jbaakko's Switching Layout

[jbaakko]

We'll here's an update, and a start to the construction thread here.

I've started ballasting the one module that has track, though I only plan to do about 3/4 leaving room to solder on a feeder.

The reddish brown is real dirt I picked up from Julian CA. Dried, sifted, mized with a 50/50 mix of 70% Isopropyl and Elmer Glue All. Makes for a good muddy reddish embankment.

[LynnB]

Josh generally I will at least solder on a feeder and run it through the roadbed ( possibly not connected to a buss) and paint the ties and rails before putting down ballast.

[Trucklover]

Josh its looking good, im exited to see some more progress

Do you mix the 70% Isopropyl alcohol in with the glue/water mix? I never thought about doing that before, does it work just as well as applying the 70% Isopropyl alcohol/water mix before applying the glue/water mix?

[jbaakko]

Josh generally I will at least solder on a feeder and run it through the roadbed ( possibly not connected to a buss) and paint the ties and rails before putting down ballast.

I'm going to use the joes rail painter, or Floquil painters pens, so it does not really matter. As for soldering, I leaving room, I have about 8" to go, which I'll complete after I solder the feeder on.

Josh its looking good, im exited to see some more progress

Do you mix the 70% Isopropyl alcohol in with the glue/water mix? I never thought about doing that before, does it work just as well as applying the 70% Isopropyl alcohol/water mix before applying the glue/water mix?

I drip the ballast with the 70% to "wet" it. After I finish wetting it, I soak it with WS Scenic Cement. The 70% would replace a water/soap mix, and allows the glue to soak into the ballast, and avoid floating it.

[jbaakko]

New cold storage warehouse going in (as well as a new bridge, one photo of that so far, next post). Uses a parts from 3 Promotex modern warehouse kits. Its about 187' long in HO scale, by 25' deep and 30' tall, or so.

[jbaakko]

New bridge is going in. It'll be a 3 part span, combo Concrete & steel, ballasted deck, using Scale Segmental Bridge Co T-girder end sections and Central Valley steel through girder for the center section (cut down to ~60' from the 72' components).

It'll use SSBCo piers as well.

[Trucklover]

AWESOME Josh!! Cant wait to see the new bridge built and in place

[jbaakko]

The outer spans are Scale Segmental Bridge Co T girders, the Piers are also from SSBCo, and the center span is a Central Valley through girder, cut down to 59' (from 72') with a scratch built ballast pan.

Just a temporary set-up to test fit the bridge, fits perfectly fine! Now I need to finish painting the center span silver (its in gray primer with a rustoleum ballast pan (closer match to the ballast). I then need to secure it all in place, then cast in place some tough hydrocal footings, and crash barriers for the 4 lane road that will go underneath.

[ocalicreek]

Excellent work! Love the bridge.

The factory, well, lemme put it this way...The old VGN Railway 'squarehead' diesels were once described as having all the beauty of a brick. I think that structure qualifies. Your modeling is excellent; it's really a comment on modern concrete tilt-up construction method. :|

Galen

[jbaakko]

Lol, I to have to agree the buildings are PLAIN, but that.s the way it is now-a-days I guess... Anyways, thanks for the comments. Hopefully I can order more stuff soon.

[ocalicreek]

Hopefully I can order more stuff soon.

Whatever you can't order - Scratchbuild!

Gotta say, I hope Steve (Nazgul) is out there reading this thread. Take a close look at the SHOES on that bridge! Sure it's a tiny detail, but it really contributes to the overall authenticity, the general sense of realism in the scene. Even if it weren't based on any prototype, it'd still look 'right'.

Galen

[jbaakko]

Gotta say, I hope Steve (Nazgul) is out there reading this thread. Take a close look at the SHOES on that bridge! Sure it's a tiny detail, but it really contributes to the overall authenticity, the general sense of realism in the scene. Even if it weren't based on any prototype, it'd still look 'right'.

Galen

Thanks, those shoes are from Micro Engineering, using the tallest of the 3 options in the package, I still had to make them .025" taller though to match up with the ballast pan of the Scale Segmental Bridge Co T-girders to either side.

[LiveSteamer]

Looking Good Josh.

[Trucklover]

Awesome Josh, just Awesome, i love the Scale Segmental Bridge Co.'s products, very realistic looking!!

[railroader9731]

Nice