wpf i need some inspiration. RON
OK I’ll start it off…
A Cab-Forward makes its way across the Junior Canyon steel viaduct on my Western Pacific:
Reefer awaits pick-up at Flour Mill:
Michael,
have you heard about the story of that rookie guy starting out on building a layout? The first pictures he presented made me think “Oh, no - not again one of those Plywood Pacific RR”. All of a sudden, this guy presents some of the most spectacular scenes - with the backdrop perfectly blending in!
[bow][bow][bow] to what you have achieved in such a short time!
Older EMDs in the E-Street Yard . 
. 
Regards Jon.
Got a few new goodies from the train shop yesterday. 
Kato P42 and four Kato Amtrak superliners. Very nice runners! 
and these five freight cars behind my SD40-2. An Intermountain Trinity hopper, Athearn Bulkhead flat, Intermountain Trinity Hopper, followed by two Atlas ACF 3 Bay hoppers.
Not sure if this will be inspiration for you, but it’s the first time I’ve filled my rail yard since reconstructing it. More scenery details to add yet, but it was nice to see that everything works.
(Backdrop was digitally added)
Thanks Ulrich!! I really appreciate the great feedback. I’ve been having a blast building the new layout. I’m not even close to being done, and there’s still another extension room to be built. (9’ x 9’).
I have learned everything from all you guys, thanks to everyone for helping me out.
Great shots everyone, keep them coming!
Michael
Bruce,
Very nice looking yard!. What did you use for ballast? Please give me details on how you accomplished that. I want to make my yard look like that.
Thanks,
Michael
Thanks! I used a locally made product I found at my LHS called “Boston & Maine Gray Rock Debris (Tallus)”. It’s basically finely crushed rock (almost powdered) which I thought would look great in N-scale. I applied it like regular ballast (using diluted white glue) and it seems to hold just fine.
I also painted the track and weathered the ties a bit. Here’s a close up:
Wow that looks great. My LHS (Caboose Hobbies) has the Arizona Rock & Mineral Yard Mix for HO scale. I beleive this is the real crushed rock right?
When you used the diluted white glue, does it “float” ? I have been using the WS ballast on the mainline and it tends to float and get all over the ties. Since the yard is a big area, I think the real rock would be the way to go on this.
Thanks,
Michael
Just some trees I have been working on
Odds favor Ron being inspired already! … Great work from everyone so far! … Bob … The old four mill is a fantastic model! That IS INSPIRING! …
Here’s the doodlebug passing by the vegetable garden along the branch line.
So far so good!!!
Here’s a shot from me.
Michael, you need to use a “wetting agent”. It can be a spray of water with a few drops of dishwashing detergent in it or 70% rubbing alcohol sprayed or applied with an eyedropper to break the surface tension and let the glue flow into the ballast. I use the second (alcohol).
73
I have made a little progress in my shelf layout…
I was able to get all the turnouts working with Tortoise switch machines and DPDT switches in place on the edge of the layout. All the track is in and has been tested in DCC mode without any problems. Next I will tackle the small staging area and test the operations.
Here is a photo of the completed track and some trains staged in action.
Here are a couple of photos of some structures I am mocking up. I am still not sure where everything will go but I am getting some good ideas from the stand ins.
As always more photos on my blog OREGON TRUNK BLOG
Great work guys.It sure raises the bar for me. I feel so unworthy. Thanks again. RON
Nice work, everyone.
GP7 No. 8577 passing through the yard. DJ.
Yeah - what he said… [:D]
I used the dish washing detergent spray method, but I’ve heard the rubbing alcohol works great too. It’s just that spraying rubbing alcohol near an ignition source (a furnace) makes me a little nervous… [;)]
I also used diluted matte medium as my glue (just like white glue but dries without any glossiness).