The Smarrco R.R.

[OleSmokey]

I got roads to cut in yet. Don't know if i want pavement or sand.
I ran out of Plaster cloth so i ordered more but will take awhile to get here. I can't do much more on the mine till i get plaster, so i work on models. I have four more buildings to build yet. shots below,Smoke

 

[OleSmokey]

been working on the second tower for the mine head frame. I got the first building which is a ramp that takes cars up to a spot where the cars dump there load into the N scale hoppers. I ran into a issue where the little hopper mine cars are almost double or so from the first tower. Not sure why. I like the bigger cars. So i am going to play a trick to the layout with the small cars on the back side and the big cars up towards the front. Maybe i can get away with that. Shot below

 

[OleSmokey]

I switched plans and instead of piecing the top together, i went and got a couple of pieces that are 4 foot long and ready to cover the track for the Hayden Jct.It looks way better I got the front side and the room side done and i am planning to get the back side today. It means climbing the tunnel under the layout to get there. I get that part done and all i have left is wiring the track and turnouts. Shots below, Smokey

 

[DeaconKC]

Smoke, on the back edge of the tunnel, could you cut the top to leave it open to reach and build up a view block in front of it to camouflage the track so you wouldn't have to crawl under? Or am I misunderstanding about having to crawl under?

 

[OleSmokey]

The crawl under is temp as i have the layout away from the wall. Not a issue. I am getting to where i can shove it back to the wall. Its close to being mainly done. The middle area is the big hole where i am thinking of putting a small airport in. I want to find a small hospital, one story and small enough to place a helo pad in, Across the road from the fire dept and smelter complex. I want to find a small strip mall that could handle say 6 stores in it. I need a elementary school and a small high school. those are the biggest things on my mind for the layout.

 

[DeaconKC]

Glad to hear on the crawling, my days of doing that are either far over or better have been an earthquake!
You know a lot of the smaller local Urgent Cares now have the helo pads for emergency dispatch.
If the schools aren't real close to the front there's an outfit called Outland on ebay that sells 3d printed school buses for $5, I have been real pleased with their autos on my layout.

 

[OleSmokey]

Cool, I will check it out. Starting to make a list. Guess we shall see how this works out. I am getting real close to running trains around from one side to the other. I have a couple of wires needed to be connected before i run them. I hate crawling under the layout to get to the other side. I get the last of the plaster done and the wiring done and i will be ready to clean up the track and run trains!

 

[OleSmokey]

pretty much everything else is done. Wiring and cleaning track is pretty much whats left. Biggest thing is when you are stuck with a set length of wire from a turnout ya got to extend the length that slows me down so much. I was using my ole trusty wire strippers, and was having issues with striping the wire. Went to my favorite tool store and picked up a couple of different cutters so it should make my work easier. I have been buying new tools as i needed them and i have pretty much replaced most with new or newer tools my other half is giving me the old evil eye because i have spent over 3000.00 bucks on the rr or tools and other supplys like brushes and things like that. three months and it don't take long to drain the piggybank!! It should last a long time. Like DeaconKC said climbing under the layout and doing things under the layout ain't fun. He must be getting old like me. Can't believe i turn 74 this September. Well coffee break is done so back to work. Some shots below, Smoke

 

[migalyto]

This is coming along excellent!

Well done!

 

[DeaconKC]

Looking good Smokey. I'm not as old as you, but broke my back some years ago, so it does make you feel that stretching and crawling. Have a good one.

 

[OleSmokey]

I've had two neck and one lower back surgery. I have that fun most of the time. Most of my time is sitting and building models. watching movies or being on this computer. And playing taxi service. The trains is what keeps me alive. Walking and swimming are kinda out of my area of doing. I used to swim a lot, but my legs are not up to it anymore. Yard work isn't a thing for me so i pay for grass cutting. I am glad i have my Veterans benefits. They won't try anymore surgery. Last one was 10 years ago. So i putter around here with the hobby i chose and do whatever i can. I wish i could move back to San Manuel but my lungs cannot handle the 5000+ height from sea level. As it was i had Oxygen till this year and I still have it at night. My lungs were damaged in the surgery, and its taken almost 10 years to get where i am now. I live at 1000 feet and thats my limit pretty much. Doctors said i should move to a more sea level area. I have a nephew that owns this house and another one that lives with us. We are doing baby-sitting with him. Hes not doing well his own self. So i am committed to watching him and having cheap rent till something happens.