Going from here to there

Very thorough Rick. Well done post.

Buck! Come ere Quick...

Some durn fools done gone an blown a hole in the hillside!

I'm glad to see you are not quite as ruthless about cutting load bearing supports, like John Allen was. [wink]

Nice post, it's going to be fun watching the expansion through the alcove wall.

Thanks for sharing.

OT - Wires

This is the first time I noticed the wires between the telephone poles in the trailer scene.  Those look pretty decent, both the color and the sag between poles.  What material are you using?  

Thank you, Gentlemen! - and the power lines are...

Alan, Kevin & Rob,

Thank you Gentlemen for your kind words!

Kevin, Ol' Buck was mad enough to spit nails when they commenced to blasting that there tunnel as it dun near busted some of his beer bottles!

Rob, the power & telephone lines are "EZ Line" available from Berkshire Junction in the scenery section .  Here's the link:  http://www.berkshirejunction.com/

The spool I have isn't labeled as to color, but I think that it's either "Rust" or "Old Copper" in "fine" size.  Here's a closeup picture of the installation.  Now that I see it closeup I see that the telephone line is stretched a little to tightly - oh well!  BTW, do NOT us CA to attach the line as it causes it to distort.

Rick

Step by Step Photos

Great job Rick.

I appreciate when authors on this site take the time to show step by step photos including text to the photos as well.

Sometimes I'll take a few before and after overall photos but not to the degree shown hear.

One of my goals for 2012 is to post a few  photos of my work on MRH.

Frank 

I recognize that ruler ...

I recognize that ruler showing the path of the track into the staging area. It was designed primarily for computer media use - punch card stack thickness, line printer carriage control tape design, guide for "green/blue bar" printer forms, et al. The one I have was given to me by a UARCO paper salesman in 1974 - how is that for tool aging? One of my more frequently used tools.

Ruler of Pictures

My dad had one of those rulers. He probably got it about the same time. 

The pictures are great. Showing as well as telling step by step helps all of us looking at doing this sort of thing.

Bill, the ruler...

Bill,

The rule was one I used as a "Forms Specialist" as my first job out of college with Curtis 1000 Inc. back in 1973.  Ahh, those were the days!  Good eye!

Rick

Thanks, Frank!

Frank,

I'm glad that you enjoyed the pictures.  It does slow down the process to document the steps, but I'm hoping that even some of my "simple" work will be helpful to others.  It's the way I learned (from others sharing) and I want to give back to the hobby.

Rick

Stringing the lines

Ruler

I have one of those sitting in front of me on my desk plus a complimentary plastic one from "Compucorp" .

How ironic! I've had mine for 30 years.

Stringing the lines

I used "Aleene's Super Thick Tacky Glue" which is available from Michael's Crafts and on-line.  I put a drop of the glue on top of the insulator on the pole and then touched down the "wire" (EZline) in the glue making sure to leave a "droop" between poles.  Since this is a rual area there are only 3 power wires on the poles, plus the telephone line.  Since the glue is so tacky I was able to string the line fairly quickly.

Rick

Rocks and more Rocks

Rick. the rock formations look great. Would you elaborate on the rock material used, and the steps to coloring. I am at this point on my layout. 

Carter

Rocks and more Rocks

Carter,

Thank you for your kind words on my rock formations.  One of the other posters (bkempins) created a very nice video on rock carving and posted here:  https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/howto-video-on-rock-carving-and-molds-12189257 .

I also highly recommend Joe's "how to" videos (I own them all!) and he has one on rock carving for only $2.49 download if you want to download only that segment:   http://model-trains-video.com/MTV-0005.php .  I would suggest you get his entire series which is currently on special.

As far as coloring the rocks, I use the technique as outlines by Woodland Scenics in there video, which you can view here:  http://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/video/ColorRocks .

Rick

Continuing progress on the pass through for remote staging

Work continues on the pass through area.  Keep in mind that this area won't be visible to visitors - only to the camera on the train.  This explains why it's not "top quality" work as the train mounted camera will only be "looking" at the area for a few seconds.

I need to support the track sub-roadbed where it goes through the wall so I used a block and attached it to the 2' x 4'.

I love my new digital level as it shows %, angle and even the room temperature!   Talk about level - 0.00!

I love my Sweep Sticks(tm) and they are almost a necessity for laying Micro Engineering track.

I got this cutter with a 40% off coupon from Hobby Lobby and love it for cutting cork, small pieces of styrene, and wood.

I used to use 50% white glue but switched to full strength as it stays in place better while drying.

I sometimes use weights to hold the cork down by push pins at an angle also work well.

When I install ground foam I use a mixture of white glue with brown paint as it saves time and colors the surface all in one..

I generally don't use white adhesive caulk (I use almond) but I was out of the colored stuff.  Not a problem in the tunnel as it will have ballast.

Lazy man's blasted rock tunnel - take a piece of foam and distress it before painting it multiple colors.  It will be "good enough" for the camera car passing by on the main.

One everything is ready the tunnel will be hot glued to the sub-roadbed.

I won't be doing any scenic work in the remote staging.  This view is looking into the trainroom.

Progress is slow, but I'm getting there.

Here the tunnel is removed and lying on it's top so you can see the rock wall.

Yes, I know it's not prototypical; however, it will do for my purposes.

A little paint before adding ground foam and some weathering on the "concrete".

The portal is just propped up here.  Before hot gluing it in place I'll add bushes, trees, etc. since it's kind of hard to reach while in place.  The final work will be to tie it into scenery on both sides, add some carved rocks, plug up holes and it will finally be finished.  Stay turned for more.

Rick