Scenery Projects 2008-2009

[Otto Vondrak]

There's a few on-going projects that could use volunteers...

1) Apartment background building for Brown Street- we have a Walther's kit to pair up with the other background building already installed behind Brown Street. I think Mike Fox had expressed some interest in this project. Both buildings need to be appropriately weathered and blended into the scene. Completion of this kit will enhance the background of our city scene. If you'd like to volunteer, shoot a note to SuperDave or myself.

2) Scudderville Bridge- Since we rebuilt the area around Geneva Junction, we had to removed the bridge that once spanned the tracks there. The idea for a truss bridge has come up, and Luther had the excellent idea to cut the too-long bridge right at the edge of the layout. Then we could prop up the "floating" end with clear plastic rod or something. We'd make sure the bridge is removable for maint. issues. We have a kit for a bridge ready to go, it's the Walther's single-track truss. A roadway deck needs to be added to it, and the bridge will be painted NYSDOT green... if you'd like to volunteer, shoot a note to SuperDave or myself.

3) American Hardware- using the American Hardware warehouse kit from Walthers, we want to kitbash a structure that will allow a
"seamless" transition from the Brewery to the 2-D backdrop in the corner, also masking the entrance to the Buffalo staging yards. This project is a little more complex, and will require some careful cutting and measuring to ensure a neat and realistic appearance. If you'd like to volunteer, shoot a note to SuperDave or myself.

That's all I have for now. If anyone wants to get involved, just shout out. IF you have an idea for another project, let's hear about it!

-otto-
old scenery guy

[Otto Vondrak]

Anyone?

[Robert Middleton]

I'll do the Scudderville bridge.

[Otto Vondrak]

All right Mr. Middleton! See SuperDave tonight and he'll issue you your bridge kit!

-otto-

[Otto Vondrak]

I am told Mike Fox is working on building the second apartment building back for Brown Street, and weathering the two to blend them together.

-otto=

[Mike Fox]

WEll the one kit is done and ill have the second one painted by the end of this weekend.

Also as a heads up I started piecing together foam to fill in the hole in the layout behind the yard on the right side. (I was bored) The pieces arent glued in or anything(just pinned to each other) so it can be taken if you guys want me to. I figured that with the open house coming up in about a week that should be addressed, its not very pretty to look at. If I get the ok from the higher ups in the club Ill have that section done in time for the open house. Only thing I need to know is whether they want the tunnel to have a portal or a natural bore look to it. All clearances have already been checked by two other members and it looks about a hundred times better already.


And well I guess when this is done, if its approved, and the scenery on the modules is done, if any is to be done, I can start to plan out the transition from the brewery to the backdrop. Once the building(s?) there is built I can do in an really pull a number on the whole scene with weathering. But if that is going to be done I think some more pictures should be added to the backdrop at Rochester. I know for a fact that there are more then 5 buildings in the rochester skyline. Adding more buildings would really make it look better.

[Big John Sommer]

Also as a heads up I started piecing together foam to fill in the hole in the layout behind the yard on the right side. (I was bored) The pieces arent glued in or anything(just pinned to each other) so it can be taken if you guys want me to. I figured that with the open house coming up in about a week that should be addressed, its not very pretty to look at. If I get the ok from the higher ups in the club Ill have that section done in time for the open house. Only thing I need to know is whether they want the tunnel to have a portal or a natural bore look to it. All clearances have already been checked by two other members and it looks about a hundred times better already.

I don't know who in the club check your clearances, but they are tight. I had Eric fix the height issue this afternoon by taking out 1" of foam at the top of the portal. Also the portals really aren't wide enough on the side closest to Scudderville for any good sized locomotive like a challenger, N&W A-class, Pennsy T-1, or SD-90mac. Taking about 1/2" out of that side would rectify that problem, but i didn't want to disturb any more of your work. The whole issue with the clearance is caused by the switches in the area and is something to keep in mind.

Just a word of caution; when working on the layout, please keep in mind that some people may like to run their larger, longer equipment. Note- Before I am chastised for this (as the layout wasnt built for steam or big power) it would just be nice to keep others in mind.

[Matt Martin]

My SD70's & Dash 8's would probably appreciate the wider, taller clearances.

-Matt

[Matt Martin]

My SD70's & Dash 8's would probably appreciate the wider, taller clearances.

-Matt

[Mike Fox]

Well I checked the clearances with one of the large pulpwood cars figuring that its long body would be similar to those of larger engines. I was trying to keep in mind what equipment would be using that track, but since I never modeled in HO I didnt know the engines got that big. I mean that size of the portal doesn't matter to me, Ill make it as big as needed. But I was trying to be considerate, this is a club and I understand fully that Im a new member and I want not to step on the toes of others.

[Mike Walsh]

Well I checked the clearances with one of the large pulpwood cars figuring that its long body would be similar to those of larger engines. I was trying to keep in mind what equipment would be using that track, but since I never modeled in HO I didnt know the engines got that big. I mean that size of the portal doesn't matter to me, Ill make it as big as needed. But I was trying to be considerate, this is a club and I understand fully that Im a new member and I want not to step on the toes of others.

You're a member, you have every right to step on toes

[Otto Vondrak]

You're a member, you have every right to step on toes

Yeah man, go for it. We appreciate the initiative! But thanks for asking first and checking with others. That always helps.

[Mike Fox]

WEll the plaster cloth goes on tomorrow(so dont plan on running trains around midday), assuming it doesn't take to long to dry the plaster cast rocks will do on as well. Then on tuesday Ill start to task of blending them in and by this time next week you'll never have known that there was a gapping hole in the scenery.

I also plan on see what the plan with the American hardware building is. I took it out today and did some basic measurements but I have no earthly idea what the plan calls for so i put it away.

[Otto Vondrak]

WEll the plaster cloth goes on tomorrow(so dont plan on running trains around midday), assuming it doesn't take to long to dry the plaster cast rocks will do on as well. Then on tuesday Ill start to task of blending them in and by this time next week you'll never have known that there was a gapping hole in the scenery.

Take pictures if you can. Make sure tracks are covered with masking tape, and any other finished scenery areas are protected with newspaper or whatever. I've got an idea for making a custom-fit tunnel portal.

I also plan on see what the plan with the American hardware building is. I took it out today and did some basic measurements but I have no earthly idea what the plan calls for so i put it away.

Talk to SuperDave or I about that... I have a rough idea, Dave has another, but it involves a kitbash to hide the hole in the backdrop and transition from 3-D world to 2-D backdrop.

-otto-

[Mike Fox]

Oh don worry, thats why i said for no one to expect to be running trains on the lower cirlce. Im going to tape all the track and put down a ton of newspaper, and probably some foam to work on.

Not to mention the two apartment buildings are done. So scratch that project off the master list. One down, way to many to go