Ingleton: Scenery, Rolling Stock, and Operations Update

 

Swift reefer in front of Associated Grocers warehouse

Since my last post, I have finished ballasting the track and started some operations on the Ingleton shelf. In doing so, I have made some progress and have discovered the need for some focus. In this post, I hope to define the next steps for myself, as well as review track ballasting. 

First of all, Ingleton is freelanced other than it is designed as a possible Inglenook switching puzzle or game. It is set in the 1930s to be able to use some of my rolling stock collection that would not be found on the 4th Subdivision, my larger railroad set in 1954 and still in design phase. Initially, I have been using switch lists to structure some switching on Ingleton, which I am imagining to be several spurs at the edge of a yard set in the Pacific Northwest. My 0-6-0 yard switcher backs in with three cars to be set out at specific locations and with instruction to pick up the three cars from the spur tracks; a fun, short session. The next step may well be to figure out how to set up the Inglenook game. 

To get to the point where I can explore implementing the Inglenook rules, I need to enlarge my collection of rolling stock. This doesn't mean buying more, but building some existing kits and making sure that some of my existing rolling stock is up to standard. That in turn requires revisiting what those standards might be. A focus for the next month for me and a future blog post may well be an exploration of those standards and the process of making sure at least eight pieces of rolling stock are ready. As I have quite a stash of unbuilt kits and cars in need of repair or upgrade, I may end up with more than the minimum, adding some variety to the play. 

As mentioned before, I have finished the ballasting on the Ingleton shelf. I worked slowly and carefully, applying materials for just a few feet at a time. This approach, using actual stone materials, works well with what I feel are acceptable results. I may want to later revisit the ballast to add airbrushed effects. At one of the modeling Zoom sessions that I attend, Dick Bradley pointed out that what I thought was reddish rust is actually brake dust. That color, soot or oil, and spillage from rolling stock are all textures that might be applied later. While I like the real stone ballast, when I move on to the 4th Subdivision, I may change the proportion to lighten the final mix just a bit. At this point I will pick up from the last post with a review of how I ballast track. 

Ground cover along the tracks

After my last post describing ballasting between the rails, I worked my way along all the track on the Ingleton shelf, adding a layer of basic ground cover along the track. I first painted  a stripe of white glue along each side of the track and then applied a mix of ground covers. The main three that I applied were Woodland Scenics Blended Turf Earth Blend, Scenic Express Medium Natural Soil and Dirt, and Woodland Scenics Blended Turf Green Blend. I then applied 70% Isopropyl Alcohol and Scenic Glue with medicine droppers. I then sprinkled on more of the ground covers in light areas. 

Ballast applied between the rails and the ground cover

The next step was to apply my ballast mix between the outside of the rails and the (now dry) ground cover along the tracks. Using a plastic spoon, I applied the ballast along the outside of the rails. Then, using a soft brush, I brushed the ballast off the tie ends and the dirt and greenery along the tracks. I pinched on a bit more in light spaces and made sure I was satisfied before applying the alcohol wetting agent and scenic cement with droppers. In applying either material, it is safer to move the dropper along the rail above the ballast and along the ground cover below the ballast, allowing the materials to wick into the ballast. 

Learning Points:

• MR's Cody Grivno's approach to ballasting works well for me.
• Painting the tie tops and using real stone ballast provides acceptable realism.
• A slightly lighter color ballast and applying additional color or texture are next steps 

Ingleton Shelf: Scenery Started

This recent photo was taken with the scenery cement still wet

In my last post I mentioned starting scenery around the Associated Grocers warehouse, so that is what I have done. While the track plan was designed primarily to facilitate the Inglenook switching puzzle, my intention has been to also represent more prototypical operations with the three stub sidings servicing the warehouse and associated team tracks. I also wanted to work on developing realistic scenery techniques that might translate to the larger railroad. 

To hide the inherent flatness of the plank and the mainline look of the cork roadbed, I applied Sculptamold around the edges of the cork and painted it after it dried. One problem of using the narrow shelf and the Inglenook track plan involves a not quite large enough space for the future loading dock for the team track. By adding some raised fascia on the ends and building a couple of different styles of track bumpers, I hopefully solved the imminent  problem of rolling stock careening off the shelf. In this photo, one can see the first use of the tentative ballast color for the shelf and at least part of my future railroad. 

Instead of the generic Woodland Scenics grey made from walnut shells that I have used in the past, I am experimenting with a different mix on the Ingleton shelf. I am leaning towards a mix of two parts Arizona Rock and Mineral Company's #1152 Empire Builder to one part Express Scale #50 Blended Ballast as a starting point. In studying my GN Morning Star book, https://www.amazon.com/Great-Northern-Color-Vol-Lines/dp/1582481849, the color of the ballast varied from location to location as well as from various track types, mainline to siding. Airbrushing rust and soot colors over the track and ballast is another approach suggested by studying the prototype photos in Hickcox's book. 

On the shelf, I have continued with the ballasting approach suggested by Model Railroader's Cody Grivno that I reviewed in an earlier post. He starts by spreading the ballast between the rails,  brushing it off the ties and web of the rail, and applying wetting agent and scenic cement with an eyedropper from the outside. He lets that step dry before attempting to ballast outside the rails or on the shoulder of the cork. In the photo, one can see my use of a soft brush to clear off the tops of the ties. In my most recent session, I went ahead and applied other scenery along the side of track in the team track area. I used a mix of brown and cinder ballast along with Express Scale's Medium Natural Soil & Dirt as well as several other ground foams to establish the team track area. If I am not happy with the result, I can always add another layer. 

This shelf is really quite freelanced, with less specificity than the 4th Subdivision. It is set in the west in the 1930s. As I work to improve my skills, I am finding that having a prototype to work from leads to significantly more realistic results. I recently found a prototype source that I can work from or at least be inspired by on this shelf and in planning the new version of the 4th Subdivision. The Cornell University Library has a set of over one-hundred photos from 1960 taken in yards and sidings of the Great Northern in Everett and Seattle here. I printed one out and had it available while working.

The next steps include some very basic ground cover along the rest of the track and ballasting the track. I do not like the abrupt end of the flat seen in the photo. For that issue, I have a couple of ideas, but I just am not sure. I have ordered a loading dock kit and several tie piles from Blair Line for the team track area. Whether I will add additional structures or go with just scenery such as a small cut, a dirt road, or berm with trees is up in the air. For now, I may just complete the ballasting and as suggested by Mindheim's blog post, spread some Heki grass fiber over the brown paint, and start focusing on developing the operations. 

Learning Points:

• Prototype sources are helpful even in creating realistic scenery
• Roads, scenery, and structures should be considered in original planning
• A custom, quality ballast mix adds realism