Tuesday, September 20, 2016

An old idea berths again.

A few years ago certain members of the cartel who will remain nameless posted pictures of the Naksup wayfrieght in Canada and the associated car float rail terminal. This concept tempted me no end, and I nearly capitulated and built a car float based micro. In the intervening time a few car float terminal ideas surfaced. I'm sure every one of them was meant to entice me. But I managed to ignore them. Other pressures helped to divert my attention from this. But quite by accident I discovered this, The Saxman terminal railroad
Once again it's an Alaskan car float based terminal this one is small and compact. The car float berths at the dock at the bottom and cars are then hauled around the horseshoe curve and switched to the large warehouse that has a tuning fork track plan alongside it. A couple of team track locations would make for interesting switching problems.
Saxman terminal today, the track appears to be lifted but it's clear where it used to run.
It's an interesting scheme. Motive power for the line was apparently a Trackmobile, available in HO scale. I think you could effective model this in five or six feet in length in that scale. 
But I'm interested in the idea of recreating it in Z scale. It would fit in about 20" x 30"
A 30" x 20" sheet of foam core board would probably contain the entire layout.
I have some Z scale equipment that I'd like to use and create something that would be a different development of a train set based starter layout. I think I have almost all the track I need. I need 2 switches. I'd be inclined to turn the two sidings at the top into a passing siding and hide the run around offstage so it just looks like two single sidings.
The car float bridge can be adapted from a Micro Trains girder bridge (which I also happen to have)
Micro Trains girder bridge. A basis for the car float bridge perhaps.
A big warehouse would need to be built, and lots of trees too.
So, lots of food for thought. We will just have to see where it all goes.


Monday, June 6, 2016

A New Venture

Going to try my hand at Gn15, or better to say 1/24 scale.  I am currently working on a loco kitbash from an old HO Model Power Hustler switcher.  The loco is not based on any particular prototype, but is something generic from several examples of Gn15 locos I have looked up on Google.  I still need to add a front grill plate to the loco, but am still giving some thought on what type of grill I want.  I also purchased the 1/24 scale figure off of eBay with arms still needing to be attached!!




I ordered some side-dump wagons, couplers, and coupling links w/chains from Shapeways.  These are from Tom Bell's TB Shapeways Store.  I am really pleased with how well these printed out items look.  The next step is to add wheel sets, assemble couplers, and paint.


The above items will one day run on a new micro layout I am currently in the process of planning.  It will feature a mining scene from a location close to where I live.  More information will hopefully be coming along in the near future.

Thanks for taking a look!

Tom Conboy


Saturday, February 20, 2016

Wetterau Food Services Micro Layout Part 9

The completed layout.








I will be posting one more update for this layout build with some final thoughts.

Tom

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Wetterau Food Services Micro Layout Part 8

The Final Push








The Wetterau Food Services Micro Layout is nearing completion.   Track ballast is in place and final scenery work begins.

A few more finishing touches are needed on the warehouse structure.  I did not copy the prototype structure exactly and used plastic detail parts to hide seams and flaws in the cardstock/foam core building flat.  



Scenery textures will hide the section seam.   The connecting track section pieces were ballasted using a piece of .010 styrene glued to the bottom of the ties/sleepers and ballast applied to the topside of the track section. This technique worked well and I am happy with the results. 










IMPORTANT OBSERVATION:
Despite all of the isopropyl alcohol and scenery cement poured onto the foam core baseboard, warping has been slight.  This warping has not created any issues with connections or any vertical deflections to the track.  Overall it has been a pleasant experience.  

My next Wetterau Food Services Micro Layout Update will be the final build post and will show the finished layout. 

Until next time! 
Tom