Green Mountain Railroad Layout Build
- Thread starter Guilford Railman
- Start date
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Wow she sure is! Love that scheme and of course I love Alcos!
PS - I have a few Guilford locos....Alcos
look in my YouTube link.......you might even see my buddy's Alco's .....
As to the layout, i'm surprised that you didn't include what is probably unique site on American railroad; that short tunnel under the city with visible row of buildings right on top of it where Mill Street crosses the railroad: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wsM3pRKRtaZ82WVv5
That is such a cool piece of landscape on a railroad.
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Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Thanks!
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Thank you! I can't wait to give them a fresh coat of paint and get them ready for their first trip down the lineI like em!
Can already see them full of passengers heading for a destination.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I've spent some time over the last week working on the layout design more. There were some elements of the original design that bothered me and I came up with a solution for them.
I wasn't crazy about the placement of the Bartonsville covered bridge so I knew I had to reposition it. I was limited to either inside the loop or another corner of the layout. I felt a corner was the better option so I shifted the turnout for the grade down the line a bit more, and eliminated the grade altogether. This gave me more working room for the covered bridge and allowed for the placement of a road into the town of Chester.
I also shifted the Bellows Falls Station runaround slightly to the right to allow for a full 97 ft truss bridge adjacent to the station. The shift of the runaround allowed for slightly longer yard tracks in Bellows Falls as well the ability to utilize a different angle and position of the turnouts too. As you can see, there is a team track now in the yard. I noticed a concrete platform on Google Earth that I didn't see before. I'm not sure when this platform was in use but I like the idea of having the team track there as another industry. However, it may be a bit repetitive as Riverside Reload is a transload facility itself, so I may or may not keep it.
I really like the new design now and I don't think i'll make any more changes for the time being but we will see
I wasn't crazy about the placement of the Bartonsville covered bridge so I knew I had to reposition it. I was limited to either inside the loop or another corner of the layout. I felt a corner was the better option so I shifted the turnout for the grade down the line a bit more, and eliminated the grade altogether. This gave me more working room for the covered bridge and allowed for the placement of a road into the town of Chester.
I also shifted the Bellows Falls Station runaround slightly to the right to allow for a full 97 ft truss bridge adjacent to the station. The shift of the runaround allowed for slightly longer yard tracks in Bellows Falls as well the ability to utilize a different angle and position of the turnouts too. As you can see, there is a team track now in the yard. I noticed a concrete platform on Google Earth that I didn't see before. I'm not sure when this platform was in use but I like the idea of having the team track there as another industry. However, it may be a bit repetitive as Riverside Reload is a transload facility itself, so I may or may not keep it.
I really like the new design now and I don't think i'll make any more changes for the time being but we will see
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Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I’ve gone ahead and ordered a set of passenger coach GMRC decals as well as some for diesel locomotives. I plan to add to the fleet over time so these will come in handy.
I took some time today to dissect the passenger coaches and see what I’m working with on the interior. I removed the diaphragms and the window panes that were glued on the inside. This is in preparation for painting them in the near future.
For details on these, I plan to add interiors with passengers, as well as exterior grab irons, air hoses, and end door gates/chains.
The next step is to find new wheel sets for these cars and trial fit and test some knuckle couplers.
I took some time today to dissect the passenger coaches and see what I’m working with on the interior. I removed the diaphragms and the window panes that were glued on the inside. This is in preparation for painting them in the near future.
For details on these, I plan to add interiors with passengers, as well as exterior grab irons, air hoses, and end door gates/chains.
The next step is to find new wheel sets for these cars and trial fit and test some knuckle couplers.
Alcomotive
Grandson of an ALCO Builder
Wow she sure is! Love that scheme and of course I love Alcos!
PS - I have a few Guilford locos....Alcos
look in my YouTube link.......you might even see my buddy's Alco's .....
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Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Guilford was my favorite to railfan growing up. I lived pretty close to the E. Deerfield yard when I was younger. I'll check it out!Wow she sure is! Love that scheme and of course I love Alcos!
PS - I have a few Guilford locos....Alcos
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I received some items for the Green Mountain RR build in the last couple days.
These are decal sets for both GMRC diesels and passenger coaches.
I have also gone ahead and ordered some items from Tamiya including the primary colors for the passenger coaches (essentially Pullman green), yellow for the grab irons, etc…and matte black for the roof and under carriage/trucks.
Included with this order is also some filler putty for a few cracks in the coach shells, clear coat, gray primer, and some specialized masking tape.
My plan in the next few weeks is to soak the cars in a yet-to-be-determined paint stripping fluid, and prep the cars for the details which includes drilling small holes and sanding/filing off various imperfections.
These are decal sets for both GMRC diesels and passenger coaches.
I have also gone ahead and ordered some items from Tamiya including the primary colors for the passenger coaches (essentially Pullman green), yellow for the grab irons, etc…and matte black for the roof and under carriage/trucks.
Included with this order is also some filler putty for a few cracks in the coach shells, clear coat, gray primer, and some specialized masking tape.
My plan in the next few weeks is to soak the cars in a yet-to-be-determined paint stripping fluid, and prep the cars for the details which includes drilling small holes and sanding/filing off various imperfections.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I received some of the detail parts for the coaches today including the grab irons, end door gates, and wheel sets.
I found a set of 36” wheels with the precise axle length I needed from Reboxx. It is unfortunate that they went out of business because these wheel sets are really nice!
On a different note, because I have always loved the Green Mountain Railroad and this layout has always been a dream of mine, I felt it best to take all appropriate steps to make sure it truly becomes the layout of my dreams.
I have recently begun working with James Hilton, who I am sure many of you know from the model railroad community. I love the design I have come up with so far but I felt it best to find someone else with great skills and talent who can help bring this layout to life.
The design process will continue with James Hilton while I begin work on the passenger coaches this weekend
I found a set of 36” wheels with the precise axle length I needed from Reboxx. It is unfortunate that they went out of business because these wheel sets are really nice!
On a different note, because I have always loved the Green Mountain Railroad and this layout has always been a dream of mine, I felt it best to take all appropriate steps to make sure it truly becomes the layout of my dreams.
I have recently begun working with James Hilton, who I am sure many of you know from the model railroad community. I love the design I have come up with so far but I felt it best to find someone else with great skills and talent who can help bring this layout to life.
The design process will continue with James Hilton while I begin work on the passenger coaches this weekend
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Forgot to mention this the other day but I received my order from Tamiya.com, as well as two more items needed for the passenger coach project. These are the Talgo truck adapters and adaptor tool.
I have never used Tamiya paints before but I heard that they were great for plastic models so I figured I’d give them a try!
There were a few small cracks in the roof of one of the coaches so I’m hoping this putty from Tamiya will do the trick. I also purchased some masking tape designed for curved edges so hopefully that will help too!
I have never used Tamiya paints before but I heard that they were great for plastic models so I figured I’d give them a try!
There were a few small cracks in the roof of one of the coaches so I’m hoping this putty from Tamiya will do the trick. I also purchased some masking tape designed for curved edges so hopefully that will help too!
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Little update on the layout, well the trains for the layout.
After soaking and scrubbing with isopropyl alcohol on and off for the last few weeks, this is what the passenger cars look like:
Any recommendations for removing the last little bits of paint still on the cars?
After soaking and scrubbing with isopropyl alcohol on and off for the last few weeks, this is what the passenger cars look like:
Any recommendations for removing the last little bits of paint still on the cars?
logandsawman
Northern Pacific history enthusiast
I used nail polish remover and cotton balls. Time consuming but effective.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I will give it a try, thanks!
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Not much progress on this build yet as I’ve spent a lot a time going back and forth between ideas.
The plan for this layout was to keep it on a standard 4’ x 8’ setup but after some discussion with James Hilton, I realized it was an unnecessary constraint. I then planned to utilize a significant portion of the basement to create the layout but the primary factor for why I’m hesitant to do that is our cat. He is a little menace lol.
I do have a room in the basement that is essentially a walk in closet with cedar plank walls. It is 9’ x 8’ 4”.
I am thinking of clearing out this room and using this for the layout instead, as I can keep him out of it.
This will also be a constraint for space but I would much rather have a space where I know the cat won’t destroy my hard work.
I have played around with a few track plans for the GMRC build and it’s definitely tricky to get what I want out of the build. I’m contemplating making a layout loosely based on the GMRC with a few key elements and nothing more, with the rest of my focus on freelance ideas.
The plan for this layout was to keep it on a standard 4’ x 8’ setup but after some discussion with James Hilton, I realized it was an unnecessary constraint. I then planned to utilize a significant portion of the basement to create the layout but the primary factor for why I’m hesitant to do that is our cat. He is a little menace lol.
I do have a room in the basement that is essentially a walk in closet with cedar plank walls. It is 9’ x 8’ 4”.
I am thinking of clearing out this room and using this for the layout instead, as I can keep him out of it.
This will also be a constraint for space but I would much rather have a space where I know the cat won’t destroy my hard work.
I have played around with a few track plans for the GMRC build and it’s definitely tricky to get what I want out of the build. I’m contemplating making a layout loosely based on the GMRC with a few key elements and nothing more, with the rest of my focus on freelance ideas.
Iron Horseman
Well-Known Member
I had a friend who built a fake wall with windows across the basement with a screen door to keep the kitties out of the pike.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I thought about it but our basement isn’t very big to begin with and I’d rather put the money towards the layout. Plus my fiancée wasn’t very fond of a random wall in the basement lol.
KriegslokBR52
Well-Known Member
Cool layout. I agree about the Reboxx wheels, i think they were the best for projects, very nice profile, metal and dark. I've used them on steam locomotive guiding trucks after shaving off the tips and they look so much better than any factory installed guiding wheels.I received some of the detail parts for the coaches today including the grab irons, end door gates, and wheel sets.
I found a set of 36” wheels with the precise axle length I needed from Reboxx. It is unfortunate that they went out of business because these wheel sets are really nice!
View attachment 198871
View attachment 198872
On a different note, because I have always loved the Green Mountain Railroad and this layout has always been a dream of mine, I felt it best to take all appropriate steps to make sure it truly becomes the layout of my dreams.
I have recently begun working with James Hilton, who I am sure many of you know from the model railroad community. I love the design I have come up with so far but I felt it best to find someone else with great skills and talent who can help bring this layout to life.
The design process will continue with James Hilton while I begin work on the passenger coaches this weekend
As to the layout, i'm surprised that you didn't include what is probably unique site on American railroad; that short tunnel under the city with visible row of buildings right on top of it where Mill Street crosses the railroad: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wsM3pRKRtaZ82WVv5
That is such a cool piece of landscape on a railroad.
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Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I would have loved to include it but the Green Mountain excursion trains never used that part of the line, at least as far as I’m aware. The Amtraks that used Bellows Falls Station did use that line however!
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Made some progress on the GMRC passenger coaches today! Thanks to the suggestion by @logandsawman , I was able to remove most of the remaining paint using nail polish remover and some cotton balls. I also used a few cotton swabs to remove paint on the inner edges of each window. Worked out great!
With the paint removed, I can continue onto the next step of drilling holes for the grab irons and other details I had purchased for these coaches.
With the paint removed, I can continue onto the next step of drilling holes for the grab irons and other details I had purchased for these coaches.
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