God loves a culvert

Here's an overhead view courtesy of Google Maps :

...and a closer view of the culvert's east side (to the left on the layout):

Here's a "before" overhead shot of the scene.  The white space under the photo print was originally going to be the footprint of a partial structure I was going to build to represent that warehouse that's also seen on the backdrop itself.  However, I've since thought better of the idea and plan to represent that entire structure with photo backdrops, allowing the area in front to more accurately represent the prototype's foliage.

Step one of construction was to cut an opening from the plywood base for the new ditch on both sides of the culvert.  You can also see some of the scars left behind on the backdrop by my multi-tool and jigsaw.  No big deal, as these areas will largely be hidden by the foliage mentioned previously.

Here's where things stand as of today, with pink insulating foam board creating the initial land contours.  Next up, I plan to further refine the land forms, including deepening the ditch, and then add the concrete liner and abutments.  Slow going so far, but I'm hoping to make good progress this week.

More to come!

Impressive job on the hole

I’m impressed you managed to make such a neat hole without destroying the surroundings!  Looks like a neat project.  Judging by the pile of branches and junk in front of the culverts in that photo and by perusing the surrounding area in google maps I’d guess the water flow goes from left to right (when standing in the aisle facing your backdrop).  The drainage seems to continue for a while and end up at the East Nishnabotna River (that’s quite a name).

It does seem like what causes the most trouble on model railroads isn’t not knowing enough before you start, it’s learning more after you start.

Ken

Thanks Ken.  I appreciate your kind words, because I actually thought I really did a number on the backdrop!  This experience taught me that my multi-tool isn't up to the task of long cuts through 1/2" plywood.  However, it's a good option for getting a cut started that can then be completed with the jigsaw.

I think you're right about the drainage here.  I'm guessing this is where some of the storm drainage runoff from downtown Atlantic is directed.

Off topic question

I've got an odd, off topic question. I see you are using plywood as a base in some places. Are you gluing track directly to the plywood in places and if so, how does it hold? Any concerns about warped track or noise, etc?

Plywood

Hi Matt - I used Homasote splines in the rural, mostly single-track areas.  In more track-dense urban portions of the layout (if little Atlantic, Iowa could be called "urban") I used Homabed over plywood.

With this being my first layout though, one of my many mistakes was not realizing that the Homabed would give me too much of a ballast profile for areas where such a profile is barely visible on the prototype.  Once I came to my senses on that front, I went back and leveled this out by putting down play sand adjacent to and between the tracks (bonded like ballast) to give them the look of being laid on flat ground.  A far simpler approach would have been to use sheet Homasote over plywood in those areas.  Good lesson for next time!

The Homasote/Homabed has been exceptionally quiet.  I can't say enough good things about that.  I've had some very slight warpage of the plywood with seasonal expansion and contraction, but they haven't been terribly concerning.  About once a year I tend to find and fix a gap that has closed for the first time, but once I cut the gap larger and adjust the rail to equalize the gap on each end, I've never had a repeat offender, even after 12 years of layout operation.

I hope that helps, but if you think of any other questions, don't be afraid to ask.

Pink Foam Dust

Looking at the prototype picture makes me think that the pink foam dust could be used to add some color to your ballast. Maybe the IAIS neglected to vacuum up when they cleaned out the drainage ditch.

Great subject to share!

Perfect timing, I need to add 2 culverts to my layout, one very short sightsighted and I was aware of it mistake i made was not adding another inch of foam so I could create such scenes. 2 inches of depth would have been enough but I got all wrapped up and started without adding the 2nd layer which is resting against the garage wall as I write... I didn't see if you are planning to add water or not. I will be adding water along mine after I hear from the groups thoughts on placing water on the front edge.

. I been following your blog for some time and you have given me some great ideas, keep it up!

James T

These little details go far

to really bringing a scene to life.  This is the kind of thing most wouldn't miss if it wasn't there, but add it and it just puts that extra POP into the scene.  As if your West End needed more realism..!

Love the project!

Culvert

Ha!  Yeah, the IAIS does like their Pink Lady ballast in spots during more modern times.  They hadn't quite made it big yet during the 2005 era I model, so they were still using plain old white limestone pretty much everywhere.

James, can you glue more foam underneath what's already in place on your layout to give you sufficient depth?  Regarding water, I may add just a bit, but it'll largely be out of view.  I like using Mod Podge for water as it seems to do a decent job of simulating the types of water features I'm typically after, and it's simple to use, with minimal smell/fumes.

Steve

Thanks very much Steve!  Very kind of you.

Culverts and benchwork height

  No unfortunately I cannot,I used 1/2 plywood as a base ( southern Arizona heat was my biggest reason to avoid L girder)  I ordered weathered plaster culverts and I will put them on a sander to bring them lower so they will fit. Yes I can start over but I dont care to. What I will do is lower the next section's base height and go from there. Your work is excellent. I am thankful you share what you do man!

James

James

Thanks very much James.  Sounds like you have a good plan ahead of you.  It seems like half of what we do in layout construction is about improvisation, as for me at least, Plan A never seems to have a chance.  I'm looking forward to seeing how you work through your challenges.

Light at the end of the...culvert

This project got sidetracked by a business trip and the installation of derails on the layout, among other things, but I finally finished it this morning (aside from some stray grass fibers I see I still need to vacuum up). 

Nothing noteworthy in the construction.  Just styrene for the widened roadway and abutments, plus wire for the handrail on the east (left) side.  The exposed drainage pipe is the cap from an old makeup brush my wife donated to the cause. 

Here are a few pics.

Finally, a view looking east through town (prototype pic courtesy of Dan Munson):

Impressive

That is a beautiful job of translating the prototype scene to 3D HO scale modeling.  Enjoyed seeing it.

Thanks for sharing.

Seasonal plywood contraction

Hi Joe,

Just responding back to your post. Some of my railroad buddies suggested painting your plywood and Homasote before using on your layout. Any cheap paint will do, like the oops paint at Home Depot.

Hope that will help alleviate some of the expanding and contracting.

Steve P.

Nice work!

It's hard to tell that you've "Added" the culverts afterword there Joe. 

Thank you

Thanks very much Chuck and Allen.  I appreciate your encouragement.

Steve, thanks very much for the tip.  I actually tried sealing plywood and Homasote in the past, but found that at least latex paint offers no protection against expansion and contraction.  Oil-based paints may be a different story?