg

Otto C Perry photo from the Denver Public Library.

A popular location for photos, but I've not seen this one before. When I finish the present section, I'll see if I can get a camera high up for a shot like this.

Edited by JZ
Photo credit.
  • Like 8
Link to post
Share on other sites

Realised I'd made a big mistake with the river bed. Originally it flowed right to left, dropping over a series of rapids. Of course I had set the base for the height of the second trestle on the left, so it was to high at the point where the trestle crossed it. By using a combination of plate tectonics and some foam, I have have moved the Continental divide and reversed the flow of the river.

221272970_10161405394904012_3273355002757388625_n.jpg.3dc271f381012ebb0d41c24e8b6a25b1.jpg

  • Like 8
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Just ballasted what track is down, filled the gaps between Chooch rock walls and some of the other rock with WS foam putty. First time I've used this, so interested to see what the results are like, but it is nice to use.

But that will likely be it for today. In one hour, I have an appointment to sort out, hopefully, an ingrown toenail. Fingers crossed.

  • Friendly/supportive 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

The toe has been x-rayed and a specialist has looked at it. Now to wait for an appointment to fix it.

 

Today has been spent building the abutments for the steel trestle. They're drying at the moment, so photos tomorrow.

 

Despite the trials and tribulations of getting stuff from the US, often I have little choice. And with the dollar at a 5 year low against the pound, I today took the plunge and ordered a couple of kits from Leadville Designs. First is a MoW bunk car to with the Rotary OM.

MOW_1_720x.jpg.e9b3837f914d9074e0adc8ff199deb4b.jpg

Laser cut wood, 3D printed and etched parts

And second is this strain beam truss bridge.

Bridge4_1024x1024@2x.jpg.c37b1e477dca112b8ea3f181e999e962.jpg

Pre-cut wood and styrene, etched brass and 3D printed parts, with dental stone cast abutments. Fancied this since it was announced last year.

  • Like 6
  • Informative/Useful 1
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Came across this photo a few minutes ago. It's the bunkhouse for the 100 Year Mine above Silverton, you can see the road far below.

223830265_4395136223832058_6156091000403364084_n.jpg.61301229cc260d143c78dea2dafc0726.jpg

This was abandoned in 1907 and still stands today. Access was by an aerial tramway, a couple of pylons can be seen in the lower left.

  • Like 6
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Browsing through the photo's I took in Chama, I came across this one of Rotary Plow OM.

20190527_163957.jpg.d85461df9bda38bd40a78cee1a9cee8f.jpg

Didn't realise I had a picture of it and as I am building a Durango Press kit of it, it was rather fortuitous. I am building it in the gray (sic) and black livery that it was in for most of the 20th Century. This photo gives a good view of which windows need to be blacked out. Bit of a hotchpotch of materials in this kit, injection moulded plastic, whitemetal, laser cut wood, strip-wood, wood panels, brass, card, tissue for the roof and cotton for the screen. All of which makes it easy to copy the slightly dilapidated look.

It needs a water car to go with it.

IMG_5050.JPG.37890b1df2c0053cfd6855168463028a.JPG

Rather that converting a Blackstone car, or a difficult to get hold of PSC kit, I am converting a Tri-ang TT Caustic acid tank wagon. The tank is almost a perfect match in size and with a variety of frames on these cars, who's to say........

In a previous post, I mentioned I have ordered a bunk car and I have an Alamosa Car Shops water service car to build. I have already built a tool car, easy that one, just a boxcar painted gray. Maybe convert a reefer or boxcar for another car in the MoW train.

IMG_5051.JPG.3fefe56a19f0ad821587745b12857adb.JPG

This one looks to be a converted boxcar. Now serving as an office.

  • Like 6
Link to post
Share on other sites

In the last few minutes, I have found the correct font for making up decals. Railroad Roman 1916 (Normal). And I've just noticed on the photo of the water car. Some has put the stencil on  the wrong way round for the W of D&RGW.

  • Like 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • JZ changed the title to The Lucyville, Monticello and Ava City Branch of the D&RGW

Progress with the 'shack on wheels' as one of my colleagues called it.

1171596430_227329926_10161428793319012_4366954771965818735_n(1).jpg.622fe2b5517c025bf1fb654e3997805a.jpg

still to attach shroud and roof. So far I think I have captured the dilapidated look of the original.

  • Like 8
  • Craftsmanship/clever 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Bought a bag of play sand yesterday. Main reason was to support rock moulds when casting. I've made my first 5 using lumps of coal for a base. Rather than using the overpriced Woodland Scenics latex, I was able to buy 1 litre and some thickener for the same price as WS 500ml. Working tomorrow, but last rest day for a week or so Monday, so, weather permitting, I'll cast some then. My brother works in a Bath stone mine and got me some rough lumps of limestone to try. Not sure if the texture will be suitable, but worth atry.

Edited by JZ
  • Like 1
  • Interesting/Thought-provoking 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Another shot of a high line. This time on the Rio Grande Southern above Ophir.

230114916_2280419168761575_6616157914156465568_n.jpg.432f363cd4413f824540b9446f555790.jpg

A Richard Kindig photo from 1950. More inspiration for my own high line.

And just found this Antony D'Amato photo on the D&S High Line.

225879375_5146269108723796_4383983122242085142_n.jpg.23afdb8ddfe2504b47c6b27d2e803c63.jpg

 

 

Edited by JZ
  • Like 9
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • First castings from my own moulds. A bit grubby as despite cleaning, some coal still stuck to them.rock.jpg.7dce4259375b34f9846a14b5a8d013d3.jpg

Some a certain degree, they can be twisted to vary the shape. So far I've made five moulds, the other is slightly bigger , but didn't mix enough hydrocal. Might tackle something larger next. I'm using play pit sand, other types are available, in old takeaway containers to support them

Edited by JZ
  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Taken the plunge and ordered a cordless airbrush. Had a look at a few reviews and plumped for the one in this review.

 

Couldn't find one in the UK, so purchased one from Amazon in North America. £70 including delivery and VAT. Already have an Iwata and the fact that it would fit this is what swung me. Main use for this will be scenics, painting rails, etc.

  • Like 1
  • Informative/Useful 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

With work getting in the way of modelling, progress has slowed a bit. But I try to get out there for at least an hour.

I have built up the mountainside above the high line. Some of my own castings and some from Woodland Scenics and Busch moulds, with Sculptamold used along the top.

236438642_10161458617729012_4555622742412629022_n.jpg.596ed7c51c48af0c190483d293c4cb5d.jpg

Can't work out the differing shade in the centre, it looks the same to the naked eye and it was all painted at the same time.

236134143_10161458617854012_4279545896305428380_n.jpg.0c0fb08e1a0911496e89d546638813d0.jpg

The top of the cut face needs blending in more, but the new airbrush will come into play here. The trees soften the top a biy, but I either need to remove/raise the shelf above, or at the least add some LED lighting.

 

Picked up a couple of built boxcars and 3 gon's from a group member and was offered some made up buildings at a bargain price, one of which is the F.D.Work & Co. store in Telluride.

ho-hon3-d-work-co-hardware-telluride_1_025ec8a8133e07c4540f53d4de41d9ea.jpg.e0f7ba542c5f634b83aa7fa846de9c6d.jpg

When I opened the box, it seemed like it was the S scale kit, but the above photo shows it was a fairly large structure. I'll be on the lookout for a higher resolution photo to get ideas for window displays.

Edited by JZ
  • Like 7
Link to post
Share on other sites

Out came the new airbrush to get a bit of shading on the rockface. It's a handy little thing and good that you have a hand free, instead of holding the compressor, or having  the air-hose draping across everything. While I was at it, I gave the rails a coat of grime to dull them down.

236480006_10161460610904012_5343336790788140812_n.jpg.65905b18f5ba89362fce84d25ecf69af.jpg

Still to add some grass tufts and a bit of shrubbery.

  • Like 6
Link to post
Share on other sites

Postman brought goodies this morning, 5 kits from Banta Modelworks, via EMD Models.

4120.jpg.67800bcfadab285c9f6323f1821023d5.jpg

6090.jpg.8544229d8893570aad8951feb1d6d680.jpg

6121.jpg.c75c736ec751ca7ad5b107af89c8c3d9.jpg

6145.jpg.309317068945e40fd168c782286aa1f2.jpg

bmw-105.jpg.501eff752b435000341ca143770f3e24.jpg

These should keep me busy through the winter. I think I'm pretty much up together now with buildings, any I get in the future will replace plastic ones.

Also in the post was this EMD SW7 switcher.

s-l1600.jpg.73599867e1602f6379c954e834921db4.jpg

I've seen a few of these converted to HOn3. Looks to be fairly easy. I have already re-gauged the axles on one truck. It will need a modified keeper plate and new pick-ups.

 

And finally, my loco bodies from Brazil are on their way. Received an email this morning with a scan of the customs declaration and tracking number. Put the number into RM tracking and parcel is on it's way.

 

And for all of you that are worrying about my ingrown toenail, I received a text last night for an appointment at noon today. Unfortunately I had to cancel. With a 03:58 start, not turning up for work was out of the question, there would have been no one to cover the first train down to Portsmouth. When I got there I was able to rearrange. Next available time, 15th September.

  • Like 3
  • Friendly/supportive 3
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Loco bodies arrived into Heathrow WDC at 08:53 Monday and are still there on Thursday afternoon. Usually stuff moves very quickly from there, a matter of hours. Could be Covid, could be that parcels from S America require more vetting.

Leadville Designs package has not arrived, no tracking was supplied, so I live in hope.

Hope this arrives soon, as I want to incorporate the bridge into the next track section to go down.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Not much done in the last week or so. Engineering work around Bristol has produced some pretty early start times. Tomorrow is 04:05, I've had some pre 04:00 ones, so a 02:20 alarm. Blackout blinds down and off to bed very shortly. But the good news is, when I get home, my loco bodies from Brazil will be here. They are in Bristol at the moment, ready to be transported to my local sorting office. I'm also hoping my order from Leadville designs was caught up in the backlog at Heathrow.

  • Friendly/supportive 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

They're here. A first look over and they look good. Get them washed and painted shortly, then look for some suitable chassis.

241069390_10161497377494012_3716655675106481523_n.jpg.f2a467284334830e76a1df5dc1826983.jpg

This one will be done to match the D+R coaches. Looking for a 6 axle chassis.

241042642_10161497377574012_5507211192474993296_n.jpg.aa3144408325ee8218a307df8b8ed8a0.jpg

This one in black with wasp stripe ends. Probably looking for a 4 axle chassis, but 6 if I can't find a long enough one.

 

Edited by JZ
  • Like 4
Link to post
Share on other sites

  • RMweb Premium
9 minutes ago, JZ said:

They're here. A first look over and they look good. Get them washed and painted shortly, then look for some suitable chassis.

241069390_10161497377494012_3716655675106481523_n.jpg.f2a467284334830e76a1df5dc1826983.jpg

This one will be done to match the D+R coaches. Looking for a 6 axle chassis.

241042642_10161497377574012_5507211192474993296_n.jpg.aa3144408325ee8218a307df8b8ed8a0.jpg

This one in black with wasp stripe ends. Probably looking for a 4 axle chassis, but 6 if I can't find a long enough one.

 


It’s just a thought, but depending on budget / availability, there are some second hand Bemo H0m models around (Swiss electrics) with excellent chassis (4 and 6 axle).  If the body / pantographs are a bit worn the price might come down, but the innards may still be up to scratch.  As I say, just a thought, Keith.

  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Keith Addenbrooke said:


It’s just a thought, but depending on budget / availability, there are some second hand Bemo H0m models around (Swiss electrics) with excellent chassis (4 and 6 axle).  If the body / pantographs are a bit worn the price might come down, but the innards may still be up to scratch.  As I say, just a thought, Keith.

Certainly worth looking out for. There will be space to narrow the gauge with Bemo, as most are available HOm and HOe.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Got my eye on a couple of Bemo locos, just waiting for replies from sellers regarding length and width. Maximum for the passenger loco is 140x27mm. The freight loco is limited by the narrow hood, so this may have to be an N chassis. Maximum for this is 105x17mm.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Got my eye on this.

2091162788_s-l1600(2).jpg.695858e6020dd57b93dacda1592554d3.jpg

The passenger loco, for that is what I shall call it, has the same overall length and width, so, hopefully, it should fit. It came with dummy sideframes for the bogies, so can adapt to fit wheelbase.

As for the freight loco, this will take a little more ingenuity. Thinking of adapting an N gauge chassis, maybe a GP30 or 40, but I need one without a split chassis. Then, would the gears take to being drilled out to accept 2mm axles. If so, then getting some Ultrascale 2'9" DMU wheel sets, these would work out, these would work out at 3'1½" dia in HO. As an alternative, maybe some 9mm 3mm scale DMU wheels on a 1.5mm axle.

Edited by JZ
  • Like 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...