Getting track in place on the concrete bridge including ballast.
Concrete bridge with track
Still need to weather the track and the bridge.
Another view of the area from under the bridge.
Low angle looking up at some of the trestle bases
Putting the arch bridge in place and starting to embed it into the landscape.
Bridge being embedded in the scene
Next laying the track on the bridge, more growth along the water and weathering the bridge and the rock castings
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.
Back, finally, to casting the second side of my arch bridge, so to bring things up to date, here are a few shots of the mold and initial pour.
Wood & Sintra mold with steel wire re-enforcing rods
Starting pour
Pouring Hydrocal in a hurry – sets quick
and leveling off
Leveling Hydrocal
Then back to the present starting the second pour
original cast and second pour
Both casts with spacer cut from 3/4 inch Sintra (expanded closed cell PVC sheet)
I’ll continue detailing and assembly in the next post
Some Photos showing progress, and also trying arrangements of structures for the engine servicing facility, and how these would photograph in different light (time of day-or weather)
Working with laying track and stone wall at one yard lead
Track down and stone wall further along with concrete cap.
Trying position of servicing structures
Working it out.
Trying angles
Camera and lighting set up after placing structures and ballast, greenery etc.
Final early morning light Photo.
Early morning happening-Click to enlarge
About to attend the GSMTS at the MD state fairgrounds this weekend. Always a good show, especially in October and February. Especially looking at Touch toggles for switch machines.
The Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture museum in North Adams Mass. 83,000 square feet with 40 foot ceilings to accommodate 35 foot tall Empire State Building.
The article can be accessed here Extreme Model Railroad and Architecture Museum
COOL
Decided to add wood planking to a New Jersey International signal bridge. Thought it would add a bit of color and some signal bridges did include that feature.
Signal bridge with planking
The Museum of Science and Industry has a model train display that is really much more than just a train layout. It is about transportation, and how the railroads move goods from place to place.
The fact that it is beautifully crafted, with scale large sections of Chicago and Seattle and the industries , plains, mountains etc in between, makes it a modelers must see if you are in Chicago.
Chicago
The buildings in Chicago are true to the sections of the city that is being modeled. Two times an hour there is a short night segment to show the display in that setting.
Chicago-night
Of course along the way showing double stack containers, mountain bridges and peaks, not to mention some human interest in a stream
Containers
UP in the mountains
Beach
Finally ending up in downtown Seattle including the docks.
Seattle
Visited the Museum of Science + Industry, Chicago this past weekend, to see their terrific HO model railroad exhibit, from Chicago through the plains, the rocky mountains, and ending up in Seattle.
I will put shots of the exhibit up in future posts, but this one to one scale Empire State Express greets you at the beginning.
Empire State Express
Closeup of Driver
Empire State Express Driver