I think I already know the answer to this one.
I really don’t want to make a bunch of ties and hand-lay a logging operation.
Which scale, gauge? As far as I know there aren’t any narrow gauge track with ties like that. There is flex track in HOn3 and On30, maybe On3, but anything I’ve heard of has standard type ties. I have some On30 Peco track, but the ties are really uniform; another firm makes better (and more expensive) track with uneven ties, but I don’t recall who - Micro Engineering?
Most logging operations had very little maintenance, and often just used dirt as ballast, so covering the ties with dirt could conceal their look.
Bob Boudreau
you’re going to be handlaying if you want that level of detail
oh dear, don’t tell us you’re going narrow gauge…
Mouse,
If you want to show how they did it without all the work use the fact that logging opperations were frequently moving the track to your advantage. Use regulair track, ballasted with “dirt” as Bob described for the working and show the log ties and rail on the new line that is being built. Just a suggestion. I am basically lazy and could never even think of hand laying track with log ties.
Remember if you go with narrow guage that the logs or lumber will have to be transferd to standard guage cars or the trucks will have to be switched out.
If I do it will just be the logging operation.
Plenty of logging operations used standard gauge, which is much easier on your budget and modeling skills, but hey, it’s your railroad…narrow gauge is a whole new level of obsession. Some of those narrow gaugers will go to Colorado and grab bucketfuls of actual D&RGW ballast and have it ground up for use on their layouts.
Having said that, I just picked up a whole hatful of “WESTERN RAILROADER” circulars with details about various Northcoast logging lines like the Bear Harbor & Eel River and would be happy to share such diabolical madness…
bukwrm is on the right track: use flextrack and just crud it up a bit…maybe a lot.
The books I have been reading don’t really specify who is using narrow gauge and who is using standard gauge. They did say that 42" was the most common gauge in the Northwest, but that includes Oregon, Washington and Idaho as well. The one picture identified as Eureka was on standard gauge.
That would be really cool!
A friend and I were in Colorado in September of 2003, attending the National Narrow Gauge Convention in Denver. After the convention we took a tour of the state’s narrow gauge lines and had rides on them. On the Durango & Silverton trip, we had a layover in Silverton and took the occasion to scoop up some real local dirt to bring home! No bucketfulls, as we were flying home, just a plastic container full as a souvenir. Haven’t used mine yet, but it was a neat souvenir!
Bob Boudreau
Modeling in HO and hopefully someday in On30
Once I have a chance to photocopy these old logging magazines I can send 'em off–could you send me your snail-mail address again? (I lost my old email in my last system migration.)
42" was used, but so was 36", 30", and the Arcata & Mad River’s 45-1/4" gauge, in addition to lots of standard gauge and a few wide-gauge engines. Bot the cute little logging locos at Fort Humboldt State Historic Park are standard gauge (the Falk and the Gypsy.)
My little beast upthread is 30" gauge because I’m basing my mini layout partially on the Mattole Lumber Company’s line, which was 30" gauge, and because I have always had a soft spot for HOn30.
Hey, I’m nobody to criticize for seeking authentic dirt for layout use–I use local Sacramento dirt for my Sacramento Northern layout, ideally dirt harvested from old Sacramento Northern right-of-way or thereabouts…of course, I don’t have to go halfway across the continent to get my authentic dirt!