What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[healey36]

I agree, the conduit looks sharp. A detail most would overlook.

[G3750]

They must have had a way to get across the river.

Rowed the electrons across in a quantum boat tunneling through the barrier.

I think you have that confused with a VPN.

[G3750]

Updated 9/9/2021:

Man, am I tired. I've been spreading ballast (by hand)!

I am in the process of gluing it down.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0BG4VTwGS6UZR

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

What are you using for ballast? Let's be like OGR and have a weekly ballast thread,

[robert.]

What are you using for ballast? Let's be like OGR and have a weekly ballast thread,

I'm game,if we can debate what is the best foam to use. Pink or blue?

[G3750]

What are you using for ballast? Let's be like OGR and have a weekly ballast thread,

OK. I'll play Sybil. Well, I started out with chicken grit, then moved to kitty litter, then roofing granules, and finally Brennan's Better Ballast.

I like it.

George

[G3750]

What are you using for ballast? Let's be like OGR and have a weekly ballast thread,

I'm game,if we can debate what is the best foam to use. Pink or blue?

It's all the same (mostly). Don't forget about green.

George

[G3750]

Updated 9/12/2021:

Today I placed cinders next to the ballasted right-of-way, using a plaster scraper to keep a (more or less) straight line. After that, I applied various Woodland Scenics ground covers. After pulling the protective paper away from between the landscape and the fascia, I decided to do some additional painting and planting of undergrowth.

I think I'm done with the Eastern Approach, but I will look at it again tomorrow. And I do have to pour water in the "lagoon".

Pictures tell the story.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0BGrhkPxfuA6f

George

[chuck]

Beautiful work, especially the way you have blended the "midget" trees along the backdrop. It really blends the 3d world to the flat.

[G3750]

Beautiful work, especially the way you have blended the "midget" trees along the backdrop. It really blends the 3d world to the flat.

Thank you!

George

[G3750]

Updated 9/14/2021:

Just got done pouring the lagoon or backwater. I hope it turns out OK because a do-over will be next to impossible.

In the photos, the blue heron can be clearly seen. The turtles catching some sun on the log are a bit less visible. I'll try for a better photo tomorrow.

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0B5fEtEvGRfUZu

George

[chuck]

That's impressive!!!!!!

[G3750]

That's impressive!!!!!!

Thank you!!!

George

[G3750]

Updated 10/7/2021:

Been awhile since the last update. There are lots of projects in flux at the moment. Here's a short list: [;)]

• There was a relay chatter issue near the East End Interlocking. After some back and forth with inventor of the circuit, 2 capacitors were added that seem to have solved the issue.
• I acquired a set of Arduino projects (processors, components, boards) that I am working through. In the process I am also teaching myself the "C" programming language. This is all a prelude to an accessory / simulation I want to build. More about that later (if I get it built).
• The layout room has been tidied up in preparation for some major construction efforts in the Weirton Steel area. All locomotives have been moved out onto the bridge and mainline in order to vacate the Staging Area and the Weirton Steel portions of the layout.
• Along with two items above, I am looking at adding some high-volume ventilation - a fan and duct connected to the small window in the Staging Area. My goal is to run high-volume smoke units in the Open Hearth and other places and not give model railroaders / operators COPD or other pulmonary issues. That's always considered bad form.
• For the above item, I explored commercial solutions such as custom duct work, but that's going to be extraordinarily expensive. After some research, I found a fan that I think will work. That has been procured. I've also designed some duct work that I will build with luan plywood. I think I can do a better job myself and for considerably less money. In any case, that work has to be accomplished before much more of the layout gets built.
• I'm going to have to re-do the gluing of ballast on the Eastern Approach. That stuff wants to keep coming loose.
• The new Alco S-2 has a new streamlined smokestack (3D printed by a friend). I am about to commission someone to paint it in Weirton Steel livery.

George

[G3750]

Updated 10/23/2021:

• It was great to be at York again. Scored 4 building kits, a very nice 2-rail stock car, and assorted odds-n-ends.
• Finished reinforcing the gate to the basement. Maggie had figured out a way to get past one of the gate edges. Hopefully, this puts a permanent stop to that nonsense.
• Got back 2 of the Albion catalog houses (front halves). Will post photos later this week.
• Focus this coming week will be on the duct work and Arduino projects.

George