Boston Mountains Sub-Division

Module 05.

I'm thinking about replacing this module with a new one so I can place the Arkansas River bridge. The buildings and coal trestle will be moved to another module.

What do you think about the idea?

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Joe

 

I've decided to make a new module 05 for the Arkansas River Bridge. It's too important a feature to pass up. Twice had my hopes up and twice space for it was found to be too short. Time to make it happen.

Your input will be greatly appreciated!!!

Joe

 

Sounds like a blast, Joe. I would save the existing module for a diorama, even if it means rebuilding the coal trestle. That is a great scene for photos.

-Bob T.

 

Thank you Bob, I'm glad you like it!!!

I want to remove the woolen mill and coal trestle from module 05 and put them on module 06. The rest will be saved for a diorama after cutting it down a bit. Maybe make it about 36 inches long and one foot wide, it's 58x12 inches now so will cut off 22 inches.

Joe

 

Would that be the Van Buren bridge? That would be cool.

 

Yes Daniel, that's the bridge over the Arkansas River. There are two photos of the bridge on post 258 on the previous page.

On a another subject, we decided not to buy a mobile home at this time. A good deal just wasn't there. But that's okay we were just checking on the possibility.
Our apartment is fine, we are happy with our neighbors. The best news is we don't have to move.

Module 05 is still going to be replaced with a new one with the bridge. It's too much an important feature to pass on. The buildings and coal trestle will be moved to another location.

Joe

 

I thought you might like to see my layout drawing again. It doesn't show how module 05 will look with the Arkansas River bridge. My laptop is not working right as far being able to make drawings, lost all of the drawing functions. Will have to draw module 05 by hand and post it in about a week.

Joe

 

I'm in the process of drawing the new module 05 tonight and will post it later. Cynthia and I went into the train room this afternoon and did a major clean up. Man does it look so much better, after dinner may continue adding ballast and apply glue. I have been feeling pretty good and my legs haven't been hurting too bad. Sunday evening I drew cut lines for the new module 05. The 3/4 inch Birch plywood board for the new module is 43x21 inches so will have to splice it twice to make the module 58x12 inches. Getting pretty excited about working on the layout after a long break, too long. The weather is going to be better Friday so will cut the plywood then. It's been cold and rainy the last few days, highs in the low 40's. They are forecasting snow flurries tonight and tomorrow morning. Seems like we went from summer to winter with not much of a fall.

Joe

 

I bought a new cordless drill and circular saw last night. My old ones were in bad shape or not working.

Going to cut the plywood board this afternoon, the weather is nice today with a high of 64, it's 55 right now.

Joe

 

Just finished cutting the 3/4 inch Birch plywood for the new module 05. The photo shows the main board with extensions and splice plates. Will put them together after dinner and the end blocks, hopefully will be able to install the insulation foam too.

Joe

 

This afternoon I cut the 3/4 inch Birch plywood for the new module 05 and assembled it afterwards. The Arkansas River will be at a high water level so I don't have to do a lot of work on the L-Girder supports. That will make the river muddy water with some debris.

Joe

 

This morning I installed 1-1/2 inches of insulated foam on the new module 05. Next month I will buy three bridges, I found some that are going to work well for the project. The lift bridge will not work but can position it at the top and bottom track level. My next step is to install the new module on the layout, hope to do it later this evening. Trying to figure out how to remove the coal trestle on the old module, probably use a keyhole saw.

Joe

 

Today's activity involved glueing ballast on the old module 05 and 06. This was done to cut the tracks so I can remove the old module 05 and replace it with the new one. Also permanently installed the insulation foam with caulking as glue on the new module.

Joe

 

Tonight was a busy time in the hobby room.

1. Cut the tracks between module 05 and 06.

2. Removed old module 05.

3. Loaded new module 05.

4. Match drilled 1/4 inch holes, four places two at each end.

5. Installed a 1/4 x 2-1/2 inch hex bolt in each hole with fender washers under the head and nut.

Altogether spent about a hour working on the layout, had a great time.

Joe

 

Thank you Tom!!! My legs haven't been hurting as much, it's just a little pain. It feels good to be able to work on the layout again. The cold weather has slowed down the errands and honey do's so it has given me more free time to work on the layout.

Joe

 

Joe,

Looking good. Have you picked a bridge model? I am looking at a Central Valley kit for a Neosho River crossing on the Parsons sub to be built as a 4ft module.

-Bob T.

 

I'm looking at a Tomix arched and three Central Valley bridges. One of the Central Valley bridges will be shortened a bit for the bridge north of the arched main span.

Joe

 

I am an unpaid spokesperson with nothing to gain so don't take this wrong, but I would HIGHLY recommend the CV bridges. The are very nice kits and look great completed. Not easy to build but worth the work. Jeff that owns CV is a good friend of mine and really tries to put out the best product he can. He is a one man show in the shop, he does the design, machine work for the molds and molds every bridge himself. His wife packages each one. No China, no child forced labor. Just a dude working in the shop he lives in. Also if you are modifying one he will sell additional parts if needed.

Sorry for that rant but I don't know if many people know how small they really are. Steve

 

Thank you Steve!!! Knowing what you just told me makes me want to buy Central Valley bridges more. I like small companies that cater to our hobby.

Joe