[tankist]

well, sort off layout. however it has power to it and i was running some trains last night actually the very first run took place on friday but that was on the floor (couldn't wait). on satursday i put together a quick oval to demonstrate what it is that i got to some friends that came over.
sunday morning as in-laws crushed for an unexpected visit i demonstrated that as well and that went pretty surprising. father inlaw always wowed to buy his grandchild a railroad when he grows up (11.5 month at the moment) so at first he was "euwww, but i wanted to get it." i took him to garage and explained how much things cost for him to realize that he still has pleeeenty of opportunity to chip in in the future , did couple laps around oval with Conrail GP38, showed some layout plans (i have PC in garage as well) and showed some model RR youtubes. surprising was the reaction. i think he always wanted to do that as well. long story short, i think i just might have set a spark into otherwise one of the most dull people i ever known (no hobbies, no interests, just sits at home stares at TV). he actually wants to come over now and help out with the building. interesting to see if anything other then talk going to develop.

anywho, sunday night.
built and hung 2 4 feet rolling stock shelves onto the wall the table attaches to. i guess i under estimated car length, hoped more will go in there, will put 2 more shelves bit later. raised the table, finally settled for 38' height, and cut legs to length. apparently my garage is sloped down so while both 7 feet sides and 4feet side against wall is perfectly level (according to level bubble), the other 4 feet side is sloped down a bit. shimmed the downhill leg, will cut another one to be bit longer.

it was getting quite late but i just had to run it. got the GP-35 of Great northern , couple cars and did several laps.

 

[Boston&Maine]

:ttiwwop:

I want pictures!

 

[tankist]

the room i'm working with. excuse the mess in the garage. i'll clean up, someday

i know, i know, yet another GP-something. but somehow i like this pic a lot

put the foam on the plywood tonight (only 5 $ for "as is" sheet). it is not permanently atached just yet.
but it is already much nicer to work with. chief inspector there checking that everything coupled well

hope the pics are not to big. i guess if i to make lots of pics i probably should clean up a bit...

 

[Boston&Maine]

hope the pics are not to big. i guess if i to make lots of pics i probably should clean up a bit...

Nope, they are a great size for the forum... Everything is looking good, just do not let your cat knock your trains off the table! LOL

 

[T-Man]

I see you did place the hinge in to lift it up. Is the foam going to crimp your height of table decor when raised? Otherwise it looks just great!!:thumbsup:
Appreciate the pictures.

 

[tankist]

yeah, when folded the foam is stealing 2 inches of vertical clearance which leaves 6 inches for possible scenery height which is enough and then some for an 3.5 inch overpass (i also can always dig into the foam). as far as tall scenery i have couple of ideas, i will post as they come to life (or not, if i screw up).

my dad stopped by yesterday to take a look at my contraption. received lots of criticism but he agreed it works. at the moment 2 people required to raise an lower the table, simply because it needs to be level when sliding up and down the rails otherwise it gets stuck. while it is ok for now, later on we will build a winch to pull on both sides together. my rolling stock shelf will need to go somewhere.

he is very interested in this project as he is long time ship modeller himself (over there modeller always meant scratch builder) and at a day he also had a dream of making a layout out of our set back in Ukraine. last night we also looked back at us planning our foldaway-to-the-wall construction 20 years ago. the idea back then was to make the board hang slightly angled to give grade and perseption of elevation to otherwise nothing special oval with R15 and 1 straight section to fit ~ 32x40 inch board. we never overcame the crampiness of our apartment then. so today he is super enthusiastic about and going to be great help with this.

as far as cat, i think it is going to be quite an issue. she did try to see what happens when she gives a nudge to the last car of passing by train. knocked it over obviously, lol

 

[tankist]

allrighty, i'm not sure which is the proper progress report thread any more so this one will do for tonight.

got nice chunk of time to work on things tonight and here is what i have so far (after vacuuming)


Upper yard. track is just laying there for now.

ground is taking shape. still a lot of foam cutting to do

rocky climb.

almost made it to the yard

Overpasses simulated with plywood inserts

 

[tankist]

some more earth shaping happened.



industry X area (not sure what kind just yet)

lookin back on descending line

the climb route

the granary valley

 

[DreamingTree1027]

Better save some space on that work bench, your going to need it.

Great Start Looks good so far.

 

[tankist]

what do you mean save some space on workbench? its either all or nothing :lol:
but that's why that "to be yard" piece is removable it probably would have been better to have stationary yard and some other module removable but thats what i'm working with.

i will probably take it out for now to free up some working space as it is the main area that i'm working on at the moment.

 

[tankist]

very modest progress as we were busy celebrating B day of our now 1 year old and VERY busy preparing the entire thing. but i managed to squeeze in couple hours, mainly from my most personal time pool - sleep


several coats of joint compound to smooth things out. sanded in between coats.

my first try at casting rock faces with plaster of paris. actually this is the third face that i made but you get the point. when people said this plaster is hard i thought "well, how hard can it be". very hard allright. and it does set VERY quick. i coldn't believe it. love working with that thing

 

[tankist]

seems like this plastering is going to take some time.
fragment of northern rock wall. pulled the foil to soon on the second go. will need to work on that patience part.

here i completley ran out of patience, and this is what i got. tried to fix it somehow while it was still workable but just looks like pile of crap
huuuh... i guess i cannot cheat out of waiting the proper amount of time...

 

[B.C.RAIL]

i know, i know, yet another GP-something. but somehow i like this pic a lot

It's a GP35. I love my Geep's

 

[tankist]

oh i know it is a 35, that's what is written on it's box. by "something" i was meaning more in lines of "yet another one of those geep #'s". however later i learned that modelers tend to be very specific and take even mild differences very seriously.


i can't wait to start laying rails already.

 

[B.C.RAIL]

I'm quite specific with my models. When ever I buy an engine, I search it up (if It doesn't say what it is) and look into it well enough that I will know it when I see it.
In other words, I have to know all the details so I can easily identify them...

300th post.

 

[tankist]

started the evening with somewhat of left foot. the moral of the story is to make nice flowing mix as it will be sour-creamy fast enough. to fast in this case. by the time it was time to adhere the foil to foam it was to late. i guess i culd try and glue this wall sowhere or breakup into small stones, or combination of both.

but then i had some nice progress nevertheless:

couldn't help but put some rail in for the picture

54 foot covered hopper cleared the path without a scratch every time but with no room to spare. will need to adjust placement.

SLEEEEEP!!!

 

[tankist]

some more plaster today

i was quite happy with progress and then it bit me, decided to try an "pour" concrete retaining walls at couple places and before i know it its 1AM again

to bad that plaster will not stay in this color, looks like perfect concrete like this

 

[B.C.RAIL]

Nice work so far. It makes me want a proper layout.

 

[T-Man]

It's coming along Great. Keep it up!:thumbsup:

 

[tankist]

thanks guys.
i almost done plastering surfaces i wanted plastered but i am not completely satisfied with how those rocks look for now. i completely failed to distinguish between natural rocks and rock faces that were formed when the path for RR was "cut through". i'm really thinking if to get those scenic forms for rock casting. perhaps after i glue and blend in some precast ones it will look better. i also have to figure out how i'm going to paint and stain those.
boy , do i want to be done with casting and paint the terrain dirt already...

but i'm really enjoyed doing the walls
tonight i'm going to make retaining wall for that "valley" section of the climb. i want it to be bit higher then rails to create sort of barrier so i'll probably reinforce it with wire hanger or "rebar" so the top portion doesn't break off.
i'm also considering casting those with real cement so it keeps the natural color and any cracking that might happen will just add realizm. main problem is that i'm not really in need of 50lb bag they sell in home depot.

cant wait to get at it tonight. if i don't crash sleeping that is.