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trisonic
Section Hand
USA
60 Posts |
 Posted - 06/07/2010 : 05:42:25 AM
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Nice work, really enjoying this thread!
Would Sagebrush coexist with Saguaro? I'm English so bear with me......
When I drove from Phoenix to Flagstaff I noticed that the Saguaro's disappeared fairly quickly going up the hill......
Thanks, Pete. |
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Philip
Fireman
USA
1398 Posts |
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quarryman
Fireman
USA
1071 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 07:00:20 AM
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Verne-
Beautiful little industrial scenes. Your tender is a great match to the BM saddletanker.
Hope the shop crews will be able to dig out from under all the contract work and focus on the E&SG soon (this from one of your customers  )
Mark |
Visit my Piedmont & East Blue Ridge Railroad
http://www.eastblueridge.com |
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
1994 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 10:54:59 AM
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Thank you...
Pete, our family enjoys noting the last Saguaro as we climb out of the Sonoran Desert on I-17 northbound. There is sagebrush in the desert, but most abundant is creosote and mesquite bushes...they are everywhere. I am still working on how to do them! Sagebrush is typically found at slightly higher/wetter locations, the high desert and steppes.
Philip, I am not sure what 'green stuff' you are referring to? The coke ovens are pilot models from a friend of mine, and will be the subject of an upcoming article in the 2011 On30 Annual.
Thanks Mark, that tender sure made it easy providing a good speaker for the Tsunami sound...and four more wheels of electrical pickup help keep it humming along. It's my favorite lokie, but still needs final lettering and weathering. Unfortunately, I will be busy with hobby work (orders and loading some of my old n-scale stuff on ebay) through the next few months. Sigh.
Regarding my track, I am envious of you and the others who have handlaid...my lovely Micro Engineering turnouts are not up to the task. I have two with points that continually separate from their throw rods...of course they are the two turnouts that get used the most on the layout. So far, I have replaced one turnout twice, and spent about 12 hours on the problem, with little progress to show...the replacements displayed the same problem as the original. I should have handlaid, If I had handlaid my track, it would be an easy repair. I should have gone with Peco track or built it myself. [:-banghead] |
Edited by - MinerFortyNiner on 06/07/2010 11:01:28 AM |
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Hopeless
Fireman
USA
1250 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2010 : 11:54:20 AM
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Verne, Glad to see you found a little time for yourself. The engine looks beautiful and the dry desert looks inviting after a week of very high humidity here in the northeast.
Roland |
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Geezer
Fireman
USA
8173 Posts |
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Philip
Fireman
USA
1398 Posts |
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
1994 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2010 : 02:20:39 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by MinerFortyNiner
Regarding my track, I am envious of you and the others who have handlaid...my lovely Micro Engineering turnouts are not up to the task. I have two with points that continually separate from their throw rods...of course they are the two turnouts that get used the most on the layout. So far, I have replaced one turnout twice, and spent about 12 hours on the problem, with little progress to show...the replacements displayed the same problem as the original. I should have handlaid, If I had handlaid my track, it would be an easy repair. I should have gone with Peco track or built it myself. [:-banghead]
Well, after replacing another main line turnout, I think I know what I was doing wrong with the ME turnouts...their instructions say you can remove the steel spring if you choose to use a switch machine or stand. My problems have been due to weakness of the throwbar when the retainer plate under the switch has been removed. There may be a way to remove the spring and get the switch back to original strength, but I am simply going to keep the spring in place and use a spring-loaded ground throw. I have done this on other installations and they have caused no problems. Live and learn.
Still, I am looking forward to hand-laying my next layout, or using a more robust brand of track such as Peco, and simply burying the ties! |
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trisonic
Section Hand
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 06/14/2010 : 07:04:04 AM
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Very useful info on trackwork - many thanks Verne! That is what forums are all bout.
Best, Pete. |
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MinerFortyNiner
Fireman
USA
1994 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 02:28:51 AM
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Here's a belated update on progress on the Estrella & Sonora Grande. Things slow down in the summer, and I have been working most of my available hobby time on other projects. Still, there's some new work in progress.
Something about how I had my buildings in the yard arranged had been bugging me for a long time, and I finally figured out how to arrange things better. Here's the relocated yard office / crew quarters next to the engine house. There's a new water pump facility and details around the water tank, and a small freight transfer towards the rear, by the retaining wall. Everything is roughed in...I tend to start a model, figure out where I want it, and then complete it in its setting...so most of my structures are still very unfinished. I am more comfortable with that approach, as it helps me get a sense of the scene and its elements before I commit to final finish and detailing.
The engine house area is also coming together, with the required junk and clutter. There's an old boiler, and an unused mercury still. You can see a glimpse of the cantina in town, a short walk away.
I settled on the name San Lorenzo (named for my father in law, Loren) and have the town roughed in. There's usually not much excitement in this little village, but today it looks like a no-win confrontation is brewing. Again, everything is mid-construction to help me envision how everything will fit...even the sagebrush trees are awaiting foliage.
Here's the new pump facility with vertical boiler, pump and piping. I am really looking forward to finishing and weathering this model, and putting a roof over it. Jorge, who keeps the vital pump and boiler going, would appreciate some shade!
Here's old #1 taking water before resuming its chores. There is much detail still to add, and more color and some touches of green to give the scene more 'punch'.
I added a foundation for the sand shed, and built a coal bin out of mine timbers. There's an ash pit you can see in the far left foreground that still awaits finished walls and rail supports. Lots to do! I hope you enjoyed your quick visit, and can come back soon for another look and a cerveza fria! |
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nalmeida
Fireman
Portugal
2028 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 05:08:48 AM
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Thanks for the pictures Verne, I like the arrangement of the buildings, lines seem to flow smoothly in the yard area. Looking forward to some more scenery and maybe a splash of green here and there??
The guys in San Lorenzo seem a bit overconfident about the bull!! |
_________________________
Nelson Almeida [Portugal]
My home at the web: http://www.modelismoartesanal.eu |
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Neil M
Fireman
Australia
2173 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 05:49:44 AM
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I really like the look of your layout. The scenery is coming on well and the structures look at home.
One thing I am a bit concerned about is the long stone retaining wall behind the town/engine servicing area. It may just be that that area is where you are working so all the photos show the retaining wall but I think it would benefit from being broken up a bit.
Are there areas where there would be enough space in front of the retaining wall to have a rock outcropping that the track ran on for a bit instead? Some scenery above the retaining wall would be good too. Hills or cliffs or something to break up the horizon and stop the back of the layout all being a man-made straight line |
Built a waterfront HO layout in Ireland http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22161 but now making a start in On30 in Australia |
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akimmons
Fireman
USA
1354 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 08:19:16 AM
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Verne,
It's nice to get an update on your progress. I really like the overall look and feel of the E&SG. It's not the same ol' Rocky Mtn narrow guage. I see some Olson and Furlow influence, too. Looking forward to more...
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Arnold Kimmons
General Manager
Royal & Edisto Railroad
http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19182 |
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Rick
Administrator
USA
17726 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 08:23:22 AM
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Verne, thanks for the pictures.
It's coming together nicely.
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BBLmber
Fireman
USA
4222 Posts |
Posted - 08/17/2010 : 10:28:33 AM
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Verne, things are looking really good, I like the arrangement for your enigine facilities.Keep us posted.
Mark |
W,L,&E |
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Building the Estrella & Sonora Grande RR
Topic Locked
