TrainWeb.org Facebook Page
Status Reports

SCENIC LINE
WORK REPORTS

15 December 2019

('Click' on Photos to 'Enlarge')


14 December 2019    Crew: GaryM, KentS, GrantC, DanS & DanS Jr

Parkdale
GaryM installed a new switch mount for the west end of the new tracks, and added new fascia and replaced the old fascia. The new fascia still needs to be sanded/cut to match up at the corners before painting. The switch panel box for the siding switch still to be permanently mounted. KentS and DanS Jr installed the toggle switch and LEDs to the east siding switch, and temporarily mounted to the fascia in the previous Digitrax UP5 porthole.
        

Mear's Junction
DanS ran his K-36 around the layout and found it stuck at just about every bridge. There is a small bracket beneath the cylinders that got hung up on the timber guard rails on several of the trestles. Checking with the NMRA gauge, it was determined the timber rails were too tall and violated the gauge. DanS sanded down the timber guards on one of the Mear's trestles.
  


11 December 2019    Crew: GaryM, KentS, & TomG

Parkdale
TomG and KentS worked on hooking up tortoises to the new switches.

Salida
GaryM finished adjusting the scale track gauge and successfully ran the engine through on the dead rails and pulled stock cars on the load rails. The switch is thrown after the engine clears the throw bar, with the couplers above the bar. A marker and paint will be added to the throw bar so the operator will be able to line up to stop the engine to throw the switch, at each side of the scale track. Each switch now operates independently, and the new toggle has been added to the switch panel.

The scale track can be used to weigh incoming narrow gauge stock cars, on their way to the Cleora stockyard. The engine has to stop twice for each switch to be thrown, but the rest of the train will be pulled slowly through the load rails without stopping. The train will stop after clearing the scales. An operator in the scale house records the weights, and hands the results to the conductor in the caboose, before the train proceeds to Cleora.


23 November 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, & TomG

Parkdale
TomG put in track feeders.
  

Salida
GaryM connected the linkages to the new track scale tortoises. The points on the scale rails are out of gauge and too tight, needing adjustment.
  

Tennessee Pass
GlennG scenicked the tank base.
  

Poncha Junction
GlennG worked on the ground base around the Depot.
  


20 November 2019    Crew: GaryM

Salida
GaryM connected the new tortoise wiring for the track scale.


16 November 2019    Crew: GaryM, GrantC, GlennG, KentH, DaveV, & TomG

Parkdale
TomG finished spiking the new rails.

Salida
GaryM installed two new track scale tortoises.

Poncha Junction
GlennG added the end signs and handcar rails.
  


9 November 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, TomG & DaveV

Parkdale
TomG spiked down rail.
  

Poncha Junction
GlennG finished building the Depot, with just the end signs to add.
     

Extra Board

  • GaryM worked on Carcards and setting up for December Operations.
  • Gunnison turntable contact bogies and pit rail cleaned (heavy dirt).


    6 November 2019    Crew: TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG stained ties.


    2 November 2019    Crew: GaryM, GerryG, TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG stained ties.

    Extra Board

  • GaryM worked on setting up for Operations.
  • GerryG cleaned track.


    26 October 2019    Crew: GaryM, KentS, TomG, RyanH, GrantC, GerryG & DaveV

    Parkdale
    TomG laid more ties.

    Salida
    GrantC worked on the SG roundhouse backdrop.

    Parlin
    GerryG worked on the backdrop.

    Extra Board

  • KentS and RyanH helped GaryM with his DCC box and DecoderPro setup.
  • Standard Gauge fleet additions (TomG):
    ======= SFRD #314698 41' Reefer
    ======= AT&SF #60512 41' Single Deck Stock
    ======= AT&SF #68883 41' Double Deck Stock
    ======= AT&SF #1561 35' Caboose (assigned: Portland Turn)
  • Narrow Gauge fleet additions (TomG):
    ======= D&RGW #833 Drop Bottom Gondola (Assigned: Baldwin)
    ======= D&RGW #5690 Double Deck Stock


    23 October 2019    Crew: GaryM

    Red Hill
    GaryM added more color to the bare rocks. Raw sienna was tried in spots above, and light oxide in a large patch below, too light and too dark. Burnt sienna was lightly reapplied and looks closer to the actual rocks. Foilage still to be added.
            

    Tennessee Pass
    GaryM added 36 trees around the tank and along the slope to the tunnel portal, whuch DaveV had already treed. An attempt was made to grind up pine needles for ground base under the pines, which did not work. Instead, a fine red silt dirt was used to simulate fallen needles under the trees. Looks like another 36 tree pack or two is still needed. A few short aspen are planned past the tank toward the stockpens.
               


    19 October 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, GrantC & KentS

    Howard
    GaryM painted new foreground hill evergreens in a tricolor of acrylics, first a bright Kelly Green, overcoated with a dark Pine Green, and the touched up with a duller but lighter olive tone, which was also applied to the previously painted dark pines.
               

    Salida
    GrantC worked on the backdrop to the standard guage roundhouse and nearby hills.
         

    Poncha Junction
    GlennG and KentS continued work on the Depot.

    Crested Butte
    GsryM installed new rails to the gap at the tunnel.

    Extra Board

  • KentS acquired an old real estate sign to make into a sign for the club.


    16 October 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG & KentS

    Howard
    GaryM's repainting continues. Iron Oxide acrylic was used on the foreground reddish hills to simulate the rock outcroppings, and evergreens added to continue on the farther background hills.
         

    Tennessee Pass
    Repainted stockpens temporarily in place.
      

    Poncha Junction
    GlennG continues working on the Depot.
      


    2 October 2019    Crew: GaryM & DaveV

    Howard
    GaryM continued repainting the backdrop from the girder bridge.
         

    Tennessee Pass
    DaveV placed some Blue Spruce above the tunnel.
            

    Monarch
    GaryM resoldered the points on the mainline turnout at the top of the summit.

    Crested Butte
    GaryM began rail repair work to the gap tracks at the tunnel next to the Tank. Old rail had been dislodged from the pre-fabbed flex ties and was out of alignment causing derailments.


    28 September 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG & GerryG

    Red Hill Tunnel
    GaryM painted the rocky background on the backdrop near the west side of Red Hill. Colors: Burnt Sienna and Peach.
               


    25 September 2019    Crew: GaryM

    Red Hill Tunnel
    GaryM is repainting the backdrop near the west side of Red Hill to match the actual scenery. Colors: Black and Burnt Sienna.
         

    Tennessee Pass
    GaryM repainting the brown modified Walthers stockpens with a weathered gray look.
         


    21 September 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG & DaveV


    14 September 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, GrantC & TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG put in roadbed for the spur. TomG & GaryM attached the benchwork extension.
            

    Salida
    GrantC worked on the backdrop.
      

    Tennessee Pass
    Backdrop complete, ready for trees.
      

    Poncha Junction
    GlennG worked on the Depot. GaryM completed the backdrop for the gap to Salida and the Salida Granite Company.
         


    4 September 2019    Crew: GaryM & DaveV

    Gorge
    GlennG worked on scenery.

    Barrel
    DaveV added more cribbing.
         

    Tennessee Pass
    GaryM painted background hills and started evergreen stand on tunnel.
         

    Jack's Cabin
    GaryM painted base background hills.
         


    31 August 2019    Crew: GaryM, DaveV & GlennG

    Gorge
    GlennG worked on scenery.
      

    Barrel
    DaveV added cribbing and a stone wall for the Mechanical Transfer.
         

    Salida
    GaryM cutout roadbed for garden tracks, painted base hills on new West Salida (Granite Company) to Poncha Junction backdrop.
         

    Gunnison
    GaryM painted a base backdrop.
      

    Crested Butte
    GaryM painted a base backdrop.
      


    24 August 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, GerryG & BarryB

    Royal Gorge
    GlennG added some new contrasting foilage.

    Parkdale
    GaryM worked on the scenery.

    Crested Butte
    BarryB worked on soldering connections.


    18 August 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, GerryG, KentS, DaveV & BarryB

    2019 NMRA Front Range Division Picnic!


    7 August 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, GerryG & BarryB

    Extra Board

  • GaryM posted new cardcard holder labels and set up trains.
  • BarryB worked on remounting the staging lighting on the front deck.
  • GerryG and GlennG helped clean & test track, and set up trains.


    3 August 2019    Crew: GaryM, BarryB, GlennG & KentS

    Extra Board

  • GaryM cleaned up Cleora and began to set up trains.
  • BarryB worked on remounting the staging lighting on the front deck.


    31 July 2019    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanS, DanS-Jr, BarryB, GlennG & TomG

    Royal Gorge
    GlennG touched up scenery and got some help from DanS-Jr.
      

    Parkdale
    GaryM painted the ballast board bevel. KentS laid the ground foundation with drywall cardstock by interweaving it into a web and securing with hot glue. TomG finished installing the #10 and #8 turnouts.
            

    Cleora
    GaryM continued working on the new hill.

    Salida
    DanS laid more ties around the 105' DG turntable pit.


    27 July 2019    Crew: GaryM, BarryB & TomG

    Parkdale
    GaryM tried sculptamold on the ballast board to bevel the edges - didn'y look too good, and removed. BarryB made a plaster mix and applied with great looking results. TomG worked on the #10 turnout installation.
         

    Cleora
    GaryM worked on the general scenery adding the leftover sculptamold and began carving a hill to transition from the big hill to the charcoal kilns.
         


    24 July 2019    Crew: GaryM, KentS, DanS, BarryB & DaveV

    Salida
    DanS laid more ties around the 105' DG turntable pit.

    Cleora
    GaryM cleaned up ballasting.

    Mear's Junction
    DaveV worked on scenery.

    Gunnison
    KentS and BarryB cleared a short on a shinohara switch by re-centering the throwbar to the tortoise.


    20 July 2019    Crew: GaryM & DaveV
    20 July 2019    Chow: GaryM, KentS, GrantC, BarryB & DaveV

    Cleora
    GaryM cleaned up ballasting.
      

    Barrel
    DaveV cut away some of the subroadbed along the face of where the Mechanical Transfer will be stationed (we hope someday).
      

    Mear's Junction
    DaveV worked on scenery.


    17 July 2019    Crew: GaryM, KentS, BarryB, GlennG & DaveV

    Parkdale
    GaryM pried out track nails from the roadbed and lightly sanded.
         

    Barrel
    DaveV stripped out the "stone cribbing" along the narrow gauge track for resculpting.
            

    West Salida
    GaryM testing out preliminary blow-up of Salida Granite Company to backdrop.
      

    Tennessee Pass
    GlennG worked on sculpting above the portal to the new backdrop.

    Mear's Junction
    DaveV's magic:
         

    Extra Board

  • KentS made more Tortoise harnesses.
  • BarryB worked on the lead switches on the Crested Butte yard.
      


    6 July 2019    Crew: GaryM, BarryB & DaveV

    Cleora
    GaryM ballasted the stockyard unloading track, with DanS-Jr helping.

    Mear's Junction
    DaveV worked on scenery.

    Extra Board

  • BarryB & GaryM cleaned up from the backdrop painting and set up trains for Ops.


    3 July 2019    Crew: GaryM, BarryB, DanS, DanS-Jr & DaveV

    Cleora
    GaryM ballasted the stockyard unloading track, with DanS-Jr helping. DaveV stripped the pebbles and cribbing off the Barrel narrow gauge track.

    Extra Board

  • BarryB, GaryM and DanS touched up skyline painting at Tennessee Pass, West Salida, Gunnison, Crested Butte and Jack's Cabin.


    29 June 2019    Crew: GaryM, BarryB & GlennG

    Staging
    GaryM tied up some wiring from the Parkdale work. One broken wire to the handset was repaired.

    W. Salida
    GlennG prepared the area for repainting the backdrop. Unfortunately, the sky blue paint dried up. GaryM to get more.

    Gunnison
    Lots of discussion to repair the backdrop between Gunnison & Crested Butte, basically the cloth plaster tape seam had given out. BarryB came up with a transition to strengthen the corner and a plan was developed for the scenery plug in the wye.


    26 June 2019    Crew: GaryM, BarryB, KentS, DanS, DanS & DaveV

    Parkdale
    GaryM and BarryB devised a way to rehang the staging LED lights behind valances (plastic garage door molding), which were partialy removed during Parkdale construction. DanS-Jr helped contact glue the LED strip to the molding, which was then mounted below the main benchwork superstructure.
         

    Cleora
    DanS worked on removing excess ballast from ties and rails. GaryM laid down additional ballast to repair areas with DanS-Jr's help.

    Mear's Junction
    DaveV found acess through the hatch to continue working on re-scenicking.
      


    22 June 2019    Crew: GaryM & TomG

    Parkdale
    TomG and GaryM completed roadbed for the industrial siding. They mounted the new mainline and passing siding to the old risers. New risers were installed to the industrial siding, which was built 1/2" lower and then leveled. The bottom layer of roadbed was mounted to the risers with screws and cross-leveled. The two sheets of roadbed were glued together and screwed down again to the risers. Additional tweaking may be required, but the roadbed was crosswise level prior to gluing. Next, roadbed will be cookie cut out of luann plywood, installed, and roadbed bevel will be added with sculptamold or such.
            


    19 June 2019    Crew: GaryM, DaveV, KentS, TomG & BarryB

    Parkdale
    TomG and GaryM prepared a cardstock template and laid out the mainline curve to approx 30" radius, the passing track with a 2 7/8" gap, and the industrial siding. They cut out the two layers of 15/32" subroadbed (each) for the curves and most of the siding. The siding will drop about 1/2" lower than the main and passing track, which will remain the same level. A #8 left hand turnout will be added to the west end for the siding (creating a "ladder"). A #6 left hand switch will be installed on the main just east of the west switch from the main to passing track.

    It is obvious in the first picture below how far inside the 30 inch radius was violated, noting the gap left between the scenery and removed roadbed. The previous track had a "flat" or lower radius portion to the curve, by probably an inch or slightly more.

    The two layers of 15/32" plywood will be glued together (countering warpage effects) and attached to risers from underneath (for accessability to adjust grade and cross-track leveling). 1/4" Luann roadbed with beveled edges will be laid on top of the subroadbed layers.
            

    Mear's Junction
    DaveV has started planting more trees along the edges. As more scenery has grown closer to the fascia, use care and extra precautions transversing the aisleways with equipment and avoid leaning or resting against fascia edges. We may need to add more plexi-glass shields.
         

    Gray's Siding
      


    15 June 2019    Chow: GaryM, GlennG, KentS, DaveV, GerryG & BarryB
    15 June 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, KentS, TomG & BarryB

    Gorge
    GlennG continued adding scenery vegetation.
      

    Parkdale
    TomG removed the east #6 switch and prepared the track to add a new #10 turnout. TomG worked on the subroadbed. GaryM and TomG worked on laying out the new subroadbed on 15/32 plywood.

    Cleora
    GaryM ballasted the stockyard loading track with dark grey ballast. This is only a few shades from the mainline black slag ballast, and only a subtle contrast.

    Extra Board

  • KentS & BarryB found a loose connection at Monarch and traced wiring for shorts.
  • DaveV added scenery from Tank7 to Mears.
         


    12 June 2019    Crew: GaryM, DaveV, DanS, KentS, TomG & BarryB

    Gorge
    GlennG continued adding scenery vegetation.

    Parkdale
    GaryM and TomG removed the mainline and siding rails, and subroadbed.

    Extra Board

  • KentS redid the ballasts in the overhead LED lighting in the shed and got all units working.
  • BarryB added insulation between the damaged wires on the helix which seemed to correct the lower staging deck short.


    1 June 2019    Crew: GaryM, GlennG, KentS, & BarryB

    Gorge
    GlennG added more scenery vegetation.
      

    Parkdale
    BarryB pulled out some landscape.

    Tennessee Pass
    GaryM put in a cardstock form to make for a backdrop of the The Salida Granite Compnay, with some help from GlennG.
      

    Extra Board

  • KentS replaced a couple hankscrafts with new tortoises in the east end of the Salida yard.
  • BarryB worked on replacing a slow hankscraft with a new tortoise between Cleora and Red Hill Tunnel.
  • Workhorse MMI K-27 #452 unresponsive on DecoderPro!
  • GaryM began setting up trains for Ops. Gunnison and Transfer Yard/SG staging in some disarray.


    29 May 2019    Crew: GaryM, GerryG, GlennG, KentS, DaveV & BarryB

    Gorge
    GlennG added scenery touches.
               

    Parkdale
    BarryB began the demo at Parkdale to build the new industrial siding, eventually adding a 3 1/2 extension on the south side of the track between the corner and the gully bridge. When all this is complete and the siding built, we will have a much needed 2nd SG passing siding which will also help enable the implementation of time-tables.
      

    Cleora
    GaryM worked on the ballast.

    Tank 7
    DaveV began rescape #5 (or #6?) and redid the riverbed so that it flows downhill for one thing. Hopefully DaveV will be able to replant all of his recent beautiful fall scenery. The roadgraders and bulldozers have left, and soon the grass should start growing back!
      

    Parlin
    Mountains continue to spring up on the horizon thanks to GerryG's diligent efforts and paint pallette.
      

    Extra Board

  • KentS built more wiring harnesses for the virgin Tortoises, soon to replace a nuisancesome HenrysCraft near your Switcher.


    25 May 2019    Crew: GaryM, GerryG, GlennG & BarryB

    Cleora
    GaryM added more ballast.
      

    Salida
    GaryM add another coat of stain to the SG roundhouse ties. GlennG modified the new trees in W. Salida to make one removable from the lift shelf and moved one to the permanent scenery.
      

    Parlin
    GerryG painting backdrop.
      

    Extra Board

  • BarryB touched up painted another coat on the walls.
      


    22 May 2019    Crew: DaveV, GaryM, GerryG, GlennG & KentS

    Salida
    GaryM stained ties at the SG roundhouse stalls and worked on the turntable dollies. GlennG got a lot of details and trees added to the "Women's Boarding House". KentS worked on Tortoises in the Transfer Yard.
         

    Parlin
    GerryG was back at touching up and painting new backdrop.
      

    Extra Board

  • DaveV researched Tank 7, Parlin and Mear's Junction scenery.


    18 May 2019    Chow: GerryG, GrantC, GaryM, GlennG & KentS
    18 May 2019    Crew: GrantC, GaryM, GlennG & KentS

    Salida
    GaryM used up the available ties at the SG roundhouse stalls. KentS replaced Hankscraft Switch #2 with a Tortoise, and built a mounting plate for a new Tortoise at #8.
            

    Extra Board

  • GrantC spent time on research.
  • GlennG painted some figures for the "Women's Boarding House".
  • KentS brought out a treasure trove of Tortoises

         


    15 May 2019    Crew: DaveV, GaryM, BarryB, & KentS

    Salida
    GaryM started laying ties to the SG roundhouse stalls.
      

    Mear's Junction
    DaveV resculpted the unfinished area in the Mear's loop and laid down some ground cover.
      

    Extra Board

  • KentS and BarryB worked on clubhouse beautification, scraping off the pealing paint around the shed entryway and adding the first primer coat of white paint.
  • A.R.T. #31247 rolled out of the car shops with fresh coats of dirt and grime.

            


    11 May 2019    Crew: GlennG, GaryM, TomG, BarryB, KentS & GrantC

    Gorge
    GlennG added some talus along the Gorge.
         

    Salida
    GaryM installed the pit rail to the 105' pit.
      

    W. Salida
    GlennG worked on some details around the new "Ladies Boarding House" he installed.

    Poncha Junction
    TomG tested his C-21 and discovered issues with the east mainline and wye turnouts, that he and BarryB worked on. BarryB grounded the cases of the two boosters together which should also help brass locomotives.
            

    Extra Board

  • KentS and BarryB hooked up a second pair of speakers in the train room.
  • GrantC worked with DecoderPro with KentS on some locos.
  • Cement Hopper #18362 and Flat #6023 are fresh out of the Car Shops.
            


    20 March 2019    Crew: GlennG, GaryM, BarryB, KentS & DaveV

    Gorge
         

    Gray's Siding
    DaveV reworked the cut.
      

    Parlin
    GerryG painted more backdrop.
         


    9 January 2019    

    Poncha Junction
         

    Shawanno
      


    5 January 2019    Crew: GlennG, GaryM, BarryB, KentS & DaveV

    Gorge
    Several have been contributing to the paint project in the Gorge, especially DanG.
         

    Parkdale
    GlennG cutout the platform to fit the Train Order Boards. The depot will move over to place the new signal just off a joist.
      

    Cleora
    GaryM placed some safety blue barrels as holders for the flags (used as car stops).
            

    Tennessee Pass
    GlennG installed the Train Order Boards in front of where the TP depot will sit.
      

    West Salida
    GaryM placed more safety blue barrels.
            

    Parlin
    GlennG had to move the D&RGW station slightly back from the track to fit in the Train Order Boards.
      

    Gunnison
    GlennG had located the Train Order Boards, which also moved the mock-up Gunnison depot slightly back from the track.
      

    Extra Board

  • KentS and BarryB have been installing the Arduino boards fo control the Train Order Boards and single mast signals (to be installed). The board will flip up when not being worked on.
      
  • Dispatcher Office organizing: GaryM set up placemarkers with descriptions for the Train markers (magnets) to ease the memory of the Dispatcher. The panels have been reinstalled with LEDs and toggles all attached. Last week, KentS soldered all of the connections.
            



    2018 Status Reports2017 Status Reports2016 Status Reports
    2015 Status Reports2012 Status Reports2009 Status Reports
    2014 Status Reports2011 Status Reports2008 Status Reports
    2013 Status Reports2010 Status Reports2007 Status Reports







    Return to Scenic Line Modeler's Home           This page last modified 15 December 2019.