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Nick
Add a little water and watch it grow. Enjoyed the pictures thanks for sharing.
CL Beeson said:
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Close-up of the train testing on the ramp, parts of the ramp need to be adjusted in height and steepness to keep the wheels are slipping.
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The “trains only door”, not the most glamorous entry hole ever but it does the job. Made of 1/2 treated plywood.
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The ramp is made of 4"x4" and 5/4"x6" treated boards, post #3-5 need shims to adjust the grade. The long straight is nearly level while the start of curve to the left is really steep, the 0-4-0 has a hard time with that section.
You might be better of making the straight part steeper and flatten the curve, your engines will haul more if it is set up like this. Just like the real railways. Wayne
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I added an RS-3 to the roster, purchased used but runs like new.
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I planted a dwarf Alberta Spruce and the creeping phlox is still awaiting a home. The Basic Train Engineer is about to drive me nuts as it gets a range of about five feet maximum from the receiver and sometimes not that. I am considering putting it back in the starter set, and getting a 1.8 amp power pack(227-55400). The thoughts are to build a bench and place the power pack in a weatherpoof box on a 4"x4".
Well CL it’s progressing in the right direction. Very nice
Also, the current pond will be filled in. Maybe sometime in the future a pond will be added back. The current focus has shifted to completing a small oval using existing track. The plan is to reevaluate the on paper track plan, stockpile track for a larger loop, and collect more rolling stock. However, the small oval is planned to include a 1’ tunnel.
Looking forward to viewing your progress…nice!
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Close up of the tunnel floor.
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The black edging has been completely removed and replaced with brick, still working on the details of the area around the tunnel.
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Later after the next section of track is installed the roof will be put in place.
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The Easter Bunny was allowed at the throttle, and he had too many jelly beans. First derailment on my railroad, some eggs were a lost.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqHZWbiiqx0[/youtube]
The mainline(small oval) was completed a couple days ago, still making some adjustments to the track grades. The tunnel needs portals and the area around it landscaped, but had the steamer out for most of the afternoon, it was so nice to be able just watch the train do laps for a change especially since I had the smoke generator running for the first time.
Congratulations !
It is nice to sit back and watch them run 
Ralph
Way to go !! You have some very nice progress to report. I liked the smokin’ stack on the steamer.
Doc Tom
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An overall view of the railroad.
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The tunnel portal
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With cement block, it is missing something.
Just about everybody tells me I should have a pond. Nuts, say I. Don’t need the headaches, visiting dogs and coons, pond scum, mosquitoes, maintenance, blah, blah, blah. I’ve got valleys with round pebbles in them; they look like river valleys without all the fuss.
A three-year old child drowned in a backyard fishpond up here yesterday. Sad, but it gives me one more excuse… Oh, and did I also mention that I’m too lazy? 
(To Steve): Hi there, hope you’re having a good summer so far. I guess you know the definition of boat: A hole in the water that you fill with money… :rolleyes:
John Le Forestier said:
Just about everybody tells me I should have a pond. Nuts, say I. Don’t need the headaches, visiting dogs and coons, pond scum, mosquitoes, maintenance, blah, blah, blah. I’ve got valleys with round pebbles in them; they look like river valleys without all the fuss. A three-year old child drowned in a backyard fishpond up here yesterday. Sad, but it gives me one more excuse… Oh, and did I also mention that I’m too lazy?
Hi John and CL, I too am using valleys and gorges with rounded river stone in them. It is a low cost way to make “waterways” on our empires.
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Doc Tom
If mosquitoes and maintenance were an issue for me I would have stayed indoors. 
Coming along nicely Mr. Beeson.
Welcome!
I agree with the recommendation to use large radius curves…makes all the difference in the world. Your statment about reducing the grades down to 1-2% is excellent. I have 2% grades and they reduce the pulling power to less than 1/2 of a locomotive’s level pulling capability. I’d like to suggest that once you have a plan drawn on paper, go to Michaels or even Walmart and purchase some 1/4th inch thick foamcore and build a 1/2 inch to the foot scale model of your plan. This is a very relaistic way to visualize what it will look like and work out the bugs before spending time and effort just to find out things don’t work. A model of our track plan is also a great way to develop a phased construction plan. Once you have the model completed highlight the different phases of construction with markers…again vusualizing what each phase will look like.
Happy modeling!
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The completed tunnel portal being tested for fit. The plan is to build rock walls on both sides leading up to the portal, any ideas on what to use glue sytrene to cinder block?
CL,
Earlier you asked about what was missing on your tunnel portal. Most stone/brick portals have a ‘framing’ element around the opening and a Keystone at the top. Follow the link to view examples of what I am referring to.
http://www.hobbylinc.com/model_railroad_tunnels
As for attaching the portal to the cinder/concrete block sub structure, I would recommend an exterior grade construction adhesive available at Home Depot or Lowes (in my area, box stores may vary in your area).
Bob C.
I couldn’t figure out a way to do an arch easily maybe sometime in the future I will get back to it. I am working on a different idea fkr the tunnel portal on the other way. My thought is vertical steel beams with wood beams running horizontal. It seems we have enter monsoon season in NC, however Calm Springs Railroad will be hosting an open house in August. The rock walls(dry stacked) are holding up.
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When we built the viaduct on the club layout one of the members cut out the entire side of viaduct and placed it on a well-supported sheet of plywood. Then the arches were filled in and after it set up it was moved to the layout in one piece and set up.