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of the layout begins with the assembly of the perimeter wall. Each
of these interlocking blocks weighs nearly 100 pounds and are
all hand set. Once the wall is completed plumbing and electrical
lines will be set in place before soil is brought in to fill. Compacted
yellow fill dirt was used as a base with sifted topsoil put
on top for detail areas and planting medium for the landscape
plants.
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Though
shrouded in fog construction details are beginning to be
seen. The
pin flags mark track bed while the raised areas to on the
right are being created
for more track and the mountain district is taking shape on
the left side by the rake. |
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The
crew works to get the soil as compacted as possible, this
creates a firm base and also reduces settling. The
yellow fill base compacts at a rate of almost 20% while the sifted
topsoil compacts at a rate of nearly 30%. That means
a lot of back breaking work with the compacting roller! |
Some
detail of the north water fall in the mountain district is
taking shape. One of the display ponds is visible
in the foreground. |
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New
siding and switching yard. From
this yard trains can be dispatched to any of the 5 main loops
on the track. All switches in the layout are electrically
operated and can be thrown from the main control panel.
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One of the many wooden bridges custom built
by Russ Green, Chief Engineer. |
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The same bridge as in photo 6 with landscaping
and rock work installed. |
Detail
view of the Golden Gate Bridge by Eagle Wings Iron Craft
of Arizona. One of many Eagle Wings
Bridges in the layout. |
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Overall
shot showing water features, some planting and some of the
many bridges. In
view just behind and to the left of the Golden Gate Bridge is
the beginnings of the Red Line Trestle. Once completed
this custom made trestle/bridge combination will stretch for
over 82 feet in the layout. Again, this spectacular piece
of work was constructed by Russ Green. |
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Water garden display ponds on South Side
of layout with 4 main lines running through the upper left corner. |
The
spectacular Sheet Falls with a custom Wooden Bridge in the
foreground and custom Russ Green designed
Eagle Wings Double decked, double curve steel bridge behind
it. Another
track runs behind the fall, the Sunshine Soil Products boxcar
is visible through the falls. Behind the Sunshine car
is another tunnel not visible in this picture. |
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Detail view approaching steel bridge over
the north water fall. |
Detail view of wooden trestles built by Russ
Green. |
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View
of the Fjord section of the layout. Rock work and all landscaping
was supervised and mostly installed by master craftsman Richard
Wright. In this view is a double track wooden bridge in
the forground, an inverted steel truss bridge behind and a custom
3 piece arched truss bridge making for a spectacular scene. Though
not visible in the photos all steel bridges are wired with red
marker beacons at the highest points. These lights flash
automatically when operated and add a real sense of realism to
the layout when operating in the evening hours. Russ
Green created the custom circuitry to make this possible. |
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Red line trestle making its way west towards
its interconnection with the existing layout. |
View
of mainlines on south west corner of the layout. |
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Construction
nearing completion. Evidence
of Russ Green's engineering abilities and Richard Wright's
artistic eye are visible throughout the layout. |
