Large Scale Central

Another milestone for the In-ko-pah RR!

General Discussion
#1

Last night I finally connected the last sections of mainline track!!! Not quite a “golden spike” moment though, as there are two places where the track is suspended over the canyon sans bridge. Until those two bridges are in, I still won’t be able to run trains over the entire route.

They will both be stone arch bridges, larger than any I have attempted so far. I also have to construct some miniature retaining walls to support the track in a couple of spots closest to the edge of the layout. I’ll do the walls first, then the bridges.

After the mainline is operating, there is still one passing track to install and a couple of sidings.

BTW, last Saturday three fellow garden railroaders came by to see the layout after attending the convention in AZ. Greg Elmassian, R. J. DeBerg, and Ted Doskaris. Real nice guys, and I greatly enjoyed their visit. Nice to finally meet RJ and Ted in person. I’ve previously meet Greg at a couple of the local club meetings.

#2

Ray,

I love the layout! The stone arch bridge in the picture came out very nice. Someday I would like to build a mountain scene half as spectacular as yours. Good work.

Paul

#3

Ray,
Your stone arch bridges are great. I’m inspired to try and build one myself.
Ralph

#4

Your RR deserves a golden spike!

#5

Thanks guys!

The past couple days I’ve been working on several feet of miniature retaining wall to support the track where it hangs out over the “cliff” at the front of the layout. Still have another foot or two left to do there. Then when that’s finished I’ll start on the stone bridge.

Unfortunately Cris is having some health problems so progress will be slow for a while – she’s my #1 priority.

#6

GREAT idea for the retaining walls. What a cool idea. Time for a trip to Lowes tomorrow, I think.

#7
Ray Dunakin said:
Thanks guys!

The past couple days I’ve been working on several feet of miniature retaining wall to support the track where it hangs out over the “cliff” at the front of the layout. Still have another foot or two left to do there. Then when that’s finished I’ll start on the stone bridge.

Unfortunately Cris is having some health problems so progress will be slow for a while – she’s my #1 priority.


Uh-oh. Hope it’s nothing too serious.

#8

Just read the article about the retaining wall, and had one of those “Duh, why didn’t I think of that” moments…:wink:

#9

Yesterday I made the form for one side of the first bridge. At two feet long, it’s more than twice the length of my previous stone arch bridges. Should look really neat when it’s finished. Along the top edge I’m using some cool cut-stone borders that I found at Home Despot. The rest will be random stone.

#10
Dave Healy said:
Uh-oh. Hope it's nothing too serious.
Thanks. She has bipolar disorder (aka manic-depression) among other things. Usually it's pretty well controlled with medication but sometimes the illness "breaks through" the meds. At this point we're adjusting her meds and waiting to see if it helps.