a HO diorama (eventually)

jkristia · Feb 20, 2004

A few pictures of my HO diorama I started last weekend. I have only gotten the track down. It's C55 track with PC ties. Hopefully this weekend I will have time to wire it and paint the track (shouldn't take too long)

Hmm weird, I'm using railimages, and it was working when I first posted it.

OK, My mistake, seems like when you first upload the pictures they are added to a temporary album, and then later moved to your own album, so here they are, sorry about that.

pttom · Feb 20, 2004

Lookin good.:thumb: :thumb:

Casey Feedwater · Feb 20, 2004

It's looking good, Jesper! :thumb:

Will_annand · Feb 21, 2004

The pictures are not showing...

belg · Feb 21, 2004

I also cant see them. RED X

Will_annand · Feb 21, 2004

Now I can see them...

Looking good, keep us posted will you, I love to see how others fill spaces on their layouts.

interurban · Feb 21, 2004

Jesper, That is one neat looking diorama keep us updated!!!:thumb:

shamus · Feb 21, 2004

Hi Jesper, the model diorama looks very good indeed. Can't wait to see scenery on it.
Shamus

jon-monon · Feb 21, 2004

:thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
I love the track work!

:wave:

Smuk!

DanishKnight · Feb 21, 2004

Great modeling! I love the trackwork! Handlaid ties?

Originally posted by jon-monon
Smuk!

Jon, din mor have på bekæmpe støvle!

jon-monon · Feb 21, 2004

Please, James, one word dansk sentences! Behage?

jkristia · Feb 21, 2004

Hmmm ya, scenery, that part I'm a little concerned about, I don't fell I'm very good at it, but lets see.

And DanishKnight, ja det er (yes it is) hand laid ties, one by one, but it's really not a big job to do.

Lighthorseman · Feb 21, 2004

Excellent!

Spectacular trackwork, Jesper. Take a large bow. Can't wait to see further work. :thumb: :thumb:

DanishKnight · Feb 21, 2004

Originally posted by jon-monon
Please, James, one word dansk sentences! Behage?

Ja, undskylde!

Jon and JK...

Der er et yndigt land!

TomPM · Feb 22, 2004

Looking good.

Keep us posted. Since I am in the process of doing my first diorama I will be very interested in hearing how it goes for you.

rcwatkins · Feb 22, 2004

Looks good so far. Even better track.

:thumb:

Covina Mike · Feb 22, 2004

Jesper, I'm in awe of your trackwork! When you're laying your track and using pc ties, do you lay the pc ties along with all the rest and then solder the rail, or do you solder the rail to the pc ties in a jig and then transfer the completed track to the layout? I could use any tips you might have. Keep up the great work. It's an inspiration to the rest of us.

jkristia · Feb 23, 2004

Mike, I always glue the ties and pc ties first, then sand the ties to be level with the pc ties and then install the rail. In this case I build the turnout on a template I downloaded from http://www.handlaidtrack.com/ because it's the first HO one I build, but in N scale I would build the turnout in place also.

I don't use a jig to lay the ties, I tried but I found that it took me as long as when I place the ties individually. Instead, I glue a tie every 12", make sure it's centered correct, and when it's dry, I simply place a straightedge between the ties and glue the rest down following the straightedge. On curves I place a tie every 4" or so, make sure it's centered correct, and when dry, place the other ties just by eye balling. At least that's how I did it in N scale, I might have to change the technique for HO. As you probably can see from the picture, I use a PC tie every 5-6th tie, plus extra PC ties where there are joins. For this one I didn't use rail joiner, and I didn't use it in N either, instead I make sure the join is between 2 ties, and both ties are PC ties. That worked well in N, and I assume it will work in HO too.

Hope this helps a little.

Jesper

Covina Mike · Feb 23, 2004

Jesper... Thanks a million! That is exactly the kind of description I needed. I definitely want to try hand-laying track and your method really sounds do-able. Thank you for taking the time to share.

jkristia · Mar 19, 2004

Finally.

Finally I was able to make some progress on my small diorama. Last week I got the hardshell done, last weekend got it painted and got the first layer ground cover down, wednesday I got around to doing some ballasting and a second layer of greenery, so now I can finally show some pictures of something other than just pink foam.

Still a lot to do. Next I think I will paint the road, then install some trees and bushes, and then start detailing the freight house and the Fenimore Coal scene.