Yeah, I know the ball hasn't dropped yet, but it is not terribly likely that I will be near the computer much for the next few days.
I hope everyone has a great new year.

Matt

I recently asked about this topic here (<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=257">viewtopic.php?f=17&t=257</a><!-- l -->) but now have a similar/related question ....

I've recently been having some success mixing different grades of ballast. I purchased a container of pink/beige coarse HO Woodland Scenics ballast and mixed it with my fine gray WS ballast and started applying it. I was immediately pleased with the results. I really liked how the coarse bits mixed in and stood out with the fine gray ballast -- I thought it looked very realistic.

Then I suddenly ran out of the fine grey ballast so I bought some medium grey ballast and mixed that with the coarse beige ballast. The mix was about 60-70% grey and 30-40 coarse beige. I realize that the best way to be authentic is not to be consistent as the colours and size/weight mix of ballast can change a lot even within one stretch of track.

As I said, I've been pleased with the results but just remembered one thing. A staff person at a LHS -- who is very experienced with scenery -- said he didn't like using HO ballast for HO layouts because the ballast in general was too large. He recommended using N scale ballast on HO layouts. Has anyone else found this or could comment on this?

Thanks,
Rob

I'm interested in campgrounds that have some sort of railroad interest. Please post.

I'll start with Port Huron KOA. I-69 West of Port Huron at Wadhams.
This used to have a railroad along one side and a pair of cabooses that were slowly disintegrating. The cabooses have disappeared and the railroad is now a bike trail.
However, they do have a 15" gauge park train that runs around on weekends. (4-2-4, gas engine).

The New Year is almost upon us.
Like making life resolutions(Loose weight, quit smoking, stop drinking) Id thought I'd make a list of "Layout Resolutions".
It'd be interesting to check this list next year and see what was done.

Finish benchwork(Seven years, isn't done yet) Had a wall in the way that kinda put me off for awhile. The wall is now gone.
Finish laying track(See above)
Finish CNE engine facility-Wire roundhouse tracks, finish scenery(Big Bonus at work this year...Maybe replace old turntable with the Walthers Self indexing one, Use old turntable for S&W(Southwick And Winsted)
Finish and improve Winsted Yard.
Finish Winsted.(City)
Finish Norfolk.(Country)
Start Torrington(Another city)
Complete CNE/S&W interchange.
Find and paint two Bombadier Bi-Level coach cars in CDOT scheme(Already have the cab car)
Improve layout lighting.

Find the time to do the list.

I've never tried weathering anything before... and really this first attempt is just that, getting a feel for it all.

It kinda happened as an accident too, I was cleaning my brush after painting something else and was dabbing it in the thiner...which by the way is pretty dirty... and the phone rang, I reached for the phone not knowing that my brush smacked my RDC1 in the roof!

Then I'm like...hey that looks kinda neat... and thus it began. The general technique I used was taking some TrueLine Trains Warm Black on my brush and dipping it a couple of times in the thinner.. then I just sloshed it onto the loco with haphazard strokes...

my results:




Overall I'm not overly pleased with the results. I know I overdid it on the exhaust vents on the roof...and didn't put enough into the sides.... But overall I think it was a decent first attempt. I'll try my luck on an Express wooden reefer next!

Who else has ended up cutting their coupler hoses, since they drag on turnouts?

Greeting,

I have started to build some models for my N scale Railroad. What I’m finding is because it takes so long to find my tools, supplies and generally get started I’m getting very little done. So, I’m thinking of building a dedicated work station for all my modeling needs. I have a general idea of the design and would like to get some feed back from you fine folks here on Big Blue.

The specifications

Work bench 48” x 24” about 36” tall ± with drawers down one side (drawing to follow)

A hutch on top of the bench, 36” tall and 6” to 10” deep. With doors covering the upper shelf’s. (drawing to follow)

A magnifying work light and electrical outlet.

Storage for tools and supplies.

Construction material well be determined later to accommodate the design.
Any suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Happy New Year,

Joe

I am not even sure that I am posting this in the right place...
Here is the track plan that I am working on so far...

The red lines indicate a scenic divider (i.e. backdrop) On the top is the staging area. On the left side you can see the turntable sitting, all alone, that is where my yard will be. Obviously more needs to be done to make this a workable plan. I need to add some crossovers, a yard, ad infinitum.
If the resident planning gurus could take a peak at this and give me their thoughts, it would be most appreciated.
Crud, the dimensions don't show on the picture. The grid is in 3" increments.

Thanks,
Matt

Here is a slightly more useful pic

i have been gone for awhile and everyone has moved on i just got the link form ezdays good job here i like the colors of the old gauge better and how it this is set up mikey good choice. i see the rats that jumped ship over on the other fourm have found their way back home. just a shame i didn't get here sooner but i did get to keep my screen name i hate when i have different ones i get confused . but i hope to soon get back to the new layout as i had to trash it when it was 85% done due to water damage. so i am back at the planning stage .but the boys cat is not right after a zap .that the stupid fur ball gave both of us as i tried to cut the power to the room.wet cat + fuse box + my hand = zap hair on end for weeks

well guys thanks for the wlecome back home

Well, as you can see, there's not much going on technically speaking right now. In the next week or so I'm going to try to recreate a few tutorials that I have over at Zealot. I've got one on Power and one on using a VOM for testing.

Anyway, feel free to post some of your technical problems and solutions here. We're open for business...