Being a bit of a masochist adding to the list late in the game. I understand it week before an open house I started making changes additions. Sometimes it’s hard to say enough!!
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At the rate I build I probably shouldn’t add additional projects to the list.
But hey, I’ve got a goal now and I’m bound and determined to get some stuff done. I’m trying really hard to do something each day and not be lazy.
Now that I finished the cluster of 3 buildings next to T-D Feeds, I’ve turned my attention back to the feed mill with the goal of finishing up the major portions of the build by the end of the school year (June). Hopefully that gives me enough time but also pushes me to keep going forward.
When I started this building almost 17 years ago my plan was to build it from solely 1/8" styrene. But I’ve learned a few things between them and now. The frame for this will now be PVC lumber. The first floor is 1x8 with PVC ceiling tiles on top for a nice even 18’ ground to roof level.
I’ve been mocking up in foamcore the other areas of the building as well to make sure the measurements all fit.
I carried everything out to the layout during a nice day and showed off to my wife what this beast of a building will look like hopefully soon.
I then started to flesh out some of the sub assemblies, including the 2nd floor corner, and the unloading shed. I’m not sure if I’ll permanently attach both pieces to the substructure once it’s on the layout or just use the weight of them to hold them in place.
This is the corner of the mill hidden by another substructure, but was revealed during demolition. I hadn’t ever seen this view before I found these photos.
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I got some free time this past weekend finally and motivation (my Dad’s health is declining rapidly and it’s hard to have creative energy when I’m busy with that stuff) and started building more of the feed mill structure. Two more substructures to make but the overall height is looking pretty good in proportion to the photos. The tallest leg ended up being about 80’ from the main first floor or about 100’ from ground. That’s 44" high, right around where I estimated many years ago. The layout is 45-47" high so the entire thing will reach 8’ into the sky. Definitely will dominate the scene even if someone who is 6’+ comes over.
I’ve got 2 more substructures to make. One is fairly easy and the other one might take a bit more imagineering. Then it’s time to buckle down and start cutting up cans and annealing them.
The feed mill store area is peaking out on the background.
That will be next after I finish this main structure area.
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Is this the PVC lumber everyone is talking about?
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This process was some arguable the most boring thing we ever undertook. It did save money, but the cut, anneal, cut, crimp process was double-plus-un-fun! In your hands, though, it will make your buildings shine…or look rusty…or maybe mixed!
Eric
I’m found using a utility knife to slice the tops and bottoms off works pretty well. Just as fast as trying to run them through the band saw.
Then some old scissors slice it into a flat sheet.
I’ve found some corrugated plastic panels but I can’t afford for purchase as many sheets as I’ll need when drink cans are easily accessible (and in some cases very enjoyable to consume)
Been a while since I frequently posted here on LSC. I’ve been kinda quiet for a couple of reasons.
First reason is the last year and half has been hard on me, helping my Mom take care of my Dad, who passed away April 22nd. Sorrowful joy is what I’ve been calling it. My faith and my Dad faith have certainly been steadfast this past year and half.
Anyways, I’ve been doing a bunch of random things as I have time. I’ve been experimenting with some roadway building, with 1.5" foam covered by a concrete patch repair stuff. It looks pretty good on the small test sections, but I’ll need to “pour” a much larger section and get everything leveled with regular concrete first. And printing off some labels…
Secondly, I’ve been plugging away on my massive feed mill and hope to have it mostly, if not all the way done by the end of June.
Also cut in another industry and spur line: Building Specialities a contractor for home builders. Mostly drywall and lumber.
And finishing building a fire pit and seating area…
And finally working on building a 1/25th kit of a 1991 Mazda Miata in memory of my Dad who owned one.
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Craig,
My sincerest condolences. I am happy to hear that Faith has helped ease the sorrow.
Aloha,
Eric
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Trying not to get into the religion or politics discussion here. 
But yes it has eased the pain so much. While it was hard to see the struggle of this life especially his final few weeks, the suffering is no more and lots of good things have happened already because of the struggles.
Dad had a red 1991 Mazda Miata when I was a kid so I’ll be adding one soon to the layout. I don’t have a picture now but I’m working on the red paint job.
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All I know about your dad is what you and Devon have said and it was all good , the kind of man that a lot of us strive to be ( but fall short ) . You were blessed to have him guiding you and I am sure he will continue to guide you! Prayers to all
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I have some guys coming over today to check out the layout and either give the thumbs up or thumbs down on my layout being included in the 2027 NMRA convention tour.
So figured it would be a good idea to put as much outside as I can. A lot still to accomplish it once everything is on the layout it actually starts to look like a railroad!
I might have to bump the front edge of the layout out 6" or so to get more of Cleveland St. Right is the building plus sidewalk seem to take more than I measured.
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Isn’t that the way it always works 
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Against all advice here, I know I can blame myself, I went ahead and poured some concrete resurfacing on one side of the crossing, and patch filler on the other side. I also poured the larger roadway just down the track but that’s not quite done yet.
I still have more roadways to do.
The crossing panels are 3d printed and designed by me. Based off the OMNI design patented in 1993, but introduced in 1991. Right in my time period and have lots of evidence of these panels on the prototype.
I ended up printing 4 different versions to represent the various wear these panels take. The 3" center lugs are either 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, or 3/4 high. I even added the OMNI logo in the middle.
Just like the prototype I made it a 4 lane road, still need to add the sidewalk and bike lanes.
I may end up bumping the fascia out wider a bit to include the white painted stop line but for now I’m calling it good. Eventually it will get lights and gates as well but that’s a longer term project/problem.
I’m also experimenting with some mulch glue to hold the ballast in place. It lets the water drain but holds everything together. What I don’t like is it makes everything glossy. Nor do I know how long it will last. Bottle says 6-12 months.
I got a few buildings done.
And a couple of my helpers the other day helping spread sand.
And a new hole cut into the fence so I can start working on the last and final section of the railroad.
There’s some heavy equipment type of clearing that needs to take place in the front yard before the layout can be expanded. But for now I’ve got one industry officially finished.
And the quest for more aluminum cans continues for the feed mill. 2 of the many substructures are finally covered.
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Invite all your LSC buddies over for a “Grill & Swill!” You’ll be set for life!
Also, it’s nice to see Kid-zilla has West Coast counterpart!
- Eric
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My wife went to a can return and talked them into giving her a garbage bag full of cans, as she would say never know till you ask. Mark
2/3 of the crew was home that day. The other 1/3 was off having an adventure with grandma the week. The oldest and youngest started switching cars around by hand for the next 3 days. They did a decent job and can’t wait until the RR is done. Other one insists I need RC cars so he can drive on the roads. 
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We don’t have return for deposit can collections here in WA. I’ve only asked one neighbor to start collecting and the pace seems to be what I can keep up with. A paper grocery bag each week. I’m debating reaching out to the rest of the neighborhood group we are friends with so the collection can grow faster. But right now it’s manageable and enough to keep moving forward on that and other projects.
I bought some ballast…
Well a little backstory. Last Friday I rented a mini excavator and a dump trailer to clear out front yard from native PNW forest. We live in a suburban neighborhood and our house was/is the only house in the subdivision wasn’t landscaped. It had a 75’ x 50’ section of native PNW forest floor. Salal, huckleberry, blackberry and a ton of dirt.
Part of the reason for clearing was for the railroad expansion out front but the other 90% reason was we just were tired of it being overgrown. Looking back we probably should have hired someone to clear but hey lesson learned. We hauled off probably 40 yards of dirt (I ended up having to pay someone to come get it because it was so much)
Here’s what it looks like now.
Those 4 trees are going to come out as well. Not sure what we will do in the front quite yet. Neither my wife or I really like grass, but we might have to put grass down until we can figure out exactly what we want to do. Still pondering…
So I had a dump trailer available.
I also had been previously buying ballast from a place just south of Seattle called Manufacturer Minerals. The product was called Bridge Topping and was used as anti skid coating for bridges. Well, they had thieves rip out copper wiring and ruin their equipment and operations. In chatting with them after buying the last 4 bags of rock ( 50 pounds each), I asked if they knew anyone else that made this stuff. They gave me a name for Washington Quarries.
About two months ago I had contacted them as asked if they sold to the public. Not really but yes. The salesman was polite and said, I can sell you a minimum order of 2000 pounds in 50 pound sacks at $15 a bag or you can buy a single super saver 3000 pound bag for $375.
Well my head got thinking, I have a dump trailer with a 3000+ capacity right now might as well go get it.
So that’s how I ended up with 3000 pounds of ballast in my front yard!
It looks exactly the same color as the old stuff but slightly more smaller and bigger rocks. The old stuff was a size 8 sieve to size 10. This stuff is size 4 to 14. I might try shifting it out but no idea. The plan is to spread as much as I can on the layout and then the rest I’ll bag up in sand bags and store.
The rock from Washington Quarries is used for the same commercial purposes of anti slip surfacing on bridges. Apparently they ship it all over the United States for bridge projects. When I was talking to the salesman, he said he was just wrapping up a 70,000 pound order.