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Colorado In Connecticut - HOn3 & HOn30

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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2018 05:10 am

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Si.
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Hi Kevin

WOW ! ... Too much too like !! :shocked:

( except for your 'workbench' )

The 'Stanley Mine' looks great.

I remember those drawings of Harry Brunks, years ago ...

... now somewhere in that stash of Gazettes . . .

The trestles are totally ACE work Kevin !

The whole picture seems to be coming together really well !!

Did you have some drawings to work from, for the trestle with the central truss ? ?

Great design.

:bg:

Si.

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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2018 01:37 pm

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mwiz64
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Wow!
That's some seriously nice modeling there.
I'm looking forward to following this thread.

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Posted: Fri May 18th, 2018 03:47 pm

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Jason Sanford
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If you want more coke ovens, Southwest Narrow Gauge has some.

https://southwest-narrow-gauge.myshopify.com/collections/modeling-kits?page=31

They also have the run down ones that are pretty cool.

https://southwest-narrow-gauge.myshopify.com/collections/modeling-kits?page=32

I have all of these in O scale for my Gilpin layout.....someday!!!

Posted: Fri May 18th, 2018 10:40 pm

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Kevin Fall
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Here is a shot of Earl Smallshaw's big trestle which I first saw when I was 15 years old.
He was the reason I have stayed in the hobby for so long,
which is why I decided to model a smaller version with the deck truss in the middle.
His was HO and mine is HOn3 so I had to make the drawings to span the space I needed for the river.

Here is a closeup of mine.

Here is my layout plan.

I model the year 1917 when all three of the following railroads were still in business,
but the C&S was the only one still around by the following year.
The green is the C&S HOn3, The blue is the Gilpin HOn30 and the red is the Colorado Midand HO standard gauge.

I wanted a layout with switching so there are 27 industries.
It is basically a point to loop layout for the narrow gauge.
The standard gauge is just there so I can have a continuous running train if I want.

And yes there are 3 hidden turnouts but all will be accessible.
Two of them are on the standard gauge which won't see much service anyway since the main focus is on the narrow gauge.
Since the C&S didn't have tunnels (except for the Alpine Tunnel),
I tried to disguise them with buildings and an overhead bridge but I will have to have one near the wye at end of track.

I don't know if the plan is legible, but I can't seem to attach just a jpeg of the plan.

Jason, thanks for the link to Southwest.
A lot of kits in there that I didn't know you could still get some of which I have and could never afford now!

Well up at 5:00AM to feed the cats and the big wedding.
Enjoy the celebration!

Happy Modeling,

Kevin

Posted: Thu May 24th, 2018 06:32 pm

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Si.
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" I don't know if the plan is legible, but I can't seem to attach just a jpeg of the plan "

Hi Kevin

How's this ...

Si.

Posted: Thu May 24th, 2018 09:14 pm

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Kevin Fall
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Si.

How the heck did you do that?
I was getting such crappy results and I was using Photoshop.
I can get any file to a printer for printing but when it comes to web design I'm at a standstill.
I'll have to use one of those little emoji's!
Your reward to come.

:glad:

Thanks,

Kevin

Posted: Sat Oct 6th, 2018 12:54 am

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Kevin Fall
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Greetings,

It's been a while since I've posted but I've been making switches, doing track work, and scenery with rock molds.
I'll try to post those next week.

In the meantime my friend George Sebastian Coleman made me some bridle bars for my stub switches.
They are available in two sizes through Shapeways;

HOn3 code 55
(https://www.shapeways.com/product/D3UL2UPJY/hon3-code-55-stub-switch-bridle?optionId=66393355&li=marketplace)

and HOn30/N scale code 40
(https://www.shapeways.com/product/MEAQVKA6M/hon30-code-40-stub-switch-bridle?optionId=66393303&li=marketplace).

The example below shows the bridle bars which correctly gauge the HOn3 code 55 rail,
and there is a hole for an operating lever giving it a realistic look.

The plastic bridles keep the rails insulated from each other.
I am using .032 piano wire through the end hole that is attached to a Tortoise switch machine below.

I am also using the HOn30 code 40 bridle bars for my Gilpin track,
but manually operating those switches with a Precision Scale harp switch stand.

The example below shows the HOn3 code 55 stub turnout.

Here is what the bridle bars look like coming from Shapeways.

Here are the bridle bars installed on the stub switch.
The pc ties need to be painted.

And here is the stub switch with the bridles painted and on the Homosote base.

The switches operate smoothly with the Tortoise machines.
I think I will have to add a lever from the switch stand to the long bridle bar.
Also the wide harp stand tie is too short only clearing a boxcar by about a foot.
I'm not sure how long these ties were but 14 feet is too short and I will need to make it longer.

Happy modeling,

Kevin

Posted: Tue Feb 26th, 2019 10:21 pm

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Si.
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" How the heck did you do that ? "

Hi Kevin

We have our special top secret methods !

The stub switches look great !

How's things going with your Gilpin ?

Si.

Posted: Thu Feb 28th, 2019 08:59 pm

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Kevin Fall
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Greetings!

Si reminded me I haven't uploaded much as of late. :slow:

I'm slow.
Lots of things going on over the past few months so here is an update.
These are taken with an iPhone and some of my lights are out so excuse the quality.

The Iron City/Penn stamp mill has taken a back seat because I have been building switches and laying track,
but I have done some work on the mill.

I have painted what I believe all of the windows that I need.
Won't be surprised if I missed a few. I count 130 in all. I decided to leave a few open.
Not really looking forward to the glazing all of them but I want to try real glass just to say I did.

And I have managed to get the basic trestle for the mill in place.
I cannot glue any bents to the top or permanently put it in place until I construct the buildings that will establish the final grade level.
It will be on a slight grade. Rock wall not at correct angle yet.

And of course there is the top deck.

In the prototype the ties facing the cliff were of various lengths depending on where the rock face was,
so they will be cut back when the final rock castings are done.

This is HOn30 Gilpin track with code 40 rail.
Since this is nonoperational track the switches are thrown manually with a PSC harp switch stand.
The decking is only partially finished waiting for the ties to be cut.

There is also a fence on the right side of the deck which will be the last thing added out of breakage fears.
You can see where the posts will be, as I have already allowed space for them in the wood deck planking.

The mill from the top.

You can see I have added some rock castings,
and between the rocks I have added some Sculptamold with some color added in as a base for the real dirt.

Moving to the left we can see more rock work and basic landscaping in the distance.

Moving further to the left as seen from the top of the mill more landscaping and a place for the small town.
Track has mostly been laid throughout here.

And finally the curve that goes to the back wall.

Back at track level we start at the mill. Switches made. Some track still be done.

I am using a borrowed N scale boxcar to make sure all of the stub switches work with rolling stock (which they do)
on the code 40 rail for the HOn30 ore cars I haven't built yet.

And looking back at the mill from trackside.
Pretend the N scale boxcar is not really there!

I think this will be an cool view when it's done.
I can compare it to the prototype photos to check my roof angles.

Two switches on the back curve.
The rod sticking up is from the switch machine. It will be cut after everything is tested.

There will be a few houses on the hill with a sawmill below and other local businesses.

Coke ovens.

Someday this might make an interesting photo with the finished town and the road going up over the hill.
The buildings are only placeholders.

Is that a prototypical cobweb at the top of the ladder?

The unfinished mine with an unscaled thumbprint. Time to dust!

The partially built mine and trestle with one retaining wall and a roughed in mine dump.

The rock cut.

More rock work and Sculptamold.

You can see the mine entrance.
It required two crossings of 18 gauge track over the 3 foot gauge.
One into the mine and one to where the mine dump will be.

Need some more rock castings.
I am finishing up on those and hope to post next week.
Promise, promises.

A look under the table where the Tortoise switch machines will be mounted.

The big rock face with the river in the gorge below.

And the knives for any visitors who says "Those trains are so cute".

And still no clouds or painted backdrop!

Happy modeling.
Kevin

Posted: Fri Mar 1st, 2019 01:13 pm

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Si.
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" ... the knives for any visitors who says "Those trains are so cute".

And still no clouds or painted backdrop! "

Hi Kevin

Simply AWESOME progress on your VERY ambitious project !

I like the 'knives'. :w:

But 'still no clouds' ... I guess I'll have to bring my shades then.

I agree with Doug, who wouldn't, the bridges & mountainous landscape are looking ACE !

It's great to see, even quite large buildings, dwarfed by the surrounding terrain ... :shocked:

... just as it was in Gilpin County & possible to achieve in HOn as you've shown.

My only complaint is ...

... don't make us hang on so long for an update ! :time:

Si.

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