I haven’t had much time for modeling lately, but here are some pics from our open house last Saturday:
Enjoy!
Nice setting, Ray. Thanks for posting them.
Ray, it still blows me away that you lugged all those full-scale boulders into your backyard by yourself. Sp how that back of yours? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)
What wrecked my back wasn’t hauling the rocks, it was hacking at the rock-hard ground with a pick! I should have stopped when it started to hurt but like an idiot I just kept going until I pulled a muscle or something. My back hasn’t been the same since. And that happened only two months into the project, with 99% of the labor still ahead of me.
Cool pics Ray!
I believe that is the first I have seen with a handful of people standing on the layout like that and it really puts the amount of rock work into perspective!
Hauling them rocks may not have wrecked your back but I bet it sure stretched your arms!
Ray,
Cool overview. I have never seen your railroad like that. There must be walkways and steps? (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)
Looks like great fun Ray, Like Joe said. we would like a better view of the walkways, Thanks
I never get tired of looking at pictures of your railroad, Ray. It is absolutely awesome. I have to admit though, with people standing around up there, it kind of ruins my image of the railroad!!(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)
Ed
Thanks!
Yes, there is a walkway across the middle level of the layout. It’s designed so it’s not visible from the front. It also provides access into the tunnels – wherever the path or stairs go over a tunnel, the steps lift out. Here’s a shot taken two years ago that shows the path:
Very cool, Thanks Ray
An yet another angle I haven’t seen before. I think you need to buy your neighbors house and expand the RR Ray!
It is very interesting how the light hits those canyons and rock walls. No 2 photos are ever the same.
Thanks Ray. It’s cool to see the 'behind the scenes shot.
Like others have said - I never tire of seeing picks of your railroad.
Ray,
Thanks for the photos - impressive layout!
Question: Presuming trains on the lowest level have nearly 100 horizontal feet to make the grade to the next level, do you know the percentage climb from one level to the other?
Thanks,
Wendell
I tried to maintain about a 4% grade. There’s a few places where it’s less, and one spot that’s probably a bit more – maybe 4.5% or 5%.
Ray,
That’s pretty steep. You almost need a cog railroad! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Wow Ray, 4% is fairly steep. I have the same grades on my layout and even my LGB’s grunt pulling modest consists. I have one ABA UST set that manages without making a sweat, but I’m constantly working on reducing grades where I can. Another reason I think an elevated layout will be in the works this spring…and because my knees are no longer happy crawling around on the ground and I can think level on an elevated layout… I love your rock work and your impeccable modeling.
guys, remember that Ray’s focus is on scenery and structures and details, not long trains or high speeds. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
4% is not bad for a train of a couple of cars and running slow.
Regards, Greg
Yep, short trains are the rule on the In-ko-pah RR. My passenger train is only three cars long. Freight cars are short and lighter, so I typically haul around 6-8.
Thanks for sharing your open house pics. My GRR is like yours, short car loads, and lower speeds.
I actually run trains little time compared to building.
I too struggle with back issues, I sometimes wished my back would keep up with my minds desires.
As always with your layout, GREEEAAAAT as Tony the Tiger would say.
Oh yea I like your knew Avitar picture
Dennis