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. Great detail work Chuck.
MOW (Maintenance of Way) Load for a Flat Car
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: All the action is taking place on Chuck Whitlock’s workbench in our Workshop (a converted 20 foot container). … Continue reading
Converting a Federal Truck into a Giant Log Carrier
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 … Continue reading
New Gutters for the Barn and a New Sign
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 … Continue reading
Outside North Wall Forest Construction
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 … Continue reading
Doors for Shed #1 of the Roundhouse
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.
Pratt Station – located in the North Corner of the West Outside Wall
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 … Continue reading
Windows for the West side of Roundhouse Shed #1
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).
MOW (Maintenance of Way) station in the Outside North West Corner
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, … Continue reading
200 foot redwoods added to between the tracks on the outside north wall
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 … Continue reading