We tested the new layout proposed plan tonight. The cement plant is really impressive... Honestly, it steal the show right away. We also came to the conclusion the yard secondary in our operation. We only do small classification work and never ran many trains at the same time. Basically, we run a local switcher with a few extra trains occasionnally. Thus, a stub-ended yard as proposed would fit the bill nicely.

Moral of the story, next time I plan a large scale change, I'll try the idea in 3D before starting to work on it at full-scale. Pictures will be poster in the near future.

Matt

First of all, better start with an historic picture to be able to analyse if the model is faithfull to the prototype. This one is taken from Joseph Testagrose Collection, available on Old Time Trains website:



And the same picture shot on the layout from the same spot.



A general view of the property. Note there should/will be an abandonned double mainline near the fascia is this configuration is agreed on.



This view is taken from the crossing too. I like the industrial look of a bunch of tracks running between telegraph and power lines.



This one is very nostalgic. When I was a kid in the 80s, it was the classic view we had on the train while lunching at the diner located just in front of the cement Plant every Saturday.



A general bird view from the East, looking west.



Overall shot of the scene. The plant may be huge but it doesn't overpower the scene. I really like the result, particularly the main line in front of the scene.



And a special one, from the railfan perspective!



Matt

It's now official, the layout is in the process to be converted into Murray Bay Subdivision between Hedley and Beaupré. No picture, but lots of preparation work have been done. Many details need to be addressed, but at this point, most concept ideas are set. Scenes will include D'Estimauville interchange in Limoilou (Hedley), Villeneuve (St. Lawrence Cement Plant), Montmorency Falls (Dominion Textile) and Beaupré (Donohue Paper Mill). Motive power will be pairs of RS18, pairs of GP9 and, maybe one day, a pair of M420 if a company ever dare to produce them in plastic.

Changing the locale wasn't an easy task. We tried to salvage the Bassin Louise concept but at some point, the room geometry wasn't working on our side. Thus, we had to change our focus. Also, less track will make the process more interesting. We are also discussing about getting rid of the returning loops. Feels like they are redundant and uneeded for a point-to-point switching layout. We will see.

Matt

Yesterday I finally painted the yellow line on my road, following some prototype pictures from the late 70s and mid 80s. Back then, there was no stop line painted before a grade crossing on rural road.



I also added some weathering using pastel chalk. I tried no to overdo this step because more waethering will be added when the road will be surrounded by scenery and gravel parking lots near the team track.



The road was glued in place using adhesive caulk.

Matt

That sure looks good!

Hi Matt.

Although I can tell it's still very much early days here with regard to the build, it's all looking very solid and neat.

Oh, and I really envy your space

jonte

Yesterday, we dismantled the remaining portion of Bunge grain elevator and carfloat area. All remnants of port operation are now definitely gone. It was quite ironic to see that as soon the elevator was built, it was tore down.



This will now be the new paper mill area. The locale will be a mashup of Beaupré and Clermont paper mills on Murray Bay sub. Both were built beyond a large river. The mill, which is on a long narrow shelf will be protofreelanced according to Clermont's Donohue mill while the bridge will be closer in look to Beaupré's one.



Where the port yard was standing will be located the river. For this purpose, the layout deck was lowered about 4" to have enough space to model the river properly.

Matt

Messing aroung with buildings and tracks to get a general idea of the paper mill. I visited Clermont yesterday to get more inspiration. Definitely a nice prototype. The real paper mill is a long complex built between a cliff and a river, which is almost the description for a shelf layout.





Dumping stone on Nairne Falls spur embankment:



Matt

Looking good.

@e-paw: thanks!

We started to install the new curved fascia made of 1/4" MDF yesterday. It really improved the look of the layout and we also slightly enlarged the benchwork of 1-1/2" near the paper mill to have more space between tracks there. No picture, but so far, no regret to have do it.

We are also working on Malbaie River. It will be made out of a painted MDF plank covered with a plexiglass to represent the water. Ripples will be done with successive application of artist clear medium. Hope it will turn out well. The bridge is now part of the kitbashing contest. I'll try to follow the prototype as much as I can without going overboard. First, I want it to be sturdy.

Matt

That is looking really great..!! Congratulations..

Do you have the link to the Old Time Trains website? I can't find it anywhere....

Steamtrains Wrote:That is looking really great..!! Congratulations..

Do you have the link to the Old Time Trains website? I can't find it anywhere....

Thanks!

Here's the link:

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/ph...allery.htm

Edit: it seems Old Time Trains is down at this moment... Hope it didn't disappear for good, it was a good source of info for canadian railways.

Matt

sailormatlac Wrote:

Steamtrains Wrote:That is looking really great..!! Congratulations..

Do you have the link to the Old Time Trains website? I can't find it anywhere....

Thanks!

Here's the link:

http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/ph...allery.htm

Edit: it seems Old Time Trains is down at this moment... Hope it didn't disappear for good, it was a good source of info for canadian railways.

Matt

Thanks for that link..!!

That will become a great layout. I like the balance between space and tracks.