Author Archives: Bob Emmott

Working on my layout aisle being a river or bay

I have a concept of the walk-in aisle of my layout being a river or small bay, so I am making my scenery (rocky banks etc.) all come down to a common level as it would be meeting a bay.

Series of shots, showing rocky banks coming to a common level.

Bank by the concrete arch bridge

Continuation of banks at bay level

Further along the bank

This showing my suspended edge, not yet fully built up with scenery

This shot from a low level showing the way the edge is built

My thought is to build a rolling cart with an area of bay level water that can be raised into position anywhere along the walk in aisle, for photography of the layout, with extended water.

Burlington Vermont Yard- Vermont Rail System

Continuing about my visit to the Vermont rail yard. It certainly has a nice view from Vermont rail Headquarters.

Lake Champlain

Right on the shores of Lake Champlain.

Turntable at the Yard

Was able to see the old turntable (still used), and then did get to ride along on a switching move.

Engineer of GP16 No 802

Going to pick up some rolling stock arriving.

Freight agent handing off paperwork

Russell snowplow ready to handle Vermont winters.

A very enjoyable and unexpected day in Vermont.

 

The inspiration for my concrete arch bridge

Walnut Lane bridge over the Wissahickon creek

The Walnut lane bridge was certainly most of my wanting to reproduce something similar in HO scale. Although the Walnut lane bridge is a roadway bridge with cantilevered sidewalks, the main structural elements for a railroad bridge would be similar, and I did not try to reproduce an exact copy this bridge, which is right in my neighborhood.

Walnut Lane bridge from creek walking path

The bridge was built in 1908 and at that time was the longest masonry arch span in the world, just now finishing a restoration.