Thx for the update Joe. I like seeing more of your layout. Would you mind doing a panoramic sometime of your layout? I'm like you, once a scene is finished I don't like going back for any redo. However, if improvements can be made it's worth it.
@@kcsthebetterway Thanks for the info on the KCS locomotives. I have a Van Buren/Fort Smith car spotting guide issued to M.P. crews assigned to the area. It contains a basic track map to include yard and industry tracks, names of each industry, car spotting positions, etc.
@@rickzander4859 Found the easiest way is to create a template with soldering wiring. Basically you carefully shape the wire along the curves and within the curve. You can then place the wire on the foam and carefully cut along the wire. Before gluing down the foam, you can trim as needed. (Wheel spacing for example)
@@aaronl_trains_and_planes The train was an hour late coming in from Springdale due to a locomotive failure. They must have just added the replacement to the consist without pulling the problem child. They had some gremlins that day. Locomotive failure, air-conditioning failed on one coach, and the air-conditioning blower in the dome was not working.
@@JosephMusgrove Sounds like the trip I took last year. Train was an hour late coming back to VB. The Engines were fine, it was the generators and A/C on 2 of the coaches that kept breaking down. And it was the first hot day they had had that year. Other than that it was a great trip.
Great video! Love your scenery and attention to detail. Question regarding the background buildings at the beginning of the video - are those buildings, building flats, or a backdrop photo(s)?
Glad you enjoyed the video! The buildings are flats made by Trackside Flats. They are photos attached to foam core. I also have some made by PTF Designs. PTF designs include builtin LED lights on their buildings you can connect to a power source. Both vendors can be found on eBay. The prices are extremely reasonable.
I took that picture several years ago and do not remember what railroad the locomotive served. I will look back through my photos to see if I can get that info for you.
Nice work Joe. Enjoy your updates. Lots of history and detail. I agree with your assessment of our model railroading community! I've seen your posts on MRH as well. Pretty small world.
Good to see progress! A friend once told me, even if you drill a single hole and then go to bed, it’s progress. I follow that and have made great progress! Keep up the good work, fellow MoPac modeler!
Awesome update video as always Joseph! Also I am in need of help with some research for a new model railroad I'm looking to start based on the KCS Baxter Springs branch which connected KCS main line with I believe the MP at Baxter Springs but not sure. I can give you my email address if you would like to contact me with information.
Always enjoy seeing what you are doing with structures. Mine have a long way to go. On the bigfoot story, I read something the other day that bigfoot is an alien species. If you subscribe to the idea that we are not the the only inhabited planet I guess it's possible. I like the idea of a G scale or an S scale one would be closer to being in scale.
Thanks Jack! Leaning towards going with a G scale Bigfoot. If the alien theory is correct, may have to include burned tree tops and landing pad indentions!
Glad you enjoy the channel Michael! Grew up in the 70s watching the MoPac blue so the layout brings back many great memories. The T&P also has an interesting history so it’s good to know it is alive and well on your layout! Cheers!
Neat video, Joe! Nice looking trains in brilliant scenery! Can you help me out with the original purpose of that big blue double door boxcar? Trucks suggest it was once in passenger service? Some kind of express car?
Glad you enjoyed the video! Fifty of these cars were built in 1962 at the Missouri Pacific Car Shops in DeSoto, Missouri. They were built as mail-express boxcars assigned to passenger trains. With the end of federal mail contracts in 1967, these cars were reassigned. A few stayed in revenue service but were limited to carrying light loads such as styrofoam sheets or cotton bales. The others were assigned to MOW service or sent to the scrap yard.
I like that line of trees @3.00 that screen the backdrop. Very good looking and effective. I think I need to do this to hide a ''middrop'' that hides some off stage tracks. Might even be able to leave the skyboard out of it, just use the densely packed trees. Thanks for the video and inspiration.
Hi Will. The photo was taken on November 14th, 1970. This is train number-2, the north bound Texas Eagle. The lead unit is number 42. I believe the Texas Eagle was the last M.P. passenger train running through Arkansas before the end of passenger service in May 1971. Other M.P. Passenger train service to include Hot Springs and Fort Smith Arkansas were discontinued a decade or so earlier. Amtrak service that runs through Arkansas,(Between Dallas and Chicago), is still known as the Texas Eagle.
This is flipping awesome! My only question is how to imitate a curved country road with twists and turns. This foam looks to be a great alternative to the spackle that most people use for concrete roads in model railroading. The foam also seams to be more lightweight.
Glad you found the video helpful! Foam is so easy to work with and no mess! For curves, I would create a template using thick paper like card stock or construction paper. You will start out marking the two points of the desired road width with a sharp pencil. Then you measure and mark the desired width every 1/4 to 1/2-inches adjusting the angle of the ruler as you go based on the desired sharpness of your curve. When you’re finished, you want to slowly and carefully draw a line connecting the set of dots on each side. Using a sharp x-acto knife, slow and carefully cut along the lines. Now that you have your curve template, you can use it to cut your foam.
Glad you liked the video! For curves, I would create a template using thick paper like card stock or construction paper. You will start out marking the two points of the desired road width with a sharp pencil. Then you measure and mark the desired width every 1/4 to 1/2-inches adjusting the angle of the ruler as you go based on the desired sharpness of your curve. When you’re finished, you want to slowly and carefully draw a line connecting the set of dots on each side. Using a sharp x-acto knife, slow and carefully cut along the lines. Now that you have your curve template, you can use it to cut your foam.
