Fn3 "Columbia Pacific Railroad"

Randy, I’ve been looking at your “build log” and have several questions, well, probably more than a few, but the one that has been bugging me the most ever since I started in this hobby is this… What advantage is gained by elevating the track on risers using the so called “cookie-cutter” method, when you then have to raise the scenery on foam or something else to the level of the track, over just using a flat piece of plywood covered with sound deadening Homasote. Where you need to lower the scenery for water features,etc., it is easy enough to do that.

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/Randy%20May/201111120500_cpm4%20052.jpg)

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/Randy%20May/2011111205058_cpm4%20053.jpg)

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/randy%20May/2011113142715_cpm5%20006.jpg)

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/randy%20May/2011113143335_cpm5%20007.jpg)

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/randy%20May/2011113143731_cpm5%20004.jpg)

Don’t get me wrong, I am not criticizing, I am trying to learn. I am planning a 3 rail empire in my basement for the grandkids, and if it makes sense to follow your lead, I certainly will, but from where I sit, it seems like a lot of extra work to follow your lead, though I will admit, there are a lot of folks who do, so there must be something to it. Please 'splain, or, if it is too much, just sum up.

Rmay · November 17, 2011, 7:10pm

this way I keep the benchwork intact as one level,
then my river canyons have that much depth to work with,
I cant reach in from the sides of the elevated track to do wiring without having to crawl under the benchwork,
anyway thats my story,

Randy

cncrr · November 17, 2011, 7:44pm

Either way Randy what you have showed us is a real inspiration for some of us to get going on the indoor projects so we have something to keep us busy during the winter. BTW I showed my wife the pictures of your layout so far and she loves all the detail you put into it. The detail is the part of this hobby she likes the best.

Chuck

Rmay · November 17, 2011, 7:51pm

Well thank your wife for me Chuck,
the evergreen forests has become my favorite scenery to work on,
over my many years of modeling,
I like this large scale the best for the potential of details,
and its much better for older eyes to work on,
and now also I cut all my wood product needs on a regular table saw here at home.

Randy

admin1 · November 17, 2011, 8:09pm

Absolutely incredible. Thanks for sharing!

Rmay · November 18, 2011, 1:50pm

THE NEXT FEW MILES Having my space cleared for the next few miles down the “Columbia Pacific Railroad” line, construction begins again, this section of diorama will have a tunnel exit, a cattle transfer station, 3 river/creek bridge crossings, a square water tower, and of course, lots of forest, trees and brush. I’m calling this section of the “Columbia Pacific Railroad”, the “Spring Creek” area,

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/Randy%20May/2011114141223_CPR%20Spring%20Creek%20001.jpg)

Rmay · November 18, 2011, 1:51pm

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/Randy%20May/2011114141454_CPR%20Spring%20Creek%20007.jpg)

Rmay · November 18, 2011, 1:51pm

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/Randy%20May/2011115153322_CPR%20Spring%20Creek%20009.jpg)

Rmay · November 18, 2011, 1:52pm

(http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/data/Randy%20May/2011115153444_CPR%20Spring%20Creek%20010.jpg)