Superior & Seattle Railroad Build (Volume 2) Started 2/25/17

S&S RR · February 25, 2017, 10:03:31 PM

I locked my original build thread on this forum (Volume 1) tonight because of the file corruption problems we have been experiencing. Please see the locked thread entitled Superior & Seattle Railroad Build for the previous 3 - 4 years of build history. I will be continuing the story of this build in the coming days.

Link to Superior & Seattle Railroad Build (Volume 1) 12/20/13 - 2/25/17 Build Progress

http://modelersforum.com/layout-tours/superior-seattle-railroad-build/msg65180/?topicseen#new

Link to Volume 3:

http://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=4531.0

Link to Volume 4:

http://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=5946.msg163250;topicseen#new

INDEX

Volume 1
Vol 1. Page 1 Changing forums - the benchwork
Vol 1. Page 2 Overview and Status in March of 2014
Vol 1. Page 3 A look back at the Benchwork and Paster work on the mountains,

Painting the Plaster work
The Photo Back Drops
Making Aspen Trees
Vol 1. Page 4 Making Pine Trees
Preparing the Talus Materials
Vol 1. Page 5 Prototype Photographs
Vol 1. Page 6 Prototype Photographs
Control Panel
Vol 1. Page 7 Layout Diagram "original plan"
Roundhouse Photographs
The Stone Roundhouse Build - start
Vol 1. Page 8 Stone Roundhouse Build - the walls
Vol 1. Page 9 Stone Roundhouse Build - the Roof
Vol 1. Page 10 Stone Roundhouse Build - Painting
Vol 1. Page 11 Laying more track
Planning the town of Sellios
Vol 1. Page 12 Testing track
Vol 1. Page 13 First Runs - lower track
Vol 1. Page 14 Benchwork and Town layout - Sellios
Vol 1. Page 15 Benchwork and Town layout - Sellios
Vol 1. Page 16 Track work in Sellios
Vol 1. Page 17 Planning Structure Placement - Sellios
Vol 1. Page 18 Logo for the Superior & Seattle Railroad
Vol 1. Page 19 Cedar Shingle Pine Tree armatures
Modeling in the Summer
Vol 1. Page 20 Roofing on the Stone Roundhouse
Vol 1. Page 21 Doors on the Stone Roundhouse
Vol 1. Page 22 More plaster work
Vol 1. Page 23 Installing the DCC System
Vol 1. Page 24 DCC System Discussion
Vol 1. Page 25 DCC System Installation
Vol 1. Page 26 DCC System Installation
Vol 1. Page 27 More track installation
Vol 1. Page 28 Track Testing
Vol 1. Page 29 Door production for the Stone Roundhouse
Vol 1. Page 30 Ballasting The Eagles Nest Yard
Vol 1. Page 31 Ballasting The Eagles Nest Yard
Vol 1. Page 32 Changes - moving mountains
Vol 1. Page 33 Adding some talus materials
Vol 1. Page 34 Stone Roundhouse Build - Tar Paper Roof
Vol 1. Page 35 Stone Roundhouse Build - Doors, Windows, Trim
Vol 1. Page 36 Planting Aspen Trees,
prototype pictures Aspen Trees
Vol 1. Page 37 Stone Roundhouse Build Trim, Front Stone Work
Pictures of Mountains with Fall Color
Vol 1. Page 38 The view through "Wayne's hole"
Vol 1. Page 39 Some overall room photographs of the layout
Vol 1. Page 40 Stone Roundhouse Build - Painting the trim
Vol 1. Page 41 Stone Roundhouse Build - Installing the Windows
Vol 1. Page 42 The A&I tube
Vol 1. Page 43 Stone Roundhouse Build - Painting the Roof
Vol 1. Page 44 Stone Roundhouse Build - Final pictures on the workbench
Stone Roundhouse Build - Moving and installing on the layout
Vol 1. Page 45 Stone Roundhouse Build - Installation pictures
Vol 1. Page 46 Discussion of storage on the benchwork
Vol 1. Page 47 New - flex shaft rotary tool
Vol 1. Page 48 The Eagles Nest Yard
Vol 1. Page 49 Kit discussion
Vol 1. Page 50 Scenery on Mt. Aiden
Vol 1. Page 51 Mt. Aiden Trestle Build - bents
Vol 1. Page 52 Testing coloring for the Trestle
Vol 1. Page 53 Start of scenery on Mt. Aiden
Vol 1. Page 54 Progress pictures scenery on Mt. Aiden
Vol 1. Page 55 Surveying for the Trestle
Stripwood for the Mt. Aiden Trestle
Casting the footings for the Mt. Aiden Trestle
Vol 1. Page 56 Changes in the Mountains
Vol 1. Page 57 Coloring the trestle footings
Vol 1. Page 58 Mt. Aiden Scenery progress pictures
Vol 1. Page 59 Setting the footings for the Mt. Aiden Trestle
Vol 1. Page 60 Mt. Aiden Trestle Build first Bents
Vol 1. Page 61 Staining Stripwood
Vol 1. Page 62 Mt. Aiden Trestle Build
Vol 1. Page 63 Mt. Aiden Trestle Build
Vol 1. Page 64 Trestle Build progress pictures
Vol 1. Page 65 Trestle Build progress pictures
Vol 1. Page 66 Painting Bolt Castings
Vol 1. Page 67 Installing Bolt Castings - Mt. Aiden Trestle
Vol 1. Page 68 Cutting more strip wood
Dealing with impatient forum members
Vol 1. Page 69 Adding retaining walls
Vol 1. Page 70 Trestle Build progress pictures
Vol 1. Page 71 Counting nut and bolt castings
Vol 1. Page 72 Mt. Aiden Trestle - the finishing process
Vol 1. Page 73 Adding Scenery to Mt. Aiden
Vol 1. Page 74 Building retaining wall for Mt. Aiden
Pine Tree Production
Vol 1. Page 75 Dead Pine Trees
Vol 1. Page 75 The Brambell's Build Start - What's in the box
Vol 1. Page 76 Brambell's - Site preparation on the Layout
Vol 1. Page 77 Brambell's - Making Extra Castings
Vol 1. Page 78 Brambell's - Changing the site plan to fit my location on the layout.
Vol 1. Page 79 Brambell's - Making Molds
Vol 1. Page 80 Brambell's - Painting the castings
Vol 1. Page 81 Brambell's - Preparing the background scenery
Vol 1. Page 82 FSM Sawmill reconditioning for the S&S RR.
Vol 1. Page 83 Brambell's - Fitting castings to my site.
Vol 1. Page 84 Brambell's - Castings - lessons learned
Vol 1. Page 85 Brambell's - Painting the castings
Vol 1. Page 86 Brambell's - Testing the base with castings on the layout
Vol 1. Page 87 Brambell's - Detail castings - preparation for painting
Brambell's - The warehouse walls
Vol 1. Page 88 New Tools
Vol 1. Page 89 Brambell's - Warehouse Assembly
Vol 1. Page 90 Brambell's - Painting the detail castings
Brambell's - The wood retaining wall
Vol 1. Page 91 Brambell's - More Warehouse Assembly
Vol 1. Page 92 Brambell's - adding detail castings
Vol 1. Page 93 Brambell's - Warehouse Roof Construction
Vol 1. Page 94 Brambell's - Adding the Hoist House
Brambell's - Adding the back deck
Brambell's - A test fit on the layout
Vol 1. Page 95 Brambell's - Adding the ground cover
Vol 1. Page 96 Brambell's - Adding the Warehouse back shed
Vol 1. Page 97 Brambell's - More details
Vol 1. Page 98 Brambell's - Building the front deck
Vol 1. Page 99 Brambell's - Building the Trestle
Vol 1. Page 100 Brambell's - The cement wall
Brambell's - The Trestle Deck
Vol 1. Page 101 Updating the index
Vol 1. Page 102 Brambell's - Rail Siding and Dock
Adding more trees
Vol 1. Page 103 Brambell's Front Office
Vol 1. Page 104 Brambell's Scale and Scale House
Vol 1. Page 105 Brambell's Adding Dirt
Brambell's Test Plant on Layout
Vol 1. Page 106 Changes, Dad's, and the old layout
Vol 1. Page 107 Working in the Mountain
Vol 1. Page 108 Brambell's The Details
Vol 1. Page 108 Brambell's Finish Pictures on the Workbench
Vol 1. Page 108 A clean workbench
Vol 1. Page 109 Chippy Hollow Build Start
Vol 1. Page 110 Another Trestle Build
Vol 1. Page 111 More Pine Tree Production
Chippy Hollow Painting the wall castings
Vol 1. Page 112 Start of the Mt. Aiden Small Trestle
Vol 1. Page 112 Eagles Nest Hardware Build
Vol 1. Page 114 Track on the Mt. Aiden Trestle
Vol 1. Page 114 Chippy Hollow Build Progress
Vol 1. Page 115 Eagles Nest Warehouse Wall Castings
Vol 1. Page 116 Build Progress Eagles Nest Warehouse and Chippy Hollow
Vol 1. Page 117 Painting the Eagles Nest Warehouse Castings.
Vol 1. Page 118 Progress Report Small Trestle Build on Mt. Aiden.
Vol 1. Page 118 Layout Diagrams update
Vol 1. Page 119 Chippy Hollow Build update.
Vol 1. Page 120 Reusable Mold Material test.
Vol 1. Page 121 Trestle Build Progress.
Vol 1. Page 123 Final Pictures Mt. Aiden Trestle Build.
Vol 1. Page 124 Eagles Nest Warehouse Progress Report.
Vol 1. Page 126 Chippy Hollow Build Update
Vol 1. Page 128 Chippy Hollow Details
Vol 1. Page 128 Chippy Hollow become Walter P's
Vol 1. Page 129 The Staging Yard.
Vol 1. Page 130 The Control Panel Switch Panel.
Vol 1. Page 133 Eagles Next Warehouse - new paint and weathering.
Vol 1. Page 134 Start of the Jacob's Coal Build.
Vol 1. Page 136 Prototype Pictures from Greenfield Village
Vol 1. Page 137 Making room for the inside the mountain helix.
Vol 1. Page 138 Building the Helix.
Vol 1. Page 142 Making molds for plaster castings.
Vol 1. Page 143 More Aspen Trees
Vol 1. Page 146 Start of the C. C. Crow Stone Church Build
Vol 1. Page 147 Making room for the HOn3 Trestle
Vol 1. Page 148 Plans for the mountain top.
Vol 1. Page 148 Hidden Yard Build
Vol 1. Page 150 C. C. Crow Church Pictures
Vol 1. Page 153 Starting the HOn3 Trestle Builds
Vol 1. Page 155 Jacob's Coal Build Update
Vol 1. Page 157 Getting out the saw - more changes
Vol 1. Page 159 Using a Clay Mockups for design.
Vol 1. Page 162 The Start of the town of Sellios
Vol 1. Page 163 Sawmill placement.
Vol 1. Page 164 More on the Clay Mockup.
Vol 1. Page 167 Future Build Plans.
Vol 1. Page 169 The HOn3 Trestle Final Build Pictures.
Vol 1. Page 171 More Aspen Trees
Vol 1. Page 172 Moving on to Volume 2 of the S&S RR Build.

ACL1504 · February 26, 2017, 08:24:43 AM

John,

I know that by locking a thread keeps it from being active so no additional posts can be made; however, do we even know if this "lock down" protects it from any future "back-up file corruption"?

Tom

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 09:30:19 AM

Quote from: ACL1504 on February 26, 2017, 08:24:43 AM
John,

I know that by locking a thread keeps it from being active so no additional posts can be made; however, do we even know if this "lock down" protects it from any future "back-up file corruption"?

Tom

Hi Tom

Sorry about this file corruption issue and the devastating affect it has had on your thread. All locking does, as far as I know, is keep people from posting on the thread. This would have only helped in your case if the problem with your thread was caused by you hitting some maximum number like; posts, pages, characters, or something else that caused a software bug to corrupt your thread. Since you had more pages that I did when this happened I thought it was time for me to start volume 2. I will be backing up my threads to my own computer now so I don't loose them. This would not help the forum because I don't know how to restore them back to the server. I will call you this afternoon and walk you through doing the personal backup.

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 09:11:05 PM

I had a long talk with Tom ACL1504 about this forum and the value of continuing to post on a build thread, this afternoon. As you probably know, Tom has one of the best build threads on this forum (probably any forum) and due to a computer and backup malfunction lost most of the pages of his thread, yesterday. This event had a number of us wondering if continuing to spend all the time required to keep up our threads on the forum was a good use of our time.

I thought I would share a few of the reasons I post on a build thread before moving on to Volume 2 of my build thread.

1) Through this forum and communicating about our common hobby I have met some great friends.

2) The forum allows me to share my hobby with people that have the same interest in fine scale modeling.

3) The tips I get from other modelers threads are extremely valuable in becoming a better modeler. Many times these tips come as a result of one of my posts in the forum of a personal email or message. You may want to try this!

4) I try to post the things I wish I had read about on a build thread when I was starting my first layout. Maybe, someone will find something that will help them with their build.

5) This build thread serves as a historic record of the building of my layout. I can go back and look at which techniques I used for a particular area or structure. If you haven't got to that point - you will. I find this very useful and is why an event like what happened to Tom is particularly devastating.

On this issue there is a solution for your personal use. Periodically go in to your thread and copy the pages. I have files that are backed up on my home server and on the iCloud of every page of every thread I have on this and other forums. Yes I have my threads from the "old forum". All you have to do with an MACBook is bring the page up in Safari and go to file and then - save as - web archive. I save the files in a directory with forum backups for each thread. When you call up this file it looks just like it does on the forum - even if you are not connected to the internet. If you are on the internet it will take you to the page on the forum which is active.

So I have been working on the layout the last few days and it's time to show what I have been doing. Welcome to the S&S Railroad (Volume 2).

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 09:12:29 PM

INDEX

Volume 1
See post above on page 1

Volume 2

Vol 2. Page 1 Adding trees to the mountains.
Vol 2. Page 2 Using a Mortar & Pestle to create fine sand.
Vol 2. Page 3 Mountain Surgery
Vol 2. Page 4 Clay mockup of Phase III.
Vol 2. Page 5 Phase III Expansion
Vol 2. Page 6 Straightening the curves
Vol 2. Page 7 New Pine Trees
Vol 2. Page 8 Phase III track work
Vol 2. Page 9 More Aspen Trees
Vol 2. Page 10 Making Aspen Trees
Vol 2. Page 12 New Crew member
Vol 2. Page 14 Test planting of Aspen Trees
Vol 2. Page 16 Test running the trains
Vol 2. Page 17 Helix build
Vol 2. Page 18 The HOn3 Branchline
Vol 2. Page 19 New HOn3 Locomotive
Vol 2. Page 20 Using my iPad to design the scenery
Vol 2. Page 21 Start of the Mackenzie Milling Build
Vol 2. Page 27 Start of the Isaac's Coal Build
Vol 2. Page 33 Running trains with the expanded crew
Vol 2. Page 35 Continued work on Mackenzie Mill and Isaac's Coal
Vol 2. Page 44 Adding another layer of scenery with some new Pine Trees
Vol 2. Page 53 Isaac's Coal test plant
Vol 2. Page 54 Mackenzie Mill Build continued
Vol 2. Page 55 Locomotive Works build initial planning
Vol 2. Page 56 Isaac's Coal detailing
Vol 2. Page 58 Isaac's Coal on the layout
Vol 2. Page 59 Mackenzie's Mill detailing
Vol 2. Page 60 Clean workbenches
Vol 2. Page 61 Locomotive Works starting the build
Vol 2. Page 63 Future build planning
Vol 2. Page 66 Locomotive Works Roof mockup
Vol 2. Page 68 Locomotive Works Building the walls
Vol 2. Page 70 Painting Detail Castings
Vol 2. Page 73 Locomotive Works the layout site
Vol 2. Page 74 Locomotive Works painting the wall castings
Vol 2. Page 75 Locomotive Works starting the interior details
Vol 2. Page 77 Locomotive Works coloring the wall castings
Vol 2. Page 79 Locomotive Works the roof construction
Vol 2. Page 80 Monster Model Works brick tower
Vol 2. Page 82 Locomotive Works Inspection Pits
Vol 2. Page 83 Locomotive Works Brick Floor
Vol 2. Page 86 Locomotive Works Roof test fit
Vol 2. Page 87 Locomotive Works Overhead Crane installation
Vol 2. Page 90 Locomotive Works more interior details
Vol 2. Page 95 Mackenzie's Mill back on the details
Vol 2. Page 96 Locomotive Works interior lighting
Vol 2. Page 97 Locomotive Works coloring the metal roofing
Vol 2. Page 99 Locomotive Works more interior details
Vol 2. Page 102 Locomotive Works starting the exterior details
Vol 2. Page 103 More lighting for the layout
Vol 2. Page 105 Mackenzie's Mill Pond
Vol 2. Page 107 Planting more trees on the layout
Vol 2. Page 108 Using a mortar and pestle for grinding dirt fine
Vol 2. Page 110 Locomotive Works LED lighting
Vol 2. Page 112 Locomotive Works interior lighting test
Vol 2. Page 115 Layout Expansion
Vol 2. Page 117 More Aspen Trees on the layout
Vol 2. Page 118 Start of the Threadwell's build
Vol 2. Page 120 Threadwell's site planning
Vol 2. Page 123 Ipad mockup of the Threadwell site plan
Vol 2. Page 124 New resin walls for the build
Vol 2. Page 125 Starting the build on the workbench
Vol 2. Page 126 New pictures of the finished area of the layout
Vol 2. Page 128 More Details for the Locomotive Works build
Vol 2. Page 131 New Engineer on the S&S RR
Vol 2. Page 133 First structure build for my Grandson
Vol 2. Page 136 Expansion Plans for the S&S RR
Vol 2. Page 137 LED lighting for the Threadwell build
Vol 2. Page 138 Adding water to the Threadwell build
Vol 2. Page 140 Threadwell build moved to the layout
Vol 2. Page 141 More Trees
Vol 2. Page 142 Sewall's build start
Vol 2. Page 143 Adding the signs to the Locomotive Works
Vol 2. Page 144 Threadwell build photographs after adding the scenery
Vol 2. Page 146 More layout pictures
Vol 2. Page 148 Design plans discussion
Vol 2. Page 149 Baseboard for Sewall's and Fox Run builds
Vol 2. Page 150 Finishing the turntable area in front of the Stone Roundhouse
Vol 2. Page 152 First locomotives on the Eagles Nest turntable
Vol 2. Page 153 Scenery work around the Stone Roundhouse
Vol 2. Page 154 Draft Layout diagrams for the Phase IV Expansion
Vol 2. Page 155 Servo Turnout Controls
Vol 2. Page 156 The Phase IV Expansion begins
Vol 2. Page 157 Moving furniture and the Phase IV base cabinets
Vol 2. Page 158 Design Changes for the Superior Yard
Vol 2. Page 159 Phase IV construction - the helix
Vol 2. Page 161 Walter P. visits the S&S RR
Vol 2. Page 163 Workshop Expansion
Vol 2. Page 164 Benchwork on the Phase IV expansion
Vol 2. Page 165 The table top of the lower level of the the Phase IV expansion
Vol 2. Page 166 Using lasers to keep the track straight
Vol 2. Page 167 The Phase IV track work begins
Vol 2. Page 169 Design Changes
Vol 2. Page 170 Control Panel Build
Vol 2. Page 172 The North Yard Construction
Vol 2. Page 174 Control panel construction Phase IV.

See Volume 3 for future updates.

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 10:10:34 PM

This weekend, over 500 aspen trees and about a 100 pine trees were planted on the S&S RR. Wayne Olson spent the day with me on Saturday and we planted trees for most of the day and then spent a couple hours running trains. It sure was nice to be running trains on the layout.

Here are a few photographs of the areas that received new trees.

The area behind the HOn3 trestle on Mount Kara.

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 10:11:48 PM

Zooming back out.

PRR Modeler · February 26, 2017, 10:12:30 PM

Great scenery work.

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 10:14:05 PM

The Water Tank on the HOn3 line. The track crew will be coming in tomorrow to continue the track work from here across the trestle and on to the second HOn3 trestle.

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 10:16:37 PM

We also started planting the trees on the mount side over looking the future town of Sellios.

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 10:17:39 PM

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 10:18:55 PM

Here is a picture from the other side.

S&S RR · February 26, 2017, 10:23:14 PM

Finally, for tonight, here is a picture looking from the other side of the room along the Mount Aiden Trestle. The plateau in the picture is about 4 feet by 5 feet and will someday be the home of O'Neal's and the upcoming companion structures. Bret the back drop is almost ready.

ak-milw · February 26, 2017, 10:56:11 PM

John, the colors make every thing pop. looks great

S&S RR · February 27, 2017, 08:56:46 AM

Quote from: PRR Modeler on February 26, 2017, 10:12:30 PM
Great scenery work.

Curt

Thanks for the kind words. It's getting there a layer at a time.

Superior & Seattle Railroad Build (Volume 2) Started 2/25/17

ak-milw