A new beginning...JRs UPRR.

[Alcomotive]

Testing 1 2 3 .......


I closed the loop! I cut in the last section. Now for the 45 degree "corner fillers" next weekend or possibly later this week. We shall see. I ran a test using the EZ track loop around. Feels good to be getting close to done with bench work. Soon as the rest of my orders comes in I will be able to start laying some serious track. Waiting on my Peco curved switches and such. Here are some more progress pictures. Night ya'll Mr. Sandman is blasting me.

**EDIT: Note, all the plywood on top of the modular frames are just laying there. I have not secured the boards down to the frames yet. I wanted to make sure this is what I will do before proceeding with the install. I mentioned in a later post I am working on a possible lift out section using drawer sliders. We shall see. Things like this is always worth taking your time and working out the thought process. Patience is key. I have in the past rushed things and then regretted it. Ya'll know what I mean.

 

[wheeler1963]

Major progress there James, looks good!!!

 

[McLeod]

I'm liking how you offer up a good selection of photos, James. It allows a guy to clearly see what is going on.

 

[Patrick]

Looks good. I almost did mine that way, but I can't do a duck under.

 

[Alcomotive]

Looks good. I almost did mine that way, but I can't do a duck under.

Duck unders are and can be burdensome....at 51 I have given thought to it. So about that.....I am thinking of creating a lift up using drawer sliders.....working on a design now. Remember this is temporary layout and is being used as a "guinea pig/lab rat" muhahahah (Dr. Evil laugh there) I am looking at doing a 24 inch x 24 inch section that will be the lift. We will see how I do this. When I do my design after my new garage extension is done, I will have no need to worry about duck unders and it will be avoided at all cost.

 

[Patrick]

I'm only 8 years older, but have had knee issues. As I age, I'm starting to understand the "I've fallen and can't get up" thing. lol

I created removable bridges, so when I don't want to move trains, they stay off, but as I start to make my scenes, I need to find a storage home for them when not in use.

 

[Iron Horseman]

I found the HOn3 ore cars.

I believe you will find that those are HOn30" or HOn2.5', that run on N-gauge track. At least in the picture they look like the AHM / Rivarossi equipment from the 1970s.

 

[Alcomotive]

Going through some boxes tonight and chilling. Got about 4 dozen of these boxes.....then the rest are in individual boxes inside large totes.

Tomorrow I will work on the inside corners etc.

 

[Alcomotive]

Well some more slow progress. I hope to get more done in the next few days. I have been pretty busy with work. I hope all is well with everyone.

So I got the middle crossing done and then I started the "corners" as well. Have a few more corners to do. I had to replace some blocking as they split when I was installing the corners. I didn't pre drill ugh so redid that lol. Then I will make some more modifications before I start laying actual track. I am getting close.

 

[Alcomotive]

more.....shows over all view in the corners.....

*again the EZ track is just there for me to run something lol. I will be using micro track 36" flex and Peco turnouts etc.

 

[Rico]

Lookin' good James!
I really like your bench work, as for the duck under look for a low chair on wheels like a gardening seat?

 

[Alcomotive]

Lookin' good James!
I really like your bench work, as for the duck under look for a low chair on wheels like a gardening seat?

Thank you! I am trying


I bought 2 of them I actually got them from Harbor Freight. Mechanics stool with casters that has seat height adjustments. Anyhow I am working on a modification for a sectional lift using 4 drawer sliders to be used vertically. Since this is a temporary layout I am using this as a lab rat for trying different things etc.

 

[Alcomotive]

I made a little more progress. I added a few more corners sections. I have been debating the last one on the inside left "pop up hole" which be called the southern pit. The northern pit has all the infill corner sections. I have yet to work on the lift out section near the southern pit where I didn't put the last corner infill. I am also reviewing a little matter of adding another 14 inch wide by 4 foot section in front there near the entry door is coming into the room and a large 30 inch corner infill where the far end extension is at. (where I have a bunch of boxes on the bench work in pictures). Any how slow and steady. I am still busy at work so time is a little slim. Hope to get some time in with the shutdown of some of the work thats going on due to the virus ordeal. I am one of the essentials that does certain government work. Blah. Enjoy my snail's pace work.

 

[Alcomotive]

I ran one of my switchers afterwards. A bit satisfying after a long day. Here is a few pics of the switcher and 2 of my weathered cars.

 

[Alcomotive]

I have to make an adjustment to my bench work and layout plans for the Timken distribution warehouse for the tank cars by adding another siding. Will be working on this for this weekend. Now that I was able to score a tank car I will need to create a different scenario. I will make it work

 

[Greg@mnrr]

James: Great job on weathering that UP hopper!!! What method did you use for the weathering?

Thanks.

Greg

 

[Alcomotive]

James: Great job on weathering that UP hopper!!! What method did you use for the weathering?

Thanks.

Greg

I had help doing that one. Me and a fellow modeler did that one 12 years ago in FL. We used Acrylic paint on the roof and streaked it down the sides thinned out. Then he air brushed lightly with the rust color. Afterwards dullcote. I cant take full credit. I am a bit of a novice to weathering still. I will get better at it soon with more practice. I just bought a new airbrush a Pasche. I am working stocking up on paints now. I gotta get quite a bit to get going lol.

 

[Alcomotive]

Working on my revision. I am in the final stages of giving it a go....I am not trying to overdo this it is after all a temporary layout. I may not get to start my garage addition depending on this virus crap going on at this time. We shall see. In the meantime I got this. If I go crazy because I can't build the garage this summer....where the in bound track is.....I will knock a hole in the wall tee hee into the 3rd bedroom.......

 

[Alcomotive]

I got some shelving up last night above my work bench. I spray painted the wood boards(shelves) flat black. Spray painted the brackets and the standards with gloss black. Mounted them up and the 1st (2) bottom shelves. I have to finish painting the top shelf then mount that but didn't get to it today. Will finish tomorrow. Plus I am replacing my top of the work bench as well. It will be a few inches bigger depth wise and width wise. I will have a 2nd work area under the leg extension of the layout as well. The paint booth will be outside behind my garage for now. I have a concrete patio just off to the side of the back door next to a storage shed. I will run electric and a air line out there from my 125 gallon compressor. Anyhow that's it for now. Will post updated pics tomorrow.

 

[Alcomotive]

So here some pictures of the simple shelves I added above workstation #1. I haven't change out the bench top out yet to a bigger size. I did get the new top cut just need to swap it out.

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