Standing Rib Roof

Les,

Another well done article with enough detail that anybody could duplicate your work if they were so inclined.

A question though, in figure 9 it looks as though the 2X6's are laying down on your roof, ie. they are 2" high and 6" wide. Am I seeing that correctly? I thought, and the "futureroof" picture shows, that the ribs are more vertical than horizontal, ie. 2" wide and 6" tall. Which is correct? Further if my understanding is correct wouldn't 1X2's or 2X4's on edge be more appropriate?

I think Les is replicating a steel roof.

The 2x6s are being used to replicate the ribs in a steel roof I think.  The trusses are replicating steel beam construction and the roof panels are replicating the corrugations used to strengthen a sheet of steel paneling so that the roof doesn't buckle.  In that case the styrene would be positioned to best replicate the corrugations, rather than be rafters.

Nice job Les.  I've been following this build even though I am modeling a modern diesel short line without a turntable or roundhouse.  It just dawned on me with this issue that your construction technique might be used to build various brick industrial buildings that would also utilize steel trusses and some sort of sheet metal or tar paper roofing.

Modular Adventure

Les,  the project is looking real good. I can only hope mine is as close when I finish. 

A great series for a great project. My thanks for sharing with all of us.

S. Sword

Standing Rib Roof

Richard,

Thanks for the kind words, sorry for my late reply, what with Springfield trip and all.

I checked several sources to find the correct look, you are right, 1x2's and 2x4's were my first attempt but they were hardly visible once painted, so I went with double the size and very similar to Heljan's roof, once painted and weathered they looked much more realistic than the smaller size strips. This was the look I wanted.

Russ Bellinis wrote...

Thanks Russ,

You are correct as I mentioned to Richard the look I wanted was a steel roof.

Sword-1 wrote....

Thanks I'm glad you enjoy the series, it seems like ages since I started but I am having fun all the way. With a little luck I'll live long enough to finish it.....

article

Enjoyed your work greatly.

Great Series Continues

Another great installment Les. Makes me want to build a roundhouse! A great read and some good techniques displayed. I think this may be my favorite issue yet of MRH, based on the fact that several of these articles are on subjects I have no plans to duplicate or have room for, yet the articles were very informative and entertaining.

Article

Caboose 14 writes....

Picture captions unreadable

I have enjoyed this series however the last two issues used a very light colored font with drop shadows for the picture captions which on my screen at least are unreadable.  The articles would be much more useful if the captions were in a readable font.

Dale Gloer

Sometimes bigger than scale is better than scale

Les,

I really like your articles and work.  You bring up a very good point about using bigger than scale ribs on your roof.  I've found that many times I use "bigger than scale" because it looks better and / or isn't visible at all when "in scale".  Your roof is a perfect example.  I've found the same thing to be true on 'dirt" roads and even ballast among other things.  If you're being judged for an NMRA award they may count points off - which is why I don't go for NMRA awards.  I build what I like so that I'll like what I build.......after all, it is MY railroad!

Rick

Picture captions

Bigger than scale.....

Dale, sounds like you may not be using Adobe Reader

Every complaint we've gotten so far of really bad font visibility we've tracked down to the person not using Adobe Reader.

We only verify each issue using Adobe Reader or the most common browsers like IE and Firefox.

If you're outside this list, then try viewing the issue using the tools listed.

When we've contacted the "brand X" PDF viewer vendor that was causing problems, they have acknowledged the viewing problem is a known bug and will be fixed in the "next release".

Moving back to Adobe Reader (or Preview on the Mac) is generall best if you don't want to have problems. Or use IE or Firefox to view the online edition.

On the iPad, GoodReader is excellent, and ezPDF is good on the Kindle Fire.

Les, I really enjoy your

Les, I really enjoy your articles. Especially the fact that you let everyone know you managed to misjudge the time involved.

Misjudge time

Standing-seam roof

Amazing work!  You are doing a beautiful job.

Interestingly, there is a real-life parallel.  The most recent set of photographs of Jerry Joe Jacobson's Age of Steam Roundhouse show the standing-seam roof being applied.  Their website is ageofsteamroundhouse.com  Click on 2012 PHOTOS, Up On The Roof.

Richard

Standing seam roof

LES HALMOS - ROUNDHOUSE

HI LES

            I HAVE ENJOYED READING YOUR ARTICLES ON BUILDING THE ROUNDHOUSE. ITS A GOOD THING THAT THIS ISN'T WRITTEN IN A BOOK OR A MAGAZINE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE WORN OUT BY NOW, FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIMES I'VE READ IT. I TO AM TRYING TO BUILD ONE BASED ON HALIFAX FAIR VIEW ROUNDHOUSE WHICH IS A 13 STALL ROUNDHOUSE. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME WITH IT. I AM NOT VERSED VERY WELL ON USING CAD DRAWING SYSTEM. I'M MORE A PAPER & PENCIL PERSON THAT'S THE PROBLEM FROM PAPER TO ACTUALLY HAVING IT BUILT. I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE PAID ATTENTION IN DRAFTING CLASS! LOL IF THERE IS ANY WAY YOU COULD HELP WITH THE DRAWINGS, SO I CAN GET IT OFF THE GROUND IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

                                                        THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME & KEEP UP THE GREAT ARTICLES

                                                        EOIN

Les Halmos Roundhouse

Les You have maybe one of the best RoundHouse Builds ever!!

Hay Les

Looks like your on the down hill side of building your Roundhouse or at least past the half way point.

From what I have been watching in MRH E-Zine on your RH build, you have Much Much more than 100% chance  of winning the next N.M.R.A. Best Scratch built structure, Best use of Plastruct Materials, Most detailed Roundhouse in any scale and Best of show. Not to mention my wife says you have a pretty smile . he he he !

I'm really enjoying your series. Your model is one that the Model Railroading community throughout the world will look back at over the eons to say The Faros had nothing on less when it comes to constructing a life like model.

I'm also hopeful your around way past long enough to complete the Roundhouse as well as other Models.

Keep them coming Les your an inspiration to Model Railroaders everywhere.

Dan

P.S. remember me in you will: Roundhouse goes to Rio Grand Dan.

Best Roundhouse......

Thank you Dan,

Again, you managed to make me blush thank you for your kind words. I will try my utmost to be around for a while yet to complete it!

Being a perfectionist has its reward and also its pain....sometimes I wish I could be "less", no pun intended,of a perfectionist and get things done more quickly. 

Model Railroaders are a great group, one of the best I have encountered so far, and I draw a lot of pleasure from both building and detailing my work especially meeting as many of you as I can. So the show must go on, as I go back to work on the next installment!

New Subscriber

Les,

Just to let you know, based on your article I just subscribed to the magazine.  Look forward to reading more about your roundhouse!

-John