What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[rogruth]

Rufus,

What have you done to call forth the unpronounceable one?

[G3750]

Remember on the TV "The Outer Limits" they would tell you they had seized control of your set?

That's how I feel about this thread.

The aliens are definitely in control.

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George

[J. S. Bach]

Rufus, why did you take a "selfie"?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Rufus, why did you take a "selfie"?

Didn't... Well known fact - I never wear a lab coat.

That's our new Institute Director..........Dr. Cthulhu

Got a rough bedside manner, but gets results,

[G3750]

Updated 3/2/2016:

OK, I shot down the saucer and made some progress.

Here's the eastern approach to the bridge. I installed the 1 3/8" cleat. To make the roadbed flat and level, I removed the blue 14 gauge wire being used for super-elevation on the westbound track.

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And then I marked and clamped the poplar bridge support (black) to the cleat in what I believe will be its final position.

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George

[healey36]

C'mon, big push this weekend...looking forward to seeing that bridge in place!

[G3750]

C'mon, big push this weekend...looking forward to seeing that bridge in place!

Me, too!

Unfortunately, it will take 2 people to safely get it installed. My friend and I are working on the two backdrops tomorrow night. I doubt we'll get them done in time to tackle the bridge.

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this to be the ordeal it's become. Never.

I know, it's killing me as well.

George

[healey36]

Yeah, I forgot about the other back-drop panels. I'm interested to see (1) how the bridge fits (hopefully perfectly, given your planning and care), and (2) how you will handle scenery in and around the bridge. I'm guessing you will get it in there for run-test purposes, then take it out so you can work on scenery...eventually...

Healey

[G3750]

Yeah, I forgot about the other back-drop panels. I'm interested to see (1) how the bridge fits (hopefully perfectly, given your planning and care), and (2) how you will handle scenery in and around the bridge. I'm guessing you will get it in there for run-test purposes, then take it out so you can work on scenery...eventually...

Healey

My plan is to get the 2 backdrops in behind it, then place the bridge. Then I will bring the River Module up from beneath the bridge (abutments, piers, river surface). I'll connect the lights in the piers to the 12VDC bus. Backdrop #4 then goes in to the right of the bridge (hopefully without removing it).

I hope not to move the bridge again. Actually, I'm afraid of moving it. It's big and I'm clumsy and I don't want to damage it. Once I get the abutments in, I'll put some foam and spackling compound in around them to make the river banks.

George

[G3750]

Updated 3/4/2016:

A friend and I placed the smaller Backdrop No. 3.5 (2.5'x 6') backdrop on the back wall of the layout last night. It is mounted to the wall with velcro and supported by the braces for Backdrop No. 3, which will go in front of it.

The two backdrops (No. 2 and No. 3.5) may be taped and get a paint touch-up to minimize the seam.

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My friend is holding Backdrop No. 3 in its eventual location. We test fit it to identify the mounting locations and potential pinch points.

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The brackets help bear the weight of the backdrop as well as keep Backdrop No. 3 away from the wall, permitting a train to pass behind it.

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On the left side, a small (1/2" square) black spacer has been added to insure train clearance behind the backdrop. This is the western end of the Hidden Passing Siding.

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Another spacer will be added at the eastern end of the Hidden Passing Siding. The backdrop will be curved outward to accommodate the clearance.

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This photo will be used to identify a mounting point. It shows the lead track to the Storage Yard (below the Hidden Passing Siding).

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Last night's effort was very useful in identifying all the attachment areas. It also gave me a tantalizing look at the appearance of the finished product. Once I solve the mounting issues for Backdrop No. 3, we can proceed with installing the bridge.

George

[G3750]

Updated 3/6/2016:

Completed assembly of the 4 remaining bridge pedestals, although they still need some sanding and painting. I also worked on the remaining 4 bridge shoes. They are mostly assembled. I installed a spacer for Backdrop No. 3.

No painting took place this weekend as the artist was ill. I'm hoping she will be back this coming Saturday. We are going to push to rough out Backdrops 4 & 5, possibly even do the skies. It makes sense to do them together to ensure color continuity.

Here are the pedestals.

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George

[rogruth]

C'mon, big push this weekend...looking forward to seeing that bridge in place!

Me, too!

Unfortunately, it will take 2 people to safely get it installed. My friend and I are working on the two backdrops tomorrow night. I doubt we'll get them done in time to tackle the bridge.

Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this to be the ordeal it's become. Never.

I know, it's killing me as well.

George

You will probably be proud and happy when it is done [?].
Even though I do kid you a little about it, I really am looking forward to seeing it finished [yeah, I know] before you start on the next layout.

[healey36]

So you have an over-lapping, sort of a 3-D backdrop design? Interesting, or am I not understanding what I'm seeing?

Healey

[G3750]

So you have an over-lapping, sort of a 3-D backdrop design? Interesting, or am I not understanding what I'm seeing?

Healey

Yeah, it is a 3-D backdrop design. The backdrop behind the bridge stands out from the wall about 6". Probably a left-over from the 60's, man.

In retrospect:
1) I would never do this again. The Hidden Passing Siding seemed like a good idea at the time.
2) The operating delusion was to join these backdrops. The sequence of construction events eliminated this option.

Thanks to you, I have just had an idea on how to eliminate this. I am going to work it out and see where it goes.

George

[G3750]

You will probably be proud and happy when it is done [?].
Even though I do kid you a little about it, I really am looking forward to seeing it finished [yeah, I know] before you start on the next layout.

Yes, I will be proud of it when it's finally up and running again.

And completion can't come soon enough for me.

George