Weekend Photo Fun 2-3-23-??

A few months ago, there was a forum topic inquiring about the corners of layouts. When building my free-lanced model railroads, I thought the corners presented an opportunity in which to create scenes and, since the layouts were nearing completion, I spent extra time on the structures and scenery in those places.

First four photographs show the corners of my 12’-by-8’ layout with O-72 curves (completed in 2004). Last four photographs show the corners of my 10’-by-5’ layout with O-54 curves (completed 2019). Both were the subject of articles in OGR magazine (Runs 214 and 304) and the smaller layout was on the cover. The corner edges of the table were deliberately included in each photo.

The larger the curve radius in a corner, the more area in which to build a scene.

MELGAR

This week, I have some images of a tunnel lining I built for Spruce Creek Tunnel. The tunnel is curved, and the outside of the curve abuts the aisleway. In order to obtain access to the tunnel, I built two curved walls that can be opened like cabinet doors.

The first image shows the wall framing for one of the two doors adjacent to the tracks. A small caster supports the near end of the door, keeps it in position vertically, and allows it to be pulled out of place while resting on the benchwork. The opposite wall is fixed in place:

The next image shows the framed wall opened up by means of a hinge.

Then, I installed the liner which is made of 1/8” Masonite® and is shown here being held in place with clamps prior to be permanently attached with flat head screws. This photo was taken from the opposite side. Note the hinges that allow the door to open:

Here you can see it back in the closed position with the lining installed and now painted black. Compare this image to the first picture in the post:

The next image shows both the doors in place and closed:

This picture shows both of the doors slightly open. These doors allow easy access to the tunnel in case of a derailment and to clean the track:

And finally, here are two shots showing a few of the first trains through the tunnel after the lining project was completed:

Next, I’ll be installing the plywood above the tunnel topped by one or two layers of 2” thick pink foam. It will then be rough cut with a hot wire foam cutter and then carved to create the scenery above the tunnel.

That’s it for this week!

The MTH 2000 Gold Millennium reproduction of the American Flyer President’s Set. It is currently is on display along the fireplace mantle in the Basement.

Here are a few pictures of my 12' X 17' layout in my home living space taken down a few years ago prior to building my current 9' X 9' layout also in the home living space:

We are back in action at our storefront.......and 4 feet longer, now 21x47.

Our version of a railroad Schnabel car.....

Ray (the fellow with the hat) showing us what he can do with plastic grocery containers. Bill is holding a roof he constructed.

Jerry changing the scene on his module.

Scenery work being done by a group a fellows.

Next, we (Gilly@N&W drove this project) incorporated some backdrops permanently on the big layout. We used these 1st at York last October. They were a gift from Regis Harkins of the National Capital Trackers. They were used when the Trackers did their Triple Crossing layout in York, the Black Hall, maybe, 5 years ago. Sadly, Regis passed suddenly in the early fall after a long illness. He was serving as Tracker President at the time and is greatly missed.

They serve as a remembrance of his friendship.

Backing one of my modules.....

Backing two of Gilly at N&W's modules.....

Backing one of Kanawha's modules.....

Have a great and safe weekend, folks!

Peter

Thanks Scott for getting us going for this weekend!   Here are my photos of the fun kind for this fine weekend!!   Enjoy your weekend everyone!

A quartet of short line switchers pass a redevelopment project in Lower Patsburg.

A B&O GP9 is on the service track.

A B&O Hudson on the mainline pulling the National Limited through Patsburg.

Some favorite diesels

My own photo of one of my favorite cabooses at the NCTM in Spencer

If you don't wash those dishes you'll be sleeping with the fishes!

How it all started!

It is late 1949 and a L1 is moving a work train out to a bridge that needs repair.  Pennsy structural engineers determined the 38 year old wood bridge needed additional support before it can be used again, and the work is expected to last several weeks.  The work train has only one bunk car as most of the workers will be saying at a nearby Pennsy-owned boarding house, the last remaining "hotel" of the many hotels the Pennsy owned along their right of way in the early 1900s.  The L1, Pennsy's primary freight hauler when it first came out in 1914, lasted until the end of steam.

The L1 is 3rd Rail, the tool/bunk/kitchen cars are Lionel, the gondola is Weaver, and the crain is MTH.

Running my first passenger train that I received for my birthday 71 years ago.

@pennsyfan posted:

Running my first passenger train that I received for my birthday 71 years ago.

Very nice set.  You have taken excellent care of it.  It is amazing to see that it still runs so well and looks so good after 71 years.

After I shot the photos in my post above regarding my tunnel access doors, I had to run the passenger train pulled by the PA's back into the staging yard, and grabbed this photo as they crossed over the Tuscarora Creek bridge at Port Royal. I was just looking at it again, and it's just such a nice picture, I figured what the heck, I'd post it on here separately.

Yes, they certainly are handsome Neal. I've only seen one other set at a local train show here some years ago and the fella still had it offered the following year. He wanted a lot for it and was missing the boxes for some reason.

@c.sam posted:

Yes, they certainly are handsome Neal. I've only seen one other set at a local train show here some years ago and the fella still had it offered the following year. He wanted a lot for it and was missing the boxes for some reason.

They are one of my favorites. Gorgeous engines. They did a second run in five stripe "tuscan," but there were actually orange, so I returned them to the dealer. Very disappointing. 

It's about time someone closed up that old mine on the Utacolzona R.R.

Before

Thanks for looking.       Dennis.

Utacolzona Railroad in On30 (built 2020 - 2022) Last Update 2/5/23

Lots of great work and photos/videos here.

I put the E8s on the layout to add to Scotts  

E8s operating session.
https://youtu.be/EHBuXqAZC9s

Stuck in a garage....somewhere near the swamps of Jersey.  

Making one last lap around the frozen tundra that is the north Jersey garage this week are an Indiana Harbor Belt SW1500, a  NYS&W SW-9, an Atlantic & East Carolina RS-1 (one of my personal favorites, and a NYS&W RS-1.