I’ve finished up the first of two planned logging wagons. This one just needs a figure guiding the horses and it will be ready to go out next to the lumber mill and tree stumps I currently have on the layout.
I’m going to build another one of these later, assuming there turns out to be enough room on the layout for two once I’ve added the mountain.
I built some logs for my logging wagon from ABS pipe.
First, I cut it to length. Then I applied adhesive to the outside, in lines parallel to the length of the pipe.
I smoothed the application with a toothpick–catching any drips.
I cut pieces of sintra to fit the ends, then inserted them. Then I filled the ends with adhesive.
Once it was all dry, I dipped them in outdoor paint–a dark slate, almost black color I have.
Next I applied a dry brushing of lighter browns and then washed with a darker brown.
Finally, I painted the ends light brown to represent fresh-cut wood and added some light brown spots along the “trunk” to simulate where branches were removed.
I think they look pretty good. We’ll have to see how they stand up outside.
I’ve been fiddling with this for quite some time. My initial experiments didn’t work out too well as the IR sensors didn’t like the waterproofing and the “stainless” steel wire I was using rusted out.
But here’s some progress
The servos are mounted in the bottom of a set of LGB crossing gates.
The servos are controlled by an Arduino board.
I’ve thought for a while now about adding a mountain (and tunnel) to my layout. The problem is, this is Germany (or Ruritania, or Graustark) in the 1930s, so a southwestern U.S.-style mountain won’t do. I need an alp.
My current idea is to make a frame of rebar, cover it with wire mesh, and then use concrete-impregnated burlap to cover it in a sort of concrete version of paper mache.
One of the really neat things about my layout is that I can see most all of it from the dining room window. And at night, it’s really cool to look out and see the miniature town all lit up. I just like being able to admire how cool it looks with all the lights on.
Well, I think I’ve found at least one plant that I won’t be planting on my layout again: wirevine.
This stuff is amazingly tenacious and ridiculously invasive. I planted a single 3″ pot of it last fall, and it’s gone crazy. Not only did it cover the cleared area where I planted it, it jumped (over and under) a paver, climbed two dwarf Alberta spruce, became intertwined with two other ground covers, and keeps trying to cross the right of way despite regular applications of Roundup. And places where I’ve pulled it up, apparently roots and all, it’s come back. All in about 8 months.
But if there’s someone else out there who needs to model Kudzu, this is your stuff.
So, in the Kansas climate (summers in the 100s, winters in the 10s) buildings really take a beating. It’s now time for me to bring some in (into the air conditioned house) and work on ones that have deteriorated.
My oldest building is this Piko station. I enjoyed building it–it’s one of the few “new” kits I bought, but it’s definitely in need of some work. The base is a piece of Sintra laminated to a piece of acrylic, which seemed like a good idea at the time but has started to separate. Also, the “street” lights need work and the interior needs to be cleaned out.
First I’ll tackle the lighting: the LEDs in it are cool white. And after three years they’ve started to dim. Which means that it’s time to trade them out for new, warm white ones. That includes the interior lights, the light that highlights the passenger and station employee, and the two exterior post lights.
Overall, I’ve enjoyed my experiences with the RaspberryPi’s I was using for computer control and decoder programming. They aren’t fast, but they were cheap and there was a lot of info on the net about getting them running with JMRI. But…
Well, being gone for almost six weeks seems to have allowed the weeds to grow.
Thanks to Alan (fyrekop) over on mylargescale.com I now have a better idea for building the “Alps” on my layout
Visited the model train store in Pasadena today. They had a good selection of G Scale trains and scratch building supplies. And the staff was friendly.
Started working on drawings for the logging wagons. Here’s the front axle setup, including the harness attachment points.
Here are some of the images I’ll be using to create my horse-drawn logging wagons
Took an excursion on the FWRX this passed week. They were running trains out to the honey farm. A fun time was had by all.
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Today I dropped by the Train Shack in Burbank. They have a pretty good selection of Piko and LGB stuff–more G scale than I usually see in a LHS. Pretty cool place, though the prices are just average. They do have some running layouts in O and HO to watch–my son really liked those.
Bought these last week.
I’m planning to make some wagons out of these…
Well, all was quiet on the railroad front as I spent a few days traveling to New York and West Point to see my nephew graduate from the United States Military Academy and leave to join the Army.
I installed the motor, set up the front door vignette, and have all the lights working. It’s done for now…
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Well, my original idea of foam for the roads in town didn’t work out too well…
The arrows (click for a larger version) show the problem.
I have a lot more to do, but am currently waiting on a list of parts.
For the sawmill/logging scene, I need wheels. I’m going to make some horse-drawn logging wagons, but need wheels.
For the windmill, I need the Pola motor. I ordered it, but it didn’t ship for a couple of days and I’m still impatiently waiting for it to arrive.
For the windmill scene, I ordered some Pressier figures. From Germany. So those will be a while coming.
So lots to do, but right now it’s hurry up and wait.