Rio Grande — Ridge Siding — HOn3

Discussion in 'Members Personal Layouts' started by SMR CHRIS, May 8, 2018.

  1. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    575259BA-DA53-497E-B6ED-DDD3BCD3C887.jpeg This is My HOn3 Narrow Gauge Model Railroad Rio Gorge & Ridge Siding.

    The model is of a fictional Rio Grande 3 foot Narrow Gauge Tourist Railroad
    Similar to The Durango and Silverton or the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad that run on parts of the former Rio Grande Narrow Gauge network.

    The layout is a modular shelf style originally started 5+ years ago but due to a few different circumstances ended up in storage but an exhibition was a good reason to get it out and finish off a section so that it could be exhibited.
    Originally in a L shape format around the walls of the spare room trains ran from a Station (Depot in the US) to Ridge Siding loops
    For the exhibition it will be a round and round using the Ridge Siding modules as a through yard with a fiddle yard at the rear.
    Ridge Siding is 8ft x 1ft section of scenics
    Ridge Sidings are located in the mountains the trains stop and the passengers can alight to view the mountains from a lookout and viewing area.
    So that about the size of it, it’s all about showing off the trains.

    So some photos the basic start
    EB77C6D2-5D3F-4E1B-8D04-05B43E954303.jpeg
    Testing some trains
    31FD8D99-5C3E-4CF8-A1CD-99EE843EE600.jpeg

    Planning to add a extra siding

    BC817CF1-5292-4876-98A4-8BAE279336B9.jpeg

    Scenics started foam formed land forms with rock formations trees temporarily installed to get a feel of how things look
    Next the additional siding infront of the water tower was added

    1D426E05-14FE-49FD-971D-4AC1174C5628.jpeg

    Siding was raised to give the layout a bit of land form to the front
    FA8B50F8-6C99-4F83-8B2B-BB649F0585E8.jpeg

    Water tower location with raised siding behind.
    6B92D202-1D95-49EA-AF5F-364C2E4FDF15.jpeg

    Moving on 5 years the layout is out of Storage and scenics are being finished off what was previously done was striped back and all new has been done static grass I’m place of flock etc
    The same area as in the above photos, with a bit of scenics all the trees were removed and await extra flocking and the backscene install I’m waiting for a new print as the one purchased 5 years ago turned out to be the wrong size in the right size packaging New one has been order and will be installed on the back board fingers crossed it’s the right size. 3FF9FBF2-EAAB-4FA7-8EA1-53CE2034B48F.jpeg

    A pair of photographers get some photos of No455 little people add character to a model railway
    0CA146C3-E215-432A-B0D7-F61482499938.jpeg
     

    Attached Files:

    leadie69 and Dr Tony like this.
  2. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    From the right side of Rio Siding trains arrive in a cutting that towers above the trains
    On the front side will be a farm paddock this needed a fence so tonigh I made a gig to hold the match sticks that were to be use as the fence posts for drilling the holes for the wire.
    I found a box of matches that’s been in the cupboard forever cut the tips off drilled the holes, then striped some fine multi strand flexible wire for 3 strands and strung the fence posts then planted in the top of the hill
    D0DEEC06-EDEF-4E73-9BFB-C636D91075A8.jpeg

    Fence installed
    9C723F78-417A-45A5-97E2-4B12F080DBC9.jpeg


    Painted the posters with a wash style so that it soaks into the timber
    407590F4-76DC-4CF7-BE6D-53995D1D5DBC.jpeg

    The wire was painted a rusty red so as to make it stand out the lightest rust colour I had was used as the darker the colour the harder to see the fence wire
    62389AE6-6BCA-4EEC-BC0B-26DC2F942FAE.jpeg

    Overview looking down the layout note there is little straight track in the scene helps to make it look bigger

    The section between the tracks is the location for passengers to alight
    9450DE83-D086-460D-8636-A8216D330A53.jpeg
     
  3. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    5,331
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    :tophat::thumbup: Pretty damn good Chris!

    Ian vt
     
  4. Gary

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

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Looking good Chris. :thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  5. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Thanks Ian will look better by the time of the show as I will fill in all the little bits of detail like old sleepers in a pile, lots of Tourists and about 100 little trees along the ridge


    Thanks Gary
    Would look better with a Back scene seems to be a issue at the moment with us Rosehill Exhibitors.:facepalm:
    Will be all good by the show.:thumbs: We will certainly have some interesting displays on the Platform1 stand
    Tomlins Creek “NSWGR Inglenook” never seen at a show before.
    Ridge Siding HOn3 Narrow Gauge USA rare to see in Australia. And shelf style as originally designed for home use with added loop for the show
    Waspen Street OO micro layout
    All our layouts will show what can be in the done in a smaller foot print and all to a high visual standard of modelling and all actually built within a very short time period Tomlins quick build, Ridge Siding also quick build as I basically striped the original layout and started again 2 weeks ago as storage hadn’t been too kind to a part of it and I wanted it to look its best
    Waspen Street the same quick build stored the started again.:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
     
  6. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,535
    Likes Received:
    2,071
    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2015
    Looks fantastic Chris :tophat:. I reckon you will be starting a trend in Oz soon.

    Cheer's, Pete.
     
  7. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    The point motors have arrived and the Backscene says it’s made it to Sydney
    Will post some photos when I get home of the point motor look like nice little units I quickly looked at and tested one
    Has 4 micro switches inside to do the switching 2 for Aux 2 for isolating the motor at it end of travel position
    Interesting they use a common and activate using the + as a trigger for either direction of the point, a common can be linked to all the motors
    Took a while to figure out the instructions as they are in Czech
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  8. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Back scene dramas still on going
    The new one turned up same label as the first one, whilst it’s the correct length it’s now way to high for the original planned back scene height the labels obviously don’t really have anything to do with the size as they both have the size I need on the label they seem to be only a picture of the image, so like Gary will possibly get one custom printed And laminated onto a Aluminium panel that won’t shrink or get bubbles that can be slid into position. Fingers crossed.

    Bit of a difference
    FCF6B8CF-DCA8-48A0-8919-811116A1D8B9.jpeg

    So with the back scene in limbo, I got all the point motors fitted to the layout now though
    So they are a little different in the activation in that you link all with a common ground ( - ) and then the switching panel is all the active (+) makes things a little easier for wiring can’t be any crossed wires or shorts in the panel.
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  9. Gary

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

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Oh no ! Look at the dramas the Exhibition Managers put us through, as they want the best layouts at their show ! I'm 100% confident that you will sort it out Chris, but for now, it would be like banging your head against the wall. Eventually, this will happen.. :headbanger: Woo Hoo !

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  10. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Thanks Gary
    Yes will get there
    Sent some images to the printer today will see what he comes back with will most likely be on aluminium composite panel will never shrink and no bubbles ever :thumbup:
    I’m setting up tomorrow for the Richmond Vale Railway Model Train Show
    Will be exhibiting Moonan Flats.
     
  11. Gary

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

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    Good luck with Richmond Vale. I'm sure it will run smoother than an aluminium backed back scene ! I have Mount Victoria next weekend and I'm 100% positive that Linden Ford is good to go...

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  12. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Ok a little update
    The back Scene is now in the works it will be printed on aluminium composite panels during the next week, will look something like this
    DE0D87F9-C38B-4B1D-BEA8-104F43AEFFF8.jpeg

    It’s superimposed over a pano photo of the layout sections whilst I was re doing the scenic’s, no trees in the photo but trees on both scenic hill sections will hide a lot of the left and right, You will however see the mountains visible through the trees should look ok

    I wasn’t happy with the original bulky fiddle yard section so it’s been binned and I have this afternoon just built a new 2.44m long section that folds in the middle via hinged on one side.
    Is marine grade ply 9mm for the track base 6mm for the sides
    It only needs 2 tracks in it so is 10x10cm x 2.44 frame and when folded becomes a 10x20cm x 1.22m long very easy to carry. Will put a Handel on the side :thumbup:

    Next I’ll redo the 1/2 moon ends and make then C shape instead, this is again aimed at reducing the weight by more than 1/2 and making it easier to transport aim is to have it all fit in the wagon (estate) section of the car without having to put the rear seats down

    It’s ended up nice and strong, still light, but probably over engineered
    C423B1A1-24AD-4B37-B9CA-E29F98247E77.jpeg E4C0B1E7-77F0-4085-A117-5AB4967B94FB.jpeg E9086FB1-EF78-4F7E-8532-6CAFA12610EE.jpeg 190E7A40-2DC1-44BB-808E-CB4A4610C492.jpeg
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  13. Gary

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

    Messages:
    7,316
    Likes Received:
    3,847
    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2015
    You have been busy ! All that on your front verandah too, impressive !! :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:

    Cheers, Gary.
     
  14. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    5,331
    Likes Received:
    1,588
    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2015
    As Gary said impressive Chris .. and you can never have too many drills/screwdrivers it's a pain having to change bits all the while :thumbup:
     
  15. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Yes a Gary whilst moving the old fiddle yard round this morning I thought this is too bulky track off and build new sections
    And out the front is the only spot for making lots of saw dust :giggle:

    Ian yes I’m one that can’t stand having to change up drill the screw bit
    So have all the toys all cordLess as well :thumbs::thumbs:
     
  16. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Just had a trip to the local Bunnings As was short one piece of the puzzle from the stock pile of train timbers. 3mm ply
    Well they don’t Carry that of size plywood any more the nearest one that stocks is 45ks away at Gosford not happy:facepalm:
    Lucky we have a Friday train meeting at a friends place down that way so can pick up a sheet tomorrow night
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  17. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    4,535
    Likes Received:
    2,071
    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2015
    Cracking bit of timber engineering Chris :tophat:. I wouldn't worry about over engineering, its something us railway modellers are prone to.
    I have tried to build my layout boards for lightness, then added more and more bits to them and now I need a crane to lift and move them around :avatar:.

    Cheer's, Pete.
     
    SMR CHRIS likes this.
  18. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Yes your spot on Pete re the timber over engineering, but as the layout will probably do quite a few exhibitions I figured it will stand up better over a time being slightly over engineered.
    It’s still a single hand weight for the full section the old one was a two handed so it a big win
    The curves also save about 4-5Kg by down sizing from full frame to a similar style as these rear boards with just the base and wing walls the curve in it self makes it very strong with the addition of the ply sides I’ve cut both ends “C” sections and the 2x1 cross braces are on I just need some 3 ply for the wings :bleep6::bleep6::bleep6:the local Bunnings no longer stocking 3 mm sheet :faint:or it would be all ready for paint and the track could have gone back down but that’s going to end up being Saturday now.:facepalm: Did I tell every one I’m impatient I’ll do some more trees tomorrow instead.:thumbs:

    Marking out the C curve ends before cutting 2 sheets where screwd together and cut as one = 2 identical curves
    CF185F76-33E2-4611-9EEA-71978F87B9DE.jpeg


    Just need the ply for the sides and then painting black
    D7469D19-0A4B-4C86-9EF7-EC9EDD0DA608.jpeg
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2018
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  19. SMR CHRIS

    SMR CHRIS Staff Member Moderator

    Messages:
    3,323
    Likes Received:
    545
    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2015
    Trees Trees and More Trees
    It is only 8 square foot of scenics how did this many trees fit on it :scratchchin:

    Been painting the tree trunks before adding fresh flocks
    Can of cheap hair spray picked at the shop up time to get buzzed :avatar:
    I’m going to do this out in the yard so will be well vented area can’t stand the smell of the stuff but it dose a good job of sticking scenic flock on.:thumbup:

    525FB624-3A68-409D-93D2-1CB19F8431F2.jpeg
     
    jakesdad13 likes this.
  20. Dr Tony

    Dr Tony Full Member

    Messages:
    588
    Likes Received:
    668
    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2017
    It's funny how long the smell of hairspray hangs around for. I used it extensively in one of my layouts that lives under a plastic cover. It was several months ago this work was done, but every time I hoist the cover up I get a real whiff of the stuff.
    Cheers
    Tony
     

Share This Page