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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2018 16:44:59 GMT -5
I think my layout's "basic hardware" (tracks, wiring and electronics) will be finished in a maximum of 2 to 3 months. Now I wonder : 1) Which tunnel entrances I shall use (for Massachusetts in the 60's) ? I think these (sub-category Scale Models Masterpieces) look fine ; I saw a "wooden" entrance on a layout with a PRR train ; should I use rock, timber, concrete or bricks ? I need 6 of them (3 tunnels) ... 2) Who knows a kit for a fire watchman's tower in photo-etched brass (not laser-cut like Animek's) ? I was thinking of it when I estimated the total height for my layout. I don't even know if metallic versions exist in "1/1 scale". ...
Thanks for any answer.
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Post by markm on May 20, 2018 17:44:46 GMT -5
Alberich, Concerning tunnel portals, the cut rock example is appropriate for the era and locale, as would be brick and concrete. Wooden portals would generally be from a much earlier era and on tertiary routes. You might want to check out: www.zscalemonster.com/z_train_things/I've used these and they decorate well. Also a wide variety for a layout with 3 tunnels. I believe what you are looking for is a fire lookout tower. I'm not aware of anything other than the Animek kit. I can't even suggest brass kits that could be bashed into a lookout tower. I haven't done the Animek kit so all I can say about it is that it looks very prototypical to the one down the road from my house. Hope this helps, Mark |
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Post by neverland on May 20, 2018 18:17:10 GMT -5
RSLaser's fire tower is flimsy. Animek''s tower is challenging. You might contact Gray Brothers about making a custom one for you. Their one off structures are quite wonderful.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2018 0:51:48 GMT -5
To Mark : You are right with timber portals : on most pictures they are shown with a train from the era of "western movies" ; but I wanna add that I am not modelling a main line, rather a local one with commuter (Budd's) and freight traffic. Concerning the picture from the PRR, I attached it : the locomotives are "modern" ; but it's a picture from a layout, not from a "real" train ... To Neverland, and about Gray Brothers : their specialties seem to be rather weathered houses ; but, thanks for the tip, their trucks look fine and I like the car with the camping trailer !
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Post by neverland on May 21, 2018 5:26:31 GMT -5
To Mark : You are right with timber portals : on most pictures they are shown with a train from the era of "western movies" ; but I wanna add that I am not modelling a main line, rather a local one with commuter (Budd's) and freight traffic. Concerning the picture from the PRR, I attached it : the locomotives are "modern" ; but it's a picture from a layout, not from a "real" train ... To Neverland, and about Gray Brothers : their specialties seem to be rather weathered houses ; but, thanks for the tip, their trucks look fine and I like the car with the camping trailer !
[ That may be true, but I think they could make you anything you wanted, provided you are looking for a traditional mid century fire tower. Doesn't hurt to inquire. |
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2018 7:22:18 GMT -5
P.S. to Mark : the portals by zscalemonster are fine, but : neither do I build "double track", nor do I use double stacking (don't forget, it's the 60's era) ; so the entrances are to large for me (I would need to "lower" the 1-track versions by cutting the sides) ; the size of DeBenLLC is adequate.
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Post by markm on May 21, 2018 9:07:50 GMT -5
Alberich,
There are single track portals mixed in on the zscalemonster page and the difference in overall height between the "classical/early modern era" you're modeling and the "modern era" is only 2mm. But the main reason for pointing to this page was to show the variety available. In bygone days, I've even used a Woodland Scenics HO scale culvert opening as a tunnel portal.
The NMRA updated their clearance document last year (RP-7.1) with details for tunnel portals. There is enough information there to prepare a mold and cast your own if you are interest.
Wooden railroad structures and coal burning steam engines were not a good mix due to fires from flying embers, so wood was phased out on most railroads by the mid-twentieth century. Interestingly, here in California where oil-burning was much more common, wood remains today, mostly as snow sheds and trestles. Even those are being replaced.
Mark
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2018 10:13:00 GMT -5
To Mark : And what's about the picture with the PRR ?
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Post by smr on May 21, 2018 12:01:26 GMT -5
To Mark : You are right with timber portals : on most pictures they are shown with a train from the era of "western movies" ; but I wanna add that I am not modelling a main line, rather a local one with commuter (Budd's) and freight traffic. Concerning the picture from the PRR, I attached it : the locomotives are "modern" ; but it's a picture from a layout, not from a "real" train ... To Neverland, and about Gray Brothers : their specialties seem to be rather weathered houses ; but, thanks for the tip, their trucks look fine and I like the car with the camping trailer !
I am deeply impressed by this layout picture. Can't wait to see how you match that in Z-scale, Alberich. Best, Sven |
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Post by markm on May 23, 2018 11:08:22 GMT -5
To Mark : And what's about the picture with the PRR ? Alberich, If you are referring to the portal, yes at one time very prototypical. I used several of these on my first layout, an early 20th century short line. They're easy to build with either strip wood or styrene, although I liked the texture of the wooden ones better. If you're referring to the entire scene. I agree with Sven, a great scene to model in Z or any scale. Assuming it accurately represents a place and an era, from the locomotives, it could be as early as 1947. The tunnel opening is unexpectedly clean. In a region where coal was used, one would expect more soot straining of the portal and the rocks above. The bridge appears to be a new. Perhaps from the unused piers in the river, a replacement of an older multi-span bridge. If that's the case, the PRR could be reworking the route and the tunnel and the wood portal is just temporary. Or not. The expectation I'd have is that the final portal structure would be cut stone that would have already been cut from the tunnel itself. Mark |
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2018 17:10:51 GMT -5
Subsidiary question : with "cut rock" in Your first post, did You mean the "natural rock" or "cut stone" (referring to DeBenLLC) ? Those at Z Scale Monster are "cut stone" ; could the "cut rock" be used too for the east coast and my era (mid 20th century ? )
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Post by markm on May 24, 2018 16:09:36 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2018 16:14:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the answer ; so, no natural rocks ? Where can they be found ?
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Post by markm on May 24, 2018 16:21:05 GMT -5
Alberich, It's amazing how many images of tunnels are available, even entire blogs and web sites dedicated to railroad tunnels. Since a picture is worth 1000 words, after browsing some of these sites, I was thinking of something like:  or closer to the area you're modeling: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoosac_Tunnel#/media/File:Hoosic.jpgHope this helps, Mark |
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2018 16:31:43 GMT -5
Yes, thanks, the tunnel entrances that You show look fine, those by Z Scale Monster too ... But, sorry, the brick and concrete models by DeBenLLC are more ... affordable ! I think I will "mix" (and use no natural rock ! )
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