I kinda want to do some revisions this year, just for a change. A huge expansion is out of the question. Buying more buildings is pretty much a non-starter as well. I have one spare LGB r-1 turnout. And I’d rather not move any trees, ponds, or the mine… Ain’t much left to foodle with, is there?
Planned: Rebuild the trestle walkways - possibly wider Rebuild the sawmill since it got damaged Repaint several houses re-level and re-ballast Other than that???
Hey- How 'bout some tunnel portals? I made some inexpensive ones out of 1 inch blue insulation foam. There’s a picture of them on the other large scale site (look for Iron Island Railroad). Insulation foam is inexpensive (mine was free excess cut offs from construction site), easy to shape and/or carve stone or rocks in, and with a coat of primer and exterior paint- it will outlast even the landfill!!! Just a thought.
-Kevin.
Use the switch to add an industry. I know you can build silk buildings out of pig parts. Maybe a grain silo complex?
A tunnel portal would work great. While you are doing that paint the inside of that tunnel black.
I like the idea of adding a siding somewhere.
It seems like I saw a track plan once. Why don’t you post it and we can find you a spot?
not a track plan, but there is an “aerial” shot from 2010 (before I added the long siding parallel to the front of the layout).
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/new%20AV/P4230008.jpg)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/AV2011/P5020001.jpg)
I DO need to build an industry at the end of that siding. Unfortunately a LOT of old industrial buildings around here are brick with huge banks of windows… and I haven’t yet figured how to fudge those. http://www3.familyoldphotos.com/image/view/23943/_original
(http://www.jeffcochapter.com/SteubenvilleTwp/History/Business01.jpg)
(http://www.jeffcochapter.com/SteubenvilleTwp/History/Business03.JPG)
(http://www.jeffcochapter.com/SteubenvilleTwp/History/Business04.JPG)
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/buildings/glassworks.jpg)
With all that industry you must have had a brewery?
A brewery? Fort Pitt Brewery http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~njm1/thumbs13.htm Duquesne brewing http://bradystewartphoto.photoshelter.com/image/I00009tP25Uk1iho Iron City Brewery
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j371/AlleghenyValley/buildings/iron-city-brewery.jpg)
Or one actually along the real AV? This was Kittanning Brewing… the parking lot where it stood looks easy to model 
(http://blog.kittanningonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/kbc_old_new.jpg)
Mik said:True, but would probably cost a fortune with all those die cast cars needed :)
Or one actually along the real AV? This was Kittanning Brewing... the parking lot where it stood looks easy to model :D
You are lucky that you have pictures for inspiration. I want to build a brewery on my layout but haven’t found any pictures yet. It is the brewery in Ludlow on the High Desert that served the gold mining towns. I know that the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad served it but those miners didn’t have cameras!
Nik;
It looks good maybe some small utility buildings long the trackage, or a speeder shed.
Hello
From the aerial photo here is a idea for you. Why not branch off the industry spur with another switch just after the long covered bridge and snake a track to meet up with the track by the pond and head back to your “frontYard?” By connecting that way you can still run your track power since the polarity is the same and you will have another loop to just let a train go. A loop in a loop.
An idea for banks of windows. When I built my coal plant look in this issue of GR mag. my research showed most structures had huge windows. My windows are false in that I planked around the “opening” then painted the opening black, scored and snapped a piece of plexi for it then cut a piece of 1/2x1/2 " hardware clothe to form the grids. I have done a similar thing with my latest building but now have actual windows made from hardware clothe and plexi. You don’t need a huge building for a brewery maybe just a still or a bathtub enclosed in a small building.
Happy RRing
Todd, Great idea, thanks!.. now to figure out the bricks
If you have more time then sense I can send you some 3mm PVC sheet that can be carved. A good project for long winter nights, not necessarily good spring project.
Thats why I suggested a grain elevator/silo complex, just some scrap PVC drain pipes and a small building for the office. You might even be able to find scraps from Home Despot or a construction site for free.
(http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4147/4965974067_7f9b33e75b_z.jpg)
It is your RR so if you wanted to get a little crazy have a tall grain silo like Victor suggested with a small building next to it but instead of grain storage it could be a huge distiller for Vodka. In fact if you partake in drink get a Sky Vodka blue bottle and put that on the roof of the distillers. It could be a advertisement or their actual still. Yours the only vodka distilled 27 times??
To make a chimney once I took a piece of white plastic wood spray painted it red then took a straight edge and a awl to it to scrape in the mortar lines. It worked well but mind you the chimney was only maybe 1x1.5 inch by 6 inch tall not an entire wall of a building but this process might work for you.
Happy RRing
Nik;
Hey here’s an idea how bout a burned out building.
Since it was nice the last couple days, I started trying to get the layout back to where I could actually run a train. First order of business was to repair a major cat slide (as in the #$%& things think the layout is a jungle gym)
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/P3170048.jpg)
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/P3170049.jpg)
I planted ivy so maybe 1. it will help hold it together, and 2. maybe it will discourage them from playing on it. Another cat-astrophe was some fat tom got stuck in the long bridge, and put the roof in the pond. Are you all sure I can’t put out tuna and anti-freeze?
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/P3170050.jpg)
Subsidence is still an issue, even after two full years. I decided to use wooden piers set in the ballast to level and hold the track in the worst spots. - if they rot out after a year, they’re cheap enough to replace… or maybe the settling will finally quit and I’ll be able to reset the patio stones.
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/P3170052.jpg)
Foundation layed for a new building. I’m thinking a wolmanized 6x6 core plated with lathe since it’s so exposed… That way if it gets kicked it won’t hurt it.
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp52/steamnut1917/P3170051.jpg)
So far our cat behaves although I thought he was going to knock a building over the other day chasing a lizard!
I see nothing wrong with accidently leaving some antifreeze out. Afterall you had to fill your car up and you forget to put it away.
Shawn said:And this from an officer of the law. Good thing I'm no cat lover either :)
I see nothing wrong with accidently leaving some antifreeze out. Afterall you had to fill your car up and you forget to put it away.
Our community is about to pass a cat leash ordinance and I support them. Yesterday while working outside I observed at least 4 cats in and around the railroad. Thankfully none are males, but they can’t be far behind.
