10/6/18 Layout Update, Search light signals working and CTC Signal System Complete

Curious:  What are the bricks made from?

John,

The bricks are carved in pink foam.  If interest, earlier in this thread I show my technique

Thanks for the nice comments, it is really fun to look back at the older posts and see where you have come from.

For 2 years now I have been threatening to complete my icing facility.  I finally settled on using the Altas O ice house and built my own double track icing platform from scratch (except the Shack).  The reason for the two platforms is that the lower platform is used to unload ice for stocking the ice house and the upper platform would be used to load the cars, who knows if this is how they really did it..  The ice blocks move back and fourth by a motor, check it out on the utube link.  With all of that, I just got it placed and landscaped last weekend.  I am really pleased with how it came out.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH7aO7ts7ac&feature=youtu.be

The korber switch tower was also recently completed.  My first building kit and first time using the brick motor.  A rough interior was also constructed for it. 

I tied the recently completed corner city scene into the rest of the layout with some additional landscaping and also completed a tunnel cutaway on the other side of the layout.  The MOW crew came by to complete some switch point work and a frog build up repair.

After a 2 year search for the perfect piece of furniture that is short and not too overwhelming to the layout where I can just enjoy the trains, I found it last weekend at a 2nd hand store for next to nothing.

If I could figure out an industry scene by the river, I would be set

Ice house looks good.  I like the lighting on the platform.

Thanks for the update.

EXCELLENT TRACKWORK, KEEP IT UP! TURN THE COUCH AROUND TO ENJOY THE TRAINS!

I really like the workers on the platform shoveling the ice.

Mike....the layout is coming along nicely.  World class work that you and your wife are doing!  I like all of it and have really enjoyed following your updates...

Alan

 "If I could figure out an industry scene by the river, I would be set" Give us a pix of the area in question, I'm sure with your talent and this group we can come up with something unique!    Russ

The siding I need an industry for is shown below, starting off as 12" wide, widening to 15" and roughly 3' long.  I plan to swap out the hellgate sometime in the future with lift bridges.  Considering using a curved 072/54 switch off of the mainline lead for two stub ended tracks.

A river dredge and sand harvesting facility was a thought.  I also have thought about some kind of crane that I might automate (something larger and more customized than the standard magnetic crane from lionel), not sure of the industry.  I had also thought about a Griffin Rail Wheel manufacture, where raw materials could come off of a river barge. 

Any ideas here would be appreciated 

Mike... beautiful pictures!!  I like the idea of a barge and sand dredge...

Alan

"I like the idea of a barge and sand dredge..." I agree, some kind of barge, coal, scrap metal recycle maybe.  An overhead dockside crane with clam shell bucket.  Going to be a great scene whatever you do.  Russ

Outstanding job Mike! You did an awesome job with your water! Looks so realistic!

Steve Tapper

Awesome landscaping!  The USS Jeremiah O'Brien Liberty ship (located out here in San Francisco) would be a good one to model!  Matt

Thanks for the suggestions all, please keep the ideas coming.

John,

Hope you had a good time with the train group.

Mike

Such a beautiful layout.  I hope mine is half as nice as your layout.

Here is the US Tampa still preserved and going out on a scenic tour this May in Florida...

Here are some other ideas:

OK my suggestion is a grain elevator.  I attached a few photo's.  And you can do a barge or even a barge with a tug.  Remember Lionel made o gauge tugs!

oh, that looks great!  That's the shower door glass water? and the sheet pile wall looks great.  your layout is very detailed.  wow. nice! 

Another long duration (going back to March) since any forward progress has been made on the layout.

I made a decision to go with this Crow River Products Crane, purchased it last week.  It looks very similar to what J Daddy posted (thank you for the pic).  

In part of the decision process, i tried to build a rough scale model out of card board to see what it would like.  I think it will come out looking really neat.

I hope to have some progress photos in coming weeks.

Mike

Finished kit should look similar to picture below. 

Boom is almost complete.

Very nice looking layout.

Excellent work, Mike!

Peter

Mike,

just read your post, simply amazing layout.  Thank you so much for sharing your methods, especially the Tippi (Chris D., thank you for the link!).  Had never heard of it and was always curious how the custom looking/fit walls were made.  You and your wife should be very pleased with your work.  I also like the sofa, very cool!

Completed a good part of the crane this weekend.  Still have the boom and shrouds to complete, along with the entire trestle.

I tried pre-staining all the wood with alcohol and leather dye like I did on my previous icing facility project.  This process warped most of the large pieces making it much more difficult to assemble.  In the end, there are several wall not plumb, but it is passable for now.

Making more progress on the crane.  I have upgraded it to move back and fourth a few inches adding wheels, rails and a motor.

The time in this project has suprised me, probably over 30 hours in this thing so far I am guessing at least another 4 are left.  Still need to add stairs and crew changing station.

Crane is finished.  Upgraded to rails/wheels and motor to allow it to move (designed to be static).  All lights are LED's.  Need to work on harbor area next.

Video of crane:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...amp;feature=youtu.be

That is incredible! Great work.

Thanks Mike   Wonderful project and pictorial.  ???  Is the Barge Kit part of your project????

Nice video.

Very nice.  Excellent work.  Nick

Excellent job Mike!

Dave

I am actually most impressed with the boom. That really tops it off, so to speak.