Ogden & Cache Valley, Part II

[Onewolf]

I angled the benchwork at 45 deg.  Much better now.




This shows how the lower fascia will be curved across the corner.

[deemery]

NICE tight carpentry on the benchwork.  I'd play with the fascia a bit, maybe pull it in a bit tighter towards the corner.   Think about 2 people trying to pass at that point.  You'll lose some scenery space, but not any track, if I interpret this correctly.

dave

[Onewolf]

NICE tight carpentry on the benchwork.  I'd play with the fascia a bit, maybe pull it in a bit tighter towards the corner.   Think about 2 people trying to pass at that point.  You'll lose some scenery space, but not any track, if I interpret this correctly.

dave

There is no shortage of space near that corner.  Five feet across the aisle and 8 ft across to the other side of the alcove area (12ft x 14ft).

[Onewolf]

I have started installing the foam roadbed.  On the previous layout I used Woodland Scenic foam roadbed. I liked how quick/easy it was to install, but I did not love how soft/spongy it is.  For the new layout I am trying a different foam roadbed I found on EBay (seller is 'sparks00033').  It comes in 6ft sections and it is much firmer than the Woodland Scenics foam roadbed.

I use DAP Alex Plus clear acrylic caulk to affix the foam to the subroadbed.

I need to cut/place a couple more pieces where the mainlines crossover and for the righthand turnout where the branch heads up into Ogden.

I use the soda cans to weigh it down while the caulk cures.

I also made a refinement to the block/occupancy zones in the lower return loop outbound (west/north) mainline turnout ladder.  Operationally trains come into the lower return loop on the eastbound (headed to Green River, Cheyenne, etc) mainline and depart on the west/northbound mainline (UP mainline west of Ogden is not being modeled and the double track mainline goes over the edge of the benchwork into the abyss (these mainline tracks are not powered for 6 feet). I am modeling the northbound UP 'Oregon Short Line' which splits off before the 'abyss'). 

For trains that will be in staging the objective is to pull the lead locomotive so it is on the outbound rerailer.  The staging loop/rerailers are staggered such that you can see all 7 staging tracks/rerailers even when the outside/closer staging tracks are occupied.  But this requires looking to see exactly where the lead locomotive is. I have rewired/regapped these 7 rerailers so they are each discrete occupancy zones, so in theory when the rerailer zone displays as occupied it's time to have stopped the train. 


The return loop double track mainline will be in a tunnel for another 4ft before it exits the tunnel portal.  I will also transition from code 100 to code 83 track in this area.





I will be adding foam roadbed here for the turnout and crossover.



The track exiting the lower return loop has not been tacked down yet.

[deemery]

I tried the Woodland Scenics stuff and didn't like it at all.  How well does the Sparks0033 stuff hold spikes/nails?  

You have some nice long straight runs, that'll make for more prototypical photos.  

dave

[Onewolf]

I tried the Woodland Scenics stuff and didn't like it at all.  How well does the Sparks0033 stuff hold spikes/nails? 

You have some nice long straight runs, that'll make for more prototypical photos. 

dave

I'm not sure how well it will hold spikes/nails.  I glue down the track with caulk (except for turnouts).

[deemery]

I tried the Woodland Scenics stuff and didn't like it at all.  How well does the Sparks0033 stuff hold spikes/nails? 

You have some nice long straight runs, that'll make for more prototypical photos. 

dave

I'm not sure how well it will hold spikes/nails.  I glue down the track with caulk (except for turnouts).

Stick a pin in it and tell us how it works :-) :-) 

dave

[Onewolf]

I tried the Woodland Scenics stuff and didn't like it at all.  How well does the Sparks0033 stuff hold spikes/nails? 

You have some nice long straight runs, that'll make for more prototypical photos. 

dave

I'm not sure how well it will hold spikes/nails.  I glue down the track with caulk (except for turnouts).

Stick a pin in it and tell us how it works :-) :-)

dave

I tried putting some spikes/nails into the foam. I don't think it would work for installing track.  Which is fine for me because I prefer to glue the track down.  My experience is that nails/spikes look TERRIBLE when shooting photos/video from the "engineer view" track level view. 

[deemery]

I tried the Woodland Scenics stuff and didn't like it at all.  How well does the Sparks0033 stuff hold spikes/nails? 

You have some nice long straight runs, that'll make for more prototypical photos. 

dave

I'm not sure how well it will hold spikes/nails.  I glue down the track with caulk (except for turnouts).

Stick a pin in it and tell us how it works :-) :-)

dave

I tried putting some spikes/nails into the foam. I don't think it would work for installing track.  Which is fine for me because I prefer to glue the track down.  My experience is that nails/spikes look TERRIBLE when shooting photos/video from the "engineer view" track level view. 

Thanks, I appreciate the report.

dave

[Onewolf]

I am working on installing the double track mainline where it enters/exits the lower return loop. 

And I unpacked some of the structures I built for my previous layout.  Only one notable moving 'injury' so far. One of my (many) Downtown Deco models cracked a wall. I should be able to glue it and hide the cracks using 'vines' growing on the walls. Several of the signs that project from buildings also broke off, but these will be easy to fix.

Looking down towards the lower return loop. The green sharpie marks on the plywood subroadbed mark where I think the tunnel portal will be located and the track goes 'hidden'. The entire lower return loop will be hidden under the city of Ogden.



I use a very light bead of DAP Alex Plus Clear Latex caulk to glue the track (Atlas code 83) down.

[Onewolf]

Here are some of the models from my previous layout that I unpacked.

This background flat (two Downtown Deco kits) is 67" long.






The smaller building on the right has the cracked wall. I will glue the wall and then add some 'vines' like are on the other side of the building.





I love Downtown Deco kits. I have almost every one ever produced in my structure kit 'collection'.

[Onewolf]

More structures from the previous layout.

[friscomike]

Howdy Doug, nice work on the Deco kits.  The stone work is exceptional.  Have fun, mike

[Onewolf]

I am continuing to work on installing the mainline on the lower level.  My plan is to finish the mainline on the lower level, build the double track helix (40" up to 60" elevation), install the mainline on the middle level (nolix 60" to 80" elevation), and then build the upper level mainline and upper return loop. I might be done with this by the end of the year.

Mainline running through the classification yard area (42ft wall).



Mainline running through the passenger station/service area on the left side with reefer ice service on the right side.



Gluing down the track in the passenger station/service area from the other direction



After the caulk has dried.



Comparison of the track joiner options. Atlas 83/100 on the left, Walthers 83, Walthers 70, and finally MicroEngineering 83 on the right.  My preference for code 83 track is the Walthers.

[Onewolf]

Working on installing mainline where it turns the corner and then heads up the "dead end" aisle.

Marking the center lines for the track.



Locomotives stuck waiting for the new track to be powered. 





Gluing down the roadbed around the 180 degree turn.



Gluing down the outside track around the 180 degree turn.