My Alaska Railroad

Look fantastic!  Looking forward to seeing more pics. Thanks. 

Great start. Looking good............Paul

Really looking forward to seeing the progress on your Alaskan railroad.

Need to smooth out the photos a bit and secure the edges.  Landscape (trees and brush) should help soften the rough transitions.

Curious if you are obtaining your trains and supplies via mail order or you have a local shop to go to.

A mix.  There is a local shop that carries O, and it does specialize in carrying anything Alaska.  I purchased my MTH passenger cars from them, but they did not have an SD-70 or GP 40 in stock, so I mail ordered those.  Also, they did not have the DCS control system, so that was mail ordered.  Coal cars from Menards was too good a deal to pass up, so mail order on that.  I was able to get almost all of my track from the local shop, but I did mail order some switches.  I try to do what I can with the local shop.  Shipping costs fro O scale equipment can get expensive fast, but the occasional free shipping specials can even that out.  Even my photo developing was mail order since I wanted 24x36 prints (I can get 20x30 local no problem at Costco). 

I still have a fair number of Alaska locomotives and rolling stock items that I am planning to sell, so get in touch if there's something you might be looking for. Most are MTH PS2. Still very much like the Alaska RR, but have had to pare-down my inventory to something a bit more manageable and am pretty much sticking with U.S. Army Transportation Corps as a theme.

Bubbles and wrinkles are messaged out of the first two panels--still need to work on the corner photo some.   Also started to spray in foam for the mountains.  I will keep building them up, then they get shaped, plaster cloth, plaster (joint compound), colored, and of course miscellaneous brush, trees

Following this post...watch the show all the time as well

Work has been a bit slow the past month or so--new pump in the septic lift station, demolition and rebuild of the tile surround in the secondary bath, and the whole end of summer/start of winter changeover chores kept me busy.  I have been working on my mountain range--lots of spray expandable foam and lightweight spackle serve to build up a large area with not a lot of weight.

That should really good with the backdrop. Glad to hear the chores are clearing out and you can spend some time with the trains again.

I've had a hard time getting back in sync with this forum since our road trip to Nova Scotia in August, too many other things to do, So, I've only been reading threads I've been subscribed to and completely missed that you moved to the Scenery forum. The layout is really looking good and I'm looking forward to following your progress and seeing more photos.

Work continues, slowly.  The highway needs more cars, and the mountain needs more vegetation along with some water streaming down in areas.  Supposed to be sub zero for the next week so I will likely get more work done.

Looking Good !!  i like it, going to be a nice layout...can,t wait to see it done, keep showing photos

That is coming along quite nicely. I agree with the need for more vegetation and some blue water would be a welcome splash of color. I don't envy you the sub-zero temps though.

DoubleDAZ posted:

That is coming along quite nicely. I agree with the need for more vegetation and some blue water would be a welcome splash of color. I don't envy you the sub-zero temps though.

or the lack of sunlight in the winter.

      Looking really good Orind.  Capturing the look and feel of Turnagain Arm.

      I've been along that stretch a few times. I live in Wasilla myself.

      You'll need a few sheep on the mountains and Orcas along the waters edge.

                                                                                                       Dan

If you know of a good place to pick up the sheep let me know---I have not had any luck finding appropriately scaled sheep or moose--I have some bears.

Oman posted:

 

or the lack of sunlight in the winter.

That is so true, Keith. I do not do well when the sun doesn't shine for more than 2 days in a row.

Found some sheep--wildlifegifts.com--they look a little too well fed and groomed, but proper placement around vegetation should keep them looking good enough

Untitled from Orin Dym on Vimeo.

My sheep arrived.  On the plus side, they look better than the picture--not "shiny" and they appear to be about scale--except, given that the mountain is supposed to be large and tall, they simply look out of place--I am thinking some HO scale sheep will give a better effect and sense of "scale".

Yeah, you need to match the scale of the sheep to that of those trees, not to the trains -- forced perspective.

Excellent scene!

I've ridden the White pass twice but never the ARR (but took a good look at their facility at Seward several years ago). I really like what you have done so far!

I really like the way that you captured the "grayness" of everything. When I first started to research Alaska, I noticed that there wasn't a lot of brown. The streams and rivers even have a gray mixed in with the beautiful blue from the glacial silt (there's a cool scientific name for it).

Are the trees spruce? I have been trying to identify the most prodigious trees. They seem to have that thin look.

The layout is only going to look better as you continue. Nice work! Your vision is coming to life.

Black spruce trees is our main spruce--that and Birch trees.  The back spruce tends to be really tall and thin because of the density of trees, but if you thin it out and give them room, they can develop nicely.   I placed one of the sheep next to a passenger figure I have--yep, sheep are just way to large (and too well fed).  Interestingly, the moose I also ordered (same scale) are correctly sized.  I guess I could go with a "chemical spill" type scene and have mutant sheep--Nah/baah.

Moonman posted:

I really like the way that you captured the "grayness" of everything. When I first started to research Alaska, I noticed that there wasn't a lot of brown. The streams and rivers even have a gray mixed in with the beautiful blue from the glacial silt (there's a cool scientific name for it).

Funny you'd mention that, as I was in AK last year and on a White Pass train, a passenger from back East noticed how grey/subdued the ground really was in color:

Orin,

This is the first I have seen your topic on construction.  The mountainside looks great with the passenger train running through the scene.  I went back to find your layout design topic, and now I remember seeing that.  It is looking good!

A discarded railroad tie makes a great place to watch whales or trains.

A few waterfalls added.

This picture was taken from the top floor of a two level car--sorry for the window reflections, but it should give a general idea of the real thing

I would say you are nailing it!  Beautiful work!

Thanks Mark.  I am waiting on cars for the highway--ordered from Menards--they are due in tomorrow--that should help fill up the highway a bit.  I was thinking of a moose or bear in the roadway to have a reason for traffic to be "stopped".

Really good job. We plan to take the land/cruise in 2018, but I don't know where we'll catch the train to Fairbanks.

Dave,

You catch the train right in Orin's train room!  

Orind,

Yes!  The traffic stopped for a bear or moose would be great!

Very funny, Mark. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thank you Dave.  I hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year too!

Cars came in so the highway has some traffic now.  Went ahead and added people to the cars (and one or two in the trunks).

Time to start working on the marsh--here is a picture of the actual marsh:

https://www.google.com/maps/co...237119618333!3m1!1e1

And here is the area I am starting with:

That marsh is ambitious.

Yep---going to have to pick and choose the elements to model carefully--I could probably consume my entire layout space just modeling the Marsh.

Really nice so far!

Looking good!!

Looks like paint mixing sticks are the perfect width for my boardwalks.  Once the stain dries I can start assembling them (support posts and railing).

We have to keep our eyes open to see some everyday things to use on the layout!  Good job!

I have a bunch of reeds, grasses and other marsh type materials on the way.  Need to decide on a railing material--may go with 1/4 inch wire mesh painted black--need railing, but I do not want it to overpower/block the (soon to be) people on the boardwalk.

Morning Trains from Orin Dym on Vimeo.

Boardwalk rails installed--need to go in and clean up the excess glue.

That turned out really nice. I think when we take our Alaska Cruise in 2018 I'm going to make one of my land excursions a trip to see your layout.

Be happy to have you.

ORIND, you really have captured the Alaska landscape. Always loved the Alaska Railroad colors. You mentioned you are focusing on certain areas. What are the dimensions of your layout?. Do you have room to expand past that if you want?. I have watched the Alaska Railroad on Discovery and have been interested in its operations. Especially down in Seward with the loading and unloading of the barges. That would make for some interesting train movements......Paul

Thanks Paul--the layout construction/dimensions are in this thread:  https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...railroad-plan?page=1

Expansion--I do periodically eye the rest of the space I am in, but realistically, no--I consider myself a lucky person to have the space I have--but, the idea does fester in the back of my brain.

I am more of a watch the trains go through the scenery guy than operations.  I knew I wanted to model the mountains/Seward highway/coast--and even with that, I did not have enough space to incorporate as much of the inlet as I wanted to (really wanted to have some surfers on the bore tide).

Potter Marsh with its boardwalks was another element I wanted.

Up next, a Glacier scene.

Marsh installation is slow work--but, I found an interesting use for hair clippers---shaping the marsh grass. Once the marsh grass in the back is set in its adhesive, it will get its haircut.

Here it is after a haircut:

What materials are used in the construction of the road and guardrails?

The guard rail is double d profile window insulation strip from home depot, painted "Aluminum", set with styrene I beams.  The road --I started with the black cinder (ballast)/glue method--looked amazing, but the surface was too rough for the paint pens, so I top coated the "asphalt with Spackle, then painted it with Woodland scenics asphalt paint, then striped with the paint pens.

Orind,

   Got to say I like the entire Alaskan RR layout big time, real nice job!

PCRR/Dave

A little more marsh each night.  I need to start incorporating some open areas for swan, ducks, and whatever else I can find to have hanging out.

The river must be rising! 

Looks great.

Yep--gave things a coat of dilute blue--this way as I create random open spaces it can be wet and have ducks or swan or geese--of course I do not seem to be able to find any O scale swans.

Things are starting to take shape--still lots more vegetation to install

Orin's,

I'll say!  It is looking great!!

Where are you going to get O scale mosquitos? 

This is Alaska--I figure I will just let the real things in--Mosquitos big enough to carry small children away!  Now I need to find scale size cans of DEET for the folks on the boardwalk to use.  It amazes how much "stuff" a small area can consume in scenicing supplies--good thing its expected to be very cold for another 2 weeks--lots of time fill in the marsh.  Tomorrow morning it is off to home depot to pick up some clear silicone caulk--going to use it to give the creek some depth.  Then it is off to Michaels to find some material a bit coarser and stiffer than the marsh grass I have been using to continue planting marsh grass--Now, if model railroading only burned off calories! 

Another day of planting.  The silicone will cure/dry clear.

You'll be a Master Gardener in no time.

Here is a better picture of the Marsh so far

Enjoying the development of the marsh. Looking very real......Paul

I am a sucker for steam engines, and I just could not resist picking up an MTH Railking Cab Forward.  I figure I will rebrand it from Southern Pacific to Orin & Krisitna Alaska Tours (me and my wife) to help it fit in.

AC-12 Smoke from Orin Dym on Vimeo.

The marsh area on your layout is one great focal point. Job well done.............Paul

Thanks Paul--Still lots of details to add in, but it is taking shape.

The marsh has come a long way.  Waiting on my ducks and seagulls to arrive.

Check your spelling. That autocorrect function sometimes really changes things

Orin,

The marsh is really looking great!

Spelling corrected--Darn Ducks!

Thanks Mark--One of the challenges I had is the Marsh is actually on removable panels for access--The boardwalk lifts out and then the marsh can lift out--although I will not be removing it very often.

Had me going as well. 

rail police, perhaps? Hobo slang... bull, dick, flatfoot, gumshoe

So, there will be ducks, eh...M R Ducks?

The move to the scenery forum is appropriate. What gets lost is the fact that there were many "more track " suggestions during the layout design (Layout forum) that didn't see your vision for the space.

Nice work in capturing the local features!

By the way, there's some interesting reading about how engineers and firemen choked on the fumes in tunnels and how they attempted to handle it. The cab forward was one railroads' answer for safety in their really long tunnels.

Orin,

The marsh scene is beautiful.

Alan Graziano

Moonman--yes, lots of plan layout options.  As I have been working exclusively on the right side of the layout, changing the left side is still an option, but I am satisfied with how the mountains and Marsh have come out.

Well, as I mentioned, I am looking at modifying the left side of the layout--Reason--need a place to stage locomotives/cars not being run at the time and the viewing focal point is from "within" the layout--the side of the oval facing the bay windows was not going to get much "viewing".

Orin,

Sounds like good reasons.  I would put more staging/storage tracks if I had a room as big as yours.  Please clarify, do you mean you are putting the tracks there because it won't be viewed much?  Or do you mean you are changing the bench work so you can get in to view?  I am on the smart phone, but it isn't smart enough to let me scroll back to your previous layout plan easily.  Thank you!

Mark--I updated the post with the original design.

Yes, more and longer staging would be nice, just having troubles figuring out how to add it. 

Oh yes, I remember now that I see the original!  Yes much better indeed!  

And of course--in the realm of simple is easy, and sometimes better--a dogbone with yard:  I could add an engine house in the yard.

Orind posted:

And of course--in the realm of simple is easy, and sometimes better--a dogbone with yard:  I could add an engine house in the yard.

Better yet!  Looks like you have room for it.  How long would the staging tracks be?  Should you try to make the shorter ones longer?

Those are 30 inch track sections--the longest be 4 sections.  I need to keep space for entrance to the living room--(right side room).  Pony wall creates a partial separation between rooms too.  I find 50 inches (given the table height) is as tight as I want to go, but yes, I will push it as far as I can.

ORIND, this may not be a good idea but what if you came down a bit further off the mainline, not much, put in a wye off that curve but instead of coming straight across with the staging yard curve it or angle it up toward the other corner of the layout leaving enough space to walk around that wall that juts into the room. Hope that made sense.............Paul

The pony walls create a constriction point--add to that that I want a minimum of 3 foot isles for the layout, and 4 feet for egress through the rooms, and crossing the threshold between the two rooms is not realistic--Played around with that idea back in the early design stages.

Orind posted:

Those are 30 inch track sections--the longest be 4 sections.  I need to keep space for entrance to the living room--(right side room).  Pony wall creates a partial separation between rooms too.  I find 50 inches (given the table height) is as tight as I want to go, but yes, I will push it as far as I can.

That's fine.  Don't want to crowd.

And so we come back to something from the original designs--the ability to change direction of travel--It is going to remain cold for a while (-20F) so I will likely get the bench work reconfigured this weekend.  This should add a bit more variability and interest into the operation.

Ah, now that I am looking at the plan on my PC and not the smart phone, I can see what you mean about the clearance at that corner that caused you to have the angled bench and shorter yard tracks.  Sorry I didn't see the wall corner on the small screen.  So the marsh is at the other end, and you can turn trains both ways.  I'm looking forward to seeing this plan come to life!!

Orind, I have to laugh because we've come full circle. When you started the planning thread, I remember offering some designs that included ways to reverse directions. When they were taken out, I was disappointed, but understood. However, I never stopped wondering how long it was going to be before the capability was added back in. I guess I have my answer.

I'll be watching to see how you decide to scenic that area because I think there are ways to "hide" the switches along the back with either a grove of tall trees or something removable for access in the event of a switch problem.

Thanks Dave--yep, full circle.

Hiding the switches will be easy.  Where the train splits from the front edge of the layout to the back--going to have to punch a hole  "under" the highway--cool tunnel portal opportunity.  I am going to try and work in "Bird Creek" in the extra space formed by the turnaround area, and the mountain rise I the back ground should hide the switches (access from underneath in case of issues).  Here is a picture of Bird Creek:

That is going to do the trick and look really nice. When you first started this I had a hard time envisioning your vision, but it is coming along very nicely.

I can understand that--I am a put it in place/action and adjust type of thinker/doer--

There are folks who can perform thought experiments and then put together a very cohesive project.  I start with a concept/idea, have to get some things to touch--watch how it flows and fits, then continue.

I have been running the layout for several months.  I started landscaping the areas I knew were fixed points in the design, and left the other areas--now that I have more data points defined, I am adjusting.  When I started this I really did not anticipate having 5 locomotives and as much rolling stock as I do--famous last words.

The left lobe is likely going to be Girdwood--I need someplace to put my "Hippies"

I can identify with you.  I can picture a landscape in my mind, but fail at getting it down on paper.  Our older daughter, the artist, can look at something and draw it exactly or just visualize and be happy with her results.  We each have our own abilities!

I will have to post an updated track plan--installed a reversing section so the train does a twice around--get to see both sides of the train/passenger cars now.  Once it started snowing here I was back to winter activities--xc skiing, snow biking, so train work stopped for a while.  the layout will get a bit of work here and there over summer--especially on raining days.  Here is a video of the current state of the layout:

Really taking shape and I'm glad to hear the reversing action is working for you. I was going to say something different until I looked back at past posts and saw I already made the "full circle" comment regarding the loops. It's been almost 4 months and I had forgotten that.

Looks great Orind,

Im glad it has worked out very well

The marsh came out really nice.  Can you squeeze a turnout in front of you switcher to tie that spur into the main a make a siding out of it? I also wanted to note how athletic your people are.  So many attacking that rock wall, it must attract them from miles around.

I thought about tying in the siding, but that puts the switch on the bridge, and I did not want that.  The rock face along Turnagain arm is very popular with climbers--ice climbers in the winter, and rock climbers in the summer.  The inlet also sees a lot of kite boarders, and during the bore tides, surfers--so many features and so little space to model them.