Duckunder Terminal Railway expands

It is always nice when you find more real estate for your layout.  Congratulations on the new area.

Happy railroading,

Don

Will,

     When I was employed by Nabisco I had the pleasure of visiting the Suffolk Planters plant numerous times, it was always a pleasure. Nice area right near the NS tracks, always saw a train. Please post pictures as construction proceeds as it will bring back some nice memories.

JohnB

The new Suffolk scene is an island set apart from the rest of the layout.  Here is how you get there.  The roadbed is laminated  wood strips supported on wall brackets or rods hanging from the ceiling.

George Lasley

The Climbover branch of the Duckunder.

Perfect name .

George

What really caught my eye was the last picture in your first set. On the right side, I like the combination of full depth buildings, what appear to be partial depth buildings, and thin cut outs of buildings over a nicely painted background of a series of hills receding into the distance.

Could you elaborate more on this area, particularly how you made the thin cut outs of buildings?

You are speaking of the Roanoke scene.  Yes, there are all three types of structures.  The backdrop is painted on hardboard.  There is no sky section as I didn't want to deal with clouds at the time.  The rear buildings are cut from a purchased backdrop, recolored with watercolor pencils, cut out and laminated to foamcore and mounted to the backdrop.  The building flats are about an inch in depth and are constructed from cut down buildings and Ameritown or DPM flats.  The ends of the scene have full depth structures to end things.  The station is fully scratchbuilt from styrene sheet and strips (1800+ pcs).

Go to previous Duckunder posts to see more of this scene.

The cutouts are a bit of work but worth the time and effort.  I think they are actually a bit undersized to ad to the depth and perspective.

George

totally ridiculous but at same time a stoke of genius.

George has done a fabulous job, as always, bringing my designs to life.  I visualize, and George realizes.  I will be posting a few more photos later tonight (Monday).

This big section actually (finally!) completes my original layout design to enable me to run more realistic point-to-point trains to and from Norfolk.  I have enjoyed the leisurely pace of getting it done while I have worked on real-world transit matters in my area, and George has, too, in the meantime building a number of other great layouts.

I wish OGR would do an article on George's work to demonstrate his extraordinary skill.

wb47 posted:

totally ridiculous but at same time a stoke of genius.

Ha!  Yep, you are right, but it solved the scarce real estate problem without eating up more floor space.  I love the dual-use areas where the Duckunder's upper levels keep table space below available for cards, studying, listening to music, watching videos, socializing, and so on.

oh, that great!!

AG.

I love the whole thing! Nice!

More pictures of progress as of today (note that there will be prototypical supports constructed where the bridge spans layout scenery, such as over the Ruined River mine and tipple in the first picture and over the roundhouse and turntable):

Looks great Will.

Please tell George hello for me - he visited our club some months back...

I am sure he will see your post and tip his hat!

George Lasley posted:

You are speaking of the Roanoke scene.  Yes, there are all three types of structures.  The backdrop is painted on hardboard.  There is no sky section as I didn't want to deal with clouds at the time.  The rear buildings are cut from a purchased backdrop, recolored with watercolor pencils, cut out and laminated to foamcore and mounted to the backdrop.  The building flats are about an inch in depth and are constructed from cut down buildings and Ameritown or DPM flats.  The ends of the scene have full depth structures to end things.  The station is fully scratchbuilt from styrene sheet and strips (1800+ pcs).

Go to previous Duckunder posts to see more of this scene.

The cutouts are a bit of work but worth the time and effort.  I think they are actually a bit undersized to ad to the depth and perspective.

 

George

 

 

Thanks for the info, George.

I searched and found some of the old topics. Impressive work.

One more question, what type of glue did you use to glue the backdrop cutouts to the foamcore?

thanks.

Looks great Will. Please keep us posted on your progress.

That' such an interesting concept, having the layout at eye-level to a grown man. You get an intimate view right at ground level, it seems, which must add to the realistic impression the whole vista possesses. And having all that easily approachable space under the layout is something significant to think about, too. I have never such an arrangement previously. Congratulations on your success with it all.

FrankM.

P.S. Does the train we see on the shelf close to the ceiling, above the eye-level layout, run?

Further progress report with more pictures to demonstrate testing of the first section of new main leading to the Suffolk scene.

Note the photos also demonstrate that George is confident that the bridge will safely carry the double-headed train with two VERY heavy locomotives (Lionel Legacy N&W Y6b & Lionel Legacy Clinchfield Challenger).  The span did not bow in the slightest.  Nice engineering, George!

We also made a short video.  Though it's barely over 100 MB, it still exceeds the Forum's upload limit.  I'll edit or reshoot it to shorten and then post.

Had to reshoot the video:

I seem to remember using spray adhesive to laminate the structure cutouts to the foamcore,  I also used black foamcore so the edges did not have to be dealt with.

Hello to Sam.

The train on the shelf at the ceiling ids display only.

The suspended roadbed does not sway or move.  If I was inclined (which I'm NOT) I could do pullups on it.

The high level for viewing is very nice and not bad for working. A stepstool helps but your back says " Thank You"for not having to bend over.

George

I should have mentioned that the trains today were just test-runs to ensure the bridge spans are sound and level, and to make certain that the electrical and Legacy systems are functioning properly.  We have a long way to go before the bridge structures are hidden by scenery detailing and every scene is complete.  That will take months to do properly, whereas the basic bridge and track work will consume just 3-4 weeks.

Wow!  Fantastic job Will and George. 

Excellent workmanship.  Cheers Jim

Will and George, just saw this. Am really interested in your Suffolk scene as I have lived there since 1957, worked at Planters one summer, and my Grandad was traffic manager at Planters back when Mr Obici was building the company thru the mid-1960's. I have several posters that the N and W gave to him back in the day.

If I can help you with any pictures, names, history, etc, I will be glad to do so. Planters also had an oil (peanut oil) mill that would be an interesting structure to include.

oldhokie70@charter.net is my e-mail address. I will be gone until about April 6.

George Lasley posted:

I seem to remember using spray adhesive to laminate the structure cutouts to the foamcore,  I also used black foamcore so the edges did not have to be dealt with.

George

Thanks again for the info. The black foamcore is a good idea.

Will, Congrats on the nice feature article in the new OGR mag!

Thank you! I have not yet seen it in print and look forward to receiving my subscription copy.

Good weekend,

Your crafting of a "woods" of such nicely full-sized trees at this corner is an especially masterful touch. When layouts have a strong vertical element, also, I find them to be all the more interesting and joyful to experience. Bravo.

FrankM

Congratulations on the nice article, Will!!

Thanks, Mark. I can hardly wait to see the magazine!

Moonson posted:

Your crafting of a "woods" of such nicely full-sized trees at this corner is an especially masterful touch. When layouts have a strong vertical element, also, I find them to be all the more interesting and joyful to experience. Bravo.

FrankM

Many thanks, Frank. We used a lot of trees, from G scale to Z!

Should you hang some tell tales underneath so the taller folks don't bop their heads or dislodge a train? It would be a shame to let those locos fall to the concrete.

Roy, I don’t think anyone has hit their head yet. I am just over 6 feet and never think about it when I am walking under. Our copies of the magazine haven’t shown up yet. Hopefully tomorrow or Monday.

George

I got mine before you guys...I got mine before you guys...I got mine before you guys...I got mine before you guys...

Will - wonderful article  You have a gorgeous layout Congratulations

Patrick,

Thank you for the kind words. Please come visit if you get to Raleigh. 

Joe,

Glad you're enjoying your OGR before us!