Large Scale Central

More improvments to the Kittatinny Mt RR

General Discussion
#1

I figured I start a new topic on my railway that way you dont have to scroll through the same stuff. I started working on my portals. So far they are coming out nice (Considering I never really built anything before and I have no talent when it comes to working with my hands) I just have to cut some wood to put behind the portal frame. I am also going to put a hinge on top of the portals that way when I have to get inside the tunnel for maint I can just lift it up. Here are some pictures of the frame.

I also added some stone to the left. It needed something and the stone did the trick

I also made this small fence. I could have used rock but I planted some forget- me -nots behind the fence. I did not want to disturbe them since they were just starting to come up so I made the fence. Still have to add something else to the fence, maybe a piece of wood running horizontal. Still playing with this though

Here is my track cleaner I made. I took a swifter and glued a scotch brite pad to it. it works great because it has a joint so it can turn on a dime and anyway I turn it. Makes cleaning cake.

#2

Was unable to get any outside work done due to rain in the AM. Used the time to finish both portals. All I have to do is put some thompson water seal. The wood on top is whats going to be glued on the tunnel. That way I can lift the portal up for tunnel maint. It has hinges attached from the portal to the light clored wood. Not bad for having no skills with wood working.

(http://i29.tinypic.com/29v0y9j.jpg)

#3

Very nice, Shawn. Keep up the great work!

#4

Good job Shawn.

I like the tunnel portal, it looks good.

May I suggest that you create a talus slope where you placed the rocks. As rocks weather, water gets into cracks, freezes, expands and breaks off chunks of the rock. These small rocks then fall down and create a slope.

Here is a pic of a talus slope. The talus slope is just above the double stacks. I find that building a talus slope greatly helps realism.

#5

Looking good, Shawn!

#6

Steve Featherkile said:
Good job Shawn. I like the tunnel portal, it looks good. May I suggest that you create a talus slope where you placed the rocks. As rocks weather, water gets into cracks, freezes, expands and breaks off chunks of the rock. These small rocks then fall down and create a slope. Here is a pic of a talus slope. The talus slope is just above the double stacks. I find that building a talus slope greatly helps realism.

I like your idea of a talus slope/field. I will have to play with that one. thanks for the idea. Here is a talus slope over here in NJ. This is from the Delaware Water gap. Not nearly as impresive as the one you have. The bottom of the slope is a RR track. It is still an active line along the delaware. This Mt is on the PA side.

(http://i26.tinypic.com/j7dqc6.jpg)

This picture is across the river on the NJ side. The delaware cut a hudge gap in the ridge forming the two mtns.

(http://i26.tinypic.com/6icwhs.jpg)

#7

It wouldn’t take much. It certainly doesn’t need to be as dramatic as those two.

SteveF

#8
Steve Featherkile said:
It wouldn't take much. It certainly doesn't need to be as dramatic as those two.

SteveF


I was looking at my layout and you are right it wont take much. I really like the idea. Now I have to wait until next week when I am off again. Thanks again I love the ideas.

#9

I got my portals up today. Came out pretty good I had to use some cement on the sides to hold some of the rocks in place and fill in gaps. I also improved my little fence. Looks much better now. The small pond i built in the corner of the layout suffered a hole. Now I have to find the hole in the liner and patch it. We had a few good T-storms came through and one of them blew a branch into it. My guess is this is what caused the hole. Thats when it started to loose water. I have been using my LGB engine, seems to run much better then my big hauler. I though it was the track being dirty because the engine slowed down in a few spots and even stopped. I tried the LGB and it ran fine. Strange considereing it only has 2 contact shoes where the bach has the 4 truck wheels and the wheels in back for contact. Im thinking dirty wheels is the problem. When I clean them it works fine. Any solutions. Im thinking of just going basic battery for this engine. Here are some pics.

(http://i25.tinypic.com/2n19t3o.jpg)

(http://i26.tinypic.com/303ivl2.jpg)

#10

OK,
Now I understand why you were asking about battery power. You have been having power problems.
I run power to the track every 12-15 feet and haven’t had any problems.
Things are looking good Shawn.
Ralph

#11
Ralph Berg said:
OK, Now I understand why you were asking about battery power. You have been having power problems. I run power to the track every 12-15 feet and haven't had any problems. Things are looking good Shawn. Ralph
I only have 60 feet of track. I only used one power to the track. It works fine that way because my LGB engine runs great. I even have jumper wires at every joint. Im thinking its the engine wheels. They seem to get dirty easily. As soon as I clean the wheels it runs great.
#12

I only use one power supply also. I tie it into the track at 6 different places.
It is also possible your power supply is a little light to run the Bachmann on 60 feet of track. If it is only working properly under optimal conditions (when you clean the wheels) there is probably something else not quite right.
Ralph

#13

Im not sure whats with it. It ran great the first few weeks then all of a sudden it likes to be jumpy. today I cleaned the wheels put some LGB contact greese on the wheels and it ran for hours with no problems. The contact greese makes a hudge difference. I think this loco will do much better with battery power.

#14

My Annie runs like a champ with 14.4v!

cale

#15

I got a little more rock work done today.The left side of my layout needed something. It was flat and did not go with my mountain railraod. I decided to build a mountain out of rock. In the cracks I filled with top soil and added some alysyms to it. Here are some pictures, it should like real nice once the plants take off.

(http://i33.tinypic.com/34rhq3s.jpg)

This is before the rock work.

(http://i37.tinypic.com/fvedky.jpg)

This is after rock put in. I still have a little rock to add in some places but waiting to come across the right rocks.

(http://i38.tinypic.com/ip8tic.jpg)

A farther away shot

(http://i38.tinypic.com/9isjs8.jpg)

A moose moved into my RR and almost caused an accident.