I've been looking high and low for a decent crane for a scrapyard scene. I stumbled on some cranes while looking on the internet and found out they are hard to get. I stumbled on them in an eBay search and just thought I'd share the link for those of you looking for a descent crane as well:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-KDW-1-87-HO-Scale-Diecast-Material-Handling...

Anybody know what the middle connection is for? My guess would be ground, but...

Since Joe asked for some layout pics in a previous post I though I would make a new entry. As with most layouts the Chippewa is under construction.

The picture below is base on the old Kate Shelly bridge her in Iowa. It was constructed from Evergreen Models structural shapes (ordered in bulk). It is 14.5 ft long and stands 60 inches off the floor so the center can be used as a duck under. This took about a year to build.

Tortoise Switch Machines:

Been fiddling with track schematic diagrams in Xtrack CAD. I had some op sessions on the last layout but never got around to actually printing diagrams so people would now where industries and tracks were. Now that I've actually got two-foot isles that are wide enough for three or four people, I'm ramping up ops mode. Our church life group is having a white elephant gift thing on December 17th, so If I'm lucky the layout will be ready and I can have an actual op session!!!!!!! That's the goal anyway. As always, hope you enjoy and stay tuned!    

Here we go again!  Lumber is on hand for the start of construction on my fourth iteration of my proto-freelanced Port of Green Bay Railroad.  I went back to basics to plan for my new 29'x11' finished layout room, starting with the Version 2 plan that I really enjoyed (Version 3 was too big!).  Take a look at the attached plan...and some photos of that layout in action.

I'm actually in the process of building a small paper mill switching layout. While looking at pictures, I've seen one depicting several sidings in a pulpwood yard at Rumford, ME. On these sidings were old 40ft unmodified boxcars in pulpwood service. Some conveyors were located here and there. It seems unloading was done almost all by hand. Given the Maine Central paint scheme on a few boxcars, it was a 1950s scene.

Just though I would give an update on the ADM project. I have been working on the elevator which if you looked a one of the responses to my previous post is very complex. I have three of the four bucket elevators installed and with the exception of the caged ladders (Plastruct) everything was done on the printer.

After elevator number 4 i have to do the silos and their conveyors. Also need to make the conveyor bridge between the tanks on the right and the elevator.

hello y'all

i need help developing a  Drawbridge style lift up swing gate??? any suggestions 

or websites that would have detailed drawings , thanks  ...Robin