I never started a blog before but here goes... I am going to use the blog just to throw stuff out there, and see what sticks. Sort of my own "build progress thread". Comments and suggestions are welcome. And happy to answer any questions- can't say I am doing things right but willing to share anything and everything.
A bit of background.
I've been working on my RR on-and-off for three years now. I built a rather unsuccessful 4x8 when in my 20's, which is now 30+ years ago. I learned a bunch back then and carried the learnings into this layout. Still a "newbie" compared to most here but along the way I restored classic cars, got deep into R/C warbirds, and did all sorts of major home projects that helped develop my hands-on skills. Also I am an engineer and worked in both manufacturing and design which I think helps. There is no local model railroad help around here- during the whole of the last three years I never ran across anyone at the local Hobbytown that actually had a layout, and Hobbytown is the only hobby shop in the area. And there are no local clubs. But that's OK. I am doing it my way- with the help of internet resources like this one.
Our house has an 80's style walk-out basement, complete with a big L-shaped finished room, a separate unfinished shop area, and adjoining bath. It is on the central air/heating system and there is a small patio outside the door. So a pretty ideal area to work with. The section of the basement that I decided to devote to the RR is 13-1/2' x 14-1/2'. Not huge, but enough to keep me busy for quite a while. And the railroad can be expanded further into the room if I ever get the urge.
I am not a railroad buff or a railfan- much more of a builder/modeler. I enjoyed designing and building big scratch R/C warbirds more than I actually liked flying them, and my railroad design reflects this. It had to have continuous operation without a duck-under, elevation changes with numerous bridges and tunnels, and opportunities for dramatic scenes. I chose the coal country of W Va. because I wanted to model mountain landscapes. And the big steamers that ran there "back in the day" always fascinated me. So I settled on a plan that gives me an excuse to run big steam from both the C&O and B&O. I am not sure that there really was a juction at Huntington, but I found out here (thanks Rob!) that both railroads ran mainlines through the town. Surely the tracks had to meet somewhere... anyway, Huntington Junction is definitely freelance, but with a bit of factual basis.
Here is what I worked up using XtrackCad, designed to be built in phases. Phase 1 originally featured a temporary loop which was broken to connect to phase 2 once it was built. Phase 2 is also essentially complete now, with all of the track down and operational. I just built the basic benchwork for phase 3 last weekend. The room is open to the bottom and lower right.
A few completed scenes from phases 1 and 2. Some of these pics have been shared in forum threads, but here they are again.
The wood trestle was the first scene that I completed when I built phase 1. The bridge was built after the landscape so it follows the natural contours of the land instead of the other way around. The rails on the trestle are hand-laid on wood ties and the granite cliff and the rocks are all hand-carved plaster. I was very encouraged by how nice the scene turned out- especially since this was my first attempt to model a railroad in over 30 years.
The viaduct is an ME kit that I just finished and dressed out during the past few weeks. A relatively quick project.
Here is the upper left-hand corner of the layout, essentially completed. The area is relatively simple but as I had hoped it lends itself to some really nice close-in photos.
So far, so good... yes I can model, and my trains run nicely, and my locos pull the grades without problems, and my turnouts are reliable with no derailing issues anywhere.
But still a long, long way to go until the layout is finished. Pull the camera back and here is what we see.
Hmm, I've gotten a lot better at making trees since the trestle scene was built, and the foreground still needs to be finished. And my tortoise is showing!
A lot of pink land in front of the corner scene and viaduct. And who needs facia anyway...
...and nothing but construction area past the truss bridge.
Yes, my benchwork is rather complex, heavy, and not cheap. I've been accused many times of over-engineering and over-building, but strong and reliable has served me well in all of my hobbies. So why mess with success?
Done for now, hope you guys don't mind me sharing this way. I plan to post new pics here as I work along.
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Huntington Junction - freelance based on the C&O and B&O in coal country before the merger
- Walt
For pics of my railroad and more: http://www.wkhobbies.com/model-railroad/
