Very nice!

Thanks guys,

Your comments are much appreciated.


regards,

Mal

Hey Mal,

Looking good... I like the new pics and the Anyrail image, its a great program!!

I wish I was closer to detailing my layout and getting it to look a bit more finished! Although what would |I do once it is done?? I must say your layout is as good as Lance M and I would be happy with that level of detail on my layout any day... I also like the lightly weathered rolling stcok, just right for the scene...

Thanks for sharing about the foliage you use, I'll be looking for some to "green" up my layout soon.

Hi,

In my other thread, CSX Deland Spur, I was exploring the possibility of including a plastic pellets facility in my next project.

However, this pic at DeLand, FL got me thinking that a small PP transload facility would fit nicely on the team track at Palmetto.

[attachment=9346]

I tried to scratch-build a similar structure but it just didn't look right.


Then I looked again at Paulman's pics of nearby Toolworld, Eustis FL and liked the relatively small silos.

[attachment=9345]

I decided to install a couple of small silos as shown on this pic

[attachment=9344]

Next we see the arrival of the first PP hopper at Palmetto

[attachment=9343]

[attachment=9342]

This hopper is over 60ft and I was wondering if there are any smaller cars available suitable for PPs, eg. Atlas ACF 4650s some of which have round hatches?

Finally, it looks like with this new trafic flow,Palmetto has had a reprieve from abandonment!
regards,

Mal

Always good to see a paying customer! Nice job!

I just got around to watching the video...Very nice..!! It does actually look like trains at work...

Just one question...How do you uncouple..?? I don't see any evidence of the "Kadee Shuffle". Or was the "Hand of God" cleverly edited out..??

Thanks guys,

You guessed correct, 'the hand of Alcanman, edited out'. Kadee trip pins have been removed so there's no going back
to the Kadee shuffle!

regards,

Mal

Mal;

Shame that you weren't happy with your trans-load structure based on the one in Deland, FL, but your silo's with the small utility shed look nice. Somewhere???? I've seen something like this out there in railroad land, but can't for the life of me remember where right now! Adding some simple piping along the track where the car is spotted and going up to the top of the silo's and then a simple pipe on the road side where the trucks would be loaded, would really add to the look. Makes for a very nice addition to your layout, not to mention another source of revenue on the spur.

As for slightly smaller covered hoppers suitable for plastic pellets, you can usually find the Athearn 4 bay centerflow covered hoppers in various paint schemes (example: http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default....D=ATH72300 ) with the round roof hatches and pneumatic discharge hoppers. They are around 55ft in length and I do still see cars of that size on trains around here.

Very happy to hear that the Palmetto Spur is not likely to be abandoned any time soon!

By the way, I've been converting all my cars over to the more scale size couplers and in the process, removing those trip pins. Never did care for or use the Kadee Shuffle!

Thanks Ed,

Your input is very helpful.

Looking at prototype pics most of the modern plastic pellet hoppers seem to be plain grey.

However,the red Athearn one in the pic is very nice and available in the UK , I'm tempted....but
maybe I should look for a grey one.


regards,

Mal

For my two cents worth I would say if you like the red car and it is available go for it.Plastics hoppers (prototype) come in more than just one or two colours.Maybe you could get several different cars (colours) just for some varieity.

G'day Mal, As you have explained in an early posting in this thread, one of your structures is a modular kit made by Great West Models. I model in N Scale and Great West Models are not available in that scale. Is it possible for you to give me the dimensions of the panels, especially the separation between and the thickness and depth/width of the reinforcing sections that protrude out from the panels like the stem of a `T'. This would allow me to attempt to scratch-build them in N scale.
Thanks in Advance, Andrew G.

Hi,

Catt I've taken your advice and bought a red hopper car. However, for the same price as the Athearn car, I found an Altas 5701 car on special offer
and much more detailed

[attachment=9359]

Andrew The measurements you require. Separation spacing between each vertical reinforcing section is 1/2 ins. The vertical sections are 3/16 ins in depth and 1/16 ins wide.

Hope that's OK, If you need more let me know.


regards,

Mal

Looks good, Mal. The silos add a nice vertical contrast.

G'day again Mal, thanks for the dimensions. I am assuming from your figures that each Great West Models panel is just over an inch wide.
My plans for N scale are to experiment with Evergreen Styrene Seamed Metal Roofing #4522 with a ridge spacing of 6.3mm that would allow me to make the `T' stem bits out of 0.030" by 0.100" Evergreen strip.
If anyone reading this posting has this sheet on hand could they please tell me the width of the slot in the sheet and also the dimensions of the strips provided with the sheet. I live three hours drive away from the nearest supplier of Evergreen Styrene with a decent range.
Also Mal I very much appreciate your work on Palmetto Spur and it is one of the layouts that continue to inspire me with my own ISL plans.
Thanks,
Andrew G.

Hi Andrew,

You are correct. Each panel is exactly 1 and 3/32 inches wide. The length is 4 and 1/8 inches.

Here is a pic of an individual panel.

[attachment=9373]

I hope this helps and thanks for your kind comments.


regards,

Mal