I have a Walther’s Lumber Yard that I’m planning on working into my layout…
and it can be built in two ways… as a single building with the track running into the building or as two separate units as shown in the inset picture. I’m wondering though, how I’d uncouple cars inside the building? Or would it be better built in the other configuration? My guess on that is that it would depend on the space and location I have for it. Right?
Jarrell
As far as uncoupling INSIDE a building, are you aware of the delayed uncoupling feature of Kadee couplers? See Kadee’s website for more information.
Ed
A Kadee uncoupling magnet would be the best way to go–ideally, slightly outside the building. Approach the magnet, let the couplers move apart, back up the engine, then move forward to pu***he car into the shed. That way, when another engine goes to pick it up, the couplers will connect–and if things get a little sticky in the uncoupling move, you can reach in with a screwdriver without having to uproot the building!
Thanks Ed, no I wasn’t aware of that. I’ll check it out!
Jarrell
Jetrock, I’ll remember the magnet when I get to this part. Thanks for the idea. Roof on… good, roof off… lotta trouble.
Jarrell
Jarrell,
Easier than that: make the roof “removable”. Most of my buildings have removable roofs with the eventual thought of putting in lighting…and the need to replace that errant bulb when it finally burns out. You can also detail the inside of the shop if you want to. Makes for easier access to things.
Just a thought…
Tom
Jarrell: Are you going to bulid the saw mill also?[:P]looking forward to see pictures of your saw mill
[^]OLE’IRISH
Tom, I haven’t read that far in the instructions yet but you’ve got a great idea with the lighting. I’d like that! Maybe I can figure out how to keep the roof on but unattached and it not slide off.
Jarrell
Ole Irish, I’m trying… if I don’t mess the thing up. I’m thinking about a lumber yard and a sawmill. I’ve got to do something with those trees instead of just hauling them around the tracks all the time [:D]
Jarrell
indeed–that lumberyard is a destination for cut lumber, not rough logs. Sawmills are out there to be had–are you still planning on modeling the early 1900s?
Jarrell,
A scrap piece of styrene bar or wood glued to the undeside of the roof would work just fine. I’ve also started adding wood floors to my structures so that I can add furniture or desks later on. I like to either stain them or paint them a dark color for contrast. The only disadvantage to a removable roof is when it leaves a gap between the wall siding and the roof line. It will show up if you add lighting but there are ways to mask it.
Tom
By the way have you started making trees yet?Thats a lot of fun allso[}:)]
OLE’IRISH(Jim)
I’ve switched my thinking to the mid 1950s Jetrock… That lets out my purty SD-40 Kato Gulf Mobile and Ohio.
I wish everything had got invented at once then we’d have no problems.
Yes, I want to work in the logging area, sawmill and lumber yard. That’ll be three businesss. I want to get that Bachman Shay but OUCH they’re on the expensive side so maybe Santa’ll be good to me.
Jarrell
I’m not far from putting the roof on and I had been wondering how to fix it so it would lift off (two sections) so the piece of wood would work. Thanks for the suggestion! But, I’m off today to ride the real thing. Taking the grandkids to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railway so ya’ll be good and play right (as my grandmother used to say).
Jarrell
Jim, no I haven’t and I’ve got to get busy. I know there is a MRR magazine article on that around here and I’ve got to find it and get on the stick!
Jarrell
Hope you have a good day with the grandkids,I sure love doing things with mine[^] JIM
Jarrell: Well, there is some good news: on some of the backwoods logging lines, ancient circa-1900 steam engines and steam donkeys were still being used to carry lumber well into the 1950s, although they were being rapidly replaced by diesels! The main caveat is that you’d have to learn how to do weathering to gunk up those locomotives with a thick layer of crud! Fortunately, heavy weathering is easier to do than a light, delicate weathering job–and more fun!
Not sure what you’re thinking of operations-wise, but you have the potential there for an operations scheme of sorts–the crusty old logging lokeys carry logs to the mill, where they are dropped off. The shiny new diesels stop by with flatcars and carry the cut lumber to a lumberyard, to interchange, or to other factories that make use of wood.
Although, I hesitate to mention, SD40s weren’t being built yet in the 1950s–they were built in the sixties and early seventies–but I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.
Heya Jarrell,
I have that particular model and have chosen to build it in three pieces.
If built as an over the track lumber center you could make the entire center section removable with a little thought and adaptation.
My personal decision was to build the lumber center as two separate buildings; one as a working lumber supply site and the other as an upstairs lumber storage area for a cabinet shop in the downstairs. Luckily I was able to locate a selection of woodworking tools on eBay. I’ve painted them and plan to have an open front work center with the rear of the building walled off, establishing the appearance of a finishing shop in the rear.
Only my personal thinking and by no means a campaign to influence your efforts but the concept of doing the lumber center as a single, both sides of the tracks structure seemed to discount the effect of having racks of scale lumber products filling the bins.
Dave (dwRavenstar)
Jarrell,
Hope you enjoy(ed) your time with the grandkids at GSMRR. It’s a terrific place and Nantahala Gorge is beautiful to ride through. You must not be too far from there.
Jarrell, that reminds me. I keep forgetting to tell you something. I know that you are interested in Shays and logging. Bear Creek RR (40 mins. east of Bryson City) used to run a short tourist excursion that ran above the Nantahala Gorge. And they used a Shay to pull the cars.
Now, it didn’t go very fast. But why would you care when you had such beautiful scenery to look at. The trip was fairly short - out and back in about an hour - but the 1/2 way point was an extended stop overlooking the Nantahala Gorge. Gorges! (Pun intended)
Sadly, the BCRR struggled to make money and went out of business by the late 80’s. For several years after, the 'ol Shay just sat there in front of the old depot, rusting away. Thankfully, someone at the NC Museum of Transportation had some incite, rescued the 'ol Shay, had it transported over and refurbished it. (I believe it is currently on display at the NCM of T.) I think I also read that that particular Shay was originally used for logging with the Southern Railway.
The old depot (just south of Robbinsville, on SR 129) is still there. After the Shay was transported off to the museum, the depot was purchased by someone, repainted, and is now being used as a storre - or something like that. Thankfully, at least both are now being taken care of.
I took a ride on the BCRR when I was 14. Jarrell, it’s too bad they aren’t still in buisness any longer. You would have defiinitely enjoyed it. [:)]
Tom