Building the Pinnacle Creek Mining & Timber Co. RR

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Railrunner130 said:
Happy birthday Jim!
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I don't know who is around these days, but I was reading a new post and noticed the post was close to my 70th birthday. Well, I'm still kicking and I'm now 80! Thanks to all who participate here. While my modeling days are well behind me now I still check in daily to see if someone has asked a question. With over 2 million views here my only hope was to help modelers with their scenery. If only one person was helped I feel the years spent here was well worth my time. Cheers to you all, Jim
 
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HOexplorer said:
I don't know who is around these days, but I was reading a new post and noticed the post was close to my 70th birthday. Well, I'm still kicking and I'm now 80! Thanks to all who participate here. While my modeling day are well behind me now I still check in daily to see if someone has asked a question. With over 2 million views here my only hope was to help modelers with there scenery. If only one person was helped I feel the years spent here was well worth my time. Cheers to you all, Jim
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Jim,

We can all learn something from the ones that have been in the hobby a long time. The way things were down years ago will still work today!! What you have done for the hobby will always be greatly appreciated especially to the people here.

Thank you
Kurt
KG & B Railway
 


Jim,

I'm getting ready to model Conrail in the early 80s in a very flat part of Indiana. Your projects always seem to involve fairly steep slopes and a few gullies. What would you recommend for creating some topographical variation?

This part of Indiana seems flat, because everything is low and rolling. I'd like to make some interesting transitions between the scenes without parking large forests to block views.

The Indiana section of my lout is 24 to 36 inches wide, built on 1 inch foam. It will be a loop in an S shape (my layout thread here: https://modelrailroadforums.com/for...s-misty-valley-mythical-rr-3rd-edition.38107/).

The main run will snake through the S with operations along the way.

When it gets to the other end of the S, leaving the small yard, it will shortcut through the backdrop and then hug the back of the layout to return to the helix. So there can be a bit of elevation, but not much. it has to return to grade to get back into the helix.

I'm tempted to make the back half of the loop that cuts through the backdrop climb half an inch just to make some grade differences?

Any tricks up your sleeve to spice this up?
 
troyphoto said:
Jim,

I'm getting ready to model Conrail in the early 80s in a very flat part of Indiana. Your projects always seem to involve fairly steep slopes and a few gullies. What would you recommend for creating some topographical variation?

This part of Indiana seems flat, because everything is low and rolling. I'd like to make some interesting transitions between the scenes without parking large forests to block views.

The Indiana section of my lout is 24 to 36 inches wide, built on 1 inch foam. It will be a loop in an S shape (my layout thread here: https://modelrailroadforums.com/for...s-misty-valley-mythical-rr-3rd-edition.38107/).

The main run will snake through the S with operations along the way.

When it gets to the other end of the S, leaving the small yard, it will shortcut through the backdrop and then hug the back of the layout to return to the helix. So there can be a bit of elevation, but not much. it has to return to grade to get back into the helix.

I'm tempted to make the back half of the loop that cuts through the backdrop climb half an inch just to make some grade differences?

Any tricks up your sleeve to spice this up?
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No problem, First remember that modern railroads are built above surrounding terrain. Solved, you have created elevation. Second, as for flat parts of surrounding Indiana terrain: Really? Maybe not as flat as you assume, and there is a cure. One simple trick is going to the big box store and purchasing that spray foam in the cans. The spray will bubble up as you make different low hill shapes. Perhaps you will make a dozen spray shapes at first. Next get some rough sandpaper or a fish scaler and smooth the shapes down to low hills. Cover with plaster cloth and add scenery, and then as more scenery. One inch or less hills here an there will break things up.
 
kgstakes said:
Jim,

We can all learn something from the ones that have been in the hobby a long time. The way things were down years ago will still work today!! What you have done for the hobby will always be greatly appreciated especially to the people here.

Thank you
Kurt
KG & B Railway
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Thank you Kurt. I was only in the game for 14 years. I think I started at 60 and a bad back forced me to stop at 74. Never was a 'modeler.' Didn't know a thing about model railroading. (Emergency!) I do NOT think the above age years are correct. Maybe someone can find my modeling times in the thread. 14 years seems right, but the ages I don't know anymore. I'm 80, now and need help on some things. Anyway, I never knew anything but red wires and black (white). Scenery no, but I was an outdoor type and new what the outdoors should look like. I tried my best.
 
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DeaconKC said:
Jim, I have spent 5 days reading this thread from the beginning and want to thank you for the many enjoyable hours spent here. I am working on a N scale imitation of the Gorre & Daphetid and also a HO T-Trak module. If you ever want a lift to a train show, I am in Heber Springs with a comfortable ride!
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Glad to hear you approve! I don't advertise the thread and it is all scales, z, n, ho, On30, and the thread has over two million views. The G&D is good endeavor and I wish you luck. Keep reading and commenting.
 
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