Adding the fascia boards November 30, 2009
Posted by railroadman in Buildings and Scenery, Layout Construction, Model Railroading.1 comment so far
Now that I have completed the track work, electrical and testing is complete, the only thing to finish off this area other than scenery is the fascia board. It is nice to get all the tools and clutter cleaned up and make the layout look presentable. The scenery will come later as I am focusing on finishing most of the track work and start an operating schedule amongst many other small projects that have been put on the back burner.
This image shows the fascia board butting up to the previous fascia boards installed a ways back on the left side and curving around the corner where a portal will be as the branch line track enters the mountain. Some interesting contours will make for a real nice focal scene with the trestle bridge.
On the right side as show below the grade steepens to blend in with the trestle bridge and the next town up on the mountain. This piece of fascia board is permanently installed as there is no electrical or mechanical systems behind needing access.
The next section of fascia is removable as all the towns switches and the lower level controls would need to be accessable. So as to not damage any scenery once installed, I installed this section in two peices. As seen below I fit the entire peice, screw it in place and then contour the top. Then I cut a straight line about 2″ to 3″ down from the contour which lines up with the 3/4″ plywood. This way the top peice secures into the plywood for strength and the scernery towling will form along the contour and will not be distrubed when the lower fascia is removed. This is the same technique I used for the fascia on Gainesville.
I mounted my throttle plugs and cut in a door that accesses all the layout light switches and power switches and a quick vacuum and I am finished.
Trestle Bridge Installation November 27, 2009
Posted by railroadman in Buildings and Scenery, Layout Construction, Model Railroading, Trackwork.1 comment so far
I have planned on installing a trestle bridge here from the drafting stage as it makes for a great focus piece right after you enter the railroad room. It spans the valley, crosses the western lead of Rock Valley and connects the eastern mountain range with the western on the branch line.
Once the bridge is assembled from templates taken from the layout to ensure a proper fit and radius, it is set in place using guide blocks on either end as shown below. This makes sure the bridge is positioned at the correct height to the rail will all line up properly.
Blog Update October 28, 2009
Posted by railroadman in Buildings and Scenery, Layout Construction, Model Railroading, Trackwork.add a comment
Hello everyone. It has been too long since I did regular updates to the blog. Too much work and time being spent on other things it seems. I have been working on the layout on and off in the little spare time I have had and have documented things along the way which will make for some interesting posts. It will take a few post to get things caught up here on the blog. Lets bring you up to date somewhat on the construction status.
Construction has continued up the branch line with most of the track work being completed in Holden (contemplating a few town name changes, again.) including the rough wiring. Everything is mechanically and electrically working great, I just need to hard wire the leads to the terminals and switch machines and tidy things up. I do still have to install the west end turnout which I can start working on now as I have competed the installation of the trestle bride which I will do a separate post on. The track work is complete up to Walton which is the second town on the branchline. I am not installing the towns industry tracks until I confirm where the lumber industry buildings will go so I can work the tracks in around the buildings as I do not have a lot of space here.
Hopefully I will be able to complete the west end of Holden soon and start installing the risers and spline work for the third and furthest west bound town Clifton on the branch line. I am trying to complete all the track work as a priority so I can start developing an operating schedule. This is why some scenery projects have taken a back seat on the priority to do list.
Here are a few pictures of the track work in Holden, awaiting scenery in Woodshill and the temporary Fire Proof Storage building on Gainesville.
