Buffalo Canyon Mining Company in On30

[Larry C]

Nicely done Mike; hope the finner heals quickly.

[ACL1504]

Mike, Howdy,

Very nice job on the track and ballast. Looking forward to more.

Tom

[friscomike]

Howdy folks,

Curt, Rick, Jerry, Philip, Larry, and Tom, thank you so much for following the builds and leaving your comments.  They provide much encouragement for this old guy.

This is a photo-less update, but photos should follow tomorrow. 

I finished ballasting the layout today, YAY.  In testing the track with cars, I found a turnout where the wheels don't pass through well.  I need to check the gauge.  If I apply pressure to one side of the car as it passes through the turnout, it goes okay; otherwise, it picks the point.  I noticed Micro Engineering On30 turnouts don't leave a large gap at the points and stock rail... 

In addition to the Masonic Lodge and track ballasting, I've been working on the layout wiring.  I bought a cheapo shelf (Nightstand at $26) with three shelves and a drawer that fits beneath the layout in the center to host the DCC equipment.  Another task is to connect all the frogs to the Hex frog juicer. That involves floor work, looking up at the layout bottom. YUK.  I am anxious to start running trains on the layout as is, and start construction work on Phase II, the end turnaround modules. I think I'll try JMRI Ops instead of my favorite ProTrak for switchlist operations.

As for the Masonic Lodge building, the floors and roof are finished.  I think I'll add drains and scuppers to the sides of the exterior walls. 

My technique for hiding resistors and wiring is to use a cabinet, ala Homer's Place. The "electrical cabinet" for the lodge is almost finished.

For the interior, I made the three platforms for the lodge officers and will 3D print their chairs and podiums soon.  The items for 3D printing for the lodge are:

• Master's Chair with jewel emblem
• Senior Warden's Chair jewel emblem
• Junior Warden's Chair jewel emblem
• Podiums for the three officers
• Altar
• Secretary's desk
• Treasurer's desk
• Two Columns
• The letter G
• Chairs along the sides

Additionally, I'll have photos of the Past Masters on the walls, as is the practice in most lodges. A painting of George Washington will adorn the wall behind the Master's chair. Dave (Deemery) depicted a Masonic Lodge in one of his builds. It is an inspiration.

That's it for now.

Have fun,
mike

[deemery]

Here's my rough approximation of a Masonic Hall:

The wall posters came from period Masonic posters I found on the Internet.

The scene is shallow, maybe 1/2" deep, it fits in a 3d flat.



dave

[friscomike]

Here's my rough approximation of a Masonic Hall:

The wall posters came from period Masonic posters I found on the Internet.

The scene is shallow, maybe 1/2" deep, it fits in a 3d flat.



dave

Really nice work by Dave.  I looked for the post to reference it and couldn't find it.  Thanks for posting, Dave.  ~mike

[PRR Modeler]

Great detailing Mike. Does the "G" stand for God (if you are allowed to say)?

[ACL1504]

Great detailing Mike. Does the "G" stand for God (if you are allowed to say)?

Curt.

For Masons, the "G" stands for God and Geometry. God the Architect of all things.

I'm not a Mason but my grandfather was a past Worshipful Grand Master.

Tom

[friscomike]

Great detailing Mike. Does the "G" stand for God (if you are allowed to say)?

Howdy Curt, it does and Geometry, too.  ~mike

[friscomike]

Great detailing Mike. Does the "G" stand for God (if you are allowed to say)?

Curt.

For Masons, the "G" stands for God and Geometry. God the Architect of all things.

I'm not a Mason but my grandfather was a past Worshipful Grand Master.

Tom

Howdy Tom, I should have read all the posts before replying.  You are correct.  WOW on your Grandfather.  Was he in Florida?  ~mike

[ACL1504]

Great detailing Mike. Does the "G" stand for God (if you are allowed to say)?

Curt.

For Masons, the "G" stands for God and Geometry. God the Architect of all things.

I'm not a Mason but my grandfather was a past Worshipful Grand Master.

Tom

Howdy Tom, I should have read all the posts before replying.  You are correct.  WOW on your Grandfather.  Was he in Florida?  ~mike

Mike,

Yes, in Orlando.  I don't remember the Lodge # but I've seen his photo on the wall.

Tom

[friscomike]

Howdy folks,

This post is about structure placement on the BCMC layout.  The first photo is of the layout without structures.



The next is a first pass at structure location.


The bare area on the left, next to Cowles, is reserved for future structures.  The center scene is dominated by the livery stable, which, in hindsight, is too large. 

Here are a few close-ups of the structures, left to right.






In previous posts, a notional placement was pictured, but I am trying to hone in on the final placement.

Your perspectives and comments are most welcome.

Have fun,
mike

[deemery]

I find it's best to position stuff, then come back the next day to see if I still like the positions.  Of course, that's "analysis paralysis," but I usually end up liking the revised layout more.

By the way, the Masonic emblem at the top of my structure came from a charm I got on Etsy.  It was too big to glue directly, but I scanned it, played a bit with size and lighting, and then printed & glued it into place.  I was quite happy with the result.  (If you look carefully, you can see the loop at the top of the dividers for the charm...)

dave

[kyle creel]

The layout looks great Mike; I agree....position the stuff and come back later to see if it still "floats yer boat"         Keep it up......Love the Masonic Lodge, my dad was a Mason, and I think my younger brother is also...

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry Co.

[PRR Modeler]

Mike everything looks fantastic. I'll be honest I wasn't sure I liked the color and shape of the background hills initially (I always try to say something nice) but it has really come together and like I said it looks fantastic.

[KentuckySouthern]

Was only in a Masonic lodge once, took my father for his last meeting before he disappeared into Alzheimer's. They made me sit in the hallway. Had an uncle in FL that was an upper level in the Shriners.

BTW if you can't say God here. I don't want to be here.

Your work, Mike, is amazing.

KSinGODwe trust.