Stopping a car or train requires reinforced concrete (above & below ground). Making sure it doesn't go far doesn't take much (either one will remove the axles).
Well another update on the layout rebuild. Finally solved the problem of how to get to the plateau above the hidden tracks and then to finally get to the top of the cliffs. All without messing with my left out section. The roadway access required a cut for both a track and a road and a bridge to span the cut. The commercial offering are either to modern or to big. So took a nice short Atlas bridge and widened it to about 28 N scale feet, Cut a strip of styrene for the roadway to fit. I have seen colored bridges in Japan and I like the blue ones I have seen. 100_0005-1 by John Moore posted Oct 7, 2023 at 6:19 PM Next the get to the cliff top I cut a half round and started laminating layers. Grades are 6 to 8 percent to the top. A little more hot knife work then some careful application of plaster to get a smooth surface and then ready for paint. 100_0006-2 by John Moore posted Oct 7, 2023 at 6:19 PM The lift out section has been doubled up and then reinforced with plaster cloth. Heavy quarter inch twine forms the lifts which are pushed through drilled holes and then knotted and glued. The brown twine can easily fit in with some trees at the lift areas. 100_0007-3 by John Moore posted Oct 7, 2023 at 6:19 PM Next up is some more plastering and plaster cloth before starting the stonework, When I demo'd the area I saved all the rock castings and good thing I did because I cannot find my rock molds. I will start replacing the stonework at the mine area then work toward the tunnel. 100_0008-4 by John Moore posted Oct 7, 2023 at 6:19 PM I had to get creative with my Woodland Scenic's tunnel portals. Because Of the tightness of the track to conserve space I trimmed up plus offset the portals. 100_0009-5 by John Moore posted Oct 7, 2023 at 6:19 PM MY japan order of viaduct track is in but before I can do anything with that I need to clear out al the storage from the harbor area and debris so I can make a water pour repairing the demo damage.
John, when you order from Japan, who do you use? Plaza Japan? Hobby Search? Or? Do you use EMS shipping? It's pricey, starting at around $32. Or do you use lower cost shipping?
Thanks John! Does DHL charge you "brokerage fee"? I've heard it's very common (and costly!) if you are buying stuff from Canada and UPS or FedEx brings it across the border. EMS is Japan Post express international delivery so it's Japan Post to USPS. Note to self, I'm such an idiot for not buying an empty suitcase and loading up while in Japan last month!
I get my DHL delivered right to my front door. DHL comes in the West Coast LA then goes to the Cincinnati Hub where it is forwarded to Richmond Va. Then by DHL van the Gloucester.
Well the plaster and plaster cloth applications are done and a water based Pewter Grey has been applied along with some red and brown. Next up is to apply my rock castings on using liquid nails of a type which can be used with foam. 100_0017-1 by John Moore posted Oct 11, 2023 at 7:48 PM I am also working in the port area and getting ready to apply bollards and pilings. For both I am using mini wood dowels which were soaked in some India Ink and 91% alcohol mix. The ones that will get cut into bollards have also got a coat of black paint. The wood dowels are about 2 MM thick or just a shade over 1 N scale foot wide. I used these on the former harbor. 100_0018-2 by John Moore posted Oct 11, 2023 at 7:48 PM I also have redone the fish market bldg. giving it a dark green for all roofs then a cut stone rail side loading dock with a wood deck and on the water side I have widened the dock and made two wood ramps to go from the dock into the structure. Once all the piling are in place then I will touch up the paint and repour the water.
Well here is the redo of the Tomytec fish market. Changed to a green roof and then added a rail side loading dock and expanded the waterside dock. All this is to make the fish market come up even at the tracks the fish cannery. 100_0019-1 by John Moore posted Oct 13, 2023 at 8:03 PM 100_0020-2 by John Moore posted Oct 13, 2023 at 8:03 PM Finished applying rocks today at the village site and the hidden tracks underneath. Now they need to sit for a day to allow the liquid nails to thoroughly harden before anymore is to be done. Note the Woodland Scenics roadbed being tested. One solid section with a half section spliced gives me a 20 N scale foot wide road. 100_0023-4 by John Moore posted Oct 13, 2023 at 8:03 PM Finished repainting the harbor and cleaning it and now ready to apply the water again. I also painted all the docks and piers. 100_0022-3 by John Moore posted Oct 13, 2023 at 8:03 PM And after the pour of the Famowood Glaze Coat. Nice reflection of the backdrop. Takes at least 8 hours to fully cure depending on humidity. I have to do a small partial pour tomorrow by the main pier. 100_0024-5 by John Moore posted Oct 13, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Well cleaned up the mess on a rainy day and then applied a coat of my own paint mix over the one end of the layout. I have also started the upper road leading to the cliff top. I have ordered stone and ballast from Arizona Rock and Mineral and just got a reply from them that they have a backlog so there may be a delay in shipping, dangnabbit. I wanted their rock talus for the base of the cliff. 100_0025-1 by John Moore posted Oct 14, 2023 at 7:06 PM I also installed my modified triple tunnel portals. Tomorrow I start with the vegetation between the rocks. Using real preserved moss that is now wetted and will soak overnight. 100_0026-2 by John Moore posted Oct 14, 2023 at 7:06 PM Somehow I overlooked my very tight 4 inch curves so ordered some last night along with two packs of electric transmission towers to go with my power plant complex. I am going to use the 4 and 5/8ths inch radius curves with the Kato short radius track. The turnout is to wide for my use so the 4 inch radius will bring the track closer and allow my tracks to be closer plus give me a nice tight curve into the pier. With my small motive power to be used in the port area 4 and 5/8th inch rad is not an issue.
Well started applying vegetation between the rocks that will take a few days. 100_0027-1 by John Moore posted Oct 15, 2023 at 1:21 PM And started with the viaduct across the harbor that is going to be a bear to work with and take a few days also. I should have ordered a third set of supports for it. I need to have the viaduct at least 45-50 feet above the harbor to clear masts on vessels. I took care of the lack of supports by making use of some foam shapes that give me some nice arches. No worry about locos falling off the elevated track because the viaduct sections have sides. 100_0028-2 by John Moore posted Oct 15, 2023 at 1:21 PM
Well finally solved the percent grade of the viaduct. Got it down to 3%. I also made some supports for it in addition to the normal pylons. They were mode from a spare foam kit and allow tracks and a roadway to reach the end of the docks. 100_0006-2 by John Moore posted Oct 16, 2023 at 5:33 PM 100_0003-1 by John Moore posted Oct 16, 2023 at 5:33 PM I solved my issue with extending to viaduct completely around the port and thus another pylon kits is needed and was ordered today. The port area is located lower than the rest of the layout at a 3 percent grade. In the left corner I need to locate my power plant and tank farm so the viaduct will be elevated there and allow tracks and a road under it to the power plant. Then the viaduct just meets the grade level as it leaves the port. The best part is I have my clearance on the ships masts. 100_0007-4 by John Moore posted Oct 16, 2023 at 5:40 PM And while I wait for the support columns I am still working at the other end. Here got the road across the lift out hatch to the hidden track. and did some more vegetation installing. 100_0005-3 by John Moore posted Oct 16, 2023 at 5:33 PM
Well after spending near half a day at the hospital undergoing a lengthy test I finally got home and decided to work on the vegetation at the West end of the layout. Applied a coarse nix and very dark green mixed with a fine mix of a lighter green. My structures are mounted on pads and some with sidewalks and the streets will go on top of all this saving me some tedious close scenic work. I have used this technique before. Here I have laid a coat of scenic material on the access hatch to the hidden tracks. 100_0008-1 by John Moore posted Oct 17, 2023 at 5:14 PM And here the upper levels and the main level have received a coat. 100_0011-3 by John Moore posted Oct 17, 2023 at 5:14 PM 100_0008-1 by John Moore posted Oct 17, 2023 at 5:14 PM Still have to do work at the tunnel portals and build the other tunnel portals at the East end.
John, I walked into my LHS today and they had one of the Turtle Creek cars there! I told the owner I wanted it and he refused!
Microscale sells a Turtle Creek decal. It come in HO and N and I think also O scales. The N scale decals I use for locos and some cars and the HO is use for billboard car lettering. The larger stuff I have used on structures. Simply get rid of the road names and leave the data on and just patch the Turtle Creek lettering in place.
Well today received my 4 and 5/8ths rad curves and these guys will help simplify my track laying. I am using a bunch of short radius untrack turnouts. Using them with 9.75 rad still have a problem with spacing and access to areas. Below is a photo of 4 unitrack short radius turnouts. Two using the 9.75 curves and 2 using the 4 and 5/8ths curves. Problems mostly solved. And most of my locos can handle this tight of a curve. 100_0016-1 by John Moore posted Oct 20, 2023 at 2:56 PM I also received my Power transmission towers to go with the power plant. 100_0018-2 by John Moore posted Oct 20, 2023 at 2:56 PM Also today I made some talus and riprap to use for where I plan to mount the Friday Harbor water tower and little lower my 2nd lighthouse.
Stopping every so often to repair something or to create a scene. The first structures on the new part of the layout. Moved the water tank and the pump house to the tops of the cliffs. Reinstalled to 2nd lighthouse in a new location. That prompted a way to get to it so went to the parts boxes and kit bashed a ramp, support tower and a staircase. The lighthouse keeper's home will go up by the water tank. He walks down the ramp to the platform and then a set of stairs leads from the platform to the lighthouse. I have been working on this scene for three days now. 100_0023-1 by John Moore posted Oct 22, 2023 at 3:34 PM 100_0024-2 by John Moore posted Oct 22, 2023 at 3:34 PM I also cast some more rocks to place at the roadway over the hidden tracks. 100_0022-4 by John Moore posted Oct 22, 2023 at 2:39 PM And finally got the 2nd set of tunnel portals done and installed. 100_0021-3 by John Moore posted Oct 22, 2023 at 2:39 PM
