What's New on the PRR Panhandle 2.0?

[rogruth]

Yes, but not on the Ohio River.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I look forward to seeing how guys do water...

As do I. I have a need for a small stream/creek feature on my layout and am very curious as to the available choices and techniques involved.

[rogruth]

I look forward to seeing how guys do water...

As do I. I have a need for a small stream/creek feature on my layout and am very curious as to the available choices and techniques involved.

I chickened out on my layout and we are have a drought.

[G3750]

For Panhandle 1.0, I used a sheet of painted masonite covered by a sheet of green / aqua colored tempered glass.

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It didn't have textured waves or white-caps or rapids (really aren't appropriate for the Ohio River), but I thought it was OK.

I'm thinking of using Enviro-tex? this time.

George

[healey36]

I've seen shower-door glass used...that can be pretty effective, as it has a nice textured/rippled look to it, but it's thick, heavy as hell, and not easy to cut (I think it has filament inside it for safety purposes).

[G3750]

I've seen shower-door glass used...that can be pretty effective, as it has a nice textured/rippled look to it, but it's thick, heavy as hell, and not easy to cut (I think it has filament inside it for safety purposes).

I had the glass company cut it for me. The biggest PITA was putting it down squarely on the painted surface without marring it. You can see from the photo above (towards the backdrop) that I didn't get it quite right.

I like how it turned out and will re-use it.

The Ohio has a visible current, but no rapids. It is, after all, a navigable river. Channel depth is at least 14, maybe 20 feet. But if you're looking down through the walkway of the railroad bridge at the surface, you can see the water moving. It's probably a 3-5 mph current. Depending on the time of year and water levels, it looks like a brown or green-gray sludge (appearance not texture). Back in October when we were out on it, it was smooth as glass. It was all I could do not to jump in - it was that inviting.

By the way, I really like that photo of the bridge. You can see the rivet detail. I can't wait to get the whole extended length up. It's going to be fabulous!

George

[chuck]

If you have access to a stained glass supply place within reasonable driving distance you can look for/at textured "water glass". Spectrum has a nice selection of clear and color as well as opalescent in various degrees of texture (aka "wave height"). This stuff is meant to be cut. Shower doors look great but are tempered and/or safety glass and need to be cut at the shop.

[G3750]

If you have access to a stained glass supply place within reasonable driving distance you can look for/at textured "water glass". Spectrum has a nice selection of clear and color as well as opalescent in various degrees of texture (aka "wave height"). This stuff is meant to be cut. Shower doors look great but are tempered and/or safety glass and need to be cut at the shop.

Chuck, I think that's what this stuff is. I can't remember exactly.

George

[chuck]

It could easily be. I've used it to make stained glass windows and other stained glass projects. Beautiful stuff. You can even layer the glass for effects, using one type on top for texture and a second layer underneath for color or patterns.

[G3750]

Updated 3/23/2018:

While I haven't been posting many updates, there has been some serious thought given to several parts of the layout construction.

• The wood ribbing for the tables has been modified to support access hatches. As a result, I've created a spreadsheet that identifies each table and all 2x2's and their dimensions.
• An order for 5-ply 19/32" plywood pieces has been placed. This will allow construction of the Staging area as well as most of the Weirton section of the layout. I am having the pieces cut to size to reduce the work.
• This month's NMRA Division meeting took place at Scenic Express. In a stroke of luck there, I discovered that the Chooch Large Cut Stone (#8264) is a pretty good match for the arch's stonework (PRR bridge). I picked up some of it. I also re-examined my photographs of the arch. Surprisingly, the stone arch sits on what appears to be a poured concrete base. The arch itself can be no older than 1878-9. I have found a textured paint that may be a good match for the color of the base. Here are some photos - first the prototype.
  

  

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  Next, the paint samples. On the left is a satin color called "Fossil". On the right is the textured color "Desert Bisque". I'm leaning towards the textured paint.
  

  

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George

[G3750]

Here's the western (Steubenville) abutment with its new paint job.

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The eastern abutment (the Stone Arch) is in the process of being painted. Once the base is painted, I will test-fit, cut, and apply the Chooch large cut stone walls.

George

[G3750]

Updated 3/29/2018:

Some good progress to report today.

• I checked and corrected my lumber order. It is scheduled for delivery next week. That should allow me to start the Staging Area.
• I researched the exterior of The Hub Department Store in Steubenville. I obtained a couple more photos from the Steubenville Library.
• The remaining piers, as well as the floors for the bridge pedestals, got their coat of paint.
  

  

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• I painted the base of the Arch. Here's a look. I'm test-fitting a piece of the Chooch Large Cut Stone facing.
  

  

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George

[healey36]

Are you going to weather/highlight those piers? There's some interesting detail there, but it's hard to discern whilst uniformly painted.

Healey

[MurphOnMillerAve]

Hi George, I think how you got that entrance arch feature to be so consistent and visible from the outside is going to work very, very well when it is all in-place and surrounded by a landscape etc. It looks realistic already.
Murph

[G3750]

Are you going to weather/highlight those piers? There's some interesting detail there, but it's hard to discern whilst uniformly painted.

Healey

I've been giving that some thought. The color is pretty close to the actual aged concrete (poured in 1926) .

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I'm thinking about some weathering (rust, dirt).

George