Large Scale Central

"The Original" Kittom Lumber Co.

Thanks for the update Tom. Time to sit back enjoy and eat my popcorn.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

Ron Tremblay said:

Thanks for the update Tom. Time to sit back enjoy and eat my popcorn.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

Hi Ron,

Well I have a real “cornball” way you can enjoy that popcorn in a rather appropriate rail roady (sp???) way.

Enjoy your munchin’

Doc Tom(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Thanks Tom, Your the best.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

Ron Tremblay said:

Thanks Tom, Your the best.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

I thought I was the best?

" Rooster " said:

Ron Tremblay said:

Thanks Tom, Your the best.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

I thought I was the best?

A close second. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

A small steam powered horse makes its way to the Original Kittom Lumber Company.

A 14 ton Heisler Locomotive from the Stearns Manufacting company was born at their shops in Erie Pennsylvania in 1896. She headed to Dixie to work in the growing lumber industry at the turn of the 20th century. Much like its sister "A.W.Stevens Lumber #1-s/n1007 the Kittom Heisler first went to Mississippi to work the expansive pine forests of the sunny southland.

These were the first 14 ton models built. As evidenced on the locomotive above wheel counter weights were NOT part of the early locomotives manufactured. Retro-fit kits of cast weights that could be bolted between the spokes were later made available by Stearns.

After working several southern logging outfits Kittom Lumber’s Heisler made it to the wilds of the Kentucky/Tennessee border in 1910.It was a “fourth hand” purchase with a new paint job that helped to disguise the 19th century technology that was its parentage.

Management was happy that it would fit in the planned engine house. They were itchin’ to put it to use.

Doc Tom

Looks nice, but I think it needs a little bit of track to go anywhere. I’m keeping my eye’s on this project.

I dunno, with the rear light, it looks like the engine house needs to be a bit bigger, or it needs a window right where the light on the loco is.

Chuck Inlow said:

Looks nice, but I think it needs a little bit of track to go anywhere. I’m keeping my eye’s on this project.

Hi Chuck.

Well the boys down south in Birmingham are busy cooking up some Pig Iron to make a few tracks and turnouts.

“Casting Pig Iron at Sloss Furnace, Birmingham, Alabama, 1906”

Doc Tom

David Maynard said:

I dunno, with the rear light, it looks like the engine house needs to be a bit bigger, or it needs a window right where the light on the loco is.

Well Dave my local model rail road buddies are always critiquing my zest for tight clearances.

And on these “minis” clearances can get pretty tight.

Doc Tom(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

A miss is as good as a mile?

David Maynard said:

A miss is as good as a mile?

Yes another “train truism.”

Doc Tom(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

A BLUE LAYER CAKE FOR KITTOM LUMBER

I finished cutting up the blue foam panels for the mini layout. From a 4’X8" sheet I cut 14.5" X 48" panels and “dry stacked” them.

I cut the panels to leave a 1" slot in the center.

This is where the scenic divider will be placed. And, of course, it too will be made of blue foam board.

I laid the top layer on so you can get a sense of proportion.This layer will have a 1" slot down the middle as well to accommodate the scenery divider.

The top of the layout is 50" from the floor. The whole layout without the cabinet/pedestal weighs about 10 pounds and is easily lifted with one hand. So far NO WOOD used in the construction.

Hopefully the electric wire foam cutter arrives this week and I can begin to rough in terrain contours. I will also sand down the edges of the panels to give the layout a more finished look.

With a layout this small I went overboard to give it some height for dramatic scenery below track level.

The height of the layout ,including the divider, off its removable base, will be 30". It should be easy to get in and out doors.

Thanks for looking.

Doc Tom

Yes, I can see it. This is going to be great with the elevations. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

are all the layered panels of the same thickness?

Korm Kormsen said:

are all the layered panels of the same thickness?

Hi Korm,

Yes, they are all 1 inch thick. Here in the sunny Southland 1" foam is the only insulation available at the building stores.

Yes, I built up 15 inch layers of foam board. I wanted lightweight above all and so far no plaster or wood in this layouts construction.

Doc Tom

Thanks.

and be prepared for more stupid questions. your build is timed just right for me.

when i have finished the section, i’m working on, in some weeks… some months… or so… - then i plan to make some Mesa type background mountains for a desert section.

so everything i can learn from you now, i won’t have to find out the hard way.

Korm Kormsen said:

Thanks.

and be prepared for more stupid questions. your build is timed just right for me.

when i have finished the section, i’m working on, in some weeks… some months… or so… - then i plan to make some Mesa type background mountains for a desert section.

so everything i can learn from you now, i won’t have to find out the hard way.

Hi Korm. Here is a GREAT You Tube Video that shows how easy it is to carve the mesa rocks of the American Southwest out of one inch thick foam insulation panels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zz__jzDNgY&feature=em-share_video_user

I will be carving some of the rock facings this way on my layout set in Kentucky/Tennessee.This topography in K/T is not as stark or bold as in the Southwest and is overgrown with foliage. Yet, I will carve in some limestone faces near the waterline of the river and creek on the layout. As you watch the video note again no heavy and messy plaster to fool with.

Looking forward to seeing more your creations too.

Doc Tom

thanks again. looks interesting, what he does.

well, don’t hold your breath for my creations. i’m getting slower and slower.

and, on top of that, our firdepartment is so short of volunteers, that they reactivated every walking dead, who still is able to cramble into th truck by his own force. i qualified (barely). so now one third of my free time i’m over there, waiting for things, that we hope will not happen.

Korm Kormsen said:

thanks again. looks interesting, what he does.

well, don’t hold your breath for my creations. i’m getting slower and slower.

and, on top of that, our firdepartment is so short of volunteers, that they reactivated every walking dead, who still is able to cramble into th truck by his own force. i qualified (barely). so now one third of my free time i’m over there, waiting for things, that we hope will not happen.

Be careful out there. I am proud of you as a “first responder.” Doc Tom