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Here is an update photo of the bridges area. I probably would not be able to take this photo when the layout is finished because scenery will be where the tripod is sitting. The front track is not ballasted yet, nor is the girder and trestle finished. Jim
Toot, Nothing inspiring to those who have to pay for bridges I'm thinking. Inspiring could be the sight of something so big, so heavy, high in the sky. Who knows. Jim
The engineering that goes into the construction of large, long viaducts, wooden or steel trestles that cross large rivers and ravines is what is inspiring to me. Especially considering the time, equipment, and manpower used back when most of them were constructed.
Speaking of bridges. Here is NOT a photo of the of the new bent Sherrel suggested, which is built and in place, but a pic just to the left of the bridge showing my idea of transition plants toward the more desert like area of the layout on the left side. As we work left around the layout plants will become smaller and more sparse. Jim
Definitely a scene for a show layout. The rail bridge looks spindly enough, but those support columns for the road bridges????. Hope that's not in your shaky state Jim.
Thanks Bob, I'm guessing this Mingo Creek is the same as in the photo??? I wonder if that steel is allowable here in CA? 10 years ago the state retrofitted all major bridges to new earthquake stats. I noticed definite before and after increase in size of the Coronado bridge's supports. Jim
Jim, Thanks. What you are really liking is a poor man's alternative to spending money he doesn't have. Trust me I would have no problem filling a basement sized layout with big locos and even a diesel or two. Alas, this is not going to happen. So, the way to enjoy model railroading is to model what will fit into my 10'x11' room. I'm now trying to fit On30 and HO in the room and the only way to semi-realistically do it is to model SMALL. Small locos, geared steam, 2-8-0s and smaller, and small four axle diesels. Many modelers have way too big rolling stock and locos on their HO layouts. Even though my mainline radius is 22" and 24" this time around I can't imagine how silly an 80 plus foot car or loco would look on my layout. Especially because to make those radii fit there are no straight sections on the layout. So in my layout room S-curves sort of rule the day. I feel bad for modelers that are 'stuck' modeling after 1950. Generally the rolling stock and locos just don't fit realistically.
Modelers can get around this size problem, but only just, by building around the room shelf layouts. They get straight runs for the most part and because of their diesels they can get away with running in reverse. Also switching layouts work, but then you would most probably use small locos for these. Then there is the way I do it. Model branchlines and small railroads before WWII. Not everyone's cup of tea, but those folks should look through this thread and see what is possible with little or no money and space. Jim
I went the Union Pacific route, with fifty car trains Big Boys, Challengers and Bull Moose articulateds. It was great. Before we sold that house I was already working on a branch bigger than the size I have available now that was going to "feature" a small town, logging and mining. I even purchased an AHM Heisler, and a PFM two truck shay to run on the branch. I'll never have the finances to do that again, or probably not the time. I love what you do Jim, its a complete, and I mean complete insperation.
I've alluded to being under the weather. For the past three weeks I had a diabetes drug interaction that was almost the end. My kidneys and pancreas failed and nearly bottomed out. I'm coming back now (again) and the insperation and entertainment available on this thread has been priceless. Thanks Jim.
