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Union Pacific N scale

Dean’s been back in touch with his Union Pacific N scale layout:

“Al, greetings from Dean in New Mexico.

Here’s my latest input on my Conejos Valley Railroad, a 32” x 80” N-scale railroad designed for two train running as well as switching operations.

At this point, the table and baseboard are completed, and all the track work has been constructed.

I wanted to check out the operations of the track with a typically sized train before I moved on with scenery. Movement in and out of yard leads, cross over from the inner to the outer loop, etc. was completely tested and shown below in the photos I’ve included.

Note that as you can see, I’ve begun to test out colors and methods of scenery construction.

Also, ballasting. I’ve standardized on an acrylic paint color and material for texturing the surfaces (sifted dirt from my front yard) and you can see that in the photos. This will be discussed in a future report.

Remember, the track was laid on a sandwich of three layers of white Styrofoam under a 1/8” sheet of Masonite. The outer loop was raised 2 inches and the Masonite gave a solid base for the flex track I used.

First, I made up a train by putting together cars in the yard.

The freight train moves on

Below I show it successfully crossing over from the inner to the outer loop.

Finally, I backed the train though the complex double-S set of switches into the yard for the night.

The video shows all the operations:

That’s all for now.

Cheers, Dean”

A big thanks to Dean – his layout reminded me of Andrew’s: Union Pacific N scale

And if you want to see Dean’s last post:

Dean’s Union Pacific layout.

Lastly, Keith has sent in this question that I thought worth posting:

“Hi Al –

I’m a beginner and am doing a 4×8 layout. I’m doing a layout loosely based on the Florida East Coast Railway. I feel good about benchwork.

However, as I look forward, I am concerned about laying track.

I would like to use roadbed, thinking cork. But, as I lay track, what do I nail the track into? The cork?

If so, what type of nails do I use? Do I use long nails to reach the plywood below?

Thank you for your help.

Keith”

Who can help Keith? Please do leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because it’s jolly quiet this end. Tomb like, in fact.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout just like Dean did, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Remember, it’s the start that stops most people.

Best

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

HO scale DCC

Boyd’s been back in touch with his latest update on his HO scale DCC layout.

To refresh your memory, here’s his first post, and here’s a pic from it too:

As well as an update, Boyd has also answered the questions on his first post.

Here’s what he’s been busy with:

“Hello Alastair,

I must say I was surprised and very flattered for the attention received by my initial post.

If you are ever short of material, here are a few more details that address some questions/comments, as well as a couple pics of the next scene completed.

First to the comments/questions.

The hardwood floors were already there when we moved in a few years ago. I am fortunate to have this area that has become my mancave/train room.

Although the floor is nice, I can unfortunately attest that in a battle of floor vs jumper loco, floor wins.

I have an NCE DCC system with sound decoders in the 3 locos that I have so far, the horns and bells are a big hit with the grandkids.

I didn’t have a specific wiring plan. The layout has a double main, as well as a yard area and a branch line. I ran a separate bus for each of these lines, and they are isolated so a short in one area will not shutdown the other sections.

At some point, when funds are available, I will install circuit breakers and a booster. I ran the power feed to a 4-block splitter bar, then used suitcase connectors to attach the feeders to the bus.

For those who expressed surprise that this is my first layout, thank you for supporting my contention that anyone can make a great product, just get started. I watched a lot of Youtube videos by some amazing folks who make everything look so easy.

Some of it is not easy, at least for me. It took me 6 tries at tree making to get a product I was satisfied with, but that’s all part of the fun. I still can’t get static grass to stand up properly, but I keep plugging away.

When I start a new scene I am always amazed that it actually looks OK, and if it doesn’t, since all the scenic material is homemade or bits and pieces I pick up in the yard, I just rip out what I don’t like and start again. Fortunately, I haven’t had to do too much of that, but every new scene is a great learning experience.

Now to the latest scene. As I mentioned in the first post, I am moving on to the logging area.

I started by planting trees and adding forest floor materials to the quarry ridge that is the background for the logging area.

Future logging area:

Forest started:

Wildlife has moved in already:

The locals say there are some strange goings on up on that ridge, but I haven’t noticed anything so far….

That’s it for now, take care, and happy railroading.

Boyd”

A huge big thanks to Boyd for sharing his update.

I will never tire of seeing a layout emerge from the choas of the starting table.

What’s more, I think Boyd is spot on with what he says. Sometimes learning on the job is indeed the best way.

If you missed his first post it’s here: model train hobby.

That’s all for today folks.

Please do keep ’em coming because you’ve all gone very, very quiet.

And if today is the day you get started on your layout just like Boyd, the Beginner’s Guide is here.

Best

PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.

PPS Ho scale train layouts here if that’s your thing.

HO scale coal mine

John’s been in touch again with his HO scale coal mine.

Have a look at what he’s done now.

And if his narrative doesn’t bring a smile to your face, I don’t know what will.

“Below is the narrative for the WV Energy operations pictured herein.

The first wall of the “great layout move” side is nearly completed, and trains can run 1/3 of the way around the layout – 2/3 is still in boxes and crates.

The time is 1987 and Conrail, the mega-railroad formed in 1976 from numerous failing USA railroads east of the Mississippi river, was just split and sold to CSX and Norfolk-Southern.

Lots of diesel power was on the market and some was sold. West Virginia Energy picked up several aging but serviceable engines for their coal, oil and ore transportation.

Coal is still king in the Appalachian, and the Craig Mountain mines, and coal processing plant wedged between “Lost” and “Tygart” river works to make the coal ready for the folks needing clean energy.

The old Hudson 4-8-4 that was saved from the scrap-yard torches is now in front of the logistic warehouse for the crusher and shipping operation.

Remember that the owners kid, acting as a fireman let the water in the boiler get low and warped the back-head of the firebox. Plans are to restore the ex-New York Central workhorse when funds are available.

On the plateau just below THE Craig Mountain Coal plant is “The Shin’in Rock” a silver ore mine, the silver ore deposit just on the top of the 30’ coal seam that runs under West Craig Mountain, and East to the Virginia line.

WV Energy tolerates the silver mine, the owner/operator of which is the first cousin of the original owner of WV Energy, at least that’s the reason given for allowing the other mine to share some of the WV Energy property.

The little mine also serves as a receiving location for mining supplies, relayed up the hill to the coal facility.

The silver ore was processed just outside the mine buildings, but a fire destroyed the reducing plant, so now it’s shipped out to Roanoke. The direction of the wind that December night blowing the flames away and across the valley, the trestle serving the little mine was not so lucky and burned beyond repair, as did the mainline trestle, which was rebuilt.

Still, even with bouts of bad luck and wavering silver value and demand a small profit is realized, and the silver miners have a job…for awhile anyway. The first cousin still comes to work each day, watching the old mine-head winch drop the workers and ore hopper 210 feet to the ¼ mile of tunnels.

Overlooking the junction of Lost River and the larger Buckhannon River is the Undercliff Café, where miners can get a beer or a shot, and on Wednesday evenings learn line dancing from “Big Bell Raven, the Stompin’ Craig Mountain Mamma” with Bluegrass music by the “Mine dust 4” – a local band.

This coal operation modeled here is typical of a hundred such across the Appalachian “Blue Ridge” mountains of Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. All now struggling or abandoned with the war on coal in full swing.

When they are all finally gone and for most forgotten, I’ll look at my railroad and remember the thousands of miners, their little towns, bluegrass bands, beer bars, and the energy that built America… when coal was King.

John from Baltimore”