BCRail_Andy's blog

Almost 2 months since my last post so time for an update on my N Scale BC Rail layout.  The backdrop painting is complete and the foreground bridge scene is well underway.

Here is the current status of the lower deck backdrop on my N Scale layout based in northern British Columbia, Canada.  I am going against the conventional wisdom of 'understated backdrops' and going for detailed sweeping scenes.  It takes many hours of painting but since my layout will be fairly small it is a worthwhile approach.   I would like visitors to remember my layout for the backdrops as much as the trains.

This weekend was spent backdrop painting on the lower deck.  I am using a pale blue that won't distract from the foreground scenery.  I then blended the blue into white near the horizon line to simulate the effects of atmospheric scattering seen in real skies.  

After spending way too many long hours at work this month, it's time to get moving on the layout over the winter months.  Fortunately, living in Calgary, we have plenty of winter months.

Over the summer I spent some time on N scale locomotive detailing and painting projects.   There are no commercially available SD40-2s in the red, white and blue BC Rail scheme that I need to model the 2000-2004 period so I decided to try it myself.   The starting point was two undecorated Kato snoot nose SD40-2s.   I used detail parts from Miniatures by Eric for the following details: Canadian style steps, nose and ditch lights, over cab bell, lift rings and single rear light.

A long overdue layout update.

Here are the new details of the planned layout based on the latest track plan

Prototype: BC Rail Fort St. John Subdivision – North Eastern British Columbia

Period Modelled: Early 2000s

N Scale

Room Size: 13ft by 12ft

Layout Style: Triple deck shelf-style layout for switching and point-to-point operations.  Fort St. John, Taylor and the Peace River bridge are the main layout elements.

Track: Micro Engineering code 55 in visible areas,  Atlas code 55 in  staging areas.

I have been busy for the last while getting the track plan finalized on computer before i start laying track.   I used Adobe Illustrator as my planning tool.   It works well if you make the document dimensions the actual size of your layout room.  That way, every element can be drawn in actual feet and inches.    It makes for a big file but when exported to PDF it looks great.   These are lower quality Jpeg images.

November 9th 2008

After reading some of the feedback I have revised my previously posted trackplan to a point-to-point two level layout with a helix to connect the two decks.  

Attached is the new plan.  I attempted to show both decks on a single plan with cross sections but I am no great artist.  Apart from the Chetwynd yard, the lower deck includes one bridge scene and one 3 track siding so there isn't much too complicated down there.

Here are a few images of some recent locomotive and freight car painting and weathering projects.    It makes a pleasant break from building benchwork.  

http://nscalefortstjohnsub.wordpress.com/

Hi There

As a new member to the MRH family I thought I would post a link to my layout blog.  

http://nscalefortstjohnsub.wordpress.com/

That is the central point for my construction journal, plans and photographs of both the prototype and models.  Expect new content 2 to 3 times per month.   

Andy