Model Trains Video
Changing Major Directions from my Current Layout to a New One
I started a blog in 2017 to document the creation of my Z scale Alpine layout (all Marklin locos and rolling stock with mixed products for just about everything else). You can see my posts at the end of this page.
I went with Z scale because I wanted to make the most of a layout in a limited space and I had bought some Marklin Z rolling stock, locos and track many years ago for "the day" I would start a layout.
1920's ERIE: THIS IS GOLD! Inc steam tug towing a crane derrick (like F&SM's)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHCJPMATXrk
It was posted on YT a day ago. You may not have seen it.
Speed Graphic Film and Video uploaded it. I don't know them but I know they're finding some real nuggets out there.
If you're modelling pre-war harbour ops... this will give you some great insight.
ALPINE RAILROAD IN NJ-LOOKING FOR SUGGESTIONS
I am asking the MHR community for some help in solving a problem I created with my choice of layout scenery. My layout was originally conceptualized 25 yrs ago as a much smaller layout with no intention of adding a backdrop or anything like that. I started this current version with the old idea then expanded it because I had the room to do so. Although I do plan on adding a backdrop at some point, I didn't take this into consideration when I stuck with the basics of how I originally thought the scenery would look.
ALPINE RAILROAD IN NJ-EVOLUTION IN PICS PART VII
When I last posted I had just completed adding rocks to the newest section of my layout. I flew to CA for vacation on 12/27 and am still here now in LA on business until Feb. Of course that means I don't get to work on the layout but before I left I took a few more photos to share after I had colored all the remaining white plaster with Woodland Scenics earth pigment. It really makes a huge difference. Even without grass or trees the layout starts to look more realistic.
ALPINE RAILROAD IN NJ-EVOLUTION IN PICS PART VI
Since my last post I had glued hydrocal rock castings to the mountains on the newer section and colored them after having glued the tunnel portals and retaining walls in place. The next set of photos shows the progress.
This is the newest section I mentioned in a previous post with the mountains and portals in place.
ALPINE RAILROAD IN NJ-EVOLUTION IN PICS PART V
Now that I have gone over most of the build for my layout up to present day (I will take pics of the newest table with the mountains and rock faces in place and post them soon), I thought I would show some of the details I have been working on like tunnel portals, bridges and structures. Since I didn't take any before pics of the portals or bridges before I painted/weathered them, I found pics online of what they look like out of the box.
ALPINE RAILROAD IN NJ-EVOLUTION IN PICS PART IV
After fixing my problem with getting my locos up a 2% + grade (it was never consistent for the entire run) I then saw another aspect of my original plan that I never really loved. At that point I had my loco run up hill about 4 inches over the course of 8-10 feet or so but coming back down hill was done inside another tunnel on the opposite end of the layout in about 3 feet. Needless to say it was a steep hill downward though a few tests showed that locos would not fly off the track or even move that much faster so it was doable but I didn't love it.
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