The Model Railroad (or what's left of it)
Here's a picture of the main part of the layout still standing. The coal mine tipple can be seen in the
background. This part of the railroad will stay, although the tracks into the tunnels may be tracks that
end up going nowhere. The layout was originally somewhat L-shaped, with this area in the center of
the basement. I removed a wall on the other side of the basement to expand my workshop, and this
limits the possibilities for track on the other side of the center wall. I think I'll end up with a loop
around the basement, and this part a dead-end part in the center, and still permit access to the coal
mine.
background. This part of the railroad will stay, although the tracks into the tunnels may be tracks that
end up going nowhere. The layout was originally somewhat L-shaped, with this area in the center of
the basement. I removed a wall on the other side of the basement to expand my workshop, and this
limits the possibilities for track on the other side of the center wall. I think I'll end up with a loop
around the basement, and this part a dead-end part in the center, and still permit access to the coal
mine.
With the exception of the little building (center right) and the signals, which are plastic models,
most of the track and of course, the dirt, everything else has I made by hand. The rock
outcroppings, rock walls, tunnel portals, and the concrete bridge abutment were all made from cast
plaster made from cardboard, latex or aluminum foil molds. The stones in the tunnel portals were
carved into the plaster before it set. The ground form was made from plaster soaked paper towels
then covered with real dirt. The 3 switch tracks in the foreground were handmade to fit the
situation. Too hard to fit standard track to fit the curves needed to make the tunnel. I installed
LED's in the signals so they actually work(ed). I'd like to get around to finishing the scene with
trees and other vegetation, but don't seem to have the artistic inspiration to get involved in this part
of the hobby much any more. The things you have to give up just to have a job!
most of the track and of course, the dirt, everything else has I made by hand. The rock
outcroppings, rock walls, tunnel portals, and the concrete bridge abutment were all made from cast
plaster made from cardboard, latex or aluminum foil molds. The stones in the tunnel portals were
carved into the plaster before it set. The ground form was made from plaster soaked paper towels
then covered with real dirt. The 3 switch tracks in the foreground were handmade to fit the
situation. Too hard to fit standard track to fit the curves needed to make the tunnel. I installed
LED's in the signals so they actually work(ed). I'd like to get around to finishing the scene with
trees and other vegetation, but don't seem to have the artistic inspiration to get involved in this part
of the hobby much any more. The things you have to give up just to have a job!
I designed and built
the coal tipple
loosely around
something I'd seen in
a magazine. I also
like machines and
mechanical devices,
both small and large.
I built this to actually
function, using
miniature cables to
load coal into
hoppers.
the coal tipple
loosely around
something I'd seen in
a magazine. I also
like machines and
mechanical devices,
both small and large.
I built this to actually
function, using
miniature cables to
load coal into
hoppers.
Here's the coal mine in
operation:
Believe it or not, here's
175 feet of track in a
room 7 ft by 11 ft
operation:
Believe it or not, here's
175 feet of track in a
room 7 ft by 11 ft