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maandg
Engine Wiper
363 Posts |
 Posted - 07/28/2012 : 4:27:11 PM
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| Thanks George! I never really measured the curve, but simply bent it as tight as it would go when installing it...12 years ago! I would guesstimate it is around 18 inches; maybe a little tighter. I like the aesthetics of the curved backdrop, but it did make it more of a challenge to create an urban scene in the resulting footprint. I'm pleased with the final result and would definitely go that route again. |
Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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maandg
Engine Wiper
363 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2012 : 4:29:28 PM
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| I just noticed my last post created a new page. Go back one to see the finished scene. [:-glasses] |
Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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nhguy
Fireman
USA
3665 Posts |
Posted - 07/28/2012 : 10:11:33 PM
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| That scene really came together well Cliff. Excellent job sir! |
Bill Shanaman
Superintendent, New Haven RR in the 1948 to 1952 era
PMRA President 2013-14, OpSIG Member
NCE User Since 1999
Sugar City, Colorado |
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dnhman
Fireman
USA
1049 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 12:08:47 AM
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Cliff, I am always blown away with the quality of your work, your a true craftsman. All your scenes just work so well ,,,thanks for sharing,
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Cheers!, Joe |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9272 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 01:11:38 AM
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Once again Cliff, you continue to amaze me. The modeling is awesome, but the speed in which you accomplish so much is also amazing. I really like the vines on the fence. A very nice touch. Tom Johnson did something similar with his telephone poles.
So, having watched your layout progress over the past few years and seeing that it's nearing 'completion', what in the world are you going to do with yourself once you've finished??? |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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maandg
Engine Wiper
363 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 10:39:56 AM
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Thanks, Bill, Joe and Mark!
Mark, once the layout itself is "finished", my focus will shift to rolling stock. I have several hundred RTR cars that need to be weathered (including close to 80 Kadee cars), over 100 car kits to build (Accurail, Bowser) and another 100 or so undecorated cars that will need to be decaled for the MA&G. Ditto for about 10 engine shells, including three NOUPT switchers. Finally, I have well over 100 Walthers and Rapido passenger cars that will need people, lights and, most importantly, tweaking for optimum performance so they track acceptably.
And if all that weren't enough, I have my DVD project that I will begin once some of these rolling stock issues have been addressed. I probably have 350 freight cars and one passenger consist that were weathered and show-ready for the Allen Keller DVD, but I need more for greater variety...especially passenger trains.
I also want to begin Op Sessions by the end of this year which will require working on a car forwarding system.
So you can see, I have plenty to do. Unfortunately, none of these projects will lend themselves to major construction threads here on RR-Line, but I may begin a MA&G Rolling Stock essay just to continue my active involvement.
Soooo...aren't you glad you asked?!?
[:-bigeyes2]
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Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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Red P
Crew Chief
USA
884 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 1:16:45 PM
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I think this is my favorite layout to follow, and there is a lot of tough competition on R-L.
I am amazed at the accuracy of your your modeling.
P |
http://pcpanhandle.shutterfly.com/ |
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Dave S
Engine Wiper
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2012 : 1:41:49 PM
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Cliff,
"...but I may begin a MA&G Rolling Stock essay just to continue my active involvement.
Soooo...aren't you glad you asked?!?"
I am sure there will be more than a few of us that continue to follow your progress on any aspect of this layout you can share with us. I have picked up quite a few ideas to incorporate into my own modeling efforts by following your progress on the layout and have enjoyed every minute I have spent checking in on your progress.
Thanks, Dave S. Tucson, AZ |
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hunter48820
Fireman
6024 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 9:50:35 PM
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Hi Cliff,
Wow, another wonderful scene that you have created. You always amaze me how you can develop your scenes to look so real. I wish I had your talent. By the way, I ran into Tony K at the National Train Show and we ended up talking about you and your layout. He was very interested in your cornstarch mortar and weathering. He wanted me to forward a link to your thread on the enginehouse with your tutorial style of telling us what you are doing!! Great stuff![:-eyebrows] If you would prefer to contact Tony yourself with info on your weathering and cornstarching , please let me know and I won't pass on the link.
By the way, I've shown quite a few people the technique that you have shown me and they really like it. I'm going to be doing a "How to" presentation at our Division meeting in the next few months. I can't tell you how much that little clinic you did has helped me and got me excited to get going on more buildings.
Thanks again! |
Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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maandg
Engine Wiper
363 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 10:53:28 PM
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Thanks, Andy! I send Tony all of the photos seen in the threads here, so this should be nothing new to him...not that I mind if you send him the link. Out of curiosity, did you happen to attend his clinic on kitbashing structures? He is using numerous photos of my work in his upcoming book on the same subject and I was wondering if any of my photos showed up in his clinic. That would be cool.
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Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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hunter48820
Fireman
6024 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 11:30:52 PM
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Hi Cliff,
No, sorry, I only got to see two clinics, one on airbrushing by Badger and the other on Photo Shop Elements by Jim Six. I didn't realize what Tony's was actually about until after he presented it![:-boggled] I would really have loved to have seen it. I'm willing to bet he used more than just a few of you pics!! I know that he thinks very highly of your work but who the heck doesn't!![:-eyebrows]
I know he would appreciate it if you provided him with the tutorial that you gave us for the weathering and mortar that you used on the roundhouse.
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9272 Posts |
Posted - 08/07/2012 : 11:43:05 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by maandg
Soooo...aren't you glad you asked?!?
[:-bigeyes2]
Well, yes I am! In reality, you have a similar plan to mine, but you work a lot faster than I do. But as has already been said, don't feel like some of that work isn't 'thread worthy'. I for one would be interested to see what kind of car fowarding system you use. I have a page on my website dedicated to setting up a car card waybill system, which I hope is of some help to you. Lord knows I've stolen enough ideas from you, I hope there is something I've mine I can offer back! [:-angel] |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Edited by - MarkF on 08/07/2012 11:43:58 PM |
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SNCF_Fan
New Hire
Canada
39 Posts |
Posted - 08/13/2012 : 2:40:01 PM
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I know I’m late to comment on your last update Cliff, but... As ever exceptional work but I do have to admit to some initial concerns that the diesel shop wasn’t going to have enough detail to meet your previous standard of interior detail and might hence look like a “poor relative”. However the photos of the completed shop, especially the night one, prove otherwise. And the scene as a whole has come together exceptionally well. I really like the “apparent” depth illusion even though the scene is only a couple of buildings deep with the rearmost buildings being shallow to boot! The fencing with vines, utility poles and wires along with the myriad of other details (clutter, signage, etc.) and era/business appropriate vehicles really brings the scene to completion at a high level of themed realism. (The roadway and parking lot could be a bit grubbier and distressed though akin to those around your REA building! Not a criticism, just noting a potential detail you might want to look at incorporating in the future.)
I’m looking forward to seeing how you “marry” this and the coach yard scene together. Given the transition scene’s location at the top centre of the peninsula “T” I envision that this area will be something of a bear to work on when it comes to final placement of structures, application of ballast and ground cover as well as installing any utility poles and wires. Nevertheless I’m sure we are all looking forward to your next instalment.
Finally, when will you return to complete the Gibbons Feed Mill and it's area of the station yard throat?
As ever thanks for the detailed descriptions of your techniques and for photos of otherwise hidden details such as the building interior lighting. Telling how is fundamental to our trying to emulate your standard.
Thanks and Cheers
Carl
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Carl
carl.lindon@videotron.ca
Gatineau, Quebec. |
Edited by - SNCF_Fan on 08/13/2012 2:44:12 PM |
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maandg
Engine Wiper
363 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2012 : 8:45:54 PM
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Welcome back! I have completed work on the diesel shop servicing platforms. On the prototype, the fuel and sand facilities were further down the tracks from the actual diesel shop, but due to space constraints, I opted to move them directly in front of it. Of particular interest to me was the very unusual concrete sanding tower. The prototype serviced only one track with platforms on either side. The actual concrete silo stood offset behind the rear platform. Here is a very nice photo of the facility in question.
Notice the neat raised top, curved top railings, and frameless “window” openings. Again, space limitations forced me to alter the design so that the tower sits in between two tracks with the platforms on the far side of each. Here is my model of the tower.
To make the concrete tower, I began with a silo from a Walthers Magic Pan Bakery. The top was cut to create the raised center, then finished with styrene. Openings for the windows and a door were cut based on prototype photos. The sand pipes and cage ladder are modified parts from three Walthers Sanding towers kits.
The platforms were kitbashed from two Walthers Oil Loading Platforms with stands from the Sanding Towers kits. The tower was supported by a small square building which I made from the chimney support structure from a Walthers Champion Packing Co. kit.
The fuel stands and hose racks came from a Heljan kit. The lamp poles are modified Model Power lights with styrene tube extensions to add height. Barrels and a few Diamond Scale details have been added as well.
I extended the concrete base all the way up to the diesel shop to better accommodate the sanding tower platforms. I also added several new background buildings in this area. I was never completely satisfied with the steel mill because it looked out of place. I found these backdrop photos on eBay for a very reasonable price. The beauty is they come pre-cut and mounted on black foam board, ready to install. Here are several photos of the completed area.
Finally, here is a last look at the completed corner of the layout. I’m very pleased with the finished scene.
My next project will be the Lime Putty Plant which stood trackside behind the actual sanding tower location. I have already done most of the preliminary construction of the individual components. Painting, weathering, signage, and a multitude of elevators and pipes will make this an eye-catching, yet non-rail served industry. Here is a sneak preview…
If you compare these photos to ones in my last post, you will see that I have replaced several of the components. I plan on putting in some long hours over the Labor Day weekend, so I hope to have an update very soon. See you back then!
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Cliff Powers
The Mississippi Alabama & Gulf
Please visit my layout website at
www.magnoliaroute.com
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Edited by - maandg on 08/28/2012 8:58:48 PM |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9272 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2012 : 12:07:14 AM
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| Well, once again you've nailed it Cliff! But I have to say what really compliments that scene are in fact the backround buildings. The more I see of these 'photo-buildings', the more I like them! The second photo in your post above had me going. I knew the first one was a prototype photo and at first glance, assumed the second was too. I had to take a second look to realize it was in fact a photo of your model. Well done! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Constructing the NOUPT Support Facilities
