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I've since found lots of pics of the ore cars I really want -- basically a box on wheels that pulls the ore out of the mine. Something like this:
I found a kit here which is close to perfect. and of course, the second pic on that page makes me want to build the tipper, too (no idea what that thing is called)! Now I just need to find/build one of those motorized movers
I assume these movers aren't available so I'd have to scratch build. Probably just make a non-working model.
This could get interesting. I'd welcome any links to add'l info, especially pictures that may help.
My father was a miner in England and later in NZ during the 1930's. He referred to the hoppers as "Skips" (back when they were still using ponies to haul them).
And, to get to those mines we have to have track. Here is the last of the mainline track waiting for the glue to dry. Only the long 3 foot trestle to make 'ends meet.' Jim
Now that the mainline is dry and ballasted I'm starting on the final scenery on top of the layout. You can see I have the mine siding subroadbed in. Jim
I like the way the siding or from the mine tracks destination is hidden from view. Although it dead ends in the mountain or mine area, you can't tell until you walk up and look over the mountain. I think that a wonderful way to keep the viewer guessing or at least wondering where the track leads or what it does. Good planning.
I was thinking something very similar to Silvertons comments. The latest addition to my list of layout requirements (they're all phrases) wants the 180' turns to not look like 180' turns. I think your layout does that.
Silverton, One thing I've notice through the years is that 'everything' is in view for the visitor. I've done it myself on this layout. Instead of having my freight station properly situated with the back of the building showing I moved track around to show the front of the building. "I can't take it anymore!" A quote from a movie I like. So this time having two mines I have one that visitors can see face, and one that they will have to peek over the mountain to see. High marks to you for realizing this. I do have about two 'official' layout tours per year. One an NMRA, and the other is Layouts of Southern California. Since this layout will be bigger and viewing area capacity smaller I thought this would be a good way to spread out the visitors!
RR, I actually think that way about 180* curves. Trick is to use view blocks, the mountain in this case, or have the broadest curves you can to escape the issue.
Tony, 224 pages?? You had better get to work! Good luck.
Toot, Yes, the final leg of mainline. I'm trying to put off building a meter of bridge track for as long as possible! Jim
I did not want to hurt your feelings, but I thought it was wrong from the start.
I was expecting to s ee a more desert looking scene with maybe large rock formations, sand dunes, and lots of cactus around.
Maybe a scene from around Amboy .. With a chloride mining operation ... Leeching ditches and piles of mined chloride.
That is all, carry on.
Sherrel, Me too! I think the problem with my original plan was that it doesn't translate well to the use of Sculptamold. I've tried everything, I think, to get the color I wanted and have failed. I'm pretty good at color mixing but this is got me stumped this time around. It may come down to actually painting the rock after the fact. I tried to mix desert sand in but nothing really works so far. I know you are alluding to Furlow's work and I have done, not copied, my version of his modeling even before I knew who he was. I'm guessing that when I switched from plaster to Sculptamold my fate was sealed, or at least forked off in a new direction. I believe I mentioned this earlier. The hill is now smaller and I'm settling for now on parts of New Mexico instead of Arizona. Jim
Jim, I'm don't know if it's sculptamold, or plaster, or hydrocal... I don't even have a clue. I do know that this thread is 225 pages in and you have done a great job explaining your modeling style. You are a flexible modeler, very ad lib. So.... in 225 pages something didn't turn out how you imagined it. Whoop-de-doo. I'm laying here (recovering) entertained by, and enjoying your saga. Somedays your stuff is my days highpoint. I owe you buddy and if you goofed, oh well.
I imagine I'm speaking for most readers here in saying "I'd rather read your mistakes" than most modelers "best". Carry on Jim, there's lots here that are anxious to see (and read about) your "fix".
