EARTHQUAKE!!!!!

Well not exactly.

The move from Oklahoma to Idaho was not especially kind to my Deschutes module. Also during the last setup I discovered that the ballast from Arizona Rock and Mineral was magnetic. My plan was to remove all the ballast and  track, then just fix the cork. I was also thinking of adding some signals to the section for added interest. As I was removing the track and ballast I was noticing how heavy this module was. I then remembered that the back of it was a solid piece of 3/4" plywood along with a solid stack of dense foam. I decided that since I was going to redo the track I would redo the hill also. I have decided to reduce the slope of the hill to make it lighter and easier to transport. Also since it will now be a stand alone module I wanted the hill to be more natural and less of a "camel hump." I am trying to save as much of the rock face as I can, but have already lost a large chunk. The plywood will be cut down with a jig saw then I will cut out the inside making a lighter module. I am also tempted to try the Bragdon Geodesic Foam Kit as it is strong, flexible and durable. I will finish clearing off the old scenery and start reworking the hillside and supports. It should not take me long to put it back together if I can find the time to work on it.

Decisions, descisions...

I am nearing a point on my Madras Modules that I am looking to the next project I want to tackle. I have all the buildings figured out for Madras and all the basic scenery completed. Once I get the basic structures roughed in I can then wrap up the main scenery and move to adding details at my leisure. Since this is for training purposes the structures are not going to be super detailed to start, over time if I decide to take them home I may add lighting and more details, but mostly they will just be good representations of what was there.

So with this project winding down my mind start to wander onto what I should do next. I have been debating doing more of Madras or maybe even Redmond but after winning a slide off of Ebay I have decided to return to Bend Oregon. I have always wanted to model the depot and I have already started the underpass at Greenwood Ave. The warehouse across the track from the depot is a neat structure along with the REA building. It would be a simple double track module that I could detail and use in photographing trains and equipment, it would be easy to build and would be a real signature scene.

I also have decided to take my 90 degree module and instead of modeling somewhere in the Deschutes canyon use it to model Canal Place, a street that paralleled the track leading to the Brooks Scanlon mill. I have built a number of houses of the year and not really had a place to put them, this will be a show case of some of my structures along the edge of the layout.

Rock and...more rock

These modules represent an industrial area, which I wanted to reflect in the way the track was arranged and weathered. Most of the ties were covered over, which is often used by MOW to hold things in place without putting in ties. This usually works for awhile, bu the ties start to rot away causing unstable track conditions. I wanted to show the track as worn and in need of some ties, which will encourage operators to slow down when operating over this "Bad Track." Before I added ballast I painted all the ties on the industrial track, even though I knew some would be covered with ballast. I also decided to follow the prototype and use the same rock around the structures to ballast the track.

Here is a view looking towards the depot, which shows Clowers Seed and the crossing that takes traffic to Jefferson Plywood and Nichols Warehouse.

Back to work!

I have resumed working on my Madras Switching layout with the figuring out the location of the structures along the backside of the module. I have decided that since this is for training I am going to make close approximation for the structures and will not super detail them at this time. I will design them so I can come back at a later date to add details if I decide to. The three buildings I am focusing on are Clowers Seed, Madras Produce and Cascade Potato. They are all three corrugated metal buildings, but each have some unique features. This will make it more interesting too look at then a bunch of Pikestuff styled buildings. I plan to have the base of the three structures by the end of the month. This means that they the walls and roof will be assembled so they are solid structures. Here is a view looking along the track.

Let there be light...very very very tiny lights **UPDATE**

** I started a post of Model Railroad Hobbyist covering the work I am doing with these LEDs **

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/24856 

 

One thing I have been wanting to do is try the small LED offered by companies like Ngineering. Once I did a little research I found that I needed more tools then what I already had in my collection and moved on to other projects. With a few projects on hold waiting for me to decide on what to do with the interior lighting I bit the bullet and purchased the Super Starter Kit from Ngineering. This is almost everything you need to start soldering Micro and Nano LED's. Everything else that is required is pretty standard issue model railroad supplies. So here is the box with all the list of goodies:

Here is all the goodies out of the box:

Next step will be to finish reading the instructions and then begin experimenting with the LED's 

2015 Goals Reviewed and 2016 goals

As the year comes to a close I am taking time to reflect on the goals I set for this year. Even though the number of goals was small I still had a hard time completing them. This is due to a number of factors which include family, work and some unforeseen things that happened this year with our house.

First a review of  the 2015 Goals: 

1) Finish that house: 70%
The house structure is complete, including the interior and roof.
The next step is to add interior lighting, weathering, window glazing and find a place for it.

 2) Finish Had's McCulloch Chain Saw Shop: 70%
The main structure is complete and interior has been detailed.
The next step will be to finish the roof, add interior lighting, weathering and place it on the layout.

3) Finish ground throw pulls on Madras Modules 100%
Kind of changed my mind on what I wanted to do, but they are functional and that is good for now.

4) Basic Scenery completed on Madras Modules 80%
I have the scenery on one module pretty much done. I have structures and details to add  but they are not vital. As for the rest of the modules I have the basic scenery down and now need to fill in the flat areas with Hydrocal so I can place my buildings.

Goals for 2016 

1) Purchase no new projects or freight cars.
In looking at my inventory I have enough projects to keep me busy for 15 years. I do not need to buy anything that does not assist me with finishing an existing project. I also have plenty of rolling stock and no real place to run or display it. Unless I find a car on a very short list I keep, no new freight cars for 2016.

2) Finish the House
 Add interior lighting, weathering, window glazing and find a place for it.

3) Finish Had's McCulloch Chain Saw Shop
Finish the roof, add interior lighting, weathering and place it on the layout.

4) Finish Madras Switching Layout with Structures
Finish the basic ground cover
Ballast 
Build all structures and place them on the layout
Add derails
Begin work on track details


I will post a progress report at the end of March 2016 to see how I am doing.

A walk down memory lane...

This year for Christmas we decided to stay at my Parents house. During our stay my parents mentioned my model railroad stuff was still upstairs in boxes and they wanted to know what they should do with it. It seemed everything I had ever had for model railroading had been packed away. I took some time to go through the boxes of items that had been carefully packed away finding mostly detritus, but also some treasures. For the most part there was a lot of Tyco, Bachmann and other cheap models along with a lot of my first attempts at painting and Kitbashing projects. Most of these items should have been recycled or thrown away. I did find a number of items that I will be taking home that include a bunch of Athearn Bluebox that my son will enjoy and I also found a few items that I need for some other projects. The items I no longer need are being boxed up and donated. I also found a bunch of scratchbuilding materials and some rail I will be finding a use for. So, overall it has been a neat walk down memory lane, and I even found some items I had completely forgot I had.