Inspired by Josh (Trucklover) and a sale on Walthers Modulars components, I am building a structure based on the 3-story building plans found here -> <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/modulars/3story">http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/modulars/3story</a><!-- m -->

I have enlarged the building, giving it a bigger indoor unloading space for rail, and turned the "back" of the building into the front by moving the main entrance doors.

I need some suggestions for what this industry does. At this point in the planning process , it will feature:

• indoor loading/unloading for rail and trucks
  
• outdoor loading unloading for rail and trucks (no specific unloading dock for rail though)
  
• freight elevator from outside ground level
  
• outside winch from dock level
  
• chimneys
  
• roof vents
  
• skylights on some of the flat roof
  
• a water tower
  
• no other outbuidlings planned (not yet anyway)
  
• no onsite power supply (i.e. it's attached to power in the "regular" way)
  
• no special unloading facilities (e.g. tank car or hopper unloading) are visible - could be inside though

I was discussing superelevation of curves over on the Model Railroader site, and, after suggesting a method of achieving it, was asked to show a video demonstration of its affect on a train. I at first declined, as I'm not a big fan of videos, and unfamiliar with making them. However, the idea of how to best show the principle in action intrigued me, and, after several attempts, I came up with the following two offerings. The image quality is poor, and it's up to the viewer to decide if the effect is even noticeable:




If you're interested in the discussion, you can check it out HERE.

Wayne

...well, more like across the river. Caught these photos while attempting some fishing.

Anyway, a train of newly painted or newly re-painted cars heading east over the Maitland River. Paint is PollyScale, with C-D-S dry transfer lettering, except as noted, and Floquil weathering. Re-weigh/re-pack data from Champ.

The "lucky" 26 is on the point today:


along with the 27:


Accurail 7-panel boxcar, modified to a double door type:


Accurail 9-panel boxcar, with C-D-S custom lettering:


Train Miniature X-29-style boxcar, Champ decals:


Accurail:


A pair of Train Miniature 7-panel boxcars:




more Acccurail cars:






Train Miniature:




Accurail, again:








Train Miniature:


Accurail:


Some more Train Miniature:




An Athearn car:


Accurail:


Train Miniature:


Accurail:


Some more Train Miniature:










And, finally, Train Miniature, with Champ decals:




Now, to get back to the fishin'.

Wayne

Just wondering what the smallest prototypical curve is in HO? Is 18"R too tight to be realistic?

At this stage, I have no choice but to use 18"R and even 15 to 17"R curves (due to lack of space) but it would be nice, one day, to have more realistic curve radii on my layout.

Thanks,
Rob

I was wondering if anyone here had Walthers new heavyweight passenger cars, or the pullman standard also, and what you think of them? They aren't shorties (less than scale length) are they? I'm looking for some more C&O passenger cars and theirs look really nice. Thanks!

...that's there's only a week left in the voting for our Big Blue get-together in eastern Pennsylvania? Currently, 12 of us are signed on, but more are always welcome. The scheduled date is Saturday, June 13, with the location yet to be determined by voting in the poll which can be found HERE. It'll be a good opportunity to meet some fellow-Members of Big Blue, and soak up some prototype atmosphere at the same time.

Wayne

So, if you're following along in here, you'll see Bob Suruncle's started building a layout. We've had a running bet for the last five years or so that the first one to finish a complete layout wins a bottle of something tasty.

Well, when I saw Bob actually getting serious about building, my weasel gene kicked in and got me thinking.... what exactly is a "layout"?

So, for your consideration I present the Weasel Flats Sand and Gravel Co. R.R.

Scale: On30
Size: 14" x 14"
Track: Code 70 Handlaid
Minimum radius: 6"
Control: Standard DC.
Operation: Continuous Run

First, the benchwork:


I glued the Mt. Albert O scale pine ties to the cork roadbed:


Once the ties were down, I stained them with washes of artist's acrylic thinned with rubbing alcohol. I used mixes of Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber and black to get the colours I wanted, and applied several coats to different ties to get a mixed effect.


And the final result:


After sanding the ties level and touching up the stain, I ballasted with Woodland Scenics medium brown:


Then I spiked code 70 rail down, starting with the inner rail, then using 3-point gauges to hold the outer rail while I spiked it down. 2 spikes per rail in every tie make sure it's not going anywhere. I soldered a joiner to one end of each rail, and left a small gap to allow for expansion:


I weathered the rail by brushing on artist's acrylics. I just mixed until I got a rusty-looking brown I liked. I'll probably go back and tone it down with some black washes:


And here's the Weasel Flats Sand and Gravel Co.s roster:


I'm currently mulling how I'm going to detail the layout... I'm thinking a small loader of some sort on one side, and a truck on the other... although 1:48 vehicles aren't as easy to find as 1:87. I'm thinking a Ford Model A with a dump body, and maybe a front-end loader of some sort, or maybe a conveyor.... piles of sand and gravel here and there..... and maybe a victory bottle if I get it done before Bob!

What structure kits for under $80.00US have you seen that really stand out to you? You could include kits you have built or kits that you have been drooling over in mags or online. Maybe what you like will be just what somebody else has been looking for....

I will start the ball rolling with 2 kits:

From GCLASER....."County CO-OP"
I love the multiple roof angles! IMO, this is the best looking elevator kit out there
http://74.220.29.68/Merchant2/merchant.m...y_Code=HSS

From B.T.S......"Post Office"
I don't know, it may just be the picture.....but I love the looks of this little kit. I think that they just "nailed" it.
Simple...yes. But perfectly simple
http://www.btsrr.com/bts7233.htm

What kits catch your eye?

Happy Memorial Day. Here are some shots taken of and from the backside of the layout.
First up is the pallet dealer showing the platform,and a storage area.



Next up is the freight handling area which includes the front end loader that I was working on.



Last are the coal and oil dealers.I did a small revision on the coal dealer.Instead of having the tracked loader load trucks,I now have the conveyors doing that.



Enjoy the pictures and the holiday.
Bob