August 2023 - December 2023 |
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Accomplishments: |
Barge extension work:
Panel work, to allow the barge extension turnouts to be controlled from "internal" and "external" locations:
Arduino Electro-magnetic Uncoupler Controller work:
Barge extension Sea walls:
Float Ramp work:
More Barge Extension work:
Miscellany:
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Railfan Photo |
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November 2023 |
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Barge Extension | |
Weathered the barge by "sponging" on a grimy black craft acrylic paint (I think it's called "Pavement"). |
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Painted the masonite base with a 50/50 mix of cerulean blue and dark green, the brushed on a coat of "Mod Podge" gloss. The sea walls are glued in place and temporarily screwed until the glue dries. The window behind is blocked with some foam-core signage. |
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Wiring all installed; two Tortoise switch machines, an electro-magnetic uncoupling ramp, and various terminal strips and connectors (the white one is the umbilical to the main layout). |
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Lots here:
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From a different angle: |
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Looking down the barge tracks: |
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Brewery Build |
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Finished and installed:
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Here you can better see the interior work. The signage was printed from internet images, framed with scale 1x2" lumber. The building was weathered with India ink washes. |
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The interior is fully lit; this exposure makes the lights look too bright, they look fine in person. The backdrop lighting is from a desk lamp in the room - oops. |
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Yard Work: |
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The yard feeder track and all turnouts were ballasted. The gap between the tracks and retaining wall are needed to be able to remove the whole section for access to the hidden track behind...but... |
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A removable fence was constructed to hide the gap, especially when some foliage is added behind the fence. There are music wire posts that go into holes in the sandply that hold the fence up. |
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This is a foam-core jig I used to build the fencing in 10" lengths. I used my "Chopper" to cut coffee stir sticks to various lengths, stuck them to the painter's tape, and then glued on the 1/16" square laterals and simulated posts. A total of 37" of fence was built. |
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Here's the view from track level. The story is that the fence is there to keep falling rocks off the tracks. |
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Dwarf signals |
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Dwarf turnout indicators installed, along with turnout throw-bar cribbing. The yard lead also got a dwarf. |
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