Northern Pacific Rocky Valley Branch Switching Layout Build


Been busy this week so I didn’t get a ton of work done but I did manage to tackle a few small projects.

I continued with some work on the oil distributor. I tried out the DIY asphalt shingle roof but I didn’t like the look of it so I opted to go with a corrugated metal roof. I found some of this online and ordered it so hopefully next weekend I can get the pump house roof finished.

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I also continued with some work on the fence. I painted it but it still needs some weathering. As you can see, I also started adding in some shrubs around the junk piles.

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I’m hoping this will blend the piles in a bit more. Since I was adding shrubs, I decided to add some more near the hills. There was an area that didn’t turn out quite right when I initially applied the static grass so I decided to cover it with more shrubs.

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On a different note, I have been thinking more and more about the upcoming exhibition for this layout in November. Currently the layout is DC but I felt that having a locomotive with sound would give the layout a little something extra. I decided it would be best to upgrade the layout to DCC so I purchased an NCE power cab system and a Walthers Mainline Northern Pacific GP9.

My next layout will need DCC so I can transfer the system to that build when the time comes. I chose a GP9 for the first DCC loco as my next build will require a GP9 due to the fact that the GMRC had several of these in service over the years. When the time comes, it will be stripped of its NP colors and painted in GMRC colors:)
 
GuilfordRailman said:
Been busy this week so I didn’t get a ton of work done but I did manage to tackle a few small projects.

I continued with some work on the oil distributor. I tried out the DIY asphalt shingle roof but I didn’t like the look of it so I opted to go with a corrugated metal roof. I found some of this online and ordered it so hopefully next weekend I can get the pump house roof finished.

View attachment 199188

I also continued with some work on the fence. I painted it but it still needs some weathering. As you can see, I also started adding in some shrubs around the junk piles.

View attachment 199189

I’m hoping this will blend the piles in a bit more. Since I was adding shrubs, I decided to add some more near the hills. There was an area that didn’t turn out quite right when I initially applied the static grass so I decided to cover it with more shrubs.

View attachment 199190

On a different note, I have been thinking more and more about the upcoming exhibition for this layout in November. Currently the layout is DC but I felt that having a locomotive with sound would give the layout a little something extra. I decided it would be best to upgrade the layout to DCC so I purchased an NCE power cab system and a Walthers Mainline Northern Pacific GP9.

My next layout will need DCC so I can transfer the system to that build when the time comes. I chose a GP9 for the first DCC loco as my next build will require a GP9 due to the fact that the GMRC had several of these in service over the years. When the time comes, it will be stripped of its NP colors and painted in GMRC colors:)
Click to expand...
This just keeps getting better and better!

Well done!
 
Well, unfortunately the NP GP9 didn't work out. I received a message from the seller that they had made a mistake and that the locomotive was no longer in stock. They tried to sell me the same locomotive with a different road number but had no listing of it and wouldn't provide pictures. I asked for a refund, which they did do. Never had an interaction like this with a seller before but didn't seem quite right. I will have to look around for another suitable locomotive for the layout and upcoming train show.

Edit:

I found the exact locomotive I previously attempted to order. Managed to get it a few dollars cheaper too:)

Hopefully this order actually works out!
 
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Quick little weekend update on Rocky Valley. I’ve started tackling a few other small projects that I had put aside.

The first of these was readjusting the positioning of the intake pipes for the oil distributor pump house. When I glued them on initially, they ended up a little crooked.

Next, I painted the base of my scratch built/kit-bashed oil pipeline to look like concrete.

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As you can see, I’ve gone ahead and added a corrugated metal roof to the pump house. I like this a lot better than the tar shingle roof. With a little more weathering, this structure should be complete:)

I also took some time to weather the wooden fence adjacent to the oil distributor. I am thinking I may add some vines along the sides of it but I’m not sure yet.

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Rocky Valley has been on a hiatus for the past few weeks due to moving into my new home and some traveling as well. I was finally able to get started on putting the layout back together:)

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I will be able to continue with some layout projects this coming week!

On a different note, I’m sure some of you are aware that I’m exhibiting Rocky Valley next month. I originally planned to exhibit it without the backdrops and LED lighting so that I can stand behind the layout and run a train. However, I feel that since this layout was designed as a shadow box style layout, perhaps it’s best to display it that way at the show and stand alongside or in front to run the trains instead. Thoughts on this?
 
An update on Rocky Valley is finally here!

I’ve had several projects in the works. The first is I have decided to repaint the backdrop. I didn’t like the shade of blue I had previously so I used a lighter shade.

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This is the before shot. As you can see, I also began sketching various mountain ranges on the backdrop. I have been sitting on the idea of painting it for many months and decided to give it a shot.

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I have started with a very dark green paint to represent mountains in the distance and I’ll be layering another set or two of mountains in medium or light green.

The next project I did was install the NCE power cab panel to the layout.

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I also continued with some weathering on the layout, focusing on the oil distribution center tanks and pump house.

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These still need some work but they’re getting there!

I also finally completed the pipe load for the flatcar.

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Lastly, I ordered another vehicle for the layout. The fuel Co. was missing something that wasn’t incorporated on the rest of the layout. I decided I needed a bulldozer to push coal around:)

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I will definitely have some more project updates soon as the Vernon, CT train show is fast approaching and I need to get everything finished.
 
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