Robatron86

Latest update. Board is nearly ready...

Thanks mate. It depends on the colour. White and yellow I airbrush. Most colours I water down slightly and hand brush.

Completed my caboose last night. I also replaced the molded curve hand rails with fine wire. I had to change the number from the photo as I didn't the right amount of number 2's!. I also added glazing. Thanks for looking.

That's spot on Nick! Thank you for finding that. I think I will base my model on that one.

So I had the urge to paint something: This to be precise. I got this as part of a job lot a while ago. I decided it wasn't far off this: So in one evening: Not bad. My caboose transfers appear to have taken leave, so I when I find them I will finish it. Thanks for looking.

Thanks chap

The boxcar was done with light washes, mixing the original box car colour that I matched into the wash to tone it down. I have seen several box cars on the SF in this condition. Not completely ruined but dirty.

So tonight I did a quick mock up of the layout: It seems I have most of the track already available - bar the crossing - and it all seems to work. In other news, I have been experimenting with some weathering. Thanks for looking.

Thanks Jack. That's very helpful. I will do some research.

Jack - I've been watching the Woodland Scenics YouTube channel and their video showing how to put a frozen lake scene together was fantastic. How to create icicles, snow banks and standing frozen water. All very helpful.

I am really enjoying your videos Ray. Keep it up!

Thanks for the input chaps. I think I will stick to the idea of raw materials coming in.

Daniel - Definately a good idea! Dave - Yes I will go with sheet steel or coiled wire for the gons. So a lot of snow still on the ground between the rails and areas not really accessed. Excellent. What would you recommend for the best snow product? Jack - I thought about a slip point a la Box Street, but I went for the diamond as it reduces cost and means I don't need so many point motors and switches. Plus a slip takes up more room.

This is some of the stock I plan on using. With the gondola, I guess I could install a crane on the unloading platform. Possibly taking away surplus/scrap from the warehouse/factory?

I choose that period because of the loco scheme, Zebra stripe. My wife loves that paint scheme. Realistically, what sort of traffic would have been around? I've got boxcars and gondolas mainly. I think the main appeal of the layout is the puzzle, plus showing off various liveries and stock.

That would be fab Adrian thanks. But no rush. I don't have a board or track yet...

Thank you for that. I do have a nice collection of 40 foot ATSF stock, with some light to medium weathering. Nothing too rough looking. But knowing I can use Rock, PRR and NYC opens up me to some new stock. I have some Burlington Route stock too. Would that be suitable?

Very nice. Thank you again. I guess front end would be just massive piles on either side?

Thanks for that Adrian. That will be useful reference material. As highpeak said, it's going to be quite a challenge modelling those banks.

Dave, yes I said concrete and instantly regretted it, knowing it wasn't right. Rails set in brick would be better.

I had that exactly in mind. Frozen puddles and big piles of moved snow, that has turned into grey frozen sludge. The loader would be a lovely addition.

Yes it's an elevated highway. No there isn't any real road crossings, just where lorries and the such cross the tracks in the yard. Doesn't mean I can't have a plow...

Hi all, This is the next chapter in my ongoing american adventure. The one thing I regret with North Valley is the lack of real operational interest, my own fault for not really thinking it through, so with this next one I have designed it with an inglenook in mind. Very rough design. The crossing adds interest and the traverser acts as the second point. 5'2 (again) by 1. It's a size I like as it fits in the car nicely. I'm looking at concrete set rails, ice and snow. Zebra stripe locos and tatty 40 footers with some shiny 50 footers. I have designed it with Peco 100 Setrack points as they have nice tight radius and they won't be seen once set into "concrete". Let me know your thoughts and opinions. This will be a slow build as other factors (such as the wee nipper) get priority. Thanks

I'm sure I have one of those lying around somewhere. Thanks for that Ian. On a side note, I saw Banbury in this month's RM. Good looking layout I must say and congrats for getting into the mag. It may have influenced a small N gauge side project...

Looking smart Ian. What pen did you use for the RR markings?