Building the Santiam Cascade Lumber Line

[Steve]

Paul...
If these structures represent the first modeling you've done in 30 years.........then I would say that we can expect great things from you in the future!

Just remember to keep it fun....the rest will take care of itself.

Great job!

[Eastern Roads]

Paul, using this thread for the layout is okay. The layout...is looking GREAT! (say "thanks" to Dawn! ) Keep us updated, and let's keep seeing those pics!

[Paulanator]

It has been really cool and the eves have been great for a little work on the ol' layout.

I laid out the trackbed and glued it down the other night, and of course, I had to get out the putty knife, and do a little surgery! Some of the bed under the overpass was too far to one side.

Now all is wonderful and the track lays out perfectly. I will be attaching the track this weekend. Then I will put down the ballast near the tunnel entrances.

My goal is to start building tunnel walls and roofs this weekend.

The tunnels portals will be located about 4-6" from where the foam trackbed starts in the photo. There will be two tunnels, a lower and an upper one.

I was really surprised at how strong the plaster cloth made the bridge across. It was just a 1/2" Styrofoam across that span, and it flexed big time. Once I got the cloth, it was like a cast on an arm!

[Bob]

Looking good, Paul! I'm learning from your posts, so please keep them coming!

[Paulanator]

I am sure you have never experienced this...

I was working hard on Friday and Saturday (not that part and when I was doing some train surfing on Saturday Night, I found some information on a website that helped me a lot. But it meant going a whole different direction on my process.

The Woodland Scenic kits which I am using as a guide, shows to lay down the track and take it back up, do this, then lay it back down, and on and on. I just did not feel comfortable, and this guy's site said the same thing, and he recommended just putting down all the track and not just the tunnel area.

So I completely changed directions this Sunday and started laying down the plaster on all the track areas, and of course ran out of plaster cloth since I was not prepared for this part of the project.

I still had a lot of fun this weekend, and even though it does not look like it in the photos, it is really coming along.

I concentrated on the critical crossings, turnouts and areas that have to be very flat, and things came out really nice.

[MikeC]

That's quite complex! I like it.

Mike

[Sawdust]

Looking real good there Paul. The time & efforts your spending now will pay off later. Nice neat work.

[Paulanator]

I got my order of plaster cloth today and was able to hit the garage and work on the ol' layout tonight.



I finished laying the plaster cloth on the risers. I have a few photos and a couple of tips if you have not already found this out using that cloth.


I really like using the cloth, it really makes things quicker and easier than just plaster, and the base of the cloth really becomes strong when dry.

Woodland Scenics says to soak it in a pan, then apply it. Like lifting a wet sheet and trying to put it on your bed. It is messy, and I had some issues with it myself. I use a wheelchair, so everything I do, I have to think a little differently. I want to do as much of it myself as I can, so that is important to find work arounds.

Reading the Woodland Scenics Directions, they also have a method for around tight areas. Lay the dry cloth down, then spray it. I tried that, and it works even better than the soak method.

Although the soak method would be faster and maybe easier for some, I found laying the cloth down, sizing it, cutting it to shape, whatever I needed to do, then spray it with a bunch of water, soaking it. It worked fantastic, and I did not feel like it took me much longer. You should get a larger spray bottle, those little WS bottles are small for this amount of water.

Also, once the cloth is down, a rubbing of the finger along the riser path, and down the sides works really well. Also at each butt end, I smooth it out away from the one you are working on, to make a good seam and not get a bump.


I also found that if you get that stuff a little wet ahead of time, in just a little spot, then try to use it, it is toast. Just get a new one. The once wet plaster will never resoften and work right.


In my order today I got my first three vehicles. I bought the woodland scenics "Willies Warning" A cop and driver, and then the Woodland Scenics log truck. Really nice pieces, I am happy with those. The log truck is somewhat pre-weathered and not too bad, but of course can use some real weathering for a log truck!

I had my first visitor to my little track world. He even let me take his photo! Ok, it was late, and I guess you had to be there....

[crazytrain]

Great progress Paul, thank you for sharing the tips. As for the water bottle you could try a pump sprayer (for spraying weeds or bug spray) from the hardware store they hold about 1 or 2 gallons and have a short hose and wand plus you only have to pump it up every now and then. hope that helps Good luck and please keep the pics comming.

[TallDude]

Sounds and looks like you are making progress!! I'm enjoying following along on this. Keep it coming!