Wordless Wednesday 12-29-21

 

Static Grass Application Completed

 

Static grass has been applied to the entire layout baseboard. Additional textures still to be added, but getting closer to finishing. My homemade static grass applicator made by Ed Traxler is still going strong after 8 years of use! 

Until next time, 

Tom

Scenery Update - Static Grass

I'm working from the left side of the layout with the application of static grass and tufts. I've also dusted the rails with weathering powders too. As time and humidity take effect, the dusted rails will fade a bit. 

 

I will be adding additional scenery textures once the initial layer of static grass and tufts are applied to the remaining portion of the layout. I have completed the initial static grass to the end of the four story furniture factory. Things will be rolling along quickly and I have a good chance of completing everything by the end of the year, except for layout lighting. I'll be installing that after the first of the year.

Until next time, 

Tom

Wordless Wednesday 9-29-21

 

Wordless Wednesday 9-22-21

 

Scenery Basecoat Applied and Running a Train

I went ahead and applied a base coat of green foam to the bare dirt areas of the layout.  It looks a bit like a golf course, but that will change with the addition of static grass and other scenery textures.  Still a long way to go.

I decided to clean the track and run a loco on the layout.  I have not operated the layout in almost three years.  The last time was to test out the staging track and an operating scheme.  This time, I want to see how it runs after sitting idle for so long.  Fortunately, the track ballasting did not foul the track.  Everything ran fairly well after a vigorous cleaning with a bright boy track cleaner block.  

This is the 6 AM yard switching crew shunting cars left by the Rock Island switcher yesterday evening at the interchange track, and setting them out at the outbound yard track for a later transfer run.  Next, the GE 70 tonner will pull cars from the factory track and set them out at the Rock's  interchange track.  An empty boxcar sitting at the public siding will also be set out at the interchange track.  

Track Ballasting Completed

 

Track ballasting for the entire layout is completed! 🎉🎉

I started working on the layout again this week. My earlier goal of completing the layout by June 2021 did not happen. If all goes well, I should be wrapping this up by the end of the year. I started this layout in July 2017, and I have been slow to work on it. The slowness is intentional due to a downsizing move into a smaller house. I really wanted to savor the experience since I have no room for expansion.

Things should start coming together quickly now. I am going to start adding additional scenic textures and static grass next. I need to affix a section of the photo backdrop, then blend it into the backdrop with acrylic paints. Additional details will be added to develop the scene. Lighting fixtures will be installed at the very end. My valance set-up will make this an easy install. 

Until next time, 

Tom 

Fourth Street Yard

 

The Fourth St. Yard Office located near the abandoned interlocking tower. 

Fourth Street Yard in Owensville, Missouri is located to the south of the Rock Island Railroad interlocking tower. The OTRR and CRI&P interchange cars here, with the Rock's connecting track located to the north of the interlocking tower.  The north end of Fourth Street Yard was a choke point for the OTRR, and train delays were common. In 1964, the OTRR decided to build a new classification yard approximately three miles to the southeast of Fourth Street Yard. The yard tracks at the north end would remain due to several industries located there, but the south yard tracks would be removed. The reduced Fourth Street Yard would continue as an industrial yard for the industries served at this section of Owensville, Missouri, and also continue to serve as an interchange point with the Rock. 

The North End of Fourth Street Yard with 3 cars on the interchange track. 

The north end of the old OTRR mainline now serves as the interchange track with the Rock.  The old main to Hermann was cut about three-quarters of a mile north of the interlocking tower.  The interlocking tower was closed in 1965, but still stands (just visible on the right side of the photo). Cars are left on the old mainline track, with the Rock accessing it to the north of the tower on the original interchange track. 

Wordless Wednesday 04-21-21

 

Scenery Work Update 03

 Ballast Set

The ballast has been bonded and this section of the layout is ready for static grass and various scenic textures.

Until next time, 

Tom 

Scenery Work Update 02

 Weathering Track Ties

With the completion of my Herrin Micro Layout project, I am concentrating on the next section of scenery work on the OASIS. I painted the ties from the completed scenery work on the right side to the left edge of the canning plant. This will leave less than a third of the layout baseboard remaining to weather and apply scenery texture to.

I used the same weathering procedure as I did for the completed section to the right toward the Rock Island interchange track. I will let this dry for a couple of hours, then begin ballasting the track. Static grass and various scenery textures will be added after the ballast dries overnight.

Things should start rolling now barring any unforseen issues or work obligations.

Until next time,

Tom

Scenery Work Update

My favorite part of layout construction! 

I have affixed a section of the photo backdrop and placed some scenery elements in the scene. The hay bales and surrounding ground textures are dry-fitted in place. I'll let this sit a few days to see if I like it, then glue it all in place.

Scenery Work Continues

 

Scenery work resumes on the OASIS District. I like using a base coat of Woodland Scenics blended turf as a scenery base. It helps me to visualize things.  Track weathering and ballast will be applied next. Additional textures such as dirt, static grass, gravel, weeds, bushes, etc. will be added after the track work is completed.

Until next time, 

Tom