Return to the Hobby. First structure built in a few years.

[SteveCuster]

Hey guys.
I'm just returning to the hobby after a few years. Trying to shake the rust off and remember some of my techniques. Here's my latest creation. Its FSM Kit #295 Fox Run Milling.

 

[DaWolf85]

Couple of questions.
Why no bumper of any kind at the end of the track?
Why are the ties on the bridge cut in half? Seems to me if you bother cutting the ties in half you shouldn't have ties anyways.

Other than that, it looks great.

 

[SteveCuster]

No Bumper..

There's no bumper on the track because I wanted a Hayes type bumper and I had no casting on hand. The model was built for a friend of mine who owns a hobby shop so I figured when I gave it to him he could supply the bumper. The cut ties over the small trestle are there because the industry was suppost to once have been supplied coal (or something else) by way of hopper cars (at least thats how George Sellios designed it).

-Steve

 

[DaWolf85]

There's no bumper on the track because I wanted a Hayes type bumper and I had no casting on hand. The model was built for a friend of mine who owns a hobby shop so I figured when I gave it to him he could supply the bumper. The cut ties over the small trestle are there because the industry was suppost to once have been supplied coal (or something else) by way of hopper cars (at least thats how George Sellios designed it).

-Steve

I still don't understand the cut ties, as if I were them, I'd remove the ties entirely instead of just cutting them. I understand that it was supposed to be a coal trestle (figured that out right away, why else would the ties be cut ), but I don't understand why you would cut the ties instead of omit them entirely.
Maybe less expensive mounting or something?

 

[68 Camaro]

Very nice job. Your absence from the model railroading is something I should do. How long were you gone? Maybe being off for two or three years would enhance my modeling skills.

Larry

 

[SteveCuster]

Thanks Larry!

I was probably out of it for 5 years or so. I think I used to do better work before I left to be honest. Ive forgotten alot of my techniques that used to come as second nature. That corrugated metal roof took me a bit of trial and error to get the way I wanted it and its just a basic technique of some paint and pastel chalks. If you've never done it I highly recommend building a Fine Scale Miniatures kit. When you're done you not only get a fantastic model but you get a whole new skillset for doing certain techniques. George is a genius when it comes to making great looking models using relatively easy techniques.

As far as the trestle ties go you may be right about them not using half ties. I think it may have to fall under the category of artistic license. It may not be prototypical but it does add another dimension or texture to the overall model. Sometimes the visual impact is worth more than the logical reason behind it. I didnt design it though so I dont really have an answer for you.

-Steve

 

[ChevelleSSguy]

What did you use for dirt and gravel?

 

[DaWolf85]

What did you use for dirt and gravel?

Sort of looks like sand to me, not sure though.

 

[maczimb]

Cut Ties

The cut ties are supported on what could be two, 12" X 12" timbers which in turn are supported either end and in the middle.
If the rails were not supported for the entire length they would sag between the end and center supports, when loaded.
Mac

 

[DaWolf85]

Cut ties

The cut ties are supported on what could be two, 12" X 12" timbers which in turn are supported either end and in the middle.
If the rails were not supported for the entire length they would sag between the end and center supports, when loaded.
Mac

I'm not saying they wouldn't be supported, I'm saying there's probably a more efficient way of doing it than that. Like for example if you just attached the rails to a couple of timbers (so one timber per rail) that ran the length of the trestle, supported by the piers. Don't see why that wouldn't work or be any less efficient.

 

[SteveCuster]

For the dirt and gravel I used dirt from outside. I never use sand because it is glassy and appears out of scale and distracting to me , especially in photos. My technique for getting dirt is very easy , I walk into the woods with a shovel and a 5 gallon bucket and dig a hole. Then I fill the bucket and walk into direct sunlight with a handful of the dirt to see if it has any glassy bits in it. If it doesnt I then take it home and I bought a piece of replacement screen from home depot and I sift it through that into a cheap foil type baking pan. I bake at 400 degrees for like 20 minutes or so ( that kills any critters and also burns off any wood or leaf particles in the dirt ). Thats about it. For the road after I glued the dirt down I rubbed it with my finger to make it look worn.

-Steve

 

[Steamfreak]

A lengthwise support would not provide sufficient lateral support, making the possibility of having cars tipping over a real danger....The pictures aren't clear enough, but there should be 2 long supports under the cross ties - a ladder-like construction...

 

[SteveCuster]

A lengthwise support would not provide sufficient lateral support, making the possibility of having cars tipping over a real danger....The pictures aren't clear enough, but there should be 2 long supports under the cross ties - a ladder-like construction...

There are lengthwise beams under the cut ties. You can see them better in this photo.

 

[maczimb]

Cut Ties

You can rest assured that some struktuaril injunear dun sum serious kalkulatin before he came up with the ladder design to counteract lateral movement and downward forces.
Mac ( I wus wun)

 

[UP2CSX]

Steve, I don't think you forgot much while you were out of the hobby. Very nice job on a difficult kit. I know, I built one for our club back in the days and it was a bear. The weathering is spot on and all the little details really make the scene.

As Mac said, the design used for the coal trestle is completely prototypical. Each rail need the support of the half ties plus the longitudinal member mounted on top of the concrete piers. Might have even been wood piers in that kit, I don't remember. As the hopper was pushed out on the dump track, the load was dumped, not just in the empty space in the middle, but on the tracks and ties as well. Most of it fell by gravity into the pit but you needed the ties to help resist the weight of the loaded hopper and then the accelerated weight of the coal on the rail as it was dumped. There was a coal yard with a very similar trestle to the one in the picture when I was a kid. After about every third car, they'd send a couple of guys out on the trestle to shovel out the coal between the ties.

 

[DaWolf85]

As Mac said, the design used for the coal trestle is completely prototypical. Each rail need the support of the half ties plus the longitudinal member mounted on top of the concrete piers. Might have even been wood piers in that kit, I don't remember. As the hopper was pushed out on the dump track, the load was dumped, not just in the empty space in the middle, but on the tracks and ties as well. Most of it fell by gravity into the pit but you needed the ties to help resist the weight of the loaded hopper and then the accelerated weight of the coal on the rail as it was dumped. There was a coal yard with a very similar trestle to the one in the picture when I was a kid. After about every third car, they'd send a couple of guys out on the trestle to shovel out the coal between the ties.

I know it's prototypical, as this is a FSM kit, I doubt it'd be wrong about that. I was just wondering if it would work better without any ties. Maybe wood isn't a strong enough material to do what I was thinking.