Torby
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North Chicago 'burbs.
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 | | 07/17/2008 3:47 PM |
| hehe. Was sailing my R/C sailboat Monday and stepped off the back side of the dam. Still a little stiff from that | |
I did it! 7 hours 25 seconds. I placed 31,083 out of 31,401 finishers.
 
Chicago Marathon You don't have to train or run, I'm taking care of that for you. | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/17/2008 3:56 PM |
| One of the advantages of having this model completely enclosed is that it allows me to add features such as this impressive LGB balloon (to scale, of course):
This rare promotional LGBÂ item is much heavier than it appears. It is quite heavy and was expensive to ship to Alaska--but well worth it. You can also see a couple of other planes in the foreground. As usual, all of these photos can be clicked to a larger size.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/17/2008 5:04 PM |
| The model housing unit also enables me to add considerable detail to my models that would be very difficult to achieve outdoors:
Adding details is a long, probably never-ending process. But at least since I have an almost-indoor layout here, I can go to great lengths to achieve a very striking effect that is definitely appreciated by the visitors. Most of those cars are 1:24 Franklin and Danbury Mint models that I have collected over quite a number of years. They are quite pricey. I would never consider using many of them outdoors. In here, though, they definitely add a lot to the detail.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/17/2008 6:36 PM |
| The mallet CP passenger consist is lined up behind a modern Santa Fe passenger train at Cicely.
The center track contains the beer/liquor consist for K & L Distributors of Alaska. It is headed by an Alaskan RR 40-2. The consist originally operated on the Phase I track. This group of freight cars was left here by the double-header CR & NW Railway moguls that have returned to the Phase I tracks to pick up more Kennecott ore.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/17/2008 8:58 PM |
| I am almost ready to begin work on the residential hill which also contains an underground coal mine and tipple. The NP-CP North Coal Line passes by this point. It appears that I need to extend the tracks on the siding which passes under the tipple beyond the wall so that the coal cars can be cleared from the north track. I am now considering the possibilities.
The hill will be expanded to accommodate additional residences that currently sit along the north track. They will need to be moved once the buildings intended for that area are completed.
In the prototype town of Roslyn Washington where the outdoor NX scenes were filmed the hill looks like this as seen from Pennsylvania Avenue looking east:Â
You can see the houses mostly to the left. Straight ahead was a coal mine tipple, now long-gone. It will be represented in my Cicely model in the same approximate location as the original. Some of the buildings seen here will eventually appear on the model.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/17/2008 9:19 PM |
| Looking down this historic photo of the same area along Pennsylvania Avenue, the coal mine was up that gulch.Â
It looked something like this (click):
Because I have chosen to keep elements of the NP Ry for my Cicely model, I wanted to include a facsimile of one of the NP coal mines that actually gave Roslyn its reason for existence.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/18/2008 11:23 AM |
| Aerial showing existing track layout
***does not show all sidings***
I have taken this 2004 Google image (the most recent one available) to make a new drawing of the existing track. The greatest distance from one end to the other is roughly 220 feet (west wye to east loop). While not an exceptionally large layout, this outdoor/indoor layout is sufficiently spacious to give the illusion of distance that I wanted to create for the visiting public.
The general public is confined to the area drawn in light-red. This is the CRD Saloon and beer garden. It enables a frontal view of the Kennecott model (through glass) and a somewhat distant view of the newer layout that extends beyond the original one. The bulk of the new Phase II line is closed off and available only for special tours. This tour includes the walk-through of the inside of the Kennecott model area, the special viewing area between the two major models and, of course, the walk-through of the Cicely model. No one is allowed in the special tour area without a guide for safety and security reasons. The general public pays a fee for this tour and an additional fee if I actually run one or more of the trains. Mostly that is simply to compensate for my time. It is not a money-maker, but there is certainly some satisfaction in being able to run a tour such as this. It is only within the last few days that I am finally set up to accomplish all this properly.Â
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/18/2008 12:11 PM |
| Fascinating changes over the years of the prototype town of Roslyn:
In the process of going over images of my prototype for Cicely from the 1990s television series Northern Exposure, I came across this one which vividly demonstrates how much the appearance of a town can change over time. Three of the buildings shown here have survived: Buildings 1 (combined with 2 which has changed), 6 and 10.Â
The Brick has survived almost wholly intact from its original configuration. That same building also housed what appears to be some kind of market. Today that section (#2) resembles a movie house, but even that has now been altered to become the kitchen and dining area for the Brick Tavern.
Buildings 3 & 4 are now a vacant lot. Building 5 greatly resembles my own model which is the Rexal Drug Store. It too is gone, but another structure sits in its place--presently a vacated restaurant. In the NX days that was the location of the snow machine shop. Building 6 is the North West Mining Company building--Dr. Joel's office, which remains intact (amazing considering that the other buildings probably burned down around it). Buildings 7, 8 & 9 are now a vacant lot.
Building 10 is the old Masonic Lodge, now the post office. I have my K & L Distributors office on that spot.
My model will include Dr. Joel's office. The two other structures are not there but are replaced with other buildings--the Rexal Drug building and the K & L office--both of brick construction. The Brick is in place on the model wholly intact, just as the prototype survived all these years.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/18/2008 4:11 PM |
| Ever so-slowly it is coming along . . .
Lots to go yet, but it is definitely taking shape.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/18/2008 8:06 PM |
| I am now in the process of adding a needed extesnsion: the east coal line continuation.
That line ended at the wall, terminating at the coal mine tipple. However, it turns out that the NP-CP North Coal Line is now a busy flow-through. I need to be able to move the coal train beyond this line so the large passenger consists can merge into the Cicely Metro Line without those coal cars getting in the way.
This required a 16-foot bridge to meet the gap. I have accomplished this. Fortunately, the north line is brass. I have just enough extra brass track and the requisite switch in order to complete this extension successfully.
Most likely this continuation line will eventually become a snowshed since these cars will often be out there on this line, well above the ground and subject to the weather.
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ThinkerT
Alaska
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Posts:194
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| | 07/19/2008 1:04 AM |
| | Speaking of the general public, given the way things are going, Blackburn might want to consider putting up 'Detour' signs out on the main highway to get more tourist busses in. This next winter is already starting to look nasty. | | | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/19/2008 12:26 PM |
| Posted By ThinkerT on 07/19/2008 1:04 AM
Speaking of the general public, given the way things are going, Blackburn might want to consider putting up 'Detour' signs out on the main highway to get more tourist busses in. This next winter is already starting to look nasty.
It's going to be an unusually-expensive one, most likely with very little business for as much as half a year. I don't look forward to it. Business this season has been spotty, but not as bad as I would have thought, considering very high gas prices. Yesterday the pump price in Glennallen where I filled up was 4.89.9. Â
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/19/2008 12:30 PM |
| Posted By blackburn49 on 07/18/2008 8:06 PM I am now in the process of adding a needed extesnsion: the east coal line continuation.
That line ended at the wall, terminating at the coal mine tipple. However, it turns out that the NP-CP North Coal Line is now a busy flow-through. I need to be able to move the coal train beyond this line so the large passenger consists can merge into the Cicely Metro Line without those coal cars getting in the way. . .
I completed this job last night. The line extension will not require a snowshed as I had thought. I have made provisions to protect the line of coal cars from the wind, which is necessary to keep the cars from being blown off the tracks and sent plummeting to the ground--seven feet down. The new line works very smoothly and greatly enhances operations.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/19/2008 10:41 PM |
| Even with the coal cars out of the way, the north line tends to get filled to capacity. I imagine that several of you have run into a similar circumstance. That is, you make the best of plans, lay the track, then discover that you still need more room than you had anticipated. Of course, over time we LSers inevitably tend to add more rolling stock. That in turn ultimately changes the dynamics of our individual model railroad operations.Â
I have never considered myself much of a model railroad operations man. My specialty has always been in the structural layout. But eventually the trains must roll. I guess there is never quite enough planningto cover even the likely possibilities, is there?Â
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/19/2008 10:48 PM |
| The far left track leads to the new exit, passing under the coal tipple on the way out.
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/19/2008 10:54 PM |
| The east railway exit with the new north coal line:
This is northing more than a freight siding which finally enables me to have a complete coal consist parked on the model.
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ThinkerT
Alaska
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Posts:194
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| | 07/19/2008 11:57 PM |
| I see you have some economy class passengers on the coal train...unless Vlad has been dumping unwanted 'guests' into the coal mine again...
Also looks like the felines don't care much for Cicely... | | | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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flatracker
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Dunlap, TN
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| | 07/20/2008 5:27 AM |
| Very, very nice Ron. I really like those two shots at street level. They make you feel like you are there and could walk down the street, and maybe stop in at the "Brick" for a cold one! I'm glad you were able to solve your coal consist problem without having to add more building, though a snow shed would have probably looked neat (and maybe helped with weather problems?).
Gas prices have put a lot of people out of business and caused reduction (read people laid off) in others, as well as some near bankrupsy. I hope all those who have perpetrated this problem are happy with their new gained riches. Personally, I wouldn' state what I would really like to see happen to them. And the extreme environmentalists are the blame for a lot of it, along with our do nothing congress. I sure hope you make it through this winter intact, and are able to make the modifications you have in mind.
All in all, you have provided a great history lesson, combined with a unique railroad modeling adventure, in a difficult place and environment. My hat is off to you!!! | |
Bob Martin | |
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blackburn49
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Copper Center, Alaska
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| | 07/20/2008 11:53 AM |
| Posted By flatracker on 07/20/2008 5:27 AM
Very, very nice Ron. I really like those two shots at street level. They make you feel like you are there and could walk down the street, and maybe stop in at the "Brick" for a cold one! I'm glad you were able to solve your coal consist problem without having to add more building, though a snow shed would have probably looked neat (and maybe helped with weather problems?).
I may very well go ahead with a snowshed for that section of track and one or two other segments once I have developed a design.
Gas prices have put a lot of people out of business and caused reduction (read people laid off) in others, as well as some near bankrupsy. I hope all those who have perpetrated this problem are happy with their new gained riches. Personally, I wouldn' state what I would really like to see happen to them. And the extreme environmentalists are the blame for a lot of it, along with our do nothing congress. I sure hope you make it through this winter intact, and are able to make the modifications you have in mind. All in all, you have provided a great history lesson, combined with a unique railroad modeling adventure, in a difficult place and environment. My hat is off to you!!!
Coincidentally, from todays Anchorage Daily News, we have this:
. . . as gas prices continue to climb, polls have shown that people who once refused to consider drilling offshore or in ANWR have begun to change their minds. For the first time, 50 percent of those polled by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press last month said they supported drilling in ANWR. It's a steep climb from February, when just 42 percent of those surveyed said they could support opening the wildlife refuge to exploration.
Yet politically, ANWR -- considered the nation's best onshore prospect for a major oil discovery -- remains off limits.
"Drilling is a red herring," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said firmly and unequivocally last week. "And that is not where we need to go."
The unmovable opposition has been an exercise in frustration for the Alaskans, who hope ANWR could spark the state's next big oil boom and want to persuade Congress that ANWR can be tapped in a safe, environmentally sound manner.
Another wards, they're not hearing us up there in the lofty levels of Congress. I guess our opinions don't count. If the American people re-elect those same congressmen who oppose drilling in ANWR and elsewhere, as far as I am concerned they have spoken and we will get the recession we deserve. Of course, more than a few of us up here in any of the northern (especially the sub-arctic climate) regions are probably going to have to abandon our homes and businesses and migrate south where heating bills are a little less expensive. I don't plan on being one of them, but if these energy prices don't stop climbing soon, the picture will definitely change. My main concern at this point is that I may have no customers at all by the time January arrives. We will see. | |
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