Closet Branch

Fun video

I like the video it was entertaining. 

I have always enjoyed these small layouts and probably have drawn up 100 plus plans for them but just keep building Free-mo. What I like is that you prove that anyone who does not have a layout because of lack of space is just not looking at all their options. 

Please keep us posted on your layout and projects!!

Nice layout.

What scale and can you post a track plan? 

Bill Michael

Thank you for watching!

Thanks, guys!

It's a N scale.

Because of the space, I had to break all the rule that We should keep.(Don't tell it to the hardcore modeler!)

I wanted to see the train running while I'm doing something so, I used an oval track plan verses switching plan for the main section.

Minimum radius is 7 1/2" with little easement. Yikes!  The Layout is 36"x18" plus 36"x6" yard area.

The overhang of the curvature is..... Yes, ridiculous! I'm planning to make next video that shows the track plan but, before I have to do something about the backdrop. Can't wait to my next day off.

"Please ignore an engine

What's up with that?

Love the layout( and the old SP) It shows that lack of space should not stop us from building a layout ......DaveB 

YT in Signature

Looks like the youtube video is being linked from your signature. You'll need to edit this in your profile.

What FEC Bill said. ...

Looks like N scale to me, though. And it looks like a lot of fun and an ingenious solution! 

Cool closet activity...

Hey that was really cool. I also appreciated Weather Report soundtrack!  Awesome .

Thank you for your reply.

Thank you all!

Hopefully, I can make another video soon.

Cheers!

Very cool

Nicely done, love the dialog, and its always great to hear Joe Zawinul and the boys.

Randy

Great job on the video and buildings

The Styrofoam buildings are great.  Whether permanent or temporary, they look good, and the details you added make them believable.

Styrofoam buildings

Thank you for your comment, huthut.

As real SP in 1980's, my modeling budget is peril of bankruptcy. I have to use a material that doesn't cost much.(l'm planning to win the lottery soon!)

Anyway, maybe you or somebaody teach me how to prevent styrofoam from warping.

Perhaps spray the matte finish or dull cote before building it?

My styrofoam buildings are twisted like contortionist body!

I just learned how to post a

I just learned how to post a picture.

A Empty Tank car and a reefer in tow.

I'm changing the backdrop now.

Trying to figure out how to do "super low budget" backdrop since my wallet says that commercial backdrops are too expensive!

Maybe just light blue paint with some cut-out picture on it.(as writing this sound bad.)

I wants to somehow include LA.'s lovely "smog" in there.

foam core bracing

dats, use the scrapes and left overs from building to use as braces to prevent warpping.

Steve

Great video

When priming your buildings,

When priming your buildings, paint both sides of the piece. Install the interior bracing before priming and painting. 

Thank you for your comment.

Thank you Survivaljoe, I really liked b.smith's article! Now I know the team track looked like back then. Just dirt and track, hey, I can model that! 

I also heard Railfan Depot had the Burbank Branch SPINS  in 1980's. I don't see it on their website anymore though. I considered SP's The Riverside Branch as well. Apparently the Branch had a few blocks of street running and Santa Fe crossing as well. Do you or anyone have the branch in 1980's information?

Please show me more of layout pictures too!

Thank you, trainman4664. What kind of primer should I use for the paper/ styrofoam?

I sprayed The Matte finish AFTER I assembled the building, just thinking to protect the paint and as you know it warped.

I certainly use your advice next time. 

I'm trying to make better backdrop now. Since My low budget saga continues, I have to find a cheap solution.

Do you guys know any free LA suburban panoramic views on the web that I can use as backdrop?

I only see the desert scenery pictures but not the suburban one like Burbank or similar areas.

I know that being cheap doesn't get good result but I can't wait until becoming financially rich, you know!

Thanks again.

Right on!

In regards to the back drop, you could use pictures of various buildings combined with the simple blue backdrop. Someone here did that with great success. I have also been working on that too, I've been out and about taking pictures and creating a panoramic montage of sorts. I'll print it out later to see how it looks and of course combine that with backdrop flats and trees and such.

B.smith has 4 articles under the San Fernando Valley, all of them are very descriptive. As far as SPINS goes, I haven't seen it, but you might try an old Thomas Guide Street Atlas, at least for the track arrangements from that era. The branch is/was over 100 years old, you could literally model any era with nearly the same track arrangement.

I posted a new video to my topic, so check me out! And good luck with the backdrop!

Lost in mail.

I ordered the Low desert soil from Arizona mineral & rocks through eBay but apparently lost it in mail somewhere in Arizona. USPS said still investigating it. I thought with the tacking number, they can locate it easily but I guess I was wrong.

Have anyone have a experience the situation like that? If you have, let me know how yours turned out.

My this "Weekends model railroad warriors" wouldn't progress much. 

"Have any one have a

   I've never had anything permanently lost in the mail but I did have one item routed wrong and it took about a month for them to find it and send it to the right address.......DaveB 

Backdrop project ..

Thank you, ctxmf74. 

The local USPS office called me earlier said they look into it more. Hopefully they'll find it soon.

Meanwhile I have to figure out how to make a good backdrop. 

I am still thinking using between printed photos or just paint. I need everybody's opinion about that. Also, I used styrofoam as backdrop and I don't know how to cover the seams. I try patch'n'paint first and see it works.

Please let me know what would you use for the backdrop, photo, drawing or both.

I temporary put a cloud poster I had but the cloud seems too big for me. Hmm... Something not right.

If you have the Tracking Number...

...You should be able to see where it was last scanned online. Unfortunately sometimes labels get damaged or are not the package is not labeled well and it is impossible to find. This is why you should always put the sending and receiving address on the inside of the package as well as the outside. I always cover the label with tape as well so it is harder for the machines to pull it off.

You wouldn't believe how some packages are sent. People must think the USPS carries each package on a silk cushion by hand from place A to Place B!

Yes I do work for the USPS!

Thank you, OKGraeme.

Thank you for your comment, OKGraeme. 

I'm not condemn USPS. We are only humans. Things happen. Last time they scanned my mail was 15 days ago and it says still in "origins facility" as of today on the their website.

Anyway, this is not the anti-mail forum so I'll stop whining now.

My quest for the cheap backdrop is still going.

Dose anybody used the screen shots of google earth for the backdrop?

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