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"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.

Post your non-O scale stuff here!

Howdy Crew!
It's been a long time since I've been an active poster here at good ol' OGR. Along the way I had forgotten what a great group of fellow enthusiasts that always seems to encourage one another and interact. My loss!
Anyway, this will be a build thread for my layout that's based in the Ozarks. Here's the particulars:

* It is wholly contained within a purpose-built 16' x 20' (15' x 19' interior) HVAC equipped out building.

* It utilizes three of the four walls therein along with a small peninsula.

* Approximately 150' total main line length.

* Partial dual-level construction.

The layout will host TWO different era's and themes:

* Early-mid 1960s diesel era via my Kansas City & Gulf free/proto-lanced theme.

* Late-1880s via my Ozark & Southern free/proto-lanced theme.

Layout Features Overview:

* Contains lower and upper level 7-track stub end stage areas.

* Has reverse loops on both levels for turning equipment.

* There are lower and upper towns on the dual level portion. There will be two other towns with modest switching opportunities along the way (along with two industry spurs along the main).

* The "mountain grade" will actually be a "Nolix". That is, the bulk of the climb will be out in the open to be seen and appreciated (not partially hidden in a spiral helix) and the grade itself will be a primary feature of the operational scheme. The ruling grade will begin immediately upon leaving the lower town.

This will eventually be a LONG thread. All sorts of topics will be shared, discussed and/or covered. As well, there will be some "how I done it" stuff. Comments and questions are encouraged and hoped for.
SO... come along and let's head for the Ozarks!

Andre
 
 
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Kickstart:

To kick this off, I'm going to repost a link (shared in a previous thread on another OGR forum) that takes you to the textual history of the Kansas City & Gulf. IF you like to read short narratives, hopefully you'll enjoy. However, IF you like "wham, bam, thank you ma'am" type of in-your-face graphic-oriented web pages, this link won't be for you.

ANYWAY pour you up a cup of coffee/whatever, and here 'tis for those that may be interested:

http://www.vscalecreations.com/kcng1.htm

All fer now!

Andre

Been busy with other projects. BUT thought I'd stop by and pitch up a track plan to acquaint you with what I've got going on with my Ozark layout. Hopefully, you'll be able to see these photos (via clicking/enlarging) well enough (forum shrinks pictures) to understand the plan.

The lower level:

100_1594

The upper level:

KCnGV2UpperLevelsm

The upper right is the same on both plans, so that's where you connect the two plans.

All fer now!

Andre

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  • 100_1594
  • KCnGV2UpperLevelsm
SantaFeJim posted:

LAMING,

There is not enough contrast to see your track plan.

Took the plans into Microsoft Office Picture Manager, and hit auto-correct.  Here are the plans. 

This is going to be a fun layout to operate, and given past photos of Andre's work, I'm sure it will be outstanding modeling!

Regards,

Jerry

Andre Layout lower levelAndre Layout upper level

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  • Andre Layout lower level
  • Andre Layout upper level

Hi All!

Been without internet service for a few days. Just got it back a bit ago. Some replies:

Santa Fe Jim:

I didn't fully realize that the forum software would not allow expanding the photo to the original resolution. When expanded, the details are more apparent. Of course, that doesn't help here. Thanks Jerry for trying to help via contrast/etc.

Tinplate Art:

Thanks for the kind words.  Seems no matter how hard I plan, I still have "Surprise!" moments that CAN be accompanied with "oh sh*t!" moments.

Ted:

Yes, I have a couple/three V scale versions (all incomplete) that run through Digital Elevation Models of the terrain in my proposed region of the Ozarks. I learned from this excercise that prototype could have done it, too!  However, with a huge caveat: The resulting line would have been horrendously expensive to build/operate. By the way, I never completed any of the V scale versions, so they were never released via my "V Scale Creations" endeavor. However, from closely reading your question, I am assuming you're asking if I made a virtual model railroad using my KC&G theme as can be done in such a feature as offered by Trainz? In that case, no. My V scale versions were full length (a scale 100 or so miles!), through accurately rendered digital terrain. Keep in mind that I also use my web space at my VSC domain to host other interests of mine. (Model railroading, trail riding of motorcycles/etc.)

Art:

You've got it!

 

All:

IF you would like to read some more silliness, I have converted two more essays to html and uploaded them.

* The history of the KC&G's diesel roster:

http://www.vscalecreations.com/kcng2.htm

* A fictional regional (regional to the KC&G's Ozark Sub) rail enthusiasts experience as he chases a KC&G freight in the Autumn of '64:

http://www.vscalecreations.com/kcng3.htm

Later on we'll get into construction photos etc!

Andre

Hi Art!

So you're into V scale, also? I take it your chosen medium is Trainz? 

That so, my routes are all for Microsoft's "Train Simulator" (aka MSTS) with all the upgrades installed. My routes are also compatible with "Open Rails Train Simulator" which is an open-source simulator system that can use legacy MSTS content. But, unfortunately, none of my routes would be compatible with Trainz.

Otherwise, I would send you links to some of my V scale stuff for you to explore and (hopefully) enjoy on your computer.

Andre

Last edited by laming

Hi Art!

I tried the "Raildriver" control stand ( https://raildriver.com/products/ ) that simulates a "desktop" control configuration. I really didn't catch on to it. My interest in diesels is well before the "desktop" era. Besides, I soon migrated almost exclusively to steam in V scale... so the "Raildriver" was placed on a shelf in the closet where it remains to this day.

Yes, I do like the challenge of handling trains over grades that reflect it's prototype. (If the route is based on a prototype and not "free lanced", and I have some of those too.)

The physics model in MSTS and Open Rails can be modified ("tweaked") to do a fair job of replicating the nuances of handling trains over mountainous terrain. I have a route that simulates grades of over 5% (Stampede Pass Switchbacks) and handling trains over that spaghetti bowl of track is quite a challenge!

Here's a view from within the simulator of a light engine at the town location of "Stampede". This is from a "raw", in-process route, so no full-blown scenery at this point, only track, bridges, and cribbing. However, this gives you and idea of the ruggedness of the terrain the Stampede Switchbacks traversed. Grades here go up to 5.6%!

Stampede

My favorite use of V scale is to use it as a vehicle to indulge in my link n' pin era fascination. I have routes based on the Colorado Midland of the 1890s, Stampede Pass: The Switchbacks late 1880s, Denver South Park & Pacific in the mid-1880s, Silverton RR (late 19th century), and a whopper of a route in-process I call the "New England Lines", circa late 1860s. (And that's only some of them.)

I like both: V scale and tactile model railroading. (HO in my case.)

However, of late I seem to be spending more time with my HO projects... and for SURE spending a TON more loot. (V scale is very cost effective... VERY.)

All fer now!

Andre

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  • Stampede
Last edited by laming

Backing up on the wye to the tail track involved a rail greaser and a grade so avoiding slipping the drivers and not picking the points was a little tricky! After clearing the switch, I was going slow enough to just apply the engine brake to stop the train. We had a turntable at the other end of the line and a 1000 foot tunnel in between.

I plan to follow along with this thread. Sounds like it will be interesting! I was born in Kansas City (still here) so I'm really enjoying reading the history of the KC&G and KCS railroads on your website. I don't know a lot about the real railroads or their history, but since retiring at the end of 2011 I've developed an interest in learning more about the trackage around the KC area. 

My interest has been in learning about the tracks that remain here.  Such as, who started out with what track, who has it now, what happened causing track to no longer be used, mergers through the years, etc.  With all the railroad history here, there's plenty to learn.

Your website has also given me the thought of trying to trace some of these routes on a map (Google Earth or other). The Train Simulator program and routes/maps/terrain you are creating also sounds interesting. I didn't know train simulator programs could do all that? More to learn about while following along here. 

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