Modeling topic
Copper Smelting in Southeastern Arizona circa 1916
I am planning a model railroad to represent the operations of the El Paso & Southwestern System as it provided service to the smelters (as well as supplies to the Calvary camp) in Douglas, Arizona around the year 1916.
This Sanborn map from 1929 shows the overall layout and track plan for the smelter I would like to represent on my railroad.
Manifest destiny: expansion planning!
My current 24’ long shelf layout is a lot of fun but I’ve been feeling the itch to expand. With a little furniture rearrangement in the layout room I’ve opened up another L-shaped space available to expand from the back of the stub yard.
Basement prep
I will be closing on my new house this coming week and I am in the very early planning stages of building a layout in the roughly 1500 sq ft basement. One thing I want to do before any benchwork is started is finish the basement. I have some ideas in mind, but I also want to learn from others - both dos and don'ts. This will be my 8th layout, but the first in a dedicated space, and the first large one. I plan on being here for the long term, so I want to get it right to start with, or as best I can.
G&W paint Scheme
With Scaletrains recent announcement of SD40 units, I am wondering and I also asked them why no G&W paint scheme...even if its just the paint and no decals. Is there or still is licencing issues with using that? I know Intermountain trains had some issues previously, but have not heard anything since, and was just wondering.
Who builds Resin Kits?
Who builds resin kits? I have long thought that only ultra serious prototype modelers build resin kits. While I am a prototype modeler I am not what I would refer to as ultra serious and as such I do not build resin rolling stock kits. The problem is that I see the availability of injection molded plastic kits slowly drying up with only expensive RTR models available. While were are not there yet, IMO we are well along the road heading in that direction.
Corner clamp
What suggestions do you all have for a good corner clamp for holding structure corners square and tight while glue dries?
WIP Update #2: Intermodal Yard on Trenton Subdivision in N Scale
I have started to measure and cut the styrene sheet that will become the concrete pads that will form the Intermodal Yard.
Stripwood Storage Idea
A recent article in Model Railroad Hobbyist got me thinking about my own disorganized system of storing strip wood conveniently. The article went on to show a beautifully planned and executed storage rack, and I posted a comment some might have characterized as "snarky" about the time and effort it took to create the storage rack (taking time away from the real hobby) and the efficiency of use of the desktop/countertop space required for the horizontal storage rack. Mea culpa! if anyone viewed my comments that way. My bad.
Power/power booster requirements for DCC layout
I am finally in layout construction mode again as it gets further along, I'll need to be planning for power capacity to the rails in DCC operatoin.
The layout is planned to have:
- 1 approx 30' main yard with switching operations to local industries and engine facility.
- About 85 feet of mainline with two 21' passing sidings
- 1 staging yard with 14 staging tracks.
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