Track Cleaning Car

One major issue I have is dirty track and stalling locomotives.  No matter what I do, I cannot overcome the issue of locomotives stalling or lights flickering.   Even after I clean the track, a few day later, the locos are playing up again.  I think this is due to the layout being out-doors and the variation in temperatures and humidity.

I decided to build my own track cleaning wagon this morning.  Using an old Bachmann Oil Taker as the wagon, I build the following vehicle which can be seen on the video.

Hopefully this will help with keeping at least the rails clean.  I used masonite as the wood for the cleaner.  Gave it a few laps on the layout and it seemed to do the job as the Walker didn't have any issues once I ran it on the cleaned track.

 I am tempted to build another one and use both on a works train.  It's pretty crude but it seems to work.

Darren's Place

It is simply amazing.  That is Darren's layout - his HO gauge NSWGR masterpiece.  The scenery is executed perfectly - not a blade of grass was out of place! and the scenes follow on beautifully.   Not to waffle on too much, here see for yourself some of his brilliant workmanship.

Throw a match ?

Not having a static grass applicator and the wish to have tall grass I got thinking on how best to model tall grass.  Since the season of the layout will be late summer, I want to model a dry summers environment.

I had some branch netting which I bought many moons ago and thought of the idea of making tall grass and securing this to fly netting.  I think it looks pretty good although it took me a very long time to individually plant the grass into the mesh.  Each mat took me about six hours to do.

I ran out of the branch netting but luckly I had some jute and proceeded to make grass from the jute.  Now I have ran out of jute so tall grass making has stopped for now.

I haven't permanently secured the mat to the benchwork as yet.

What do you guys think?  Is it too long or does it not look any good?

Pass me the Plaster...

Now that I have my track-plan bedded down, I have been totally consumed with scenery and have more time to think about scenery and do some work in this area.  I have gone with the cardboard strip method also know as Hard Shell scenery I believe.  Yes, there are many ways to do scenery, and I like this method as advocated by Joe Fugate in one of his writings.  As he says if a mistake is made, it is reasonably easy to remove the scenery and start again.  Also, it is very cheap, with only a hot glue-gun and hot glue sticks required, and you need to cut some thick card-board strip which cost nothing.

The only issue I find with this method is the use of a Hot Glue gun.  When hot, the glue creates alot of glue-strings.  It's little messy but not too much effort to clean up.  On top of the cardboard strips, I use 1 inch masking tape then apply a plaster mix.  This one is used on Geoffs' layout and is really an excellent product to work with.

I have also put some more time into the trees, trying to make them more fuller and real.  I think I am getting there slowly.  Now I cannot stop to admire the beauty in the wild trees when I go for walks or when driving. 

Here is a brief video showing the progress so far and some photos of the trees.  Off-course this is not completed as I would like to add grass, fences, more trees, some water, shrubs and more earth hues.

Tree Attack

The last few weekends I decided I need to focus on the trees on the layout now that I have my track plan bedded down.  For years I have had lichen lying round which I bought many moons ago and I decided to have a go with making the trees look half decent.

Anyway here are some photos of my efforts - I think I need to get back to them and give them a fuller,  healthier look.

Changing Points

Have you ever worked with a tool that always bought you joy when using it.  Maybe it was the quality of the build or the end result of the work done.  I took the plunge to buy the Modratec System for changing points on the layout.  Now every-time I use it, it is just a joy to use!  It has made operation/shunting 50 fold more enjoyable.  Constructing the kit was pretty straight forward and the quality of the kit is top rate.  Harold has done an exceptional job making sure the system is very reliable with adjustments seldom needed.   His ideas and concept is really worth a hats off!  I was so impressed with it, I bought another set of the 6 point level frame.  If you haven't had a look at the system, hop over to his site.

EMD 567 Sound

Back in August of last year I took up the challenge of installing sound.  I was inspired by watching a video where the modeler installed sound in a small tank engine.  He really gave me the confidence.

Now with sound chips becoming more realistic and less gimmicky, I did some research and decided to purchase the latest Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 chips.  One thing I really liked about this chip was the working dynamic brakes. After taking a huge risk and parting with $150 for the sound chip and two speakers, I found myself with the challenge of installing it in my B Class loco.

So with some trepidation, and working slowly and carefully, I installed the sound chip and speakers and over an entire weekend, I was able to get the installation completed.  There were a few retries when trying to get the shell to sit tightly.  I was really pleased with the outcome.
Here are some photos of the install and a couple of videos.

Note how the headlight automatically turns on as the loco rolls, then turns off.

Dyno's sound fantastic!

Pretty cool!