Large Scale Central

2011 NGRRC is done, get ready for 2014 Narrow Gauge Convention

General Discussion
#1

My layout was on tour on Thursday, June 24th. We had about 400 visitors and had a lot of positive comments. I want to thank John Nossler for driving up from Wichita to help me for the day. I was so busy with talking to folks that I didn’t get any photos. Most of the time had 2 trains running and a 3rd when it wasn’t so busy. The Berlyn K-37 with 20 AMS cars ran almost all day. We changed out the other train with the Accucraft K28 with a baggage, combine and 3 coaches, Berlyn K-36 with 16 cars or one of the Bachmann K-27’s with 14 to 18 cars. Had just 3 misshaps, one when a gust of wind blew a PCS brass long caboose and 3 cars off the layout at the highest point the layout is off the ground, when the onboard battery went dead on the K-37. and battery problems on one of the K-27’s. A photo of the layout also made the front page of the local paper. Here is what all I did get done before the convention. Some yard tracks. I going to move the switch and add 6 feet to all the tracks

I got started on the mountain part of the scenery for the stamp mill.

I will use a molds to make the portal look like a blasted hole

This is what I want to do on the whole mountain with rock molds. I have 1 that is about 2 foot by 4 foot and 1 that is about 1 foot by 2 foot. I still need to make some large (2 foot by 4 foot) rock molds before I start the rock work

On the back side is the stamp mill.

The semi trailer is still in my way to start on phase 2 of the mainline. I have given it away twice and nobody has a tractor to move it. I may have to take a cutting torch to it soon if it does leave. Here is the link to the RR and a rough track plan. http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=12080 I will have the layout open to anybody passing through to Marty’s in Sept. Just let me know (Andy, Ric) Rodney

#2

Wow, that’s a lot of track! How long is it?

I really like that stamp mill. Do you have any pictures of it under construction?

#3

I hear ya. :wink:

#4

Rodney, it’s looking good… :slight_smile:

#5

Nice stamp mill…very impressive!

#6

Wow, awesome layout! Nice long runs!

The mill looks terrific!

#7

Very cool…:slight_smile:
Whats the mountain made up of …I see a few different materials there

#8

I finally uploaded some pics I took while running trains at Rodneys. I thought I took more - but if I did, I can’t find them.
Pics can be seen here:
http://www.randkrailroadproducts.com/Sections/DRGW/2011%20NGRS.htm

#9

John,

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Rodney,

What is your thoughts about where your mill is? Is that going to be a diorama for photos? Does your plans include doing the whole railroad? That would certainly be ambitious.

#10

Bruce
I have about 600 feet of mainline down now, with around 800 to lay yet.
The stamp mill was in a bunch of stuff I bought from a gentleman getting
out of the hobby.

David (Rooster)
The mountain hardshell was made with metal lath with stucco base. I used fence post to hold
up the lath and the pink foam is the type used for vinyl siding. The foam is used to hold the
stucco base to lath on the back side. When the base coat is dry I strip the foam off.

Ric
I want to try to cut the top right window out of the mill and install a door. I have 10 pieces of On30
ME track that I want to run out of that door to a mine tunnel. The track will be a loop that will go out
the back of the mill and around behind the mountain shell to the mine tunnel so I can run a load’s in
empty’s out. Don’t know if I can get it worked out yet. At the bottom left there will be a conveyor
belt that will take the tailing over the mill tracks and the mainline and dump them.
I want to do a lot of detailing around the mill and it will also be worked during operating sessions.
I also want to do a small smelter for the raw ore to go somewhere on the layout.
My plan is to have the whole railroad to have some scenery at least 2 feet on either side of the tracks
using the metal lath and stucco method. I have only 10 hours in the mountain. the hard shell goes quick.
Where the mainline parallels each other I will use trees, rock bluffs or a little steeper land forms to keep
from seeing the other tracks and trains. On the gentle slopes I will try to grow some trees and other
vegetation like moss. The trees will have to be moved inside in the winter. I tried some spruces out all
winter in pots and they died. I was told by Mike Kidman ( Kidman Tree Farms) that the roots froze.
In the meantime while waiting for the trailer to go away I will work on the mill and mine area and make
up at least 600 feet of ladder.

I guess I’m pretty lucky cause Kristi lets me work on the railroad stuff most of the time I’m home.
BTW she claims the outdoor railroad as hers and the basement full (28 feet X 52 feet) of N-scale is mine.

Rodney

Rodney

#11

Rodney
woow, I need to get down there some time. but son, that machine gun bunker in the middle, I just can’t get a mountain pictured in my mind. Love the structure. I think you’ve been talking to JJ too much.

signed, the other toothless wonder.