Mesquite-high, dry and dusty

[john flann]

I had forgotten how much fun American HO could be.

 

I realized that after I had returned from my recent road trip across the deserts of SW Utah and into Nevada and Arizona. For there across the vast desert and many miles away one could discern a huddle of silver and dun coloured structures glittering in the bright sun and see a blob of bright yellow. A UP diesel switching the facility.

 

So when back home I looked at my American Providence River Branch and thought-what can I do with that?

 

The answer was to scrap the whole of the RH side (50% of the whole, it is U shaped) and with the LH (the other 50%) use half to make a 15'0 long switching yard. And work is in progress to do that.

 

It is in fact the fourth manifestation of Clark Fork (GMR 2000) the first layout I built on emigrating to the USA in 1990; the second was Bear River, (CM 11/2005)  incorporating the first version I built on moving from Montana to Utah, and lastly enhanced as Providence River  (MRP 2009.)

 

The following show where I was and currently at-although matters have advanced nicely since they were taken.

 

 

The original RH side, I've salvaged most of the buildings, track and baseboards (2) are in the landfill.

 

 

LH side all this has been retained and will be the nucleus of the new.

 

 

RH side demolition in progress.

 

 

Early beginnings on the LH side.

 

Over course of time I shall update this thread with plans, images and work in progress. Trains are running and I'm enjoying this escapade

 

My Hintock followers need not be concerned, work is still going on there but currently not very photogenic. This actually is a nice stimulating break away from it.

Edited August 12, 2016 by john flann

[DavidB-AU]

Very nice! I noticed the playing cards. Are they part of the operation?

 

Cheers

David

[Andrew P]

I had forgotten how much fun American HO could be.

 

I realized that after I had returned from my recent road trip across the deserts of SW Utah and into Nevada and Arizona. For there across the vast desert and many miles away one could discern a huddle of silver and dun coloured structures glittering in the bright sun and see a blob of bright yellow. A UP diesel switching the facility.

 

So when back home I looked at my American Providence River Branch and thought-what can I do with that?

 

The answer was to scrap the whole of the RH side (50% of the whole, it is U shaped) and with the LH (the other 50%) use half to make a 15'0 long switching yard. And work is in progress to do just that.

 

It is in fact the fourth manifestation of Clark Fork (GMR 2000) the first layout I built on emigrating to the USA in 1990; the second was Bear River, (CM 11/2005)  incorporating the first version I built on moving from Montana to Utah, and lastly enhanced as Providence River  (MRP 2009.)

 

The following show where I was and currently at-although matters have advanced nicely since they were taken.

 

DSCN0372-2.jpg

 

The original RH side, I've salvaged most of the buildings, track and baseboards (2) are in the landfill.

 

DSCN0396-1.jpg

 

LH side all this has been retained and will be the nucleus of the new.

 

DSC_0057-1.jpg

 

RH side demolition in progress.

 

DSC_0072-1.jpg

 

Early beginnings on the LH side.

 

Over course of time I shall update this thread with plans, images and work in progress. Trains are running and I'm enjoying this escapade

 

My Hintock followers need not be concerned, work is still going on there but currently not very photogenic. This actually is a nice stimulating break away from it.

Morning John, Well they say a change is as good as a rest, and the change of Continent will certainly do that for you. As for Switching, well YOUR feelings are well know and so we can all look forward to yet another JF classic in the making.

 

All the best with it's development.

[john flann]

David, thanks for your interest, yes, the cards are an integral part of my simple yet sophisticated method of random but systematic switching,. No it's not a contradiction in terms.

 

It's a system I have been using for years and written about on other threads. If you haven't yet caught up with it I will expand further in a later post.

 

Meantime I'd like to develop this thread to show what I intend for Mesquite.

 

AndyP, rightly said it is a nice change and one I'm looking forward to develop. I've got a head start with what there was before and with the electrics done-DC two wires only-I can "play" along as I go.

 

Great fun and a very welcome change from Hintock, Town Quay and Port Bredy!

[BWsTrains]

Hi John,

 

thanks for the link to your project, will follow this with interest, I've got a lot to learn about serious modelling

 

Colin W

[john flann]

Welcome Colin-and to all others interested in my endeavours and in this case American HO. It's something I recommend, very reliable, can be as scenic or otherwise as you wish, chunky in handling-and something different from the classic UK GWR BLT.

 

The start I've made to build Mesquite will be covered here, but the first question is perhaps, where did it come from.

 

 

The answer to that is this. (I see from the dated plan I must have built prior to 2008.) My Providence River Branch (MRP 2009).

 

What has now occurred is the whole of the RH side has been scrapped, I'm working on that across the top of the "U"-I'm in two minds as to how much to retain-apart from 12" from the front of the LH side all has gone. What I'm left with is that 12".

 

It forms with minimal changes a perfect 15'0 long shelf switching layout. I shall provide a plan showing all this.

 

 

Smith & Hawkens facility will remain and that is the nucleus of the new. The shot shows the bulk of it that will be unaltered. What will be added are spur served ancillary features.

Edited August 7, 2016 by john flann

[john flann]

David B: earlier you inquired about my card operating system; I forgot at the time but have been reminded that I describe the method on my Hintock website http://www.hintockbranch.com/ and there in the Operating section you will find details of it.

 

It's a method I have been using in one form or another for a long time, its simple, once set up is self perpetuating and brings order and method to shunting/switching. I commend it.

 

Meantime at Mesquite I decided to incorporate the top portion into the layout iand when done it will be a useful small enlargement. It will too lend itself to a pleasing scenic enhancement.

 

But to get there i had to do some grunt work-and for those who like that kind of thing-here are some images of the work in progress. Me, I'm glad it's done: now I can get on with laying some track and much more interesting things.

 

No comments, they are all self explanatory.

 

 

 

 

 

[john flann]

 

I meant to add this. Promise of things to come.

[Andrew P]

Coming on well John, the extension will be an added bonus I'm sure.

[john flann]

Thanks Andy, I can't think why I was hesitant in including it for it's going to be an asset for operation generally and at that end, as well as for some rugged desert type scenery.

 

It's a phase I'm looking forward to implementing.

 

I hope too this post will show members the potential in American HO. An interesting return for me from the "gentility" of my GWR BLT.

Edited August 10, 2016 by john flann

[dave1905]

FYI, Mesquite on the UP is a station between Ft Worth and Dallas in Texas.  It is the site of a large intermodal facility (having started as a rinky dinky ramp over 30 years ago.)

 

Ironically, Providence, UT is on the UP (although it is on the Logan River).

Edited August 11, 2016 by dave1905

[john flann]

Thanks Dave, interesting. The Mesquite I have in mind is in SW Utah and around about through which area the UP does run. Providence itself as you say is in Utah, near to Logan in the Cache Valley in which I live with the UP's Cache Valley branch within sight of my home.

 

I imagineered their layout locations to give me some form of credibility to the back story.

 

I hope you will continue and take an interest in this thread.

 

American HO on this forum needs all the support it can get.

[John B]

Having just driven through Mesquite twice in the past week on the way to and from Zion National Park, it's actually in Nevada - just across the border from Arizona on I-15 and about 20 miles SW of the Utah state line. There is a UP branch serving what looked like a cement loading plant, amongst other intriguing modeling possibilities.

 

Looking forward to seeing this develop. The "high, dry and dusty" isn't often modeled, seemingly. And I much prefer Armor Yellow to pumpkin-colored BNSF these days.

[john flann]

 I stand corrected JohnB, you are quite right I should have remembered the casino in the hotel we stayed at overnight.

 

i was much taken with the idea of a layout set in that scene and I'm looking forward to developing it. "...high, dry and dusty'' is a very apt description.

 

And I agree the Armour Yellow is very handsome but I find the most recent BNSF livery appealing.

Edited August 11, 2016 by john flann

[Zomboid]

Nice to see the word being spread. Looks to be a very interesting layout, too.

[john flann]

It has been kindly pointed out to me that this layout will be more at home in the American Section.

 

So, will some Moderator or Andy effect the transfer, please.

Edited August 17, 2016 by john flann

[Andrew P]

It has been kindly pointed out to me that this layout will be more at home in the American and Continental Section.

 

So will some Moderator or Andy effect the transfer, please.

I fully understand why, but a shame for regulars to this heading, I'll need to emigrate to the American section later then.

[john flann]

Yes, Andy I understand and have mixed feelings about the request.

 

Posting here was an attempt to introduce others to American HO and its joys. Some interest has been shown but apparently lacking from the majority whose interest lies in Hintock and the like. And, of course, that I value.

 

I know you have a liking for American and immigration is a learning and rewarding experience.

 

Looking beyond that which we are accustomed to is often with unexpected and delightful results.

[Andy R]

Yes, Andy I understand and have mixed feelings about the request.

 

Posting here was an attempt to introduce others to American HO and its joys. Some interest has been shown but apparently lacking from the majority whose interest lies in Hintock and the like. And, of course, that I value.

 

I know you have a liking for American and immigration is a learning and rewarding experience.

 

Looking beyond that which we are accustomed to is often with unexpected and delightful results.

 

Hi John; wherever it ends up in the rmweb I am sure it will be a good journey for those of us enjoying your modelling skills and the way you let the storey unfold during construction. I look forward to following it John.

 

regards Andy R

[mullie]

Wherever you end up I will still follow developments.

[David C]

Move to the American section? Please, noooooooo! Why can't it remain in Layout Topics? There are non UK layouts here and so there should be. Good modelling is good modelling whatever the prototype. I'd like to put pics of my new Bavarian BLT on here when a bit more progress has been made alongside those of Woodstowe. Those of us with limited time can't/don't want to spend endless hours browsing RMWeb (pleasant though that may be) and I'd rather have all layouts in one place, otherwise I might miss 'em. I don't think these should be ghetto-ised just 'cos they're not British. 

 

David C

[Zomboid]

You should visit the American section then, there's plenty of great modelling to be seen over there.

 

This thread should stay where the Author wants it. If you ask me it improves this part of the forum...

[john flann]

Heard loud and clear. This thread will remain, so far as I'm concerned, in this section.

 

The point is rightly made that modelling is modelling.

 

We are all railway/railroad modellers no matter our interests may differ.

 

AndyY, moderators please take no action on my request.

 

Nice progress at Mesquite has been made and I hope to post some images in a day or so.

Edited August 17, 2016 by john flann

[john flann]

Progress to date is painting and installing the back scene, laying track and the positioning of buildings and scenery.

 

The track now needs painting and ballasting and the buildings/structures placing in position.

 

 

 

These two areas will be worked as an Inglenook. It represents a rather mysterious military supply depot hidden among S&H's facility.

 

 

S&H's product is shipped in powder or pellet form and also as a fine slurry. This plant handles that.

 

 

A shot along the layout, the S&H facility will be operated separately from the military depot. Two for the price of one.

 

More about it all as I go along and get things done. All the "new" items have been salvaged from the previous one re-formed and re-painted.

Edited August 18, 2016 by john flann

[john flann]

Progress to date is painting and installing the back scene, laying track and the positioning of buildings and scenery.

 

The track now needs painting and ballasting and the buildings/structures placing in position.

 

 

 

This area will be worked as an Inglenook. It represents a rather mysterious military supply depot hidden among S&H's facility.

 

 

S&H's product is shipped in powder or pellet form and also as a fine slurry. This plant handles that.

 

 

A shot along the layout, the S&H facility will be operated separately from the military depot. Two for the price of one.

 

More about it all as iI go along and get things done. All the "new" items have been salvaged from the previous one re-formed and re-painted.