blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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 | | 02/23/2008 4:46 PM |
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Yesterday I decided it was time to clear a path over to the building which will house the Cicely model structures. Several of these models are now ready to be placed and are simply taking up space.
It is finally getting warm enough out there to make initial preparations for spring when I begin setting up the model in earnest. It only reached plus 15 today, but the sun is out for longer periods of time and snow is melting everywhere on the warmer days. My main concern now is more snow heading this way and delaying the process.
above: the initial pathway is cleared to the model building
below: looking from the other direction: The tall white building is Uncle Nicolais--the main storage area for most of the Phase II models and rolling stock. The model structures will be moved from there across this path to the building.
Below: Looking ESE from the model building over to the Phase II east track loop, which is now almost totally free of ice and snow--at least for now it is. The loop is 24 feet across and stands approximately six to seven feet above the ground.
The high ground over which the path is dug will serve as part of the hills for the Phase III KMR model when it is built beginning sometime next year or the year after.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/23/2008 5:01 PM |
| Even though the ambient temperature was only +15, with the sun, heat is finally hitting the property with a vengeance. The tracks in front of the Cicely model housing structure are now free of ice and snow. I had to shovel off the walkway yesterday and the remaining ice on the surface is now largely melted away.
A true sign of spring on its way: One of the cats is enjoying the outdoor sun--something which hasn't happened since last October. Another cat rests on the walkway below.
Obviously the tracks are warm enough for the cat not to mind a brief nap in the sun right on the aluminum and brass (the rear set of tracks is a brass siding).
It could and probably will drop back into winter again, but meanwhile the feel of an early spring is definitely in the air.
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ThinkerT
Alaska
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| | 02/23/2008 6:13 PM |
| | But will the cat try taking a nap at that spot when summer hits and the trains are running? And what would the cats reaction be? 'It moves - it must be something to *kill*'? or 'where do I have to go to find a quie place to sleep?' | | | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/23/2008 6:46 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 02/23/2008 6:13 PM
But will the cat try taking a nap at that spot when summer hits and the trains are running? And what would the cats reaction be? 'It moves - it must be something to *kill*'? or 'where do I have to go to find a quie place to sleep?'
Those cats are not impressed with the trains. Fortunately, so far, I have somehow avoided any train collisions with the furry felines. But it has come close on more than one occasion. | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/23/2008 7:00 PM |
| The Cicely Model Housing Structure Awaits:
I have blocked three of the track entrances/exits for now to help hold in the heat of the sun in advance of
the preparations for moving several of the models into place.
The view below is of the 24-foot east turn-around.
Looking toward the beer garden: the tracks are in place since last fall, helping delineate the locations of the various model structures which will soon be placed here.
The sun actually is heating up this area as long as the door is kept closed and most of the track entrances are blocked. Two of them on the left have not yet been closed off.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/23/2008 7:12 PM |
| Snow is vanishing from the tracks:
(but it could return anytime)
This area is in the shadows most of the day and thus still holds snow on the tracks.
But to the east the area is mostly open, with nothing to hinder the sun light.
In the distance is 14,000 foot Mt. Wrangell
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/23/2008 7:22 PM |
| Mt Wrangell, as seen from near the model:
That's steam you see venting near the top. Wrangell remains the single active volcano in the Wrangell Range, viewable to the east of Copper Center. Steam vents often appear during periods of cold weather and are clearly visible under conditions such as occurred today, Saturday.23rd of Feb 2008.
The great thing about this is how visible this particular mountain is from almost anywhere along the Phase II model railroad line. The elevation of this point is 1,025 feet, while Wrangell tops out at 14, 163. To the north is Mt Drum, also viewable from some points on the property, with an elevation of 12,010 feet.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/23/2008 7:33 PM |
| And finally . . . the sun sets on Mt Drum
as seen from my computer room window at 5:30 PM
Copper Center already sits in the shadows as the temperatures begin their long drop for the night.
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flatracker
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Dunlap, TN
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| | 02/24/2008 9:21 AM |
| Glad you got the Silverton City Hall building. It is impressive, as you said, and will certainly be an eye catcher. The unique structures are usually what draws my attention in layouts.
You have a beautiful view out your window of Mt. Drum! The part to the left of it really looks STEEP and ragged. I'll bet it would be a real challenge to those who like to climb such shear sided mtns. Do any of them ever attempt it?
In the third picture up, what is that red building in the distance with the green roof. A hotel, or something like that?
Thanks for all the pictures of your area and layout. You sure have put a lot of work into it. I know you'll be glad when it gets warm enough to get some more done.
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Bob Martin | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/24/2008 11:29 AM |
| Posted By flatracker on 02/24/2008 9:21 AM
Glad you got the Silverton City Hall building. It is impressive, as you said, and will certainly be an eye catcher. The unique structures are usually what draws my attention in layouts.
You have a beautiful view out your window of Mt. Drum! The part to the left of it really looks STEEP and ragged. I'll bet it would be a real challenge to those who like to climb such shear sided mtns. Do any of them ever attempt it?
In the third picture up, what is that red building in the distance with the green roof. A hotel, or something like that?
Thanks for all the pictures of your area and layout. You sure have put a lot of work into it. I know you'll be glad when it gets warm enough to get some more done.
I never hear of anyone attempting to climb the steep face of Mt. Drum. Typically they go for either Mt Sanford or Mt. St. Elias, both of which are considerably taller. The steep face you see is the result of a massive volcanic explosion.
The building in the distance is the old Copper Center Roadhouse--one of two of its type still in existence and in operation.
And yes, the Silverton City Hall building is quite the eye-catcher. It will make an excellent court house and/or city hall because it has that typical Americana look that I wanted to capture. Of course, many model train enthusiasts seem to recognize it because it is so close to its prototype. It won't be long and that model along with several others will populate the now-empty Cicely model structure.
Oh yes. This morning the temp is minus 18. But at least it is once again clear and the sun is coming up.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/26/2008 11:07 AM |
| Posted By flatracker on 02/24/2008 9:21 AM
I know you'll be glad when it gets warm enough to get some more done.
I am monitoring the temperatures and watching the rate of snow melting quite carefully. We are back into the colder temperatures, though not nearly as frigid as before. With any luck this will be the last relatively cold spell. One signficant marker will be the melting of all the snow and ice along the pathway to the structure that I just shovelled out.
As it warms up, my presence here on the internet will diminish until I am mostly occupied elsewhere. Right now there is little else I can do most of the time except wait out the coldest part of the end of winter.
This morning it was minus 12 and is now rising somewhat. High temperatures are running plus 15 to plus 20. | |
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ThinkerT
Alaska
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| | 02/26/2008 7:12 PM |
| I am monitoring the temperatures and watching the rate of snow melting quite carefully. We are back into the colder temperatures, though not nearly as frigid as before. With any luck this will be the last relatively cold spell. One signficant marker will be the melting of all the snow and ice along the pathway to the structure that I just shovelled out.
As it warms up, my presence here on the internet will diminish until I am mostly occupied elsewhere. Right now there is little else I can do most of the time except wait out the coldest part of the end of winter.
Don't let the cabin fever take over completely now. Even here on the coast, we still have at least forty solid days of snow ahead of us, and another ten days or two weeks worth of mud. Where your at...could be another fifty days of snow, easy. I'm not planning any serious outdoor projects for another two months or better. | | | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/26/2008 7:29 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 02/26/2008 7:12 PM
Don't let the cabin fever take over completely now. Even here on the coast, we still have at least forty solid days of snow ahead of us, and another ten days or two weeks worth of mud. Where your at...could be another fifty days of snow, easy. I'm not planning any serious outdoor projects for another two months or better.
I know, but I didn't really want to hear that. Once again the high temp did not exceed plus 15 today even with the clear skies. No drastic change appears in the forecast, either. | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/26/2008 8:18 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 02/26/2008 7:12 PM "As it warms up, my presence here on the internet will diminish until I am mostly occupied elsewhere. Right now there is little else I can do most of the time except wait out the coldest part of the end of winter." (blackburn49)
Don't let the cabin fever take over completely now. Even here on the coast, we still have at least forty solid days of snow ahead of us, and another ten days or two weeks worth of mud. Where your at... could be another fifty days of snow, easy. I'm not planning any serious outdoor projects for another two months or better.
Two more months trapped in here on this computer? Hmmmm. Let's see . . . March to mid-April . . . That should be about it. By then--mid-April--outdoor activities will be possible and most snow will be gone--although it could still snow. But remember, this lower Copper River valley is practically a desert area. Not much snow.
I also note that there is an MLS event in conjunction with a large scale trains show in Phoenix I am going to miss. Can't afford it after this long expensive winter, although if I can possibly make an opportunity at the last minute to go, believe me I will. Not likely or otherwise realistic. And that is really too bad. I would love to have made that one. Oh well. So it goes. | |
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ThinkerT
Alaska
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| | 02/26/2008 10:37 PM |
| Two more months trapped in here on this computer? Hmmmm. Let's see . . . March to mid-April . . . That should be about it. By then--mid-April--outdoor activities will be possible and most snow will be gone--although it could still snow. But remember, this lower Copper River valley is practically a desert area. Not much snow.
The mud and flooding of breakup must not be a big deal where you're at then. When I first built the house, my driveway (thanx to critically short funds) lacked proper drainage and promptly turned into a one foot deep, fifteen foot wide and three hundred yard long canal for three weeks. These days its just the mud I have to worry about.
I also note that there is an MLS event in conjunction with a large scale trains show in Phoenix I am going to miss. Can't afford it after this long expensive winter, although if I can possibly make an opportunity at the last minute to go, believe me I will. Not likely or otherwise realistic. And that is really too bad. I would love to have made that one. Oh well. So it goes.
Maybe you'll get a spurt of early spring business - possibly related to the gas line to the states. Juggle some funds, curb the EBAY spending, get an ultra cheap discount ticket somewhere...
Heck, I can't afford to go anywhere either. Been ages since I've even made it to Anchorage. | | | |
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sschaer
Brakeman
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| | 02/26/2008 11:08 PM |
| tinker
where in ak are you located ? | | | |
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ThinkerT
Alaska
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| | 02/27/2008 1:32 AM |
| tinker
where in ak are you located ?
Kenai, Kenai Peninsula, south of Anchorage. Just about as far as the continental road system goes.
Where are you at? | | | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/27/2008 4:46 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 02/26/2008 10:37 PM
The mud and flooding of breakup must not be a big deal where you're at then. When I first built the house, my driveway (thanx to critically short funds) lacked proper drainage and promptly turned into a one foot deep, fifteen foot wide and three hundred yard long canal for three weeks. These days its just the mud I have to worry about.
This property is underlain by an old river bed. Thus, drainage is good, even though the land is relatively flat. Breakup is quick and easy in that there is very little standing water and not for very long. However, it does seem to take forever for the last of the snow and ice to melt away. | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 02/27/2008 4:53 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 02/26/2008 10:37 PM
Maybe you'll get a spurt of early spring business - possibly related to the gas line to the states. Juggle some funds, curb the EBAY spending, get an ultra cheap discount ticket somewhere...
All the parts, structures and other equipment I need for this season, except for some additional track, is already here. Work on the model is actually continuing very close to my original schedule. In fact, I have already begun moving models over to the Phase II Cicely model structure as of today, starting with the Brick model, which is now in its permanent location. Pictures to follow.
The hope of a gas line, of course, springs eternal. But at best it remains an indefinite maybe. Meanwhile the price of heating oil and gasoline has taken another sharp rise. Thankfully, spring is nearly upon us. I couldn't afford much more of this. Makes me wonder how this will affect the upcoming tourist season. It is definitely far more expensive to get here than it was even last year. | |
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ThinkerT
Alaska
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| | 02/27/2008 10:08 PM |
| Makes me wonder how this will affect the upcoming tourist season. It is definitely far more expensive to get here than it was even last year.
The drop in tourist traffic was felt here on the Kenai last year as well. Far fewer migrating Bago's than usual; lot of places making less money than anticipated.
Ever considered making your own diesel? | | | |
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