Large Scale Central

Weathered ore car + layout update

General Discussion
#1

I just posted a few new pics, beginning with this one:

http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=3009006&a=32116967&p=75135670

The first photo shows a pair of Bachmann ore cars. I painted and weathered the one on the left. On the right is an ore car straight out of the box, for comparison. The second pic shows the weathered car on my layout.

The third pic show construction of the upper level tunnels and the steps with go over them. Two of the steps can be lifted out to provide access to the middle of the tunnels.

The last pics are two views of the west end mountain, still under construction but significant progress has been made.

#2

Oooo…Aaaaa…Ouch! My back hurts just looking at all those rocks…

Layout is looking good though. It’s going to be great when finished.

#3

Lookin good, Ray!!

#4

we should see this in GR one day-Great Job Ray…wanna come to my house and play?

Happy New Year!

cale

#5

Very nice Ray. I am impressed with your technique for rivets, they look great!

Regards, Greg

#6

Ray…to be honestly, “Constructively critical”, I must say that the model really needs "Link and pin " couplers. Those giant B’mann “Things”, just ruin all your hard and dedicated work.
I’m a fan of Kadee couplers, and they have long been proven to be best for complete operation; but on a fine showcase model like your ore car; Link and pins would set it off perfectly.

 Just an observation...... I have seen too many models produced by otherwise great modellers; ruined by the one item they seem to overlook.....the proper couplers for the car. Those ore cars were used in mining and construction contractors; not in usual main line operation. Most would have had link and pin couplers, although I have seen SMALL knuckle couplers in a few cases. Others can tell you of a variety of other coupler styles that might have been used. But I think most would agree that the rather large B'mann couplers are not quite right.
#7

I have to agree with Fred , the model is nice , but… We use link and pin , in real life the trains like this were made up into rakes which did not get split apart too often , except by hand when going onto tipplers . so unless you had the idea of doing shunting which is not prototypical , it may be worth considering . And given the state of prototypical track , more reliable .

Mike

#8

Ray,

After looking at your very nice ore cars (I agree about that the couplers should be link and pin), I went through the rest of your layout photos. I have to say that is quite a project. I really like the visual of the tunnels and trestles. What is the fence for? Is it just a visible dividing line or do you have a reason to isolate the area - dog, young children and soccer balls? I saw the pictures of your young crew.

#9

The wrought iron fence was originally installed years ago, to keep our dogs in the lower yard area. Now it is needed to keep people from falling off the layout area into the lower yard.

As for the link and pin couplers, that’s something I may consider doing later on once I get things up and running.