Looks real nice. I like the kit bash idea for changing the loading dock. I did something similar with an ADM grain elevator. I ended up cutting it in half and making two background buildings out of it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
I finally found some time start slinging hydrocal to get started on the last of the hard shell scenery. This is the first part. The steam locomotive is leaving Logan on the yard lead, and the NP switcher is coming up from the hidden staging, here representing the connection with the Northern Pacific. The last of the hard shell will be the hill behind the roundhouse. Once this has been completed, backdrop scenery can be installed. I'm really getting tired of looking at the paneling. Originally the two sidings where the switcher is was going to be a gravel pit, but now I am thinking about using it for a scrap yard. I'll have to do some thinking on that, or possibly a different industry.
Getting scenery on makes all the difference, the idea for a scrap yard is good, can get a lot of detail in a small space, I shall be having one in my layout right at the front but it will be road served unless I can find a way to get a track in there! Sent from my Xperia Z using Tapatalk 2
Finally the last of the hard shell has been put in. The 50 pound bag of hydrocal that has been sitting around for years is almost empty. Probably just enough left to smooth out any rough areas. I will probably be going with a scrap yard for the two siding below the yard lead. Probably had more possibilities for detailing. It was minus 18 degrees this morning, and it's supposed to be colder tomorrow. Think a nice warm train room will be where I'll be spending the weekend.
With the Christmas holidays finally over, maybe a bit more progress can be made. I did get most of the hydrocal colored, but I will be waiting to put any ground cover on until the backdrops are installed so I can try to match the scenery to the backdrop. The rock castings have to be painted, but I have to get some paint for them first. I had a lot of electrical parts among other items stashed away for years and finally found them and a frame has been built for the contril panel for the yard. The plexiglass has been painted and electrical work will hopefully be moving forward soon for permanent installation. I also came across a set of brushes for my Dremel tool which has been out of service for months. Sure miss that tool. I originally was going to have a gravel pit for the sidings in the bottom of the third picture, but now I am seriously considering putting a scrap yard in that location as it would probably be more fun to detail.
Cab ride on the Logan Valley. Even though the layout is far from completion, here's an experiment on a cab ride. Sure lets you know where improvement is needed. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGNvNGYMn5A&feature=youtu.be
Nice cab ride. Felt like I was standing on the front of a GP 9 switcher waving the engineer on. Keep it coming.
I really liked going through trees which were somewhat of a canopy. Not enough of us make our forests really large enough.
Outstanding! Impressive on many fronts; excellent scenery, structures, and exceptionally smooth running.
Thanks for the comments. There's a long way to go. A camera sure can pick up all of the flaws. The main line runs isn't very long at all because I chose to build a layout for switching. The main line only passes through the layout once, instead of looping over itself for a long continuous run. There is a hidden staging area where the video begins and it comes out where the NP switcher is coming out of the tunnel where the train enters the yard by the roundhouse, but the camera is too large to fit through the tunnel portals. Perhaps a depressed center flat car would work. There is also an overview video that will give you an idea of the many industries that there are to service on the layout. I am a lone operator and switching duties can keep me plent busy for hours. Thanks again.
Fantastic layout, what we need now is a photo journal of a way freight ;-) Looks like the type of layout I would love to build if only had the space. Sent from my Xperia Z using Tapatalk 2
That can be done. A bit busy now, but I will do it in the near future. Wish we could post more pictures per post and it would be a lot easier.
