West of Blue Ridge Tunnel RT250 bridge

Playing with foam....

More progress

Upper deck is Waynesboro, VA. Roadbed is in, needs a quick sanding, and I'm out of flex track....so progress stops. The lower deck is Crozet, VA. I'll be adding mockups for Morton's Frozen Foods and the other buildings. 

Next photo: Waynesboro on top deck with mockup of station that was still standing in 1985. The N&W mainline passes under the C&O at the middle piece of paper. Lower deck is the west end of Crozet. The brick station there is still standing today and was used as the Library. 

This photo looks east at Waynesboro. The roadbed taking off to the left is the interchange with the N&W. There will be 3 staging or interchange tracks around the corner. (far left)

Below is the main descending into Waynesboro on the upper deck. I've decided to add the passing siding here. I originally thought it was gone by my time, but according to the track charts, it was there. And since this is the exit of the helix, it will help with operations. The siding will start at the clamps. On the west end of the passing siding there was a siding for a quarry. I will try to add that as well. I don't have much info yet. 

Progress update

Afton, VA on the bottom. Road bridge will cross over in front of the pole.

Another View. Helix is on other side of staircase, Westbounds will enter Blue Ridge Tunnel (bottom of helix). The will exit Blue Ridge Tunnel (top of helix) and be seen here on upper deck.

Entering Blue Ridge Tunnel. 

I plan on modeling the east portal of the original Crozet tunnel as seen in B&W picture. 

Exiting top of helix. Need to order the tunnel portals from Alkem Scale Models soon. 

Pic works nice for a temporary portal.

Mechum's creek bridge (lower deck) looking towards Crozet, VA at far right around bend.

More to come....

Track crew has been busy

The track crew has been busy laying the mainline from Ivy, VA to Mechum's Creek Bridge and plans call for them to continue in Crozet, VA very soon. Peco code 83 is being used on the mainline and passing sidings. Micro Engineering code 70 is being used for sidings.

This photo shows the siding at Mechum's Creek for a small feed & fertilizer dealer.

This photo shows Ivy, VA. The siding in the right goes off scene to a grocery warehouse. On the left is the siding for Westvaco pulpwood loading facility.

Looking westbound at Ivy, VA

Weighing the fleet

Since the Mountain Subdivision is the host to Westbound empty coal trains, I needed to add weight to these great Bowser 100 Ton cars. Lead shot and Canopy Glue to the rescue. Each car is now just over 4 ounces, almost to NMRA Standard. Next step - Weathering..

1920 Sanborn Maps - Charlottesville, VA

Sanborn Maps - 1920

Another from Trumbull Photography - Charlottesville

Several of these building still exist today along the tracks. Can't wait for him to release more from this collection.

Click link to get zoomable pic:LINK

Well I guess I missed a April update....

Completed tasks lately:

Backdrop is 95% primed and painted.
Roadbed from Ivy, VA to Waynesboro, VA is in and complete.
Started wiring feeders in helix.
Sub-fascia installed in several parts.

Photos to come soon.

And one more from Trumball Photography

Charlottesville Yard Aerial View 1960's

From one of my favorite sites: Trumball Photography
http://charlottesvillethenandnow.blogspot.com/

Ivy, VA roadbed

Homasote spline installed at the new location for Ivy, VA. The siding on the aisle side is the Westvaco Pulpwood location. The siding into the backdrop is for the grocery warehouse located away from the mainline. Since the building is not visible from the mainline, it will not be modeled, but the hidden siding will hold about 3 boxcars.

Cocoa Beach Meet

One of these years I'm going to go to this event...I've been down there for work on the weekend of or the weekend after for the past 7 years!

One year I had time, but we're 2 hours away and only have 5 hours of free time - That won't work.

So as I have in the past, I enjoy seeing all the great models on my computer screen. Thanks to Dave Hussey for posting these - Thought I'd share the link.

http://www.pbase.com/dh30973/cocoa13&page=all

Waynesboro C&O station in 1984

Mainline Modeler did a great series on Waynesboro, VA many years ago. One thing I wish the series had was pictures of the C&O station before it was torn down in 1986. Watching TV and surfin the web for pics and found these taken in July 31 1984. this is exactly how I will need to model the station. Should be fun!

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2982024

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=2982022

Great pic at Afton, VA (CSX)

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3293673

Helix update

Helix progress

Level one track completed, level two cork down and sanded. Another 3/4 turn and its testing time!

Helix progress

An old pic of mine...

Kodak Disc Cameras...Remember them?

Well that's the reason this photo is so grainy.....But at 15, that's what I had.

In this photo taken in December 1984, we see a SD50 #8591 sitting in the yard. In the distance are the New GE Units that were shipping to China via Newport News. The turntable still exists at this time.

Enjoy!

Parts to start the......

HELIX!

Tonight I started cutting the trapezoid segments for the helix. The helix is a 2.5 turn 30" radius helix at roughly 2% grade.

I wanted to use radius cuts, but the wasted plywood was an issue. I'm using 3/4" cabinet grade (8 ply).

The joints will be glued and kerf jig joint screwed. I've used this system for the valances as well as some furniture I have built. It's very strong and reliable.