Beautiful work on the trestle Mark...that's going to be quite a scene. The complexity of the benchwork is certainly intriguing as I try to envision the dramatic scenery to follow.

I know PA is a big state, but...the NNGC is in Pittsburgh this Sept.

retiree Bob, you should be there. I will be.

John

Quote from: deemery on April 10, 2024, 06:40:32 PM

Quote from: cuse on April 10, 2024, 03:06:59 PM

wow, that's progress!

dave

Thanks guys...I love high, imposing fascia panels. It's a high-impact project that takes very little time and gives a clearer vision of what's coming. Controlled viewing angles and limited ability to see the whole layout should really be helpful in making my little layout "bigger".

Morning,

You can see in my layout thread that I took Mark's advice and am moving forward again. Not sure what the next step is, maybe landform profiles or building the ore bin/barge loader from a Banta Mine kit I snagged at the NNGC last Sept. Certainly no shortage of project options on a relatively barren layout.

Busy day and week as we are rolling up to Asheville in our RV next Wednesday, so lots of boxes to check prior to that.

Have a good one.

John

Quote from: Vietnam Seabee on April 08, 2024, 08:54:45 AMJohn ....looking forward to meeting you at the next gathering...I'm new to the group, haven't achieved butty status yet but I hope to be there next go around
Terry

Same here...Central FL must be a hotbed of MR guys. I moved to the coast for a few years and moved back last year, but I haven't been a reliable member, as far as attendance, so I'm not really sure of my status either 

Morning Gents,

Bob, I'm eagerly following your countdown...hope there's an SBG meet up soon, I'm way overdue.

John

Yeah...I'm on it. Thanks Mark. 

I agree with you guys...and it's very much in line with what I had originally envisioned for my new layout...as influenced by Dick Patterson's Dolly Varden HOn30 layout. I need more masonite fascia material and didn't care to duke it out with weekend traffic at Home Depot.

Wow...yeah....I'm going to play with that. Thank you.

Really nice Jeff...I like the roof coloring and really like that unusual sign.

Morning All,

Busy morning at work, but maybe some time to work on layout later...

Choosing between unlimited mini-projects to do next:
-mock up styrofoam landforms to help visualize scenery
-start on coal loader...using Banta Little Creek Mine kit

Absolutely...Have at it...all ideas welcome. 

Quote from: deemery on March 31, 2024, 02:02:55 PMIt's a West Coast prototype, but the Dolley Varden is a great example of a railroad that ran from mines to the sea.  see http://dollyvardenrr.com

dave

Thanks for the link Dave...so much great stuff. My favorite version is Dick Patterson's HOn30 version that winds in and out of the mountains. It's got a "down the gorge" viewing angle that I've never seen elsewhere. I think I've saved three articles about it over several decades.

Mark,
Not sure if I'm reading you right, but the bridge going over the gorge will have tunnels on either side (see the portals?). The hillside will have a little less steep of a slope leading down towards the Engine Service Shop and the coast line - at least enough to soften the scenic transition. Probably 70% of the lower loop will be hidden in the mountains (access from beneath). I will definitely have some steep rockwalls to manage the transitions - which I'm concerned about but I think is the most manageable way to get enough scenes into a relatively small layout.

As far as the high bridge going to the ore loader/wharf area, the waterway will diminish into a smaller river going under the bridge.

I can maybe make a little mockup of the landform to help any interested viewers get the idea ...and definitely help me see if my idea is workable. 

I definitely respect your layout design, so if I'm misunderstanding - please use tiny words for me   before I make a big mistake.

The lower level of track is a loop, most of which will be hidden in the mountains. The scenic highlights are the very high trestle over a gorge right as one enters the room. I cut out a depression in the benchwork to really emphasize the vertical scenery. The bulk of the lower level scenery is based around a sawmill complex with log dump and a log feed (yet to be built) into a beautiful model that was originally (I guess it still is for now) a brewery. Other highlights are Fos' Executioners Rock, which is prominently displayed jutting out into the waterfront, and Sierra West Engine Service complex, along with several other structures squeezed in. I have a really nice little lighthouse that Reading Bob built that I plan to position precariously up on a rock face overlooking the sawmill waterfront area. Also, in the little nook/elbow where the expansion meets the original square, I plan to build a significant Silverado Mine complex (from a Builders In Scale/Caboose Hobbies kit). I haven't decided yet if I'll serve it by rail (would have to be a dummy track) or just trucks...that will be determined as I get a better feel for available space and the size of the kit.

I also still have a handful of built up structures that I'm struggling to find suitable places for...so nothing's done 'til it's done.