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BN_Fan
New Hire
USA
35 Posts |
 Posted - 11/02/2010 : 8:43:58 PM
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It is amazing how things seem to fall in place on your railroad. Great job on Joe's part to spot the potential and Bruce to execute the trackwork.
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Bob P
Visit my layout at:
http://home.comcast.net/~price666/site/
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pcmatt
Engine Wiper
USA
181 Posts |
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Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2010 : 08:36:04 AM
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A few posts ago I promised an update on my still-abuilding Dauphin County Co-Op; although not a step-by-step, here's the progress so far:
Continuing my adventures in cardboard, I decided to use 4 ply Strathmore for the building shell; with the MR drawing as a reference, I laid out the dimensions and openings, then scribed in 6 inch boards:
Then cut out the windows and doors, which will be plastic castings:
A quick check to make sure everything works:
Next came painting; using a cosmetic sponge, I painted both sides to minimize warping; the sponge method also gives a somewhat streaky, weathered look:
After everything dried, I cut pieces of 1/2 x 3/4 door trim for corner pieces. Once again I forgot to allow room at the bottom for the foundation to rest on, which means I have to figure out how to build one later, after the building's complete:
I like using this size bracing since Strathmore can and will warp, especially with painting; pieces this big make the corners tighter and the sides stiffer.
Instead of the prototype's asphalt shingled roof, I decided to use Evergreen 3/16th standing seam. Here's a shot of the semi-finished article in it's future spot; the tanks will be off to the left.
Still left is an addition or two (office, warehouse) as well as the second silo tank and conveyor, dust collection system, loading dock, signage, and loads of details. Having added F&B Effluvium to the layout, I need to switch gears and start assembling five covered hoppers recently purchased at Timonium so everything will be ready for the next ops session. |
Edited by - Harsco on 11/04/2010 08:39:33 AM |
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BBLmber
Fireman
USA
4223 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2010 : 09:15:27 AM
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That is a fine loooking building and will be a great indutry for those hoppers.
Mark |
W,L,&E |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9272 Posts |
Posted - 11/04/2010 : 10:45:47 AM
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| I got to see this structure first hand when I over at Ricks house and all I can say is WOW! I thought it was a wood kit until he pointed out it was Strathmore. It looks GREAT Rick! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Vagel Keller
Crew Chief
USA
720 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2010 : 01:17:41 AM
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More great progress, Rick! It's great to see examples of structures built with the tried and true "old" materials like Strathmore. And neat to see someone else working with sponges as a paint medium.
Vagel |
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Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2010 : 04:59:18 AM
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| I'm very satisfied with the sponge method...the concrete retaining wall behind the building in the last picture was painted that way as well...fast, easy, and lends a bit of built-in weathering too. |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9272 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2010 : 11:00:24 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Harsco
I'm very satisfied with the sponge method...the concrete retaining wall behind the building in the last picture was painted that way as well...fast, easy, and lends a bit of built-in weathering too.
Yes Rick, that wall looks great as well! It's a great shade of pink for concrete.  |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2010 : 5:58:23 PM
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To the right, Mark......sheesh!
If I had a blog, this entry would be entitled "The Dark Side of Model Railroading They Never Mention", in this case dealing with freight cars, or more specifically, the NUMBER of freight cars needed to "operate".
It all seems so easy and innocent when you read the articles, then look at the pictures of smiling, happy model railroaders shuttling cars around their beautiful (and mostly completed)layouts. You're drawn into the illusion; how hard/difficult could it be to "operate" your pike....you know, shuttle cars around with meaning and purpose?
Like the universe though, model railroading has its dark side. You take those first few, tentative steps....changing every car over to steel wheels, buying mysterious "uncoupling magnets", begin counting rolling stock, measuring sidings, and getting involved in deep, philosophical conversations about waybills, car cards, radios, and when the hook has really been set, CTC.
Suddenly it's no longer that innocent fantasy, but a monster that must be fed...constantly. Then you hear the unspeakable: "According to this spreadsheet report I created, you still need <insert number here>". The hunt for freight cars becomes all-consuming.
Like an addict, you start haunting flea markets, train shows, and hobby shops, frantically seeking "completeness" with just one more gondola, or two more elusive covered hoppers. Now firmly in it's evil grasp, in moments of desperation, you unwittingly turn a dark corner and begin hounding friends and family. "Listen...I really, really NEED that depressed flat car, Steam.....I mean, doesn't EVERY layout have a "High and Wide" movement? I promise...this is the last one....I'm going "cold boxcar" right afterward, I promise...really...please."
Then, just when you think that you've touched rock bottom, when there is no form of personal debasement you wouldn't contemplate or endure to make the layout "whole", when all you think about is watching the numbers on that "Car Capacity Report" slowly but surely begin to wind down to that mythical and elusive "Zero", indicating "full capacity", an e-mail mysteriously appears in your inbox with a NEW Capacity Report and a jocular message:
"Hey...F&B Fertilizer looks great! According to my revised report, you now need another eighteen covered hoppers....6 for the siding, 6 for Division Street, and 6 for the through freight"
Has anyone ever read a modeling article that mentioned this malady? Can anyone tell me how many freight cars John Allen, Allen McClellan, or George Sellios have or need to "operate" their railroad? Why isn't this affliction being exposed and treated? Perfectly good people find themselves caught up in this maelstrom of evil intent. Thankfully, I've caught myself in time...I'm gonna beat this thing...it's a new day...
Hey wait! Is that a covered hopper on Ebay for $2.00? <breaking out in cold sweat>
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9272 Posts |
Posted - 11/06/2010 : 6:57:12 PM
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| And if you think it's bad now, just wait until we add Market Street (he says while rubbing his hands together) [:-eyebrows] |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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vzjtothalo
Section Hand
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - 11/07/2010 : 07:09:54 AM
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Rick:
The addiction doesn't even need a layout or spreadsheet to manifest itself....imagine not having a layout, and buying locomotives and rolling stock because you like the look...or because you believe that someday, somehow, it will fit into your plans.........
BTW, what do you need.......not an addict anymore, but since I do need to thin out my accumulated masses due to a geographical shift in planning, I have more than I need. I think I'll make a good dope peddler, ala Bruce Kohler......"gotaa triple head........"[:-bigeyes][:-bigeyes][:-bigeyes] |
John Loesch
For God so loved the world, he did not send a committee.... |
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MikeMc
Engine Wiper
USA
157 Posts |
Posted - 11/10/2010 : 3:39:02 PM
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Well, Rick, when I was over for that Op session in the spring, I thought everything ran great and you had enough cars to meet the session's needs. But I am sure that just adding a train or two, or a new location as Mark mentions, would really throw things off!
I thought I had too many cars on my layout until I completed the staging yard and then went through the process of making up car cards. Yes, I too found deficiencies in car types and numbers. And I haven't even started to operate yet! I have my list of want/needs and will be looking for deals at the Springfield show in January.
Mike McNamara
Delran, NJ
nekrailroad.com |
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Harsco
Fireman
USA
1101 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 09:12:06 AM
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| I guess I had just never thought about the sheer volume of cars that a typical layout can consume, although in fairness, my requirements are very skewed due to the steel mill, which needs 40 ore cars, 8 dolomite, 12 scrap, and 20 coke loads per session...take that away and the "must have" list drops considerably. Just one more factor to consider when choosing between a rural/way freight and heavy industrial setting motif. Mark/John R's system actually prefers that the system be at 80% capacity, since the "random proportional" method means you'll sometimes end up with unusually long or short consists, depending on all the factors involved. |
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hunter48820
Fireman
6024 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2010 : 9:58:45 PM
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Oooh, another great pic-tutorial!![:-eyebrows] I'm enjoying this one Rick! Got lots of buildings to add to the Nashville!
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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Vagel Keller
Crew Chief
USA
720 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2010 : 12:04:01 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Harsco
I guess I had just never thought about the sheer volume of cars that a typical layout can consume, although in fairness, my requirements are very skewed due to the steel mill, which needs 40 ore cars, 8 dolomite, 12 scrap, and 20 coke loads per session...
Rick, you need to back away from the Dark Side to the Narrow (gauge) Minded; think rural merchant blast furnace, 7 ore cars (35% yield); dolomite? we no need no steenking dolomite; six coke loads ... plus no hard driving; only one thimble of slag per shift. Just kidding ... the South Penn Furnace Co. needs HARSCO as a customer for iron pigs during peak demand. Keep building that massive urban industrial layout; we'll work on mountain backdrops. Sigh. |
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Harrisburg Terminal Railroad (HTRR)
