The Homestead Diorama sits at the bottom of Three Chop Ridge in the north-west corner of our layout. The original diorama was deemed inferior and Chuck Whitlock set to and rebuilt it. These photos were all taken either in the workshop or just outside it.
The Barn
The Homestead
The outdoor biffy
The Skunk Train whistle stop
The Swing and Veggie Garden
Great detail work Chuck.
Our pres(ident) is a stone bonkers genius at taking “mundane” railroad items and arranging them into abfab pieces. Here’s an example – a common or garden flat car with a MOW on top.
Here’s the flat car:
G Scale flat car gussied up to make it look used
All the action is taking place on Chuck Whitlock’s workbench in our Workshop (a converted 20 foot container).
MOW placed on top of the flat car
Here you can see the details that Chuck has added to the wee truck attched by a link and pin to the workers car:
Detail on tool car
Chains have been added to keep the MOW on the flat car
Ready to go out on the layout:
Mini diorama ready to rock and roll
Great work Chuck!
From the pictures we have Federal Trucks were widely used in logging operations “back then.” They were built tough and simple. Chain driven with solid tyres.
Our club bought a whole bunch of them to “decorate” the layout. Just like our rolling stock what it looks like when it “hits” the layout is a far cry from what it looks like when it arrives. In these three pictures you can see how Chuck Whitlock has converted the truck to carry a VERY large log.
Kitbashing under way
Out of the box on the right and kitbashed on the left
Here you can see how the truck has been extended so that it can handle giant logs
For the past year we have been creating scenery around the outside of the Barn. The Barn has a huge roof and as a result when it rains it’s like Niagara Falls on the scenery below. Hopefully, as of today, the downpour onto the scenery will cease – gutters have been installed. Club member Lonnie Dickson who was the superintendent of works for the project took these photos of the installation:
Gutters installed
The gutter installation crew next removed the remnants of the old sign advertising our presence. Then came the placement of the new sign that tells people on the CWR side of the tracks where we live. The letters of the sign and logos were produced by our maestro of CAD Joe Cooper. Painting of the letters and backdrop was the responsibility of Slosher #1 (me). Lonnie affixed the letters to the backdrop with stainless steel screws acquired by our electrical guru Jim Williams.
Right side of sign being put in place
Left hand side of the sign being placed
Completed sign
Great team work guys.
Let it rain!!!!!!!!!
The forest being “planted” on the outside of the north wall recently took a step backwards when one of the biggest “redwoods” went allez oops. Our system for securing the big trees is under review and the 200 footer will soon be replanted. In the mean time I have planted a whole bunch of smaller redwoods along and on the fence created by club member Joe Green. Thickening the “forest” creates a neat visual effect as these two pics show.
Outside North Wall – forest thickened to the right
This pic shows how the forest darkens the diorama – look through the portal and you will see that it’s actually a nice day
Before Basil Casabona really got going on Sheds #1 and #2 of the Roundhouse President Chuck Whitlock had spent time installing doors on the front and back of Shed #1. The screws that go in the miniature hinges are a real pain just ask him.
Chuck working on the front doors
New doors being added to Shed #1 of the Roundhouse
The doors at the back of the left and right bays of Shed #1 of the Roundhouse are in place
Jeff Pratt was a member of the club who has passed on. He was a superb model maker – he built the replica of the existing Fort Bragg Skunk Train Depot which can be found on the on the east inside wall of the Barn. We try to incorporate into the layout (the Mendocino Coast Model Railroad & Navigation Co.) a small tribute to past members. Hence Pratt Station:
Pratt Station
The station is located opposite a MOW (Maintenance of Way) camp.
MOW camp replete with crosswalk
And guess what? Yup. A MOW consist!
MOW consist passing by Pratt Station
And for thirsty locos ……
Water tank and windmill pump to fill it
Basil Casabona keeps plugging away at finishing Shed #1 of the Club’s Roundhouse. Here you can see he has installed the windows on the west side of the Shed. Tough work ahead though – upper level windows at the front (tricky) and two lots of doors (very tricky).
Shed #1 west side windows
In our efforts to provide scenery “action” on all 360 degrees of the mainline Chuck Whilock has begun building a MOW station in the outside north west corner of the layout. In the two pics below you can see the first two buildings in place. Still be added is a water tank and fencing. Finally, the rest of corner will be planted with trees.
First two buildings of the MOW way station installed on the north west outside corner of the MCMR&HS G Scale layout in Fort Bragg
Boomer jack consist passing new MOW station
President Chuck and I have been busy assembling redwood trees from the parts we have been working on separately. Each tree consists of a painted plywood base used to secure the tree both into the “earth” and hold the tree upright. The trunks are carefully selected pieces of log from myriad places. The branches/leaves/top are from bought, swiped and donated christmas trees. Each top has to be “manicured” to make it as much as possible look like a redwood.
Remember that our objective is to have it look as if a consist is passing through the Phil Miller Lumber Co. forest. How well are we doing? Well we have installed two “full size” redwoods between the tracks so far. The lowest branches are high enough for the lokie to pass safely underneath.
Here’s the first two pics of our efforts:
Installing 200 foot redwoods as consist passes
Train passing under the newly installed 200 foot tween tracks redwoods
As we install more trees more of the portal at the end will “disappear.” Note the remains of a tree struck by lightening sticking up.