Building the Pinnacle Creek Mining & Timber Co. RR

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I trace because most of the time I use foam or cork roadbed and then lay the track. In this case using plastic roadbed track this was easy. I eventually glued this track down and build scenery, ground covers, right up next to the plastic trackbed. Then ballast the plastic if I want after the scenery. Jim:)
 
My thought was to use the Kato Plastic roadbed but paint the bed and track, clean the top surface and bury it with ground cover. Now that is the plan. I have heard of others doing that. Like you did in the logging camp. no roadbed, or not showing it. I think i can pull that one off. I will probably get the plaster and mountain forms done this month but nothing else. We had to pop for a new a/c. Not planning that. I am going to continue to see how this plays out, Jim. Thanks for the help. Dan
 


Dan, A word of caution if I may. The Kato plastic track is great and can stand alone if need be. You mention 'bury' the track. Fair enough on lower classification and backwoods roads like I model, but modern locos do not and cannot, at speed, run on buried track. Track become buried because the weight of the trains pushes the track into the ground. If you have any loco pulling more than 10 mph then leave your Kato alone. You can paint it, even ballast it, but one way or another you have to have the ballast to hold the weight of your locos running at speed. Jim
 
Yes Patrick there will be a simple table top layout of 4'x6'. We'll see if mine can be in the top grouping of layouts ever made in that size range. Jim :eek:
 
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Now we're starting to get somewhere. Four layers of ground cover and just some bushes and our layout's looking good. Notice I've ballasted the plastic track. Jim:D
 
Once you have completed all your ground coverings and sit back an enjoy your efforts it usually means it is time to take a second or third look at your layout and add some more ground covers! But, when you are satisfied then it is time to plant trees; always a favor task of mine.

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Trees make a big different. Remember this layout is 3'x4' too. Jim

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Ok Jim, It will be at grade level. The ties will be even and the outside Ballast will be covered with the different colors for the earth. I would love to use some of those tufts that you used on the track. I may not be able to do that as i am in n scale not Ho. That layout looks so good!
 
Sorry Dan, everything you see like ground cover and bushes where purchased at my LHS. Everything in the photo except the trees which I made, are Woodland Scenics products. Oh, this is Z Scale NOT HO. Jim :)
 


I thought so Jim. I am wondering the bare spot on the lower right. Will that be some kind of creek or river? Like you i love the trees.
 
Jim, i was looking at my new magazine from Model railroad hobbyist and there was an story one fellow that he needed to redo the foam on one piece of his layout. I can see it was carved but never covered with plaster. My question is is there any way it will break down with the foam all covered up with plaster? I don't know what kind of Foam he used. It wasn't touched as to what it was. He showed there where he had carved teh mountain walls. This would have been me after awhile right?? Its funny how you start seeing these things when you get more knowledge. Thanks, Dan:o
 
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Dan, I suppose you are alluding to 'spray foam' of which I'm not a fan. Anyway, was the article complete? No one just leaves foam uncovered on a layout. Virtually impossible to add scenery to it?? As for any foam, spray or otherwise, it will not deteriorate once covered by plaster cloth. I'm showing the way I did a layout in these photos to you and everyone to show you the simplest, least painful way to build a small layout. There are many ways, some difficult, some not so much. Me, I like my way. Jim:D
 
Finally we are almost through with the small layout. The owner owned a construction company and wanted a see using his equipment. So I came up with this. Jim:D

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Yep. I get the free Model railroad Hobbyist and in there June 15,issue, On page 49 it shows the 'Whats neat'. On the page 55 it has the picture of what he did. and the issue there. I saw it and its like you said, No bare foam! I just thought i would show it so the others here could see what bare foam and the issues with that.
That is so cool!! I really like that construction scene! Thanks for the help and i am sure others learned things as well. Will see you around. Thanks again, Dan
 
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Jim, I did most of the plaster today. I ran out so i will pick one up Friday. I have to go downtown to the VA so i can pick up one then. Man i like it. I used Newspapers and they came out really great! I can show shots at the other site. I don't think you would want me to post shots of my work here. I just can't say enough for the way that stuff works. It was really easy too! Its total 180 degrees. Those Mountains look like Mountains. Thanks again, Dan
 
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