LO#7 - First Train Runs!

The time was 10:50 am, Saturday, June 9, 2012.  Marv eased the first train into the upper loop allowing continuous running and ending track work for the day.  All mainline turnouts are in and tested.  All mainline blocks are wired and tested.

No special ceremonies, no champagne, no golden spike, but today marked a big milestone in the building of our clubs yet un-named, 5'x10' layout.  A train traveled from the lower level, up around the far curve into the upper loop and ran continuously for about an hour.  The upper reverse loop has to me completed and track added to a couple sidings, but the heavy lifting is done.

My job continues to be mocking up the complex corner with the three section curved bridge, tunnel and portal, small creek and deep cuts.  This is only temporary and will be replaced with better structure after the final wiring is completed and the track ballasted.

The pictures don't show the latest progress very well but do show a milestone moment for Marv, me and the Rail Roadrunners of Yuma.

Marv is following the first train traveling on the newly completed upper loop track-work that allows continuous running.  The outside track to the right descends to the lower level.

I know it is not too clear, but the complex corner is starting to take shape.  I have never gotten this far on a large layout so most of this is new to me.  I hope to complete the mockup before replacing with the permanent scenery.

So there you have it.  Real progress.  I feel like I am learning a lot about building realistic scenery contour.  If you followed through the earlier clinic "Building a Diorama" this will be something of a continuation.

More next Tuesday!

Armchair

LO#6 - Hills and Valleys on the 5'x10'

Track-work is continuing on the Club Layout.  Marv has about 12' of track left to complete the upper loop and about 6' for the upper reverse loop.  He runs trains around the lower reverse loop and up to the upper lever to prove the wiring is correct.

I spend my time roughing out the scenic contour with pieces of foam-core board and cardboard strips, developing cuts, tunnels and bridges required for the track.  My goal is to have hills high enough to realistically require tunnels and rock cuts through the hill contour that continues from above the cuts to beyond the track. As I mock up an area I begin to see a better way to form the contour so the pictures all show a transition of ideas.

Marv looks at his handiwork as his train heads to the big curve and downhill to the lower level.  In the near corner you can see the profile boards with a small creek running from the end to the side.

The train you see in this view will be traveling through a deep cut after I build up the hill to give the tunnel a practical purpose.  The tunnel portal will have retaining walls to each side for the near vertical hillside between the lower and upper track.  Retaining walls will also be required between the lower track and the base.

This corner will be the biggest challenge for me.  The upper track will be going through a three section truss bridge while the lower track skirts above the small creek defined by the "S" shaped board at extreme right.  The lower track will be passing through a deep cut before entering the tunnel.  There will be lots of things to see and several ways to view them.

Marv's train is passing through the deep cut defined by the vertical foam-core board on the left and the cardboard strips to the right.  The tunnel portal is barely visible to the left of the foam-core board.  The curved boards beyond the tunnel define the top profile of this somewhat massive hill on this end of the layout.

As soon as the track and wiring is completed and tested we can begin to close up the holes between the tracks and allow the geography to take shape.  Once the rough shape is established out will come the plaster cloth and light weight spackle, followed by stains, paints  ground cover and trees, lots of trees.

Meeting twice a week will speed up the changes so tune in often and pass the word on your Facebook and, if so kind, include the link to the blog  http://armchairmodeling.blogspot.com

Armchair