Ingleton: Update and Next Steps

In addition to ongoing planning for the 4th Subdivision and a few, first, small steps towards "finishing" the basement layout space, I have continued to work on the Ingleton track since my last post. 

After scrubbing the areas where the track had been soldered with denatured alcohol and a toothbrush as well as replacing missing ties, I prepped to paint the ties and rails with my airbrush. I explained this process in detail in an earlier post from my former layout. I did make two changes to my technique here on the Ingleton shelf: I thinned the Microlux paint with Vallejo thinner instead of 70% isopropyl alcohol and I used a paint stick to initially clean the rail surface instead of a Bright Boy.  

A few weeks later, I went back and handpainted the ties with a random mix of railroad tie brown and a medium grey craft paint. This process is much faster than one might think, as only the tops of the rail need to be painted. At this point, ballasting and track bumpers are the last two steps I need to complete to finish up the track. Having decided to use a real rock ballast rather than Woodland Scenics' crushed walnut shell product, I ordered  several packets  of "Empire Builder Basalt" from Arizona Rock and Mineral. When I go to work on my larger railroad, I will want to do a better job of identifying mainline and non-mainline track with different size cork, spacing of ties, and ballast colors. At that point I may decide to mix several colors of ballast to a custom mix based on the look of some prototype photographs. For the Ingleton shelf I plan to use the new ballast straight. 

As a part of double checking the track spacing, I unpacked some of my truss rod rolling stock to make sure that the numbers of cars fit the way I had planned on the sidings. While I was at it, I checked a few for weight, wheel gauge, and coupler height. Later when I had the airbrush out for painting the track, I gave two or three a dusting of the same thinned brown along the bottom, ends, and the trucks. Ultimately I will want to start with a minimum of eight cars that meet my rolling stock standards including weathering. 

In addition to fleshing out a collection of rolling stock and ballasting the track, several other next steps are in line:

• While the first phase of scenery may just be Heki Wild Grass Fiber spread over the painted plank, I do intend to use the shelf to develop skills. I may want to add some three dimensionality to the flat board and continue to build on my repertoire of techniques to hide the seam between the 3D terrain and the backdrop. Also, I may try another technique for modeling roads and finally actually use my static gun!

• Along with developing scenery, I also intend to create some structures for Ingleton. While operating Ingleton as a switching puzzle does not require structures, a more realistic approach to operations on the shelf layout would be facilitated by having some structures to suggest purpose. Also, one purpose of the Ingleton shelf is to develop skills. I have a propensity to start structures and then not finish them. Having this small shelf may provide some focus and experience. I intend to kitbash a background warehouse type structure starting from a Walthers grocery distributor kit providing a couple of sure spots along the back siding. A loading ramp, a conveyor, or some sort of piping are possibilities for additions to a plain team track approach to the other two sidings.  Another possibility would be the addition of a trackside railroad structure.

• As I work towards a more finished look to Ingleton, I want to incorporate some kind of lighting specific to the shelf, a valance to hide the lighting, and a fascia on the shelf. 

• The unpacking of materials and setting up my workspace has become a bit of a gumption trap, I need to resolve that issue. This will help with making the work more efficient and with the look or presentation of the larger train environment.

• Finally,  fine tuning the operations plan will need to work in conjunction with my work on rolling stock and structures. Also, I hope to devise some kind of paperwork appropriate for the developing operations plan.

Learning Points:

• Using an airbrush ends up having better results and being easier than other track painting techniques for initial painting.

• I should follow the advice of Dick Bradley and develop the habit of washing all plastic components before painting. It is a step that I have often skipped in the past. 

• A well organized work space is a critical first step.