Mopac layout

As promised, here are some progress pics over the past few months.

As a companion to the photo above this is Van Buren looking east

 

Progress on the backdrop has been slow but steady. This a head-on shot of the cannery in Van Buren



Compared to the earlier pic

 

Right after the Plano show and open house, I finally had the materials to lay the siding and team track in Spadra

First the east end under construction



Testing trackwork (Sorry about the lighting. The valance hasn't progressed to this point yet)



and the west switch



In time the branch line to Clarksville will sit on the risers.

This completes all of the mainline trackwork

 

Bob, let me know when you have time to get down this way via PM or e-mail and we will work out a time. For that matter, any TB members that are in the area or visiting the area are welcome. I'm off on weekends plus I have the second week in March off for spring break so I'm sure we can work out a good block of time for a visit.

 

Paul, I almost forgot to post a better pic of the west end of Van Buren showing how the yard connects to the main before entering staging. The opening on the left is the MOP leaving the Van Buren sub, the center opening is the Frisco main running into Ft Smith after crossing the MOP, and the opening on the right side is the Frisco interchange track entering Van Buren yard.

 

Hey, great layout! That backdrop is just inspiring! Wish I could've visited during Plano. Definitely want to check it out sometime.

 

Thanks Doug. I was also glad to see you have advanced from track plan to actual benchwork and track work. It will look good once the TRE (and BN) start running.

 

Well I finally planted trees to the edge of the backdrop in Van Buren. If I say so myself, it does make a big difference.

This is looking east



And looking west



I may add a layer or two of color in a couple of places, but this area of the backdrop is just about finished. Quite frankly I think it looks better in person than in these pics. The jagged edges looking west are not jagged if viewed head on.

 

My, how time flies. I didn't realize Feb was my last post on this thread. I guess I need to upload a few more progress photos. For the most part I've been "playing" trains, operating the Spadra Turn, switching the industries and through freights in Van Buren, you know - the FUN stuff! But over the last few weeks I got a little more scenery done between Ozark and Clarkville Jct. I know the train crews are grateful that the trip over the great abyss (53") is shorter by several smiles. Oh I just dated myself with that term. Here's a couple of pics of Clarksville Jct. Just the initial scenery lacking a couple hundred trees. I need to repaint the backdrop before I plant any trees and I hope to do that this weekend.



An overview of the area (same train)



To the left across the aisle is the town of Ozark. I'll try to upload some pics of that area latter this weekend.

 

I have to agree,that is a great looking layout,the size of your layout is about the same size layout I have planned for the future,24'x24'.I am modeling the Milwaukee Road from Ottumwa,Iowa to Savanna,Illinois from 1981-1985 using SD40-2's and MP15AC's for my motive power.I too look forward to seeing the track plan of the layout and more photos of the layout's progress.

 

Looking great! Are you gonna have the layout on tour again this year for Plano? (or maybe even Fort Worth?)

BTW, I will have a table at the LMRA show in October if you happen to make it over to that show.

 

MOPMAN, Great looking layout! I'm new to TB and just came across this post with the recent updates.

My son and nieces really enjoyed the Trains at NorthPark. Thanks for a great show!

Perhaps I can catch your layout this year if it's on the tour.

 

Your layout looks good.

Wolfgang

 

Thanks for the comments. I'm hoping to have the layout open for Plano '09. But my big push is to see how far I can get for the '09 LSR. Right now I'm taking a break while the new blue for the sky dries between Ozark and Clarksville Jct. I'll try to get some progress pics loaded tonight. For now I'll leave you with this little teaser.



Looking west at the west end of Ozark.

 

Well another break (time for a long-neck). Here are a couple of updates - pic 1 Same train as previous post (at a slightly different angle) with backdrop painted a deeper sky blue. pic 2 is the other side of the aisle, end of train in Ozark. You can see the difference in the blue





The blue specks of tape mark areas for re-touching.

 

Well the weekend is over and I made some progress on the backdrop. This is Clarksville Jct. by Sunday night.



And the east switch at Ozark.




Hopefully I can get a little more done during the week.

 

Its been a little over a month since I last posted to this thread. I made a little progress this weekend - mostly backdrop painting so I can start planting foreground trees. But its been fun just running trains. I ran a Spadra turn last night..switched four tracks in three towns, Alma, Ozark & Spadra and it took just under an hour (that's real time). In Ozark I finally finished the backdrop on the east end so I can start the foreground scenery (I can add the clouds later)



I also carved the last of the rock work just west of the station in preparation for the highway bridge. I just need to paint it.



I then painted the deeper sky blue on the backdrop working west from Ozark



Break time!

 

I then finished the sky to the end of the backdrop behind East Van Buren. First the town of Alma.



Then East Van Buren



The paint is still damp in places giving it that funky look. Next pic is looking the other direction toward Alma



I also filled in some of the gaps in the scenery next to the roadbed. Then I started the distant hills behind Alma



I guess you can say I haven't been sitting on my a$$ets all this time. Sorry about the lighting, but I just shot these with available room light. More updates and pics as things move along.

 

Mopman,the layout is really looking I am enjoying following your progress on the layout.Very well done.