The Saga of My Ever Shrinking Railroad

[vsmith]

Got the base cut to size, added new 1x6 trim boards around, the Pizza is in place, because of the way the base is built I moved the fiddle yard to the side and placed it on a removable cassette. Coming together very fast, Heres the latest sketch:

I realized I've gone backwards in time, back to early on the life of this layout when I added a small addition to the side , now though its got a much better support base and alot more experience under the belt.

Pic from long ago. Come full circle it seams to be right back where I started. New pics soon as I can

 

[vsmith]

Update:
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_01.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_03.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_05.JPG < Link To

New 1x6 trim boards around and painted, added new cassette on the side, working on making a new girder bridge section to go over the steel trestle side.

 

[vsmith]

Finally got the last piece of the puzzle:
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_07.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_06.JPG < Link To

Its attached to the portable itself, not the base, its some 1/8" plywood, basswood strips and some cardstock, makes a girder bridge over the old trestle, its not perfect, it still needs a couple tweeks, but at least I dont have to tear out the high bridge, it looks reasonably believable to me and gives it alot of visual interest.

 

[C&S]

Nice neat benchwork - puts mine to shame! Like the re-cycled bridge. Are you going to be able to re-use any other bits?

 

[vsmith]

Hopefully most all of the structures, however twisted, crushed, warped or otherwise bent to fit on the layout they end up, I've learned never be afraid to just start cutting...

 

[vsmith]

Update pics
Begin the crushing!
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_08.JPG < Link To

The Chapel of Sister Mary Elephant has found a new home on the layout

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_09.JPG < Link To

So has the drug store, it actually fits rather nicely in that spot

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_10.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_11.JPG < Link To

The mine is now literally the center of things

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_13.JPG < Link To

Tincan Junction had to keep its tin can now didn't it.

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_14.JPG < Link To

Eye level vinette's

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_15.JPG < Link To

Never mind the postrate Mariachi's, one too many margaritas last night

 

[MR SPOCK]

Brilliant as ever Vic ,​

 

[vsmith]

Updates! still a work in progress but its getting close

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_16.JPG.JPG < Link To

added a scenic element at the rear tool layout area, its easily removable and used up alot of the foam from the wedding cake

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_17.JPG < Link To

ground level view at the front

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_18.JPG < Link To

and at normal eye level

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_19.JPG < Link To

reworked mineshaft, right in the center

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_20.JPG < Link To

coming around the back at the almost finished scenic element, with a facade mine and the added drug store

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_22.JPG < Link To

more of the rear

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_23.JPG < Link To

Coming around to the other side of the added rear scenery

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_24.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_25.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_26.JPG < Link To

The side fiddle yard area, with the Bachmann coal/mine tipple, reworked mine into industrial building, made from LGB piers, this whole section is also removable as is the Pizza itself.

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_27.JPG < Link To

the relocated water tower. I've run out of ballast and will have to stain some more Johnny Cat this weekend, its far too cold right now, it would never dry.

Thats all for now

 

[vsmith]

Updates! if anyone is interested...
The fiddle yard track is finally ballasted, and almost all the major scenery is completed
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_28.JPG < Link To

Added the speeder track siding
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_29.JPG < Link To

reconfigured part of the old mine building into an industrial/warehouse building, with the tipple in place
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_30.JPG < Link To

Need to repaint this figure into a lost biker looking at a road map
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_31.JPG < Link To

More layers of scenery added as I go
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_32.JPG < Link To

Again more scenery, more junk behind the drug store
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_33.JPG < Link To

Managed to reinsert the infamous "shell hill" episode from my childhood
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_34.JPG < Link To

Lots of activity down by the station
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_35.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_36.JPG < Link To

I was able to reinsert this nice ceramic "ruins" peice back into the layout
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_37.JPG < Link To

The top of the layout, lots of figures added in
http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_38.JPG < Link To

I think I am about 90% done, all thats left is inserting additional weeds, plants and rusty junk along with maybe a few more figures and details like mining tools and a few stray dogs, well see-I'm just going with whatever feels right now.

 

[Dtsteam]

Excellent progress, Vic.The only problem I see is that its going to be finished all too soon. What do you do after that ?

 

[mbiff]

damn it vic - i luv,s the caricature style -

 

[vsmith]

Thanks, once this is more or less finished I have to rebuild an O Marx layout, but I am taking a break for a while to get other home projects out of the way.

 

[vsmith]

Final Updates!

Added back the old old style motorized wagon typical of early trucks

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_40.JPG < Link To

seams to have suffered a break down

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_39.JPG < Link To

scenery finished at the fiddle yard sidings

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_41.JPG < Link To

around the shanty, added the velociped back

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_42.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_43.JPG < Link To

reworked the industrial buidling/station a tad, need to find a scale mouse for the cat to be pouncing on

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_44.JPG < Link To

still a few small things to finish, can always add more junk and scale trash but I think its 98% done.
Be nice if I could take it to a show sometime, but my car couldn't carry all of it including the base, would need a van at least. We'll see what unfolds.

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_45.JPG < Link To

Some one stick a fork in it, I think its done!!!

 

[vsmith]

For those who might be interested:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_46.JPG < Link To

Piddles the cat has finally found something to chase...must be hungry!

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_47.JPG < Link To

The cat is from a toy "CAT-a-pult" that flings these across the room. The birds are repainted doves from the "California Mission Church" building kits from Michaels Crafts. These are a great source for building details if you live in California.

 

[owlpool]

cat on a hot tin roof
great detail

 

[vsmith]

Looks like this will get another dose of the Shrink Ray :-

I will need to remove the Fiddle Yard and shorten the base of this by merging the High Bridge into the base, It currently hangs out to one side but I need to shrink this yet once more to make room for "something else " so this Pizza will be getting a 10 1/2" shave coming soon, maybe this weekend, the Fiddle Yard will for now be set aside, to do this will require a major dismantling of parts of the base and some rather insane cutting, but luckily I have the perfect tool for just such an occasion....no....its NOT a chainsaw

Sorry about no pics today, hosting site is being migrated.

 

[vsmith]

Pics of the changes
New Fiddle Track

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_48.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_49.JPG < Link To

The rear stays about the same

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_50.JPG < Link To

Modified High Bridge

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_51.JPG < Link To

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize_52.JPG < Link To

Instead of jutting out its entire depth, now its tucked tidely into the baseworks.
Just some painting to touch up, a little ballasting and its on to the next project.

 

[trammayo]

Well - I can see! Since ditching satelite broadband I can see your fantastic modelling almost in it's entirety Vic - the dongle works (long live the dongle!). So it was my provider who wouldn't let me see - now I have caught up with a veritable feast of pics I take my hat off to you - brilliant, thoroughly enjoyable, engrossing,etc.

Just WOW!

 

[Shawn]

Vic im always interested in your updates and work. I just cant wait to see what you have in the works for your switching layout. Your work is no doubt an inspiration. Did you see the second place winner in garden ralways? Small layout that no doubt appears bigger.

 

[vsmith]

Thanks Guys,
Mick, glad your viewing issue has been fixed. I'm sure my pics were not the only ones being blocked.

Shawn, yeah I did, the YVRR is actually one of my favorite real RRs, the guy really got all the important bits into the layout, all thats really missing is the unique baggage car the YVRR used.

The new layout is going to be a decidedly more "urban" feel, the layout is based on an ultra compact N gauge microlayout I found online, maybe on Carl's website in fact. I had developed the layout for a friend who was retiring and moving and losing his outdoor layout. This was for a 10' x 10' spare room, but he ended up in a place where he could have another outdoor setup. I just was experimenting with this layout to see how it would fit into the area of my old layout and I quickly realized it would take up very little extra room, in fact I built the extra benchwork with materials already in the garage, but that I would need to minimize the Pizza once again, and that one of my 2 Marxist O gauge mini-layouts will have to go. No independant thread as yet, had too many threads start with a flurry only with me having to back off so once I get the track down I'll start a new tread. No hurries, no worries.