Basic Structure Finished, more Detail Parts to come...

Well today I had a very productive session building the first structure to grace the JL&T, so much so that I managed to complete the remaining portions of the roof.  This means that I have finished the major portions of the structure.

The roof is now installed and tied into the commissary building and modular kit, the left hand modular section is glued and attached to the commissary building too.  This required a small section of 1.0mm sheet styrene to be cut and shaped to fit the shape of the modular kit were it tied into the commissary building.

I had to make some small sheet shims to fit under the modular roof, these were glued to the top of the commissary parapet, then the whole modular section roof was glued to the styrene attached to the parapet, there is also a series of 90 degree angle pieces of styrene down the vertical join between the modular wall & commissary wall.

Showing the roof from the modular section, attached to the commissary parapet...

The next step was to make the extension piece of styrene roof for the Commissary roof, this was again another piece of 1.0mm sheet styrene cut to fit the commissary kit and extend back to backdrop.  The existing roof that is provided with the kit was used to help support the extension piece.

Showing the right side of the commissary building roof tied into the right side modular section...

Right side commissary building join to right side modular section...

Completed building ready for detail parts, paint & weathering...

More to come once I start adding the detail parts, and begin painting and weathering...

Jas...

Concrete Columns & Lots of Supports...

Well last night I was on a roll and burnt the midnight oil (literally speaking too) and made some good progress on finishing up the details on the L&T's first structure.

The majority of this work is slow and requires some forward thinking when trying to get everything to join together properly and look right too.  The first task was to get the styrene strips onto the corner of the left side modular wall, this required some filing & sanding to get the join hidden as much as possible.

The styrene sheet will represent a concrete column when finished...

Next step required the addition of some support within the Commissary kit, the entire middle front of the kit was bowing in, to remedy this I added some "H" beam styrene to the top between the external walls at the back and an upright support to stop the bowing.  The roof was supported by small shims.

Styrene supports added to help the structure from bowing & twisting, also providing roof support...

The next step was to extend the parapet on the the Commissary Building kit back to the backdrop, I needed this to extend as the structure would just finish in mid air if I left it as is.  The roof from the left hand side modular kit extends over this so it needed the addition, I added a small cut down section of modular wall with a shim behind it to lock it in.

Parapet wall extended to join the upto the backdrop, and support the modular roof...

I also added a small piece of styrene to the end of the parapet on the modular section this will hide the end of the parapet and also help both wall sections tie in better.

Showing the overall complex coming together...

Cheers,

Jas...

Corners & Cutting In...

Well yesterday I had a spare two hours to complete some more detail work on the first structure to be placed on the L&T Branch.

The next step of the scratch building for this project was to join the Walthers Modular Buildings (Left & Right sides) to the Walthers - Cornerstone Commissary Building Kit (Centre).  The Commissary Kit is itself a building flat and as such is only 50-75mm (2-3") in depth, the modular kit sections are around 30mm (1-1/4") so I had to tie the two sections of buildings together.

Because both the modular sections are higher than the Commissary Kit and go further back to the backdrop I had to join and modify these at the commissary kit roof level so that look prototypical built as they can be seen up close and in detail.

This shot shows how I have joined the right hand modular kit section to the commissary kit...

As can be seen the modular kit extends back to the backdrop to form the parapet, of the right side of the building.  In order for this to tie into the commissary building I cut down the return wall section (back to backdrop) and the corner pillar so that it finishes flush with the top of the commissary roof.  I will cut a piece of 2mm Plastruct styrene sheet to form a new section of roof for the commissary building and modular section.

The next step involved cutting a small section from the commissary parapet to allow the modular section to mate flush with vertical commissary wall, this was done with a razor saw and touched up with an Exacto blade

This photo shows the vertical join of the commissary wall & modular kit wall, this will eventually have a downspout running down to further hide the join...

The next stage involved finishing of the left side parapet that required a small section to be added.  It will also involve some more work on the join between the modular kit & commissary kit as the rook is higher on the modular kit were it joins.

This will be achieved by adding a small section of brick work parapet against the commissary building parapet and joining it into the modular kit wall.  The roof will then sit on top of this and be flashed accordingly.

This photo shows the join between the left side modular kit & commissary building kit...

The join between the two walls in the corner will be hidden again by a downspout and also a scupper on this section, the scupper will help hide the cut section at the start of the parapet.  One distinct advantage when scratch building two structures like this is a background in the building & constructions trades, this has helped immensely to ensure that the structures actually look prototypical in the way they are joined and co-exist.

More to follow shortly as we progress with this project...

Jas.

Kato - Reading Lines GP35 - Finished and on it's way...

Well last night I got word that our Kato Reading Lines - GP35 was completed and ready to be shipped to the JL&T here in Australia.

Below are some photos from Jim's website that he posts for his builds for clients to see, one other thing that Jim also does is post some short video footage of the locomotive in action on his layout to show the operation, and additions that he does for you.

Seriously cannot wait to get this onto the JL&T and do it's inaugural run...

Jas...

The joys of Kit Bashing & Scratch Building Structures...

Well the other day I altered the design of the first industry on the L&T Branch, I decided to change the width of the modulars on the left hand side to allow for cars to be spotted on the spur better.

When I altered the position of the left hand side of the building I placed it on a 30 - 45 degree angle, this was to help hide the access hole edge.  But by doing so I also had to get creative with the modular parapet and some way of maintaining the angle.

Shot showing the angle of the walls for the left hand side...

I started by placing this section on the layout with the tabs locked in as they are, I then marked the cork subbed with a marker to maintain the angle.  I carefully placed a few small dabs of CA onto the bottom, middle & top tabs to lock them and the angle in place.  Once the piece had cured I then made up some small Plastruct supports that would be glued internally to support the two walls and maintain angle.

Shot showing the two support braces glued in, supporting the two walls, and maintaining the angle...

Next I had to alter the modular parapet wall so that I was able to obtain the right angle of the walls.  I place the structure onto the workbench and marked the angle onto a piece of paper with a marker.  I then used a piece of course drywall sanding block paper to sand down the parapet to the right angle.

Showing the angle sanded into the modular parapet...

Once the angle was correct I then had to file down ledge on the bottom that supports the modular roof sections, this allowed the parapet to sit correctly on the modular wall.

Then once both parapets had the correct angle they were glued with CA to the section.  The only downside of the modulars is that sometimes the fit can be hard to get right.  But once undercoated, final brick colour and weathering are added it will be hard to pick up the little gaps in some sections.

The completed parapets glued into position...

One trick that can be employed with the modular wall sections is to use Plastruct strips as decorative ledges.  The corner section on the two walls normally has a 90 degree brick section covering each wall panel.  To cover this I will be adding 5mm Plastruct strips that will be concrete columns, this will help strengthen the entire structure and also hide the corner join completely.

Another method that can also be employed is to use round or square Plastruct strips as downspouts or service pipe runs to hide seams & joins.

Shot showing the completed piece in place against the Walthers kit...

The next step is the finish off the small pieces that have to be blended into the Walther's kit on both sides.  Then it will be a matter of hiding the kit seams, adding the concrete column strips to the left side.

The right side was fairly straight forward, and is more of the modular wall sections.  The backdrop return had to be cut down which only requires a few score lines with a Exacto knife to snap the excess wall off.  Some care does need to be taken if the score line is close to a wall or door as it can damage these pieces.

The right had side of the industry is going to be a loading/unloading area for heavy vehicles...

More to come over the next few days as I progress on the build.

Jas...

Better Fit & Better Visually...

Well today I decide to reduce the left hand side of the building that goes through the access hole down to one set of modular pieces.

I also added another set to the right hand side as Rich recommended.  I'm very happy with the way the building not only looks now, but also operates as far as spotting cars goes.  I can get one car into the far left side without it fouling the turnout.

I also re-adjusted the brickwork and configuration of the modules to suit the final design and placement of the pipe gantry the will enter the building and hide the plaster seam.

The right hand side has had one more set of modules added to the far right and the top.

Shot showing the clearance from the spotted car to a car traversing across the turnout, although tight it fits.

Now all that is left is to add the final parapets to the modules, add the returns back to the backdrop, add the roof sections and choose a brick colour.

Jas...

A tweak here and a tweak there...

Well I have made a few little adjustments here & there. 

 Here is an overall shot of the industry as it stands tonight...

As stated earlier I have moved the left had building out on a 45 degree angle so that the building is moved along the track a little more.

Shot from the main centre peninsula, looking through the access hole to the JL&T Module...

I'm still decide if the left hand side will be one section in width or two sections as it is now.  The reason being if I leave it as is the spotting of a car anywhere along the dock will foul the switch.  No big deal just means I have to move further along the branch to the next switch and do a reversing back to drop off more or pick up.

I've also added a small loading dock to the right hand side, this will also tie the Commissary Building into the backdrop.  It will allow a small scene to made in the area too.  It will also blend a small dead end road into the dock and the other industry that will be on the opposite side of the road.

Shot showing the loading dock area on the right, and a car spotted blocking the switch...

Next step will be to decide how wide I want the left hand side and if I want the switch fouled.  Then finish off the 90 degree returns back to backdrop, add the parapets, strengthen the structure with Plastruct tube & I Beams.

Jas...

Hiding a hole...

Hi All,

Well this afternoon I decided to tackle one of the challenging aspects of the layout.  There are two holes that penetrate the centre peninsula backdrop, these hole allow access from the main centre peninsula to the JL&T module and the L&T Branch.



Not only do I have to hide the sides but also the join between the hole on the backdrop, so tonight I decided to make a start and mock up a building.  The main section of the industry (yet to be decided) is the Walthers Commissary Building, and some Walthers - Modulars Sections.


The idea is to use the building to hide the sides of the access hole, I will use a pipe gantry on the L&T side to hide this join.  And on the opposite side I plan on using a billboard of some description.
I may even alter the angle of the section in the access hole so that it comes out on a 45 degree angle to add a feature visually.

The underside of the access hole will be painted eventually the same colour to hopefully hide the remaining timber, but due to it's position it shouldn't be seen.  It has taken me a little while to get to this stage as I haven't been able to visualise the final building.

Stay tuned as we progress on the first structure to take place on the L&T Branch.

Jas...

UPCOMING LOCOMOTIVES to the JL&T Roster...

Well today I got word that one of my new locomotives was progressing nicely and nearly 90% complete.

The locomotive is a Kato RDG GP35 it is rare (I haven't been able to find any) and I actually thought I wasn't going to be able to get one of these for the JL&T Roster.

There are lots of custom detail parts being added, along with Tsunami Sound, Decals, LED's & Custom Weathering.

All this is being done by Jim Rinker, who is an amazing modeller and actually lives in Reading, PA.  How appropriate to have a RDG locomotive being done in Reading...

Jim has his own custom modelling website here:  Delano Mountain Custom Modelling

Jim does amazing work and I have been following his progress on his website and his very own Youtube channel too, which is here:  Delano Mountain Custom Models - Youtube Channel.

Anyhow these are the progress photos to date...

As you can see Jim does some amazing work, and I cannot wait for it to land here so it can take it's place on the JL&T.  I will do a full review of the GP35 when it lands for all following the JL&T blog.

Jas...

New Locomotive to the JL&T Roster...

Hi All,

Well this week I finally added a EMD SD40-2 to the JL&T roster.  I have been searching high & low for these and was lucky enough for one to pop up on eBay.

As soon as it was spotted, it was purchased!  There was no way I was letting it go, they are getting to be like rocking horse poop (hard to find).  I have another one Kato - Conrail that is currently being weathered along with another Kato GP35 in RDG paint.

This model in the Athearn RTR - Conrail #6364.  It is DCC Ready and will eventually get a full Tsunami GN1000 upgrade with sound & LED's.

Cheers,

Jas...

New Flat Cars & Heavy Loads...

As well as a new series of locomotives I have been giving eBay a hammering too.  I have found some really fantastic vendors that have had pieces that I wanted, and were getting harder to find over here.

So first cab of the rank is a series of six (6) 60' Flat Cars - 3 TTX & 3 Trailer Train.  These have already been put to work hauling some John Deere Graders (Athearn).

As well as the Flat Cars, I also managed to pick up some Heavy Duty Flat Cars, these were put straight into service hauling a pair of Cat Log Loaders...  I think I may see another industry for the JL&T!

The tie downs were done using plastic coated decoder wire, I haven't got and Ezyline yet, but the time being they work!  Was a very enjoyable night securing them down to the flat cars.

These make fantastic loads and should be great fun for an industry and ops sessions, either split in a mixed manifest or a dedicated extra with some heavy hitting hauling power...

Jas...