Construction Update #4 - The Helix, Backdrops, Fascia, & Cork

Construction is advancing on several fronts.

The Helix

 

The tightest curve on the layout is on the helix; 30".  The grade is 2.25%.  It will take 5 revolutions to reach the upper level or about 80'  Unfortunately, the lack of materials has stopped progress. 

The backdrop

 

The "stream scene" backdrop had been taped to the backdrop for several weeks.  These backdrops, while beautifully done, are fragile, and need to be handled carefully.  They tear easily and tape, when removed, will damage the image.  I watched the Trackside Scenery tutorial a couple of times before starting.  I cut out the sky leaving around 10 1" wide tabs along the top. The tabs were used to position and hold up the backdrop using blue painters tape.  Per the tutorial, I used Super 77 to hold up the backdrop.  Starting at one end, I applied the glue to about 18" of the backdrop and glued it it place.  The backdrop was then rolled up, from the far end, removing the tabs and tape as I went.  From that point it glue was applied, about 12" at a time, and the backdrop rolled back in place smoothing it out as I went.  The end result was just about perfect.  The whole process took about an hour.

 

The Fascia

 

The fascia is 3/16" tempered Masonite; smooth on both sides.  4'x 8' sections were cut to width on a table and held in place with countersunk wall board screws.  The holes and seams have been patched but not yet sanded smooth.  Not sure about colors yet.

  

 

Roadbed and Cork

 

Most of the roadbed and cork have been installed on the upper level.  Grundy is in the foreground and the initial bench work is in place for the upper staging yard on the far wall and over the garage door.  Grundy is a coal mining town and the site of a siding and three spurs, two with tipples and one with a truck dump.

Powell (name subject to change) is the summit; about 83" above the main floor.  The mainline is on the far right along with two sidings.  The Coalmont Branch, that doesn't show up in the original plan, diverges from the main in the right foreground.  The track on the lower level is the mainline between Grundy and Powells.  The grade is 2.25%.  There is one truck dump on the branch and then it ducks into staging.  The backdrop at this location is on the backside of the upper fascia shown in the third photo above.  Grundy and the Coalmont Branch will justify two locals working out the Preston Miller Yard in Bowling Green.

Construction Update #3 - Pink Foam & Backdrops

Pink Foam & More Pink Foam

 

Went to Home Depot to buy some "straight" 1x4's for the upper level staging yard and came home with six 4x8 sheets of pink foam instead; 3 pieces 2" thick and 3 pieces 1" thick.  The Bowling Green yard is along the east wall of the room.  It is 27'  from end to end and 24" wide.  Two layers, 3" thick rest on 1x4's laid horizontally over traditional L-Girder.  With the exception of the helix, the entire lower level is flat.

The bottom layer of foam is normally 2" thick.  The top layer is 1" thick.   The 1x4's supporting the foam are normally spaced about 12-16" apart.  The 110' turntable was cut into the 1" foam and a portion of the 2" foam.  A 1x4 was placed directly under the turntable for additional support.

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In this area, opposite the Bowling Green yard, the position of the foam was reversed for scenic reasons.  The stream bed is a piece of masonite sitting directly on the L-Girder.  Next up is a 1x4 followed by a 1" piece of  foam and a  2" piece of foam. This arrangement will facilitate a low swampy area on each side of the stream.

Backdrops

 

Trackside Scenery created a custom backdrop for the stream crossing.  They lowered the stream bed about 3" and blended in the surrounding terrain.  It cost about $60 to make this change but the effect is amazing.

 

I couldn't resist getting a preview so I cut out the existing sky and temporarily taped up the backdrop behind the bridge.  The bridge here will consist of  90 and 50' deck bridges with wood pile trestles on each of the approaches.

Locomotive Update

The Master Mechanic and machinists have been busy at the Bowling Green Backshop.

MBG&C #8001 & 8000

 

#8000 and #8001 are the second and third of three U-30C's picked up from a used locomotive dealer.  All three are ex Norfolk & Western units built in April of 1974.  The #8002 was in the best shape of the three so was quickly given a "dip" black paint job and placed in service.  (March 1 Construction Update).  These two were given a full rebuild and a coat of fresh MBG&C black and green paint.

#8000 and 8001 are both Atlas "Master Series" models.  They were purchased on ebay at a very resonable price (less than $50) but both required a bit of work.  The original N&W lettering was removed and the damaged or missing parts were repaired or replaced.  In addition they both received a new horn and firecracker antenna.  They were painted with a mix of Tru-Color and lettered with custom decals.  Both are equipped with Tsunami2 sound decoders, a TCS KA1 Current Keeper and Kadee #58 Scale Couplers

MBG&C #7786

 

#7786 is an ex Penn Central GP-38.  I've had this model for about 10 years.  It was reconditioned and given a fresh coat of paint along with the #8000 and #8001.

 

#7786 is another Atlas locomotive.  The Penn Central lettering was removed and the standard MBG&C 5-Chime horn and firecracker antenna were added.  In addition, it got a pair of spark arrestors and a stobe (working) on the cab roof.  It got MBG&C black and green paint, a Tsunami2 sound decoder, a TCS KA1 Current Keeper and Kadee #58 Scale Couplers.  I originally thought this model had a split gear in the front truck; it clicked and bumped as it went down the track.  I took it apart several times trying to identify the problem gear before discovering it had nothing more than a spot of "gunk" on one of the front wheels.  Kind of frustrating...

Layout Track Plan Revisions

Revisions to Track Plan

 

Several changes have been made to the original track plan.  A portion of the mainline was originally on the back wall.  While the original plan worked, it offered a couple of scenic challenges the revised plan eliminates.  The return loop on the upper level was also removed, the staging tracks were made longer and the mill and chip loader were also eliminated for the time being.  The upper level passes over a aisle in two places.  The clearance beneath these points is 77.5", track level is 81" above the floor.

Construction Update #2 - Benchwork & Signals

MBG&C #8002

U-30C #8002 is a recent acquisition from a used locomotive dealer.  Ex N&W #8002 got a hasty "dip" black paint job and new lettering.  Two more, 8000 and 8001 are currently undergoing a heavy overhaul and will receive a full Madisonville, Bowling Green & Chattanooga repaint.

 

The 8002 is another reasonably priced Atlas Master Series model.  The large "NW" lettering was removed from the long hood and both ends.  The cab numbers and number boards were left alone.  The long and short hoods were given a light coat of  Testor's Model Master gloss black and standard MBG&C lettering followed.  It was finished off with some subtle weathering using Bragdon's powdered pigments and sealed with Model Master's lusterless clear.  It is equipped with a Tsunami2 sound decoder and a TCS KA1 Current Keeper.  

Backdrops

 

The existing perimeter backdrops from the old layout were in pretty good condition.  A little filling and sanding was all they needed.   My local Ace Hardware matched a 14 year old can of backdrop blue paint and the end result is just about perfect.

Again, salvaged material from the old layout was used for the center or lower section of the "mushroom".  It was cut to size and installed.  Some minor patching and sanding was required.  The backdrop is 18" high between the lower and upper levels.   The layout, at this location, will feature a multi-span deck girder bridge over a medium sized stream.  Trackside Scenery made a custom backdrop for this area that features a stream bed about 3" lower than normal.  Joey at Trackside is great and I highly recommend their products.  I can't wait to work on the scene.

The end of the peninsula.  The upper level bench work is just about complete in this area. 

 

Signals

 

Atlas is re-introducing it's old signal system with a number of updates.  I experimented around with the old version and found it worked pretty good for a "plug and play" ABS system.  The updated Universal version includes a more versatile signal control board along with "plug and play" Atlas versions of  BLMA signals.  The components are compatible with the earlier versions of the Atlas system, old BLMA signals, other signals, and the system can support CTC operations.  The updated signals won't be available until later this year but some of the components are currently in stock.  The system is compatible with just about any form of  block detection.  I will probably use detectors from NCE.  My signal control modules arrived last week.  You can download the manual from Atlas's website.  Pretty cool for some one like me who is electronically challenged.  Some of the components are limited run.