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SCENIC LINE WORK REPORTS 15 November 2020 ('Click' on Photos to 'Enlarge') |
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14 November 2020 Crew: GaryM & TomG
Salida
Gunnison
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11 November 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS, DanS, TomG and GrantC
Gorge
Salida
Poncha Junction
Marshall Pass
Gunnison
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7 November 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC
Salida
Poncha Junction
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4 November 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG, DanielS
Portland-Gorge-Parkdale
Salida
Poncha Junction
Tank 7
Gunnison
24 October 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC
Portland
Cleora
Salida
Mears Junction
21 October 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS and Dan
Portland
Gorge
Salida
17 October 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC and StuJ
Portland
Salida
Poncha Junction
14 October 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS and GrantC
Portland
Cleora
Salida
10 October 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG and GrantC
Portland
Salida
Gunnison
26 September 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG and GrantC
Portland
Gunnison
23 September 2020 Crew: GaryM and GrantC
Salida
19 September 2020 Chow: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC
Portland
Salida
16 September 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS, DanS and GrantC
Portland
Cleora
Salida
12 September 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GerryG
Salida
Gunnison
9 September 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS, DanS and TomG
Portland
Gorge
Salida
Cleora
2 September 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, and TomG
Portland
Gorge
Parkdale
Salida
Mears Junction
28 August 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, and TomG
Portland
Gorge
Salida
26 August 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanS and TomG
Portland
Gorge
Cleora
Salida
22 August 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS and TomG
Portland
Salida
Gunnison
19 August 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanielS & DanS
Portland
Cleora
Salida
15 August 2020 Chow: GaryM, KentS, TomG, GrantC & DanielS
Portland
Parkdale
Salida
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12 August 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & DanielS
Portland
Cleora
Salida
Gunnison
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8 August 2020 Crew: GaryM
Salida
1 August 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC & DanielS
Cleora
Salida
29 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG, DanielS, DanS & StuJ
Parkdale
Cleora
Salida
Gunnison
25 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & DanielS
Parkdale
Salida
Cleora
22 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, & TomG
Howard
18 July 2020 Chow: GaryM, TomG & GrantC
Salida
15 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC
Parkdale
Salida
11 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC
Parkdale
Salida
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8 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, TomG & KentS
Parkdale
Cleora
Salida
4 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, & GrantC
Cleora
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1 July 2020 Crew: GaryM & KentS
Cleora
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20 June 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC
Parkdale
Gunnison
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17 June 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, & TomG
Parkdale
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13 June 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC
Parkdale
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10 June 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS & TomG
Parkdale
Red Hill Tunnel
6 June 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS & GrantC
Red Hill Tunnel
West Salida
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3 June 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS & TomG
Gunnison/Baldwin Branch
The Baldwin Branch is planned to be restricted to smaller locos like the C-16s. Current roster shows two C-16s (#223, #278) and one C-18 (#318).
All the lines west of Gunnison used lighter engines because of the lighter rail. We have two C-25s on roster (to cover two eras of heralds) for
the narrow gauge passenger train #315/#316 (named Shavanno from mid 1930s - 1941), west of Gunnison.
KentS recommended changing the current Baldwin staging track to a Lake City staging track, which also makes a lot of sense, for operations and
geographically. Ores from Lake City & Baldwin could go to the Gunnison Smelter, near the Gunnison wye. Lake City traffic would also include
livestock from there and Sapinero. Bituminous coal was mined on the Baldwin branch and was used for engines and heating. The richer anthracite
from Crested Butte was much more valuable for steel and sent to Minnequa (Pueblo) for the CF&I blast furnaces.
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30 May 2020 Crew: GaryM
Gorge
Parkdale
Red Hill Tunnel
27 May 2020 Crew: KentS & GaryM
Parkdale
Red Hill Tunnel
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23 May 2020 Crew: KentS & GaryM
Parkdale
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20 May 2020 Crew: KentS & GaryM
Parkdale
16 May 2020 Crew: KentS & GaryM
Parkdale
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13 May 2020 Crew: TomG, KentS & GaryM
Parkdale
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9 May 2020 Crew: KentS & GaryM
Cimarron
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6 May 2020 Crew: KentS & GaryM
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2 May 2020 Crew: KentS & GaryM
Gunnison
Montrose
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18 January 2020 Crew: GlennG, GaryM & TomG
Parkdale
Poncha Junction
15 January 2020 Crew: GaryM, DaveV, & TomG
Parkdale
Montrose
8 January 2020 Crew: GaryM, GlennG, TomG, GerryG, & DaveV
Cimarron
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5 January 2020 Crew: GaryM, & TomG
Parkdale
4 January 2020 Crew: GaryM, GlennG, TomG, GerryG, DanS & DanielS
Parkdale
Poncha Junction
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GaryM laid down the DG roundhouse foundations and started ballasting some tracks against the backdrops. The cardboard shims on the TT bridge were showing
destructive wear and will be replaced with styrene.
TomG completed hooking up feeders for the new trackage.
DanS continued working on his water pipeline project.
GaryM repositioned the logitudinal shims in the deck and hobby tacked shims to the sides of the bridge support. All shims can be removed fairly easily.
The feeder connections were painted. Wood putty was inserted in the gap around the pit. After drying, excess putty was scraped from rails and
ties, and then stained. Tons more work to go, but works operationally except on ash conveyor track.
GrantC painted the whitewash on the new charcoal kilns (improved thermal properties). Originally, 4 were arranged in pairs, with the top openings
facing each other, accessible from crude wood platforms. Later, a 5th kiln may have been added. DanielS began scenery modifications with de-modernizing
the bumper with ties and a traditional look, and adding sand.
KentS mounted a new handset so Operators won't have to keep yelling to attract the attention of the Dispatcher. Also discovered was the open circuit
caused by the Dispatcher's jack insert, which needed to be removed/re-inserted to clear a short.
TomG worked on hooking up feeders for the new trackage.
GaryM completed hooking up the stall rail feeders and tested the TT. A shim was added to an end of the deck to prevent longitudinal shifts.
Lateral shims to be attached next to the bridge support. A couple tight spots need to still be worked.
GrantC 3D printed and painted new charcoal kilns, 2 with facing open top portals for loading, and 1 closed operating kiln. The kilns were arranged in pairs.
KentS striped fascia and all over the layout.
GaryM continued hooking up the stall rail feeders.
DanielS studied the D&RGW valuation maps to find the charcoal kiln spur. Also discovered, was the William S. Champ deed which synchs up with the
new farm.
KentS striped fascia and all over the layout.
TomG installed new switches with the Baldwin connection. Clearly visible is the curved track through the crossover.
KentS added new paint coats to fascia and all over the layout.
GrantC 3D-printed and painted some new Charcoal Kiln ruins.
GaryM cleaned paint off the railheads, connected feeders to the two garden tracks and threes of the stalls in the roundhouse east wing.
DaveV is suspected of working more rock outcropping work.
KentS painted fascia all over the layout, including the former UP5 ports.
DanielS and Dan planned out new scenery for the pipeline.
GaryM dismantled the base from the east SG roundhouse wing.
KentS repaired and prepped the derelict Digitrax UP5 ports.
GaryM adjusted rails along the pit and replaced the transition rail to the 3 rail garden track.
StuJ completed the Campbell farmhouse and barn for the new Jones farm. He also scratchbuilt a chicken coop and shed for the farm.
KentS continued sanding and mudding the fascia.
DanielS sceniced the area for the charcoal kilns.
GaryM built up the tie border around the DG pit.
KentS started repair on the transformed fascia.
GaryM started a sub-base tie border around the DG pit, to support the top layer of ties.
TomG worked on the new "curved" track crossover.
KentS continued work on relocating the circuit breakers next to the helix and wiring.
TomG worked on the track replacement with Baldwin Branch connections and smelter spur.
GaryM began work on the garden tracks.
19 September 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, and GrantC
KentS worked on relocating the circuit breakers next to the helix, removing brackets and wiring.
GaryM completed laying the rails inside the SG roundhouse, two garden tracks left.
KentS opened up the window area where the helix circuit breakers were mounted.
DanielS worked on scenery on the hills and kiln area.
GaryM continued laying the rails inside the SG roundhouse.
GaryM spiked another stall of rails at the SG roundhouse.
KentS replaced Hankscrafts with Tortoises.
KentS added framing behind the fascia panel to eventually support Baldwin trackack and new drop bridge.
DanielS and DanS looked at the ledge for the water pipe and rock out croppings.
GaryM spiked rails for the SG roundhouse.
DanielS and DanS worked on scenery.
KentS completed framing and decking.
TomG finished ballasting through the Gorge, up to the track that will be demo-ed to rebuild Hel Junction.
TomG ballasted.
GaryM continued with railwork at the SG roundhouse and broke a panel toggle switch.
TomG stained the bridge guard rails on all the NG bridges to Gunnison, that DanielS had previously sanded down to NMRA gauge height. From the look of
some recent rock colorings, it is suspected that DaveV has been out & about.
KentS completed rewiring and began rebuilding framing and decking.
TomG ballasted.
GaryM continued with railwork at the SG roundhouse.
KentS continued rewiring and testing track switches.
TomG cleaned up roadbed and put down ballast.
DanG experimented with ground covers.
GaryM continued with railwork at the SG roundhouse.
KentS rewired all new harnesses and hid wiring for expanding Portland underneath Crested Butte, and is down to one last wire.
GaryM continues to install roundhouse SG rails, put in ties covering the final turntable mounting screw, and another coat of stains on
those ties and the garden track ties.
TomG cut off the corner for the Gunnison backdrop, sanding out the bumps for a smooth curve between the Crested Butte coke ovens and
Gunnison.
KentS replaced another Crested Butte Hankscraft, and began rerouting and harnessing wiring under Crested Butte. This spaghetti relocation project is
to accommodate Portland and Baldwin Branch construction, accessibility and scenery.
DanielS and DanS worked on coloring the new hillsides leading to the charcoal kiln ruins.
GaryM installed more roundhouse SG rails, stained the ties on the new garden tracks.
15 August 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & DanielS
TomG and KentS cutout the portals for expansion and access to the Baldwin Branch lead. Carcard boxes, phone, and throttle holder removed.
TomG worked scenery.
GaryM worked roundhouse rails.
TomG worked scenery.
DanS painted new hill scenery.
GaryM worked roundhouse rails.
KentS replaced Hankscraft motors with 2 new tortoises.
GaryM worked roundhouse rails.
DanielS worked scenery.
GaryM worked roundhouse rails.
TomG worked on scenery.
DanielS and DanS added plaster to merge the charcoal kiln hills with the "old" scenery.
KentS adjusted the gearing on the DG TT and took out the slack for the hand crank, so the gearing is very smooth with no slippage.
TomG worked on the new trackwork for the Baldwin junction.
TomG continued adding scenery.
KentS and GaryM tested the TT and adjusted the pit. We successfully ran engines on the 105' DG Turntable bridge. Gary test fit the ash
conveyor and mounted rails. KentS test ran DanG's Challenger #3804 that he and TomG repaired. TomG was able to straigten and fix the damage to
the forward wheel carriage and the engine runs smoothly, and pulls a lot. GaryM put down ballast boards for two new garden tracks on the
east side of the TT, adjacent the roundhouse.
DanS built up the hillside to merge the lower hills with the older scenic area.
TomG respiked the track curving into the plate girder bridge, removing a tight spot (24" radius) and making it 30" radius. This spot tended
to cause wheel derailments, especially for the mallets.
18 July 2020 Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG & GrantC
We all worked on the 105' DG Turntable bridge, and adjusted the pit depth. TomG spiked and glued new rails with pliobond, and also weathered
the rails. TomG soldered pickup wires from the dollies to one pair of rails, a pickup for the center post was soldered to the other pair
off-center.
TomG repaired the Water Tank chain & spout.
GaryM drilled spike piolot holes on the 105' DG Turntable bridge, for relaying of rails with spikes.
TomG worked on scenery.
KentS worked on the 105' DG Turntable mechanism.
TomG worked on scenery.
GaryM filled rock gaps with sculptamold.
KentS worked on the 105' DG Turntable mechanism.
GaryM began repainting the backdrop to blend the Cleora hills. Even though there are no nearby ranges, a purple was used to paint a distant
range for some depth. Before and after photos:
GaryM began experimenting on the backdrop to blend the Cleora hills.
20 June 2020 Chow: GaryM, KentS, & GrantC
TomG worked on the road crossing and grounds.
GrantC worked on the Freight Station dimensions, scaling, etc. to make 3D print patterns.
TomG worked on the scenery.
TomG worked on the scenery base at the freight station road crossing and tank.
We covered the new terrain with dirt.
We experimented with static grass at the trestle on the west side of Red Hill Tunnel.
GaryM painted another layer of trees along the base of the rocks.
KentS installed another Tortoise at the west ladder.
The backdrop between Gunnison and Crested Butte was removed in preparation for a taller backdrop. Much discussion ensued on construction of
the Baldwin Branch. KentS proposed a track to cross over from the mainline and run behind the Freight Depot, rather than crossover the
two curved tracks on the drop bridge. This yields a much simpler design and is greatly more prototypical. The drop bridge would be expanded
(toward the helix) and join the Baldwin Branch along the back wall. An open frame grid built of 2x2s will be extended along the wall, through
and around the corner up to the corner by Parkdale. The open grid will allow for dips and small grades for trestles and bridges. The two major
Baldwin mines would be at each corner area.
GaryM mounted telephone poles through the gorge. The poles blend into the gorge so much they are almost invisible. EZ-Line will be
experimented with to see how they look.
GaryM mounted telephone poles through Parkdale. Additional poles will be assembled and painted for a few gaps.
GaryM mounted telephone poles across Red Hill Tunnel through Howard and on to Parkdale. The second layer of tree trunks were stipled
a Kelly green acrylic.
GaryM completed overpainting the last rocky hill to blend into the gorge.
GaryM added a layer of trees at the base of the red rocks, first by painting basic dark gray tree trunks and then stipling over with a dark
green for leaves. A second layer of trees were then added, with lighter gray trunks as shown below. A brighter and lighter shade of green
will be applied to these tree trunks.
GaryM completed overpainting the hills with another layer of trees, with the last rocky hill to blend into the gorge.
GaryM added more trees to the foreground hills.
GaryM added gray tree trunks, then started overpainting those by stippling a dark green.
GaryM continued re-touching the backdrop along the front. The pinkish foreground hills were painted over in camel (tan), and
then highlighted with burnt sienna. Before and after photos:
KentS replaced a faulty Hankscraft with a Tortoise on the Cimarron Yard Lead.
KentS has been holding down the fort! KentS installed two Tortoises, one on the wye which was out of service, and the ultra-slow mainline
switch heading into the yard, replacing two Hankscrafts.
KentS replaced another faulty Hankscraft with a Tortoise into the Montrose Yard.
18 January 2020 Chow: GlennG, GaryM, GrantC & TomG
TomG & GaryM laid out where to put the buildings. TomG installed some platforms and GaryM started attaching a webbed paper base.
GlennG worked on the road past the depot and repainted the post.
TomG worked on the fascia. GaryM started adding paper towel strips soaked in light plaster.
DaveV worked on the track ballast.
TomG resoldered a broken switch point.
TomG finally located the major short on the Royal Gorge Route. It was an ungapped tie on the east switch. TomG made the cut and added
feeders to a dead spot. GaryM relocated the terminal strip and wiring to install the new small switch panel.
We encountered a major short which shutdown the Royal Gorge Route. TomG began checking track connections. GaryM began installing new switch
panels. The small panel required relocating some wiring. The large panel had placement of some LED too close to the toggle switch, and
requires a new panel to be made.
GlennG worked on the road next to the Depot.
