Balancing Rock

[Max Legroom]

 

Hi all

 

A few years ago I was staring at an LGB train running around a Christmas tree in a shop window in Bath and pondering a large-scale micro based on the wild west. I had been a big fan of the late Carl Arendt and was keen build a fun micro and play trains. I couldn't justify the cost and space of the larger scales but I did buy one of the Minitrains sets that had just come onto the market. One piece of solid 2' x 1' plywood and some track and a few months layer Balancing Rock was complete.

 

Here is an overhead view.

 

 

There is a mine at one end of the layout. I've no idea what it produces but it all goes out by narrow-gauge train as the road to the mine is closed following a landslip.

 

 

A small railcar pulls a freight car.There is no depot in the town so the trains simply stop next to the street.

 

 

I'll post some more photos shortly.

 

Cheers for now

 

Max Legroom

[Max Legroom]

Here is a shot of the back of the buildings and the freight siding. The unusual arrangement with the wagon turntable is explained by the original Stagger Lee Mining Supplies being a two-storey building with a loading bank on the side. It burnt down in the 40's so Stag rebuilt with an army surplus quonset hut (Rix). The other buildings are scratchbuilt or Rusty Rails.

 

 

Next up is the express. The passenger cars are ancient Eggerbahn with a repaint and one has been rebuilt as an observation car.

 

 

The railcar crosses main street. It is a modified Eggerbahn body on a Kato chassis. Bea's Bar is on the right and is a splendid Rusty Rails casting.

 

 

Finally, a view down main street. The dramatic clouds were caused by the shadows of trees on the white board I used as a temporary backscene and were entirely unintended!

 

All the best

 

Max

[Neil]

That's rather nice, in a pleasingly bleak sort of way. I like the partially open car boot too.

[Sun VI]

Very nice, bags of atmosphere.

[Jongudmund]

Really nice. Love the midwest red dirt feel.

[Max Legroom]

Really nice. Love the midwest red dirt feel.

Thanks for the kind comment. I picked up a bag of red dirt from a military modelling supplier and this makes up most of the ground cover. I think it comes from the Sahara originally!

 

 

This is the first layout I've ever considered finished but, looking at the above picture of the mine, I think it needs some more ground cover and clutter. A few bits of rusty mine equipment would look good. The mine carts and track are from a Grandt Line kit and the 'mainline' cars are Minitrains and from an unknown source picked up second hand. That middle car is too pristine so I think I will give it the rust treatment. The forthcoming Peco vee tippers would look good too and add a bit of variety

[Max Legroom]

 

Here is the mine with the addition of some clutter and a miner. I've also added a few piles of spoil from the mine next to the track.

 

Next up is a whitemetal diesel fueling tank to go next to the mainline in town. Surely then the layout will be complete!

[Max Legroom]

I've added a fuel tank for any trains that need topping up at this remote outpost.

 

 

 

Let's hope they keep it locked. Wouldn't want the locals helping themselves!

 

It's a Woodland Scenics casting with plenty of weathering and rust.