Weathering completed on the Chemical Transfer Facility...

Well today I added the last of the weathering to the unloading gantry, pipe work and vertical storage tanks.  I've decided that this enough as it works for me, and to spend anymore time on it is not going to finish the remainder of the L&T Branch...

The level of weathering is going to be my standard, and also the cut off.  To do anymore is not going to add much more realism or prototypical elements to the scene.  I've studied the photos over the last few hours and close up I'm happy, and they won't be viewed at the closeness when operating anyhow.

The only thing left to add is the windows for the brick storage building, some more signage on it, and maybe a floodlight (LED) or two over the loading dock.  Apart from that this is scene is done...

Enjoy the photos...

Pipe Unloading Gantry (Well used and not so shiny anymore)...

Vertical Storage Tanks...  In all their grimyness!

Looking down on top of the facility and the actual space used... (and yes the holes in the tanks are being filled).

My favourite shot of the Chemical Transfer Facility...

If I can get the time I'll post up a tutorial on some of the key elements that have helped create this scene, also on how I have achieved the look & weathering (although most is from this very forum!) too.

Jas...

First Layer of Weathering complete...

Today I managed to get the first layer of weathering down on the Chemical Transfer Facility - Unloading area.

First point of call was to get all the decals on...

Then several coats of Dullcote.  After this it was several coats of Black & Burnt Umber washes, these consisted of both water based and oil/white spirit based washes...

The washes on the storage tanks are a combination of black & burnt sienna, I will go back (once dullcoted) and add some darker highlights the seams, along with a few rust spots & runs...

Next step will be to add all the details (dirt, grime, and acid residue) to all the pipe work, outlets and weather all the pipe gantry handrails...

Jas...

Chemical Transfer Facility - Update...

Just a quick update for those following the progress of this portion of the L&T build...

All painting has been done, decals next, then some dullcoat and then onto the weathering.

Jas...

A few changes & some lighting...

Well today I had the chance to make some changes to the Chemical Transfer Facility, nothing major just altering the heights of the unloading inlets and valves as suggested.

I also added some step ladders and railing to access the unloading area, I've also added some lighting to the area too.

The lighting is a BUSCH - AEG Street Lamp (LED), these things are really impressive.  They come pre-wired with resistor so its a matter of just plugging them into a 12V power source and away they go.

The unloading inlets are now all below the bottom of the tank car level and look a lot better, I've also altered the size and will have each inlet number for ops sessions.

All that is left is to undercoat the unloading gantry, paint it (not sure if I'm doing aluminum or black steel?) and then start to weather the entire area.

More to follow.

Jas...

Plausible, Workable or Just too Much?...

Yesterday while tinkering with the Chemical Transfer Facility on the L&T Branch, and thinking about Ops Sessions and some added extras that could be added to make things a little more interesting I came up with this idea.

The original scene looks like this...

The Transfer facility has a loading dock of sorts that also has a piping for unloading & loading.  Previously I had made the unloading rack for another area of the layout, the idea is to use this unloading rack for ops sessions so that a specific car spot has to be used by the operators, and that also the walkway needs to be lowered along with safety blue sign not allowing movement of the tank car.

My question for the masses is...  

Do you think its a plausible scene, do you think the addition will add value to an ops session and enhance the overall scene too, and lastly do you think it has just over crowded the scene and is not really warranted?

Jas...

CR #6396 (SD40-2) Brings in a freight extra to the L&T Branch...

A little fun from a quick ops session yesterday...

Jas...

New MOW Hi-Rail Vehicle for the L&T Crew...

Well yesterday I finally got to test out the new MOW vehicle for the L&T Branch (JL&T Layout) this little beauty was picked up off eBay for around $50 delivered.

The vehicle is a Bachmann DCC operated MOW Hi-Rail Track Maintenance vehicle.  I plan on using it as an ops session add in that will make things a little different for crew.  The crews will either have to operate the vehicle along with a loco and some selected MOW rolling stock, or work around it operating in the area.

I will be doing some work to it, mainly adding some LED's in the form of warning beacons and some weathering and detailing.  Hopefully this will turn out to be a fun little addition for the layout & crews...

Jas...