Building the Pinnacle Creek Mining & Timber Co. RR

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Jim, Will do. :D

Chris, Check it out. Caboose at the end of the train. Thanks, Jim:)

Mining on the Norther Division123.jpg
 
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Jim that's amazing! That caboose could almost be his twin brother. Is this your present layout or another one of your completed layouts of the past? In any case its beautiful, well done. - Chris
 
Thanks Chris, The last photo was Z scale. The caboose is an RSLaser Kit. Rich probably used your photo as the prototype.

Here is one from the same layout, with some changes, on the logging section. The layout in this photo is now N scale. Jim:)

Busy.jpg
 
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Jim, It's hard for me to believe that someone can have such detail on a Z scale model. You must really have a lot of patience and good hand-eye coordination. That magazine photo was from a June 1979, so you might be right. - Chris
 
Thanks Chris. Here is a photo I said I would post after the request for more photos. Enjoy all. Jim:)

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Sorry, no photo, thank you photobucket.
 
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Back to the dilema I've suffered through since I started model railroading--
Now that I'm virtually finished, what is next?

I actually hate this when this happens. I moved into my little house in June, 2006, the boat before remember, the PCM&T layout is layout number 5. You do the math. Layouts don't last long in my trainroom.

This doesn't mean I'm going to tear this one down tomorrow. I sort of have commited to an open house during the National Narrow Guage Convention this August. Also, to get this PCM&T layout 'right,' I have one more track tuning chore to do. I could skip all this and just rip it up like I always do, but I'm having trouble making up my mind this time. Essentially this layout is less that 15 months old.

Naturally, having little to do besides Senior Softball I've given a new plan a thought. I just drew this up an hour ago. A new layout would go on the exsisting benchwork and would be the same size as the PCM&T. Changes would be no tipple, no open water, no switchbacks. I would basically be returning to my "runner" roots. The height of the terrain would be lower. I'm thinking maybe New Mexico this time. Tell me what you think:

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Sorry to put you through this. Think how I feel. Jim:confused:
 
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Jim, your problem is you are just too creative! Well I’m finished with that, now what is my next challenge. I can see your dilemma, what do I do now. You have already said that your main thrill or excitement in model railroading is the creating aspect of it. Not just running the trains.

You mentioned New Mexico. Since you have done extensive reading research of scenery and other aspects of railroading, Do you remember John Olson’s “The Jerome & Southwestern”? Kalmbach Books even did a book, “Building an HO Model Railroad with Personality”. So, would your layout be more of a southern New Mexico like Olson’s or northern New Mexico like around a Chama? Your drawing does have a certain flow to it. I like it.

Sounds like a new adventure!!
 
Oh Jim you are talking about me right !!!!

I am the same way and I even have changed scales several times.
DO WHAT YOU LIKE !!!!!!

I like the plan and know whatever it will be will be outstanding.

Mike
 
Just some thoughts, the tunnels at top left a bit shorter so more track is visible at the back centre and allow a longer siding. Also the trestle over the river, move the tunnel portal a little closer to the river and extend the trestle right up to it which would then mean the lower track would also pass through the trestle legs. (has been done before I know but is a very appealling scene).
 


First, thanks guys.

Chris, I do not know of the book or the author you mentioned. I only mentioned New Mexico to see if Mike Fifer was paying attention! Actually I saw a movie the other day fillmed in NM, "The Missing." I liked the scenery. I've not really been through NM so I'm not sure that any 'next' layout would portray NM very well.

What I am thinking about is something with dramatic cliffs and canyons. As dramatic as I can make them in my small room. Still thinking.

Toot, I drew this plan up in about 15 minutes. Any new layout would be close, but not exactly to the plan. They never are. Plus, because again, I will have to build back to front because of reach issues many things will change. Even the PCM&T has the train under the trestle scene.

RR, Trust me I'm with you. This is a good one, as they all have been. Of course there is always the prospect of the ore tipple being a prize in some contest! Jim:)
 
HOexplorer said:
First, thanks guys.

Chris, I do not know of the book or the author you mentioned. I only mentioned New Mexico to see if Mike Fifer was paying attention! Actually I saw a movie the other day fillmed in NM, "The Missing." I liked the scenery. I've not really been through NM so I'm not sure that any 'next' layout would portray NM very well.

What I am thinking about is something with dramatic cliffs and canyons. As dramatic as I can make them in my small room. Still thinking.

Toot, I drew this plan up in about 15 minutes. Any new layout would be close, but not exactly to the plan. They never are. Plus, because again, I will have to build back to front because of reach issues many things will change. Even the PCM&T has the train under the trestle scene.

RR, Trust me I'm with you. This is a good one, as they all have been. Of course there is always the prospect of the ore tipple being a prize in some contest! Jim:)
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Jim try pulling up pictures of Silver City and Cloudcroft NM and Bisbee AZ and you will see some great area scenery.

Mike
 
I went to Bisbee once. It's a really neat town. Kinda hippieish. Of the places we went on that trip, it was the most interesting. Tombstone and the Boot Hill Graveyard seemed to be nothing more than tourist traps to me.
 
Good stuff guys. I have a hunch that as usual any new layout will come from within rather from without. I want to create something "I" have not seen modeled before. I will certainly study some internet photos for ideas, but once I start building I don't look back at the photos. So with all the external input once I start it is all mine. Jim:)
 
HOexplorer said:
Good stuff guys. I have a hunch that as usual any new layout will come from within rather from without. I want to create something "I" have not seen modeled before. I will certainly study some internet photos for ideas, but once I start building I don't look back at the photos. So with all the external input once I start it is all mine. Jim:)
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I understand. You and I are on the same wave length except you do the wrong scale.:p;):eek:



Mike
 


Mike: Is there a 'right' scale? Really?

JPIII, I hear you.

Toot, That says it all for sure. Thanks.

Back to business: About the "Plan:" What say you all to a layout that would be interchangeable between HO and On30?
I admit to designing the "Plan" with On30 in mind. The radii would be 15 inches, like it is on the PCM&T and my current DC On30 locos do just fine on them. The locos are smaller ones.

What I was thinking was why could I not just make the areas the track runs through just a bit wider to fit the bigger rolling stock? I'm thinking of building my own O scale buildings, or at least kits that had no bottoms, that would fit over existing HO buildings. I would lift them off for HO running and put over the HO buildings for On30 running? Any thoughts?

Anyone seen this done? Jim:)
Sorry, don't know what photo went here??
HOorOplan_zps7a6e6865.jpg
 
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