Los Angeles Alameda Spur

Discussion in 'Planks, Switching and Shelf Layouts' started by DustyHilux, Jul 27, 2022.

  1. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Nice find in your stash ! The building looks good in white too !

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  2. DustyHilux

    DustyHilux Full Member

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    Ok so I've been getting some time in on the layout, messing around with a bunch of stuff,
    got a new Badger airbrush a couple months ago and finally got around to testing it out,

    gave some weathering a crack on my GP15 based off these two prototypes



    pretty happy with the result!, also started working on a railbox but not quite finished with that yet.

    working on the right hand side ground cover and structures, made a mock of of what will be part of 'Atlas Aluminium' non-rail served structure, using the real building as a prototype but i'm reversing the curve of the building, going to photo laminate the exterior with a roller door added in and set back a layer for relief,
    need to take about 15mm off the total height, its a tad bit high


    also did a test print of some textures from Lance Mindheim's site which will become a small yard area at Atlas Alum.


    printed on semi-gloss photo paper, i have cut out the shape and laminated onto some styrene with spray adhesive,
    first one i sealed with dullcote but that had a reaction to the ink and made it fade and turn slightly purple

    i got some MTN matt acrylic varnish off Amazon to try out, and that works perfectly no reaction at all, which is great, i'll be using this on all my photo-laminate from now
     
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  3. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    That is some great weathering, very realistic. The fade on the loco I like a lot, nicely done. You have added just enough to give the loco of a loco that has worked hard. :thumbs:

    I like where you are going with Atlas Aluminium. Curved buildings add a lot of interest to the layout ! My buildings range from 75mm, 85mm and 105mm in height. Just remember that the roof is approximately 12" below the height of the walls. ;)

    Love the road texture, that looks awesome ! On my models I use Boyle Clear Matt Sealer available from Bunnings. Works a treat on all printed models (Scalescenes etc).

    Keep up the good work mate. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  4. DustyHilux

    DustyHilux Full Member

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    Cheers Gary!

    The Atlas Alum. Structure I ended up trimming the height down to 75mm which just looked better visually with the taller warehouse behind, I do spend a lot of time on roofs in my real world job so that definitely helps in getting the little details in on these builds!

    I do have the same Boyle brand matte clear but that had the same reaction, I’ve got a canon printer I guess it’s just the ink type, no big deal as the MTN works

    spent too much time on photoshop over the weekend creating the photos and gave it a shot, used google street view and modified to fit, I may incorporate a roller door under the atlas sign to be a bit more prototypical

    once it’s all scenic’d with grass/weeds and rubbish I think it will blend in really well, I’ll be painting the rear warehouse next.

     
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  5. DustyHilux

    DustyHilux Full Member

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    Quick update, finally got round to getting the backdrop up, made the framework out of 19x42mm pine and cut some MDF sheet,
    painted in a subtle light blue, I forget the actual colour name…


    But of left over MDF and also whipped up a facia board, much nicer and looking a lot less under construction, I will paint the facia black once the ground scenery is completed

    still messing around on Atlas Aluminium, picked up some styrene over the weekend and made the roller door up, slight relief cut into the wall for the door too.

    I’ll have the building finished up this week and then onto the next one

     
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  6. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    Looking good mate. I too will be painting the fascia on my layout black too.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
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  7. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Nice one, and congrats on Pick of the Week, really nice job on the weathering

    Paul
     
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  8. DustyHilux

    DustyHilux Full Member

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    Cheers Paul and Gary!
     
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  9. DustyHilux

    DustyHilux Full Member

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    Chipping away at little bits and pieces while I wait for some new rolling stock to arrive from the US, started ballasting and some scenery.

    pickup up a BNSF Atlas GP38 on eBay for a good price, DCC fitted just not sound yet,


    Weathered up the railbox and added some personality:)


    almost done with the capping for the roof on atlas aluminium, did a super quick roof from card stock for now


    got a new more things arriving next week to build my DIY DCC++EX wireless setup too

    ended up taking to a UP employee who has kindly sent me through current track and industry maps of the Vernon area, which is awesome, the internet is a wonderful place!
     
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  10. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    That's a pretty nice score on the GP38 and great weathering on the railbox. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
    About 6 weeks ago I purchased some graffiti decals, but haven't gotten around to applying any yet.

    As for meeting people over the internet, Thomas Klimoski messaged me after my guest appearance on Second Section Podcast. Thomas told me if there was anything I wanted to know about the Miami down town spur, just email him and he is willing to share info and photos. How good is that ! :D

    Like you said, the internet is a wonderful place ! :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Keep your good work coming.

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  11. DustyHilux

    DustyHilux Full Member

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    Thanks Gary!

    very cool to hear from Thomas, I’ve listened to him on a few podcasts, fantastic resource to have right there.

    decals were pretty straight forward, followed an older Boomer video, lots of micro-sol applied they formed to the shape really well, I need to order some smoke box graphics patch outs for the rest I think.

    going over the Union Pacific J yard industry maps and reading Lance Mindheims modern operations book I decided to remove the run around track I had, it was cool to be able to switch with it, but to stay true to the prototype I took it out and replaced with just one switch for the curved track.


    I had been searching for a NRE Genset as they were used frequently in the area, asked around on a FB group and a guy from Seattle got in contact with me with one he wanted to off load, it’s an Atlas Trainman Plus, organised some shipping and he was kind enough to send it over, I figured I would have a shop around and see what rolling stock I could get to make the shipping worthwhile, Midwest model Rail had Athearn genesis acid tanks on sale, (plus I grabbed another genesis GWS boxcar)

    UPY 2707 on the exact spur I’m modelling

    this worked out great, the other rail served industry I’ve picked to model is a stones throw from my spur, Norman Fox & Co chemicals,


    I’ll include 2 of the 3 gable roof buildings and it’s looking like kit bashing another Walthers kit may be the way to go here.

    found some great Washingtonia palms from
    AustralianModeller, brass fronds which already look fantastic

     
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  12. Gary

    Gary Wants more time for modelling.... Staff Member Administrator

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    The Lance Mindheim single point (switch...) layout design is great for operations. I included the run around on my layout (initial section) as it was the end of the line and I need to run around the train. When you think about it, what Lance wrote is straight out of the real world operations.

    I must say the trackage between S Soto Ave across to S Downey Rd (east/west) and between Fruitland Ave and E Slauson Ave would make for a great layout if room wasn't an issue. Although with selective compression, you could possibly do it on a board 4' wide and 16' long ! ;)


    Those Washingtonias are awesome. I have looked at them in the past and thought about them, but for Miami, the palms I am using are pretty much bang on the money for looks.

    Keep the good work coming. :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     

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