Here are some photos of the northernmost end of my around-the-room shelf layout, a 1x6 section containing a yard known as Haggin Yard, operated by the Sacramento Northern and Western Pacific.
The dirt on the ground is dirt taken from the actual Haggin Yard area–it’s a short drive from my home, so I made the trip. Once I got the dirt home, I ran it through a strainer to remove large particles, then ran a magnet over it to pick out some of the ferrous particles (there were a lot, seeing as there have been trains grinding metal around there for the past 100 years! For the next batch I’ll probably use a larger magnet, or a cassette-demagnetizing electromagnet!) I then baked the dirt at 250 degrees to dry it thoroughly and kill off any plant seeds (When I was a kid I used the “real dirt” technique without sterilizing the dirt first–and within a week I found 1:1 scale grass growing on my layout!)
Here’s an overview of the yard, empty of trains:
Borrowed WP S-1 pulls inbound freight on the mainline while SN 44-tonner switches the yard.
Close-up of the S-1 and its train.
S-1 pulls forward to enter yard while 44-tonner switches cabeese.
44-tonner pushes freight cars onto WP interchange track while S1 picks up cars for southbound departure.
S1 and cars ride off in the sunset.
There are obviously some things still to be done–the structures are just set in place for now, it needs backdrop and fascia board, switchstands, probably a timber grade crossing at the yard throat, and I want to add some Silflor to represent stands of tall grass and maybe a tree or tw
How about taking some more pictures of your engine service area and posting them. I saw one someplace and would like to see more. This yard is looking good. If you just want sand or dirt and don’t care where it came from I buy it a Wal-mart. They sell it as play sand. I have to dry it out before I use it.
Ya’ll have a blesed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob
Hat’s off, Jetrock! I kind of remember Haggin Yard on the old SN and I think you’ve got it. Funny story about the SN, when my mother was growing up in Woodland, she and her neice would always take the SN into Sacramento for shopping (this was in the '30’s) and her neice would always get train-sick on the trolley. Later, mother would always refer to the little Woodland local as the “Barf-express.”
heh! Gives me an idea for a little trackside scenic vignette…
TEFFY: My roundhouse diorama is in a museum now, but I do want to go visit it and take some photos now that I found my good camera (I lost it for a month!) especially now that it has engines on it. My next module for my own layout will include an engine servicing area (actually just a freight house with a pit and basic servicing, where freight motors and engines tied up for the night) and I’ll be sure to post pictures of that once it is built…at this rate maybe not too long from now.
Nice pics Jetrock, great idea too getting the dirt, and magnet, and then baking it. I was going to do the same thing in my area and would have had the “1:1 grass” thing going too if I hadn’t read that.
Are you aware of the WP Conventions held in your area… I am in the Sonora area of California.
If you check out my web site you can see what we are up to. We operate once a week.
Wow!! Very impressive WP layout…I like the Third Street depot with the MUNI articulated bridge car in front! I think I have heard occasionally about WP Conventions in the area (I think they happen in Reno or thereabouts?) but have not attended.
Jetrock, Very nice! I like the idea about using real dirt, will have to try that. Sure is a heck of alot cheaper than using the woodland scenics stuff, and it’s especially neat if you get it from the place your modeling.
vsmith, if you can’t get it to show the pictures, try turning your firewall or pop-up stopper off while you load the pic’s. Then don’t forget to turn it back on.
Looks like you have that project licked and well in hand. Like you said, just put in a few finishing touches and on to the next part of the layout. Nice Job by the way.
