Tonight I installed the coal mine/sawmill track and got a sheet of one inch foam for mountains on modules 08 thru 11. Next step is carving mountains for 08 and start getting modules 09, 10 and 11 ready to set up. Joe
I have not been following this thread so there might be an explanation I missed. My question is, why all of the insulated rail joiners? (To me that's what the yellow track joiners appear to be.)
Thank you for your question Inkaneer. I have problems with my fingers getting standard rail joiners on even when I use plyers so used insulated joiners which will paint black when I weather track. I'm installing feeder wires to each section of track so what type of joiners doesn't matter, it's for convenience when installing. Track work goes pretty fast when I use the insulated joiners. Joe
@Inkaneer, if you go back to page 38 you can see how the layout has progressed in the last month. Joe
The layout is going to be a 33 foot continuous loop, a scale mile for N scale. Joe This is an old drawing, it doesn't show the Arkansas River Bridge on module 05.
I've been cutting foam for the mountains on the north end, right, of module 08 and now I'm waiting for caulking to dry so I can carve. Each layer is 3/4 inches thick. Going to do the other end later this afternoon then back to gorge to finish it's carving. Joe
Just finished stacking foam for mountains on the south end of 08 and the gorge. Will carve later tonight. Joe
Joe, just makes me happy to know that you and Cynthia are building this together, since we all know what she and you have been thru the last year! It's a blessing to see your updates on here, seeing the progress, and knowing the two of you are happy. Warms my heart!
Cynthia and I are doing fantastic. She is going through the process of getting her trech removed, it's a long process. I've been carving foam mountains to blend the edges together and will post photos later this evening. There are several spots for rock casting, now if only I could find my rubber molds. Joe
Joe, your use of layered foam is excellent. Now apply plaster cloth to contour it, paint a brown-ish base coat, and apply your scenery. You're mostly there with scenery.
Spent part of Sunday and today carving foam on module 08, this evening I poured plaster in a couple of rock molds. Nothing worth taking photos. Still have one more area to carve on the north end. It's taking me longer than I thought, had a lot of interruptions. Joe
Finally finished carving foam on module 08 mountains this evening and made some more rock castings. Any gaps in the foam will be covered by castings. Still need to work on bridge abutments and will do that when I get bridge kit assembled. Next step is scenery for most of 08. Going to order trestle Thursday morning along with shelf brackets so I can get rid of the legs. Sorry for the bad lighting, my florescent drop light burned out. Joe
I really like how your layout is coming Joe. Your scratch built structures are phenomenal. I look forward to seeing your progress every day and I get tons of ideas for my layout...when I get it started lol.