Amazing how smooth they all run for being so small! Can't wait to see these rolling thru some scenery on your layout!
I added the base for the upper level mine loop/oval. I’ll lay the track this evening. The pie shape cutouts are to allow for some deep rocky gorges. I’m really trying to give the illusion of very high elevations and the scenery is sure to change frequently as I go along. Our trip to Yellowstone National Park a couple of weeks ago really gave me some great ideas for scenery. Of course the On30 Thunder Mesa layout is a huge inspiration as well. For fun I added some sculptamold to a rocky pillar to practice with it. Been years since I used it. Thanks for checking in on this snail-paced layout project.
Yet another change in plans (this is an experiment I keep telling myself). Instead of the upper high line being a continuous loop I decided to make it a point to point mining tram. I’ve ordered a kit that allows the train to stop at each end and then automatically reverse back to the other end over and over. One end will stop at a rickety dilapidated mine shaft entrance and the other end will be the mine company office and ore shutes where ore is dropped way down below to the main line or something like that. This is strictly a freelanced fantasy railway for sure.
Very intriguing. I, too, did some work with automatic reversing. First, I tried this thing from Heathcote, and that was an expensive waste of money. A particular computer chip wasn't properly included, which caused many, many hours of confusion and delay. Then there was a bad sensor. I finally sold the whole lot on eBay for a dollar. Next, I tried Bachmann's auto reversing set, and it worked perfectly straight out of the box.
I can see some great opportunities for some massive rock faces there Jim. Do you carve your own, or do you like using molds?
Yee haw. I received my automatic reverse “back and forth” unit and got it installed tonight. It works flawlessly and is easy to install. The stop times are adjustable for each end so it stops a bit longer at the mine shaft end than it does at the ore chute end. The video is a bit boring but I wanted to show how well it works and you can see the module sitting beside the track at one end. Also the Climax and it’s train is crawling along on the lower line. Now it’s time to paint and ballast the track and get some scenery started. Thanks for checking in!
Painting track! This is the spray paint I used and it did absolutely no damage to the pink foam insulation board. Yes, I tested it first. This was the fastest most complete way to cover the rails with the rust color I wanted. The rail heads were cleaned with a Bright Boy track cleaning pad. Then I used cheap grey craft acrylic paint to color the ties with a kind of dry brushing scrubbing motion with a small cheap paint brush. I’m going for an ancient rickety tram line look with lots of weathering and very little maintenance. Next I will add some very fine ballast. Here’s my progress as of tonight. Of course I’ll eventually paint random ties here and there a slightly darker and lighter shade to add some variety. This Z scale track is so dang tiny!!
Be very careful with the brand you get-I bought an automotive version, and it shrank the pink insulation almost immediately!! Left my layout in ruins! So mad!
I definitely tested on scrap pieces and watched it for 2 days. No damage whatsoever however did ruin some foam board in the past with “plastic compatible” spray paint. Lesson learned and great advise, Kurt!