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...

More progress on the Chemical Transfer Facility...

Well today I got a chance to do a few little jobs here and there on the layout.  Namely some more painting (airbrushing) of the storage tanks for the Chemical Transfer Facility.

I'd forgotten how much white is a shocking colour to put down, the amount of coats is ridiculous compared with other colours.

So the main storage tanks and smaller tank are ready for weathering, details and final placement onto the L&T Branch...

Next step will be to paint all the piping.

Jas...

Storage Ideas...

Well our recent visit to the JL&T prompted a realisation that the layout needed to be de-cluttered and cleaned.  By de-cluttered about 3/4 of the rolling stock and locomotives needed to be removed and the top deck needed a really good clean.

One of my original ideas was to create a shelving system (narrow enough to hold some flextrack) and place this under the staging area near the L&T branch.  This would allow the quick building of a train directly onto the staging area for dispatching, but then after some more thought I decided against this because of two reasons.

One there really is no protection for the rolling stock or locomotives both from knocks as people walk past or the dreaded big drop.  And they would collect dust and layout debris unless I could come up with some type of cover.  So as I needed a quick fix before the layout visit I went down to our local hardware and came across these:

These units are all plastic have wheels on the bottom so are moveable and are cheap, $30 dollars so I bought four of them to store our rolling stock & locomotives in.  The only issue was how to store them in the draws without them sliding around (being plastic) and not damaging each other.  The solution was actually at the same hardware store in the $2 bin...

Cut to size to fit into the bottom of each draw eliminates rolling around, the off cuts can also be used to place in between pieces that a close together to reduce damaging the adjoining piece.

And here are some of the draws made up and seperated into locomotives by road name & rolling stock by road name and type.

And lastly some rolling stock...

Jas...

JL&T gets a visit...

Well folks we have returned from our fabulous 3 week adventure in the USA, we spent the entire time in CA visiting friends in Ramona, and touring the coast up to San Francisco and into the mountains at Mammoth Lakes. It was a awesome trip, with fantastic weather and great times catching up with our friends and seeing the USA and all she has to offer.

Whilst we where away I got a email from a MRH member from Australia, Rod Warren is a N Scale modeler and founding member of the MelbNTrack Model Railroad Club. Rod is also a published MR author (layout article on his Santa Fe Railway Southern Division) and like myself has his layout in a shed in his backyard, Rod's layout was one of the first that I looked at once I decided to build our layout in a shed.

So we chatted over a few emails and arranged for Rod and his friends John Fahey & Bill Black to visit once we got back from holiday. Last Thursday the guys visited our layout for a few hours and we got to chat about the beginnings of the JL&T, the current status and what the future holds. We also had a small operating session that allowed the guys to run a few of our Tsunami equipped sound locos around (albeit a small glitch that showed that in the past month I'd managed to program 3/4 of our fleet "on the main" and turned off all motor function) the layout and get a feel for it. It was great talking to modelers who have "been there and done just about it all" Rod's layout is fully completed, with signaling and running ops sessions.

For me this is huge as this is exactly the direction I want to take the JL&T so now I have the experts about an hour away that I'll hopefully be able to bounce ideas off, and ask for help as we progress with our build, and of course continue to grow an operating group to run on the JL&T. It will now also allow me to operate on a layout and learn all the finer points on how to operate during ops sessions. Again this is a perfect example of how MRH is bringing together modelers from all over the world!

Jas...

Some finishing touches to some L&T structures...

Well today I decided to start finishing off some of the structures that are just about completed on the L&T Branch.

First project was to install and paint the awning that sits over the loading dock of the storage warehouse.

Next project was to add a loading dock door, entrance door & windows to the Chemical Transfer Facility.

Cheers,

Jas...

Gravel & Ballasting Progress...

Laid the gravel today on storage area, this is just plain roadside dirt sifted into extra fine & fine (HO Ballast grade) and secured with white glue/water.

Checking the track is clear of stones and ensuring the rolling stock will free roll...

Cheers,

Jas...

Ballasting around the Chemical Transload Facility...

Ballasting work has also been continuing around the Chemical Transload Facility...

The white styrene strip will be removed once the glue has dried, it was placed there to stop the ballast sticking to the loading dock and to allow a small gap so that the building backdrop can be removed.

Jas...

Latest L&T Industry gets started...

I have begun the latest industry to take its place on the L&T, well started the ground cover for the rear storage yard anyhow...

This section is for loaded or unloaded cars to be stored at the rear of the premises until ready to be pulled from the industry.  The area will be fenced off for security and will resemble a non used section of the property.

The ground base is a mixture of Patching Plaster, Portland Cement & Fine Vermiculite.  It is mixed with water to a consistency resembling "sticky mud".  It is then worked into the area and track with a small putty spatula, styrene strips and fingers.

Once the rough level is established I then spray a little water over the area and smooth out with a wet finger, the track has the excess removed and the remaining water is soaked up with a old cotton t-shirt.

Cheers,

Jas...

More Progress on the Chemical Transfer Facility...

Here is a quick photo update on the progress to date on the latest area of the L&T, and the structures being worked on...

Chemical Transfer Building & Loading Dock is painted & weathered...

Asphalt area down and ready for weathering...

Plastic Pellet Unloading Shed weathered and ready for detailing...

Cheers,

Jas...

More Piping for the Chemical Transfer Facility...

This afternoon sore me complete the pipe work for the chemical transfer facility.  This will feed the manufacturing plant all of its liquid, solid & gas chemicals for the various processes within the plant.

There will be three distinct tank car spots for loading & unloading (1x loading, 2 x unloading) and a dock for dry & solid goods, drums of liquids via box cars.

Next stage will be to paint & weather the unloading/loading racks, pipe and storage tanks.

And a huge thank you to all of my subscribers & visitors for helping 
us reach 20,000 views!  It's greatly appreciated.

Jas...

More ballasting on the L&T...

Work continues today on the ballasting of the L&T Branch...

And completed yesterday, weathered with AIM powders, and finished off with oil paint (lamp black) for oil/diesel stains...

Jas...

Photos from around the L&T...

Here are some railfanning shots from around the L&T today...

Pooled Power on the L&T branch...

Caboose in tow, ready to fill the middle...

Railfanning the RDG GP35, and getting artistic...

Cheers,

Jas...