Jim Rowson said:
So cool. Cliff, I’m in awe. Want to come build a stamp mill for my layout? Weather is nice in California!
Thanks Jim, very kind of you! Yeah, stamp mills are so fun, I hope to do one some day. And yeah, in cold seasons like we’re having now (near zero at night), I sure miss CA! I grew up in Modesto.
Dennis Rayon said:
Cliff those are some really great looking steps and stairs
Dennis
Thanks Dennis, and thanks for all your help along the way.
There are a number of small loose ends to deal with, and that will take one or two weekends.
My much larger task ahead, however, involves the trestle. And that will involve an historical / archaeological investigation which is about to take place in Virginia City. In a nutshell, the original trestle was forked, and arranged like this.
However, about 10 years later (say, 1889), the curved trestle leg was chopped off, and a new ore bin (and shed placed over it) was made.
The waste ridge, this side of the mainline tracks, grew much larger over the years.
Last October, I climbed that ridge, and observed remains of the original trestle, and that special ore bin and shed. And they would be the only original remnants of Comstock mine waste trestles.
Long story. But suffice it to say that…
Anyway, I’m really looking forward to this trestle build. But be warned (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)it will be of a different nature.
Thanks for viewing my friends, and please bear with me, I’m not quite sure how to navigate what’s coming in all this. Hope I’m not being a drama queen, but hey, I’m excited, and WTH.
===>Cliffy
Can’t wait to see the completed product. This has been a fascinating build.
Take your time, Cliff. This has been quite the project!
Last October, I climbed that ridge, and observed remains of the original trestle, and that special ore bin and shed. And they would be the only original remnants of Comstock mine waste trestles.
Long story. But suffice it to say that…
There are a number of questions as to why this new bin / shed were built, and how they functioned
Numerous historical photos are involved
Many key players are now involved, re. historical societies, property owner, legal & safety issues for investigation, aerial photography, etc.
Anyway, I’m really looking forward to this trestle build. But be warned it will be of a different nature.
So now you will be building a second model for the societies showroom? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Again outstanding build Cliff
David Marconi, FOGCH said:
So now you will be building a second model for the societies showroom? (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
I’m hoping he’s going to offer it as a kit! 
Wow, what a project!!! Great work.
I want a video of you taking that outside. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
Bruce Chandler said:
Wow, what a project!!! Great work.
I want a video of you taking that outside. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)
I think its in about 60 pieces, it’ll take him all day.
Cliff my favorite local mine went through several owners/operators mining different minerals. It’s quite possible that another income was in their tailings and they developed a process to extract it on the way to the dump.
At my local one, I used to go through the lower grade material they ‘banked’ for future smelting. We also climbed the dumps for the occasional find, but the bank was way more rewarding.
Found at the mine over it’s lifetime; Wulfenite (lead crystals), copper, Gold, Silver, Magnesium and MolyB (molybdenum). The magnesium miner set the mine on fire! I never went in that section.
Hahaha!
Thanks guys, you all sure made my day!
Yeah, I’m guessing it will take at least 2 hours to move the 4 modules (structure & roof, so 8 main pieces) to the layout, horse them into place, and park the platform bits. And and hour to wire it up. And 4 hours of dealing with all the crap I’m not thinking about. And another 2 hours fretting over the tarp to cover everything! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Dang, I haven’t figured out how to secure the platforms / stairs under high wind conditions… Well, some judicious use of silicone may come into play…
John, you bet, temporary bins came into play in “my” situation, designed to meet the ever-changing needs. For example, quite early on, the H&N hit a nice bonanza (paying ore body). But a couple years later, they kept finding only borrasca (the opposite). Their magnificent ore bin, with 10 chutes, went into disuse, and the V&T siding serving them was pulled up. However, the owners needed a bin for potential ore to be processed – and that’s the very small bin in the foreground - ca 1879. But, ten years later, the main trestle was chopped off, and the new “mystery bin” (and shed over it) were erected.
No one that I know understands the purpose of this mystery bin and shed. So, that’s the nature of the hunt at the moment, fed by the small fact that they seem to still exist – though in a collapsed condition.
Anyway, I’m changing my trestle modeling plans to show this slightly later condition, that is, to heck with the curved trestle (major PITA anyway) and make the special bin / shed in its place.
Thanks again all,
===>Cliffy
Sean McGillicuddy said:
Cliff
Is this going to get the mandatory rooster weather vane?
Well Sean, a half year later, I’m happy to report more confidently on your question.
Just in from Shapeways…
Needs a bit of paint, and a brass tube up its arse to make it swivel properly.
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
You suck Cliff!
This is all Ken’s fault !!!
The weather vane is cute. I have purchased metal ones to use on my buildings, but they will not swivel.
" Rooster " said:
You suck Cliff!
This is all Ken’s fault !!!
Hold on, I thought this was Sean’s fault?
Cliff Jennings said:
NOW, it’s finished…;)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
This weekend, I’ve been doing finishing touches such as touchup, ladders, and (mainly) final fitup of the assemblies.
Also the all-important US flag! I did turn-of-the-century-ish, 38 stars.
An overall shot.
Same, with the lights off.
Finally, the coup de gras,
Ok Ken, I think I can now agree with you.
Well, except for phase II (the trestles).
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)
Thanks all for going through this journey with me,
===>Cliffy
and what an amazing journey it has been Cliff. Thank you.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Incredible model! Just simply majestic. That’s going to look so good once it’s in place. Too bad I think we will be waiting a few months to see that. Trestles should be fun too.
Well done Cliff !!
As others have said (and others will say): amazing model and presented in an incredibly educational and useful way for the entire community. Thanks Cliff!
