Good Evening Guys and Gals,
As promised, I will be doing daily layout updates this week. That means work, work, work! I have a goal I want to reach by this coming Saturday, so I am going to take you on the journey with me until I reach that goal. Today adjustments were made to the bench work to have more contour in the real estate.
The first pic shows "a hot mess" as the magic is unraveling. The area you see to the left will be a small river that eventually runs into a small lake. To the left of the river will be a two lane dirt road for light traffic.
Pic #2 you see at ground level shows HO tunnel portals. The one in the foreground will be a bridge for the dirt road. The second is an overpass/culvert for the 3 rail traffic. Both are crossing over a small river. There is a third bridge, located on top right, also for the dirt road. That bridge will go in the left back corner you see in the first pic by the drill. I apologize for the black spots. My bench work is my temporary work bench and the inside of culverts and lining of the underside of bridges needed to be sprayed with flat black paint. That will all disappear before the week is out.
Pic #3 shows the turnout that was just installed this past Saturday. The goal was to get all track laid before scenery work began. I fell short of this task as the installation of lift bridges did not happen. I still need to weather both turnouts that were installed. The other is located in the area to right not pictured.
Pic #4 shows custom bridge abutments that will support a small girder bridge. These have to be painted but turned out fine. Scraps were used to level out the abutments but will be covered in scenery before it's all said and done. I will add bridge shoes and girder plates to finish this up.
Pic #5 shows another aerial view of the river/lake area. You can also see the second bridge a little clearer. The two HO retaining walls you see against the wall are placed in the area that several of them will be located in, hence the last two pics. I have several more of these to make before I can call it quits for tonight.
Tomorrow the task is to begin roughing in land forms, covering with plaster cloth, and some rock carving. See you then!
Dave
