Planning

I've decided that I need to share more about my vision for the Swamp with my team mates that are going to help me build it. Many of them just don't know much about the Okefenokee or what I'm doing in order to give me help. So I'm going to produce a training Powerpoint deck to use in a clinic of sorts. This way they can see the swamp, get used to the scenery and learn about the very tough men who logged the Okefenokee.

Some of the work is already done in that I gave a clinic on swamp scenery and building cypress trees a few years ago. I'll take that and my collection of pictures and put it together, then present it one rainy night in Georgia over coffee and donuts.

What fun!

Trip to the Store!

It has rained heavily for days. Last night I was at my friend Packrat Paul's house for a train night. We constructed over 30 feet of benchwork! What fun.

Today I needed some supplies and was a little tired from my dieting and heavy exercise, so I went to the store. Here's what I bought:

Michael's (a hobby and craft store)

• Selection of hardwood dowels: 7/16", 5/16", 1/4", 3/16" and 1/8". One each, all 36" long. (for testing swamp piling bridge assemblies)
  
• 8x10 picture frame for my buddy Iron Mike's photo (to do something nice for Mike who gives his all to the hobby)
  
• Bag of craft sticks, 5 3/4 x 1/4 x 3/32 inches - 75 per pack with a smooth finish (mixing resin and for scale model construction)
  
• 5 oz bottle of Aleene's Original Tacky Glue (the best for assembly of most things)
  
• 2 oz bottle of Ceramcoat Rain Grey acrylic paint (brick morter for the packing plant)
  

Target

• 8x10 glossy photo of Iron Mike standing next to the Coal River Railroad Layout (to do something nice for Mike)
  

Dollar Tree (generic $1 store)

• Package of 80 cotton rounds pads (for painting and absorbing glue)
• Roll of aluminum foil (various uses)
  
• Two packs of 50 pipe cleaners ( the big ones) for cleaning air brushes
• Two rolls of 1" x 60 yds masking tape (for taping down items to paint and masking)
  
• Three disposable lighters (for lighting candles, heat source, torch lighting)
  
• Set of 6 jumbo clothes pins (clamps made of plastic)
• Small 2 1/2" x 3" mirror (for checking straight lines and edges)

All in all it was a good day. The dollar store is a great place for supplies. I only go to Michael's for things I can get no where else or because I have a coupon. Now I'll go to the basement and put this stuff away.

Found a Fellow Swamper!

Sam Lindsey III [sam@samlindsey.com] writes...

My layout is considerably smaller. The main theme for my scenery is going from the swamp to the seashore with various things in between. Actually, I started working from the swamp (in the far corner of the layout) as far as scenery goes. Then there was about a 2 year hiatus – no good reason, just stopped. Finally, this year I have started up again. By the way, if you look at the swamp, you can see how – gosh! I just went to my web site and hadn’t realized how out of date it was. Will take some new photos and post them tonight!

At any rate, I used plexiglass to be the swamp water (with dark brown paint under the glass). I want to virtually cover the glass with water lilies, etc, but that is for a future time when the scenery is more complete. I also used ½” dowel cut down the middle for the “trestle” over the swamp. Hope you can see the alligator and the osprey nest!

The current plan is to keep the theme of a logging railroad, but add the extra themes of grain, oil, passengers, and cattle. Oh yes, I have an operating lighthouse that will be a star attraction on the other end of the railroad from the swamp.

I have gone from HO to O because of the handling and building requirements. So, when I went to O, I decided to go to the 3-rail system. A lot is not to scale, and a lot is just funny, but it’s my railroad. I hope to have a working giraffe car on the layout soon! Don’t know how that fits with the theme, but it will have to. My boys (23 & 31) demand it!

I have gone on way too much. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I hope your layout works out well. I am still trying to get my hands around the water part. I will actually have seashore with abandoned track and bridge (sand dunes) on one part of the layout.

Sam

A Little Help From a Friend

There is nothing like getting a little help from a friend. It is what I love most about the model railroad community. They are always willing to help. Tom dug through his files and mailed me a CD full of photos. You can't beat guys like Tom. I always try to do the same for people when they need help.

What I needed were some detailed photos and drawings of some prototype rail car trucks for some models I'm about to start. He responded to my request.

Hey, Scott,

The CD burned and is going out tomorrow. There are way more images than I recalled. Probably 30 or so hi-res pics plus the two drwg scans. Anyway, what's there will allow you to build a very good replica of the orginal box car. I shot the pics at the Fenimore, WI CNW Narrow Gauge Museum a couple of years ago. The CNW ran a 3' narrow gauge line from Fenimore down into IA. The locals called it "the Dinky".

There is a soft cover book available with drawings of the rolling stock and the 2-6-0 loco. Neat little line and perfect for conversion to On30.

Tom

Tom Houle [thoule@wi.rr.com]

Protoype 30" Railroads

Here's a link for those of you that aren't familiar with 30" railroads...
http://w1.854.telia.com/~u85436044/30inch/index.html
This covers the railroads in California...

The Yosemite Short Line Railway Co. The Empire City Ry. The Sloat Lumber Co. The Molino Timber Co. The Johnson & Pollock Lumber Co

L-girders are up!

We were able to install the L-girders tonight. Thanks to a lone of a laser level from Iron Mike, we were able to get a very level straight line. The pre-made joist were screwed into the studs in the wall with 2 1/2" drywall screws. Gusset plates were put over each joint. The assembly goes all around the room and is ready for more benchwork.

We also laid out the line for the L-channel that holds the drop ceiling. The crew worked from 7:30 to midnight. Steve, Paul, Bob and my neighbor Mike all dropped in.

The team spent some time talking about how to put the pilings in for the track work. I like the idea of the flex-pilings, and we may try that. Bob had some great ideas about how to put the pilings in. Basically, we are going to have to run some tests. Total time tonight was 4.5 hours.

More Sprues - 1 hour work

Tonight I placed the windows on paint boards as well as other parts that I had washed and prepped. I also cleaned up the train room and shop since the guys are coming over tomorrow.

I was looking at the water tower directions and realized that I didn't have the ladders on the paint boards. They were of another color. I found them, trimmed them and put them on the dark gray paint board.