Buffalo Canyon Mining Company in On30

[friscomike]

Howdy folks,

As a reminder, I started the layout with gifted modules and decided on three phases of construction.  Phase I is what I am working on now.  Phase II is a set of runarounds at each end of the Phase I layout.  Phase III is a small staging yard behind the depot.  I started with a diagram from Dave Meek of Thunder Mesa Trains.  After I laid the track, I decided to lower the front of the layout to achieve the caprock effect. I didn't know what size the structures would be, so this terrain was reshaped on a guess.  The road will rise to the phase II section on the right, but disappear under the Warren Truss Bridge. 



Here is a layout diagram in process that depicts phases I, II, and III.


Rick, thanks for your comment.  Today I moved the structures closer together.  Since no two have the same style of front, there is a lot of variety.  Still, they look good closer together.  Thanks!

Mark, wow, thanks for the in-depth analysis. The depth of the structures limits how far back I can move the street, but I got out the blades, and now there aren't two inches in the street that are straight.  I will raise the road as it curves around to the right and raise the structures, too. I'm taking your suggestions one by one.  Thanks again!

Rich, phase II will add a lot more layout to the center section.  Stay tuned.

Dave, indeed!

Thanks, everyone, for helping me make the Buffalo Canyon Mining Company more fun.

Have fun,
mike

[KentuckySouthern]

Terrific looking modeling and great suggestions, Mike.

Persist....

[Philip]

Me thoughts.

I want it! 

[Jerry]

Mike this is going to be a well thought out layout.
So far it is just wonderful.

Jerry

[Larry C]

Mike the layout looks like a real winner. Dave Meeks has some amazing layouts in his studio; great place to start; enjoy.

[friscomike]

Howdy folks,

Karl, thank you.  I will persist!

Philip, you are too kind.  Thank you.

Jerry, your support and comments are much appreciated.  Thanks!

Larry, thank you for the encouragement. It keeps me going.

Thanks to all the browsers who passed by the build.

I started work on suggestions, especially Marks, and began surgery on the front lower area of the layout.  The road will begin a rise after the bridge, then back down on the right side.  It will connect to the road that rises to the caprock area in the phase II module.

Here's the damage with scrap foam showing the new elevations.


Have fun,
mike

[Rick]

Mike, will the structures and road be on the white foam?
If so, what goes in front of the white foam?

[friscomike]

Mike, will the structures and road be on the white foam?
If so, what goes in front of the white foam?

Rick, the structures will go on the white foam, behind the road that goes in front of the white foam.  The structures were on a flat plane, but now will go on increasingly higher levels, then back down to the flat plane level on the right.  If you look at Mark's diagram, you can see what I am trying to achieve.  I like it, it provides a lot more interest, I think. ~mike

[Mark Dalrymple]

Hi Mike.

There might well be room for a structure or two in front of the road.  I didn't draw this in my plan, but was thinking it.  This would be quite interesting.  A lot of structures look pretty cool from the back.  You could also do some great up close mini scenes.  It may work especially well as, if I understand correctly, your layout can also be viewed from the other side.  Views between such structures, or maybe a structure and a foreground tree could frame some great 'snap shot' views of the layout beyond.  Such views have the advantage of blocking out 1:1 scale 'noise' and can result in great realism.

Looking good.

Cheers, Mark.