Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 Track should arrive today, and I have a family free weekend in prospect. I know what I shall be doing all weekend. Current intended plan is this: It's a minor revision to the familiar arrangement. I've dispensed with a runround entirely, and reversed one of the yard tracks to provide for facing switch moves. Current thinking is for a largish building supplies area served by the facing switch moves, at the right hand top, and a 'manufacturer of stuff' that has a warehouse track and a tank car unloading facility. Also, a paper recycling business which will receive loaded boxcars and ship - what? Empty boxcars? As ever, your comments are welcome. It's been quite a haul, but I'm pleased with what I've achieved so far. I still keep getting O scale twinges though.... 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNER4479 Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Way to go Dr G-F Meaning congrats on getting back to the ranks of 'I've got a layout'. Great to see the steam stuff taking a bow. I hope that continues (interesting though the US oil cans undoubtedly are). Perhaps the paper recycling plant could ship empty boxes in the empty box cars? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielB Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Nothing quite like seeing the fruits of your labour! Seeing something move is awesome! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 Big box of track and other goodies waiting for me when I got home from work... the weekend beckons! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 (edited) ..... I still keep getting O scale twinges though....You want to get that sorted, before you go much further with this layout.... ...says he who has spent this evening ripping up the HO track off my 'layout of a lifetime', & taken delivery of a heap of Code 125 rail to rebuild it in O Scale... Edit: meant to say re the paper recycler's; wouldn't they be more likely to make local collections by truck, & ship out the bales by rail, to a large paper mill or suchlike? Edited July 16, 2014 by F-UnitMad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 I made a start on the Grand Track Laying Weekend at 7.30 this morning. I've got all the staging yard turnouts properly located and the yard tracks mostly in place, just heading off around the curve now towards the Industrial District and stopped for a tea break. If you can stand the excitement, tune in over the weekend as I complete the entire layout in one big weekend with NO distractions. I'm awaiting delivery of a single #8 from Hattons, that's the only slight flaw in my schedule. Pictures to follow. And now, back to the shed. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted July 19, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 19, 2014 How about a live webcam in the shed? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) Finished the 180 degree curve, managed to achieve a minimum radius of 36 inches which is pleasing. The state of play at 7.30, lots of lovely empty acreage... The curve is in, and the tracks are ready to extend into the industry zone I also realigned the yard switches and the lead, and the transition curve heading off to the industry zone... The 'Main' runs straight ahead, and there will be a spur to its right to hold the facing spur cars. Not a bad couple of hours, now time for a coffee.... Edited July 19, 2014 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted July 19, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 19, 2014 You are making me want to start laying track although it will be the Czech layout if I do tomorrow! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 (edited) OK, here's a late lunchtime update. Looking west along the industrial lead towards the warehouse, paper recyclers (on the left) and the dock track off to the right Looking east along the lead to the three facing switch spurs, all serving a Building Supplies yard, with the lumber unloading pad off to the left. The warehouse spur, with the tank car unloading spot angling off - the topmost track on the right. The dock trck breaks away at the bottome centre. I'm glad I stuck with the #8s - they look great and work beautifully Laying the dock spur. Tracksetta templates have been a great help, no shonky curves for me. I know the real thing might be a bit wobbly but I want smooth trouble free ops, so a bit of care and attention on track laying and plenty of helpful tools. My track laying gear of choice - templates, dremel, xuron cutter, needle nose pliers, scalpel, a hands-free magnifier and plenty of tea and coffee. The dock. And some typical power rolling past on the way back to the yard. Right, that's enough of a break. Back to it. Edited July 19, 2014 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Have to agree on the #8's.... they do look good, & stand out - probably because #6's are so common as the 'default' switch of choice.?! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 By 6pm, I had completed the yard entirely. Looking west with the industry tracks branching off to the left, and the Main carrying straight on ahead. Looking east. I had a break for a spot of dinner, and a change of activity for a bit. Now I shall press on, although I can't finish off the industry zone until my final #8 arrives. Almost 12 hours elapsed since I started, I don't seem to have done much although I've not been working on it for all that time. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 19, 2014 Author Share Posted July 19, 2014 And by 8pm, I had finished laying the track. Everything needs to be wired up - the feeds are in but not the power bus - and I need to replace one of the switches, but otherwise all done in around 12 hours of easy work. Builders supplies warehouse and recyclers I haven't got any center beams yet... plenty of room for two tank cars at the end of the 'warehouse' track. It won't be a warehouse though, as that wouldn't require any deliveries from tank cars.... the dock will handle occasional traffic in gons - probably not always CR gons and matching caboose though! I'm obviously having a bit of a David Jenkinson moment... the local power tied down for the night next to the yard office... which isn't there yet! a longer view showing how uncluttered it is. I hope you enjoyed seeing the days work, I'll settle down to wiring and operating (playing trains) for a while before I attempt any scenery. I shall be building some placeholder buildings over the next few days by way of a change of scene. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allegheny1600 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Looking superb, Dr G-F! I am also in favour of those lovely number 8 switches - you can't beat 'em! Cheers, John E. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) While looking for a missing reel of wire, I came across a nicotine coloured box. Aha thought I, a purchase from Victors! I actually bought this and several pots of paint (which were all dried up!) during Bernie's closing down sale. Obviously I got there after the rest of you had hoovered up his good stuff.... any idea what year that was? Inside was this: something for which I have no need, but was an early 'put aside' for my Coast Line project that will not see the light of day. Unless I win the Lottery of course. So I had a bit of a play this afternoon. Too hot to do any actual wiring, and the turnout hasn't shown up yet despite being packed on Sunday night. UPY 800 is waiting a partial repaint into the Lightning Scheme - I'm looking forward to doing that as much as I am looking forward to adding the remaining grab irons and perhaps instead of a lumber unloading pad, this should be an electrical hardware supplier. Oh dear. I might get on with some wiring this evening if it cools down a little... Edited July 22, 2014 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Just done some quick research on the UPY 800... oh dear. Probably the least likely SD38-2 ever to turn up 'somewhere' in the LA Basin. All I need now is a dynamic brake blister and another renumbering, gosh darn it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Gary H Posted July 22, 2014 RMweb Premium Share Posted July 22, 2014 Dr Gerbil-Fritters, on 22 Jul 2014 - 15:45, said: and perhaps instead of a lumber unloading pad, this should be an electrical hardware supplier. Oh dear. shed 44.jpg Never mind, easily disguised later on. Ive not got an issue with any light switches but after careful consideration at the wiring stage, (obviously not carful enough) I ended up with a one particular double socket that I now have to poke with a stick to turn on and off! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 (edited) Well, instead of crying about it - I got on and did some actual modelling! 15 minutes with razor saw, mitre box, xuron cutters, finishing paper and a pair of donor Athearn Blue Box SD40-2s... before... and after From North Platte to West Colton in 15 minutes. Just a spot of renumbering and some decalling to finish off.... and I don't even have to repaint in to the lightning scheme. Which is actually a shame, as I think it looks very swish. This is the one I meant to model! Former McCloud River #39, now resident of West Colton Yard and photographed by me one night in September 2012. Feeling quite pleased with myself. Edited July 22, 2014 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeHohn Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Impressive. I think whole magazine articles have been written from what you did and posted within an hour's time. Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but you get the point. M Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) More madness with the Y824. I've changed the numbers, handily Microscale do a sheet which includes UP Armour Yellow patches and added the chevrons and the yellow sill stripe. Finally, the flipping number boards - four characters on each, each one individually cut and placed. Remind me why I 'enjoy' this part of the hobby? To finish, whitewash roof, rear numbers, rear grabs, brake and MU cables, ditchlights. No wonder I hanker after contemporary RTR switchers. Next I need to rework a couple of UP SD40-2s into the 15xx series.... In other news, despite me leaving a note on the door, the post office managed to arrive while I was in the garden and so took my missing switch back to the depot where I can pick it up in 24 hours time. Bloody hell. Edited July 23, 2014 by Dr Gerbil-Fritters 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted July 23, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 23, 2014 I love the loco support!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 Y824 has got her face on now. It's too hot to do any more, and I still need to find the missing handrail... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted July 23, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 23, 2014 I see that you have a handrail on the front to replace! Looking good though. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gerbil-Fritters Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 I see that you have a handrail on the front to replace! Looking good though. Thanks! But what genius thought it was a good idea to make them individual pieces? Even the fragile Athearns are easier than this! Reminds me, I must follow up a lead on some replacement handrails... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold roundhouse Posted July 23, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 23, 2014 However with a hole in the bit thats still there you can easily fabricate a stronger wire one. Much harder when a piece breaks off a moulding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now