Construction Update #44 - Scenery around Monteagle & the Chip Processing Plant

Scenery work continues in the area around the summit at Monteagle.  Unfortunately, it's going to take a lot of tress.  I have placed around 50 in this area and I probably need another 200-250.  Regardless it looks presentable and here we have the northbound L&N TBG2 (Tullahoma to Bowling Green) stopped at Monteagle for orders.  The L&N has trackage rights over the Madisonville Sub between Memphis Junction in Bowling Green and Sparta, TN via Cookeville Junction (staging).

L&N #5600 was one of three Alco C-430s owned by the L&N.  I picked up the DCC ready model off ebay about a year ago for $135.00.  When I finally got around to working on it, about a month ago, I found out it was a factory equipped with sound and included all the appropiate documentation.  Since there was no mention of it being sound equipped on the box, it can only be assuemed it was a factory mistake.  Regardless, I removed the Loksound decoder and replaced it with my standard Tsunami2 and TCS KA1 keep alive.  I sold the Loksound Select decoder on ebay for $86.

 

The Chip Processing Plant at Monteagle

Originally a coal truck dump was planned for this spot.  After doing more research, I decided to replace the coal dump with a wood chip processing facility.  Lots of chip are processed in this part of the country for paper mills and other uses.  

The process

I decided that the Walthers "Sawmill Outbuildings" kit would make a good starting point.

I changed things around an bit and here is what I came up with.  I repainted all the structures and added some light weathering,

Chip processing includes debarking.  Debarking equipment is not incuded with the kit.  I did a little research and decided on a roatry debarker and chipper.  I found this diagram on the internet and decided to loosely base my model on this drawing.

Most of the debarker and chipping machinery were built using parts from kit left overs and a few scratch built parts.

Here is the finished product.

The chip processing plant on the layout.  A lot of background scenery needs to be finished up before the plant can be "planted" in place.

And finally, here is a photo of the overall scene with the Monteagle deopot in the distance. 

As always, your comments & suggestions are welcome

sdepolo@outlook.com

Contstruction Update #43 - LIghting & Scenery Progress around Monteagle (Formally Cumberland)

 

Names & Locations

 

Rencently, several town//location names have changed.  The summit, that was originally named Cumberland, has been changed to Monteagle.  This change was made to avoid confusion with the Evansville-Chattanooga passenger train, the "Cumberland", and to better reflect the actual locations along the proto-freelanced Madisonville Sub's route.

 

Under-counter LED Lighting Fixtures

 

Lighting has been a problem on the upper level right from the beginning.  The four bulb four foot florescent fixtures were fine on the old layout.  The combination of "daylight" florescent tubes and halogen spots provided pretty good lighting.  Unfortunately the same lighting doesn't work when the track level comes to within 14" of the fixture.  Fortunately, the solution was right here in my kitchen where I am currently sitting.  During a recent remodel we had the contractor install LED lighting beneath the new upper wall cabinets. 

 

 

 

The fixtures I used are Amazon Basics 3-color temperature and 3 section dimming LED cabinet lights ($45.91).  8 fixtures will be required.  Once most of the scenery is finished, a 4" valence will be added.

This photo shows the difference between the old and new lighting.  The locomotive in the foreground is sitting under the new under-counter LED lighting fixture.  The other locomotive is illuminated by the existing florescent fixture

 

Cripplebush Rubber Rocks

 

I used over 500 pounds of Hydrocal to create the rock work on my old Sn3 layout; I hated the mess it made.  Somewhere along the line I stumbled across the rubber rocks from Cripplebush and decided to give them a try.  I ordered two samples of "shale" and here's the result using one of the rubber rocks.

 

I cut this mold down the middle, horizontally, and hot glued the two sections end to end making up a cut 46" long and 3" high.  The pre-colored rubber rock was then blended into the surrounding ground cover and dry brushed an earth color.  The track here is Micro Engineering Code 83 flex on concrete ties.  The ballast is a mix of light and dark grays from Scenic Express held in place with matte medium. The concrete ties, bigger rail, and fresh ballast represent a recent "state of the art" upgrade on the Madisonville Sub.  The area above the cut will eventually be covered by static grass.

 

I think the results are pretty good and the rubber rocks avoid the plaster mess.  The only downside to the rubber rocks is that they are relatively expensive.  This mold, "shale cut" was $40.00 plus shipping.

And here is what's left of the Rockwood Branch; quite the contrast.  The matte medium was still wet when this picture was taken so the tops of the rails have not been cleaned off.

Here is a up to date photo of the depot.  New lighting above this area will be installed tomorrow.  The depot should probably be repainted gray to more accurately portray Southern Railway practices of the 1970's.  Scenery level is about 75-80%.  The area still needs underbrush on the hillside, static grass, a few figures, and other details.

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I'll end this post with a picture of how I progress through the scenicing process.  I normally start with a focal point, in this case the depot and work outward.  In the distance is what I consider to be stage 1, basic hardshell with a coat of earth colored latex house paint.  Next is what I consider to be stage 2 or at about 40% with the painted hardshell covered with paving sand and some ground foam.  Closer yet is what I consider Stage 3 or 60% with more ground cover, trees, and secondary structures.

 

As always, you comments, suggestions and questions are always welcome

sdepolo@outlook.com