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Super User 874 posts Don Mitchell donm Super User 874 posts
Don Mitchell donm

In case you missed it, the photo was also posted to the "Aerials' topic.  It partially shows the Keith Lane shops and tower area.

From the left bottom upwards, the tracks are for the City Yard (black ballast), the up and down mains (grey ballast), and the yard lead (black ballast).  At the right bottom, the tracks are a runaround, the single main track branching into two main tracks passing the station, the freight A/D track, and the yard lead.

The shop tracks are still being worked on.  Oil spills are needed around the fueling stand, the spilled sand has to be worked over and the sand tower built, and the turntable superstructure rebuilt.  All "round tuits" for now.

This is the busiest location on the layout.  As previously mentioned in this blog, the op scheme requires all engine sets on a train to be replaced, and one engine in the arriving consist is swapped out.  There always has to be a forward facing engine as the lead on each departing consist, which can require turning the A units or the Train Masters (long end forward).  As this goes on, the South (main) yard switcher is classifying trains using the yard lead, A/D tracks, and sometimes even the passenger main.

The de-consisting, consisting, and turning keeps the Shops engineer busy, but there are alternatives that can ease the operating load if a more casual operation is desired.   (FWIW, almost every Shops engineer has taken on the full operation.)  My hope is to resume operation after the New Year arrives, but we'll see.  Some of the crew have medical conditions which might prevent them from attending. 

 %20Lane.jpeg 

Don Mitchell

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anteaum2666 MRH Author 2,815 posts
anteaum2666

Weathering ballast

Cool shot.  Your black ballast looks great!  How do you weather it to avoid the "sea of black" look?

I also really like the turntable pit weathering!

Michael - Superintendent and Chief Engineer
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musgrovejb Prolific poster 1,712 posts
musgrovejb

Nice

Nice scene!

Joe

Modeling Missouri Pacific Railroad's Central Division, Fort Smith, Arkansas

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLENIMVXBDQCrKbhMvsed6kBC8p40GwtxQ

 
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

A great breakdown of the

A great breakdown of the area, Keith.

Decades ago I had a layout with a service area, and regret not taking an aerial of it.

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Don Mitchell donm Super User 874 posts
Don Mitchell donm

Re: Weathering ballast

Ballast is applied in a 2-step process.  The first layer uses what I call "Yard Blend".  It is primarily Woodland Scenics Fine Ballast Cinders (B1176) with just a tiny amount of WS Fine Ballast Grey Blend (B1393) mixed in.  It is applied so it fills up just short of the tops of the ties.

The second layer uses ballast that apparently is no longer made, "N scale very fine cinder ballast".  (Note: This nomenclature is based on hand written markings I've made on WS shaker labels.)  The exact description escaped my memory some time ago.  This ballast is applied to fill up to or above tie level. 

The key to the look you see is over-dosing some areas of the 2nd layer with matte medium diluted 1/2 to 1/3 with wet water.  That supplies the random faint grey look that you see.

Don Mitchell

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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Thanks for sharing, Don. I

Thanks for sharing, Don.

I wish I knew of N scale fine cinder ballast, as I could have used that for my cinder platform.

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I suppose its never too late. as I could put a fine layer over it.
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anteaum2666 MRH Author 2,815 posts
anteaum2666

@Deemiorgos

Deemiorgos, that's exactly what I was thinking.  I have WS Cinders for my yard ballast, but it's awaiting the final detailing.  That will include weeds, puddles, debris, sand, etc.  But I also wanted a way to break up the solid black look, and Don's method looks good.  Thanks again Don!

Michael - Superintendent and Chief Engineer
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Michael, look forward to

Michael, look forward to seeing the detailing of your yard.

I have been thinking of making a little yard to display my switchers, as my branch line doesn't see them with the exception of these road switchers.

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Marc Prolific poster 1,369 posts
Marc

Black ballast

.

Here is a picture of some track for my N scale layout ( ME code 55, Fastrack turnout and Peco)

The black ballast I use is coming from IKEA, it's sold at the plant and flower department.

This like sand is sold in translucide jar and used in floral decorations.

This kind of sand is no tinted since it's crushed lava, crushing is extremely fine not far from fine sand and perfectly useable in N scale.

It look black in the jar but when applied the uniform color is a black greyish color.

One jar is around 1 kg and cost around 2 bucks.

Its maybe an alternative for your needs,

On the run whith my Maclau River RR in Nscale
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Marc,Always interesting to

Marc,

Always interesting to see how ballasting can be done in a variety of ways. 

Can you share a tighter shot of the ballast?
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Marc Prolific poster 1,369 posts
Marc

@Demiorgos - Ballast

.

Sorry it seems it's the only one on hand

I will take some more and share them soon

 

On the run whith my Maclau River RR in Nscale
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Ron Ventura Notace Frequent poster 689 posts
Ron Ventura Notace

IKEA “ballast”

Marc.

Can you remember the name of that “ballast” you got from IKEA? 

Ron Ventura

Melbourne, Australia
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Deemiorgos Super User 7,338 posts
Deemiorgos

Marc, I look forward to that.

Marc,

I look forward to that.

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