Just got back from the Pensacola Model Railroad Club's Trainfest 2017. Was able to meet Bruce Arbo and others from SWARMTRAK. Picked their brains and got some good ideas. Really enjoyed meeting them and talking with them. It was great to see modules set up and I am confident I'm making the right decision to go the T-Trak route. A couple of pictures from their set up: Regards, Charles
Charles, it was great being able to meet you in person; looking forward to viewing your progress here, and in your blog! ~Bruce
Just about done except for a fence I'll be adding around the field. Also not sure if I want to add water to the creek or leave it dry.
Tractor is Athearn. The planter was purchased off ebay years ago. I believe someone was custom making them and had all sorts of farm equipment available at the time.
I remember seeing someone on eBay selling farm equipment. Are they still active? I as far as the creek goes, I would wish for at least a trickle of water. If dry, the scene would feel rather arid.
Bill, you jogged my memory, you're right the gentleman was making farm equipment in red and green and some wonderful out buildings (all cast resin). He donated to the Ohio N-scale Weekend door prizes, I cannot remember which year, and then due to health issues stopped making the models. I believe he was from IN or IL. On the creek, since you are planting, the mid west if that is your area would probably have water in the creek. Late fall, harvest time the creek could be down to a trickle. With how green everything is on the module, the creek should be flowing at least 1/4 of the way up the banks. My opinion only remember the first rule of Model Railroading, it is my railroad and I will do as I please.
Yes that's the guy! Thanks for the comments. I think you are all right and the creek needs to have water to make it look right.
Wow, I remember that. Wasn't it Burt Industries? I had a couple of his resin semi tractors and they are good enough to still be on the layout. I came across a catalog when cleaning out some stuff a few weeks ago.
Bill, My uncle is a wheat farmer and has a couple of creeks running through his land and is the source for water for the irrigation system. My vote is for water in the creek since your plowed field is nearby. Regards, Charles
Six of one, half a dozen of the other... It's obviously an old drainage creek; would have been full, half full, or bone dry at various times throughout a year, month, or week... Your scenery is great either way...be bold and resist the urgings to model it like everyone else, rather, model it the realistic way... Regardless, based on your work I've seen over the last 30 years, it's going to be spectacular! ~ Bruce
This one is a kit from T-Kits. I used 2 inch foam instead of the flat wood top on this one. I cut away the foam to create the impression of the track on a fill through this scene first then cut the wood frame to match before glueing everything together.
HAve you ever tried the offerings from Masterpiece Modules? I have been looking at what they have available. Seems good. But any shortcomings?
If you're ever looking for a prototype for a tight 180-degree horseshoe curve around a small town, go to Google Earth and check out Burnside, PA on the R J Corman PA lines. There's another beauty sharp 180-degree curve followed by a reverse 180 curve just north of Cresson on the same railroad - search for Loretto, PA and go slightly northwest. Just not quite as amazingly visible. First time I saw Burnside and realized you could see the crossing flashers on the other side of the village down the same road from the crossing you were already on, it was like my old 4x8 HO layout all over again.... right down to the grass mat and the Plasticville houses. There's another pair of reverse 180's on the same line near Lumber City, PA, one on an 'inside valley' and the other on a peninsula. So that's five 180-degree curves on the same railroad. Check it out. And the only things left on this line are unit grain and coal trains, it sees some impressive operations. There's also an EPIC tight 180-degree curve on the West Virginia Central (aka Mountainrail) south/east of Elkins on the old Western Maryland, a 180-degree, 33-degree radius curve around a mountain peninsula in a river valley with a waterfall on the river right beside it. "High Falls Curve". I think that works out to like an actual 15" radius or something close. Anyway, tight enough to drop a hirail truck on the inside of the rail if you aren't careful. It's not quite as legendary as Horse Shoe Curve, but it ought to be.
I haven't tried Masterpiece Modules. The T-Kits were great. I'm not planning any more T-Trak modules any time soon once I get these finished up but never say never.