Boston Mountains Sub-Division

Thank you Charlie for fixing my layout drawing upload problem. I figured out what I was doing wrong with photos but not the drawing.

Jim, I purchased a piece of paper with red stripes about a year ago from Hobby Lobby with the intention of folding, so we are on the same page. The only problem may be it's thickness. Using a computer printer and thin paper would solve that. Will try the Hobby Lobby paper first and then the printer. Thank you for your suggestions.

Joe

 

Hi, I was searching for photos of the Ft. Smith depot on Google and found these on flickr. The two of the depots early years did not have photographers name but the other was posted by Rick Purdue 1973. Do any of you guys know what the depots configuration was in the late 1940's to early 1950's?

Joe

 

Hi Joe--Back on May 24th I started a thread asking the very same question. I got a nice answer, but I don't know how to link that thread to this one?? Try going to my profile and scroll back to get to my thread.

Tom G.

 

Thank you Tom and Keith. The information you gave helps with operations and I really like the floor plans in one of the links. Does anyone know when the columns were removed from the north end and replaced by a carport? Also when the south half was rebuilt with a second floor?

Joe

 

The columns were likely removed when the old Garrison Ave. bridge was replaced with the current bridge. This was done during the time that the Arkansas River was being made "navigable" for barge traffic, or roughly, 1969-1971.

We moved to Arkansas in January of 1969, and I have a few mental images of seeing the old Missouri Pacific's Helen Gould bridge over the Arkansas River just south of the old Garrison Ave. bridge.

FWIW: During the installation of the lift span in the Frisco's Arkansas River bridge at Van Buren, the Frisco diverted its traffic over the Missouri Pacific's "Greenwood" sub and came into Fort Smith via the Mop's Helen Gould bridge. This lasted as long as the lift span installation, roughly a year. Once the lift bridge was in operation, the Mop's Helen Gould bridge was removed and the Mop used the Frisco's bridge/rails to access Fort Smith.

 

Thanks for posting Joe!

I had a small 8x4 N scale layout when I was a kid and I still have a lot of fond memories of that entire time.

I was hitting up the local craft and hardware stores yesterday searching for foam or weather striping to be used on a project totally unrelated to a draft or model railroading. While in the store it hit me how fun it used to be. Searching for that special something for my layout. The clerk asking with worthy intentions, "What are you going to use this for?" Never trying to explain because they would never truly grasp my intentions. Those were the best of times!

I've always thought if I ever get get back to real modeling I 'd like to look at a N scale shelf style layout. I'll be following your thread for sure!

 

Thank you Andre, so since my layout is mainly targeted for late 40's to early 50's I should add columns on the north end of my Ft. Smith depot. This last week I cut the walls of the small add-on building on the south end of the depot and almost completed ballast, just need to touch up a couple of spots. Also found my collection of cars and trucks. Will be adding some of those this week. The scenery part is just one module, ten more modules and lots more fun to go. I have enough plywood for three more modules and hope to start installing track on those soon. I like to add scenery as I go because you can see real progress in a hurry. Then go back and add fine details later to make it pop. More to come.Joe

 

Yes, Joe, during the 40s and 50s the columns would be in place. The new bridge is wider, and the edge of the newer bridge isn't very far from the remaining building.

EDIT:

Joe:

Just found this picture in my stash that ought to make you smile. Note the new car advertisements on the billboards and note the configuration of the depot. Likely the very late 30s, but this much is 99.9% sure: IF it looked like this during the 1940s, it looked like this well into the 1950s. I still think the columns went with the newer/wider Garrison Ave. bridge. There would be no other logical reason for their removal.

 

Meant to type 99.9%. This frustrating software won't let me edit a post if a picture is placed inline, which was the case after posting my revision and noting my typo error.

 

That is an outstanding photo Andre, Thanks. I never realized how close the depot is to bridge. Need to edit my drawing by moving the depot and bridge closer. So much detail in the photo. I want to paint some of the buildings on backdrop behind the depot and this photo shows some of that. Noticed also the south half of depot is still one story. I need to completely rethink my model. If anyone knows of any photos from this time era Please post them.

Joe

 

Speaking of someone who has never been to Fort Smith, I never realized how wide the Arkansas River was!

Tom G.

 

Hi, I just finished loading photos of what my goals are for each module. The layout is basically a one foot wide shelf that goes along the walls in our spare bedroom and is 12 feet by 11 feet. Three modules, 04, 06 and 08, have removable industries that can be substituted with a completely different industry because the footprints will be the same. There are eleven modules altogether that range from 32 to 58 inches long.

Module 01 features a roundhouse, a 80 foot turntable and service area for steam locomotives which includes sand, water and coal.

Module 02 features a produce warehouse and the US64 bridge across the Arkansas River.

Module 03 features the Frisco depot in Ft Smith and a Railroad Express Agency loading dock.

Module 04 features the first module to have alternate industries. It will have a grain elevator or an icehouse depot that can be setup depending on how I feel.

Module 05 is complete and has a coal trestle and a manufacturing facility.

Module 06 is the second module to have alternate industries with an oil refinery or stockyard.

Module 07 features another Frisco depot and a passing track.

Module 08 will have a steel trestle on the south end and the last of the alternating industries on the north end with a coal tipple or sawmill. It also has an entrance/exist to the hidden staging yard on modules 09 and 10.

Module 09 features the Window tunnel on half the module and a staging yard on the other side of the backdrop.

Module 10 features a small stream on one side and other end of the staging yard behind the backdrop.

Module 11 features a row of company houses and the exit/entrance for the staging yard. This is where module 11 connects to module 01 to complete the layout.

You can go to my albums and see what photo goals I have saved for each module. Look for the backdrop and the scenery albums. These will eventually be replaced with photos of what each module actually looks like as they are completed. More to come soon!

Joe

 

I purchased a sheet of plywood the day before yesterday to continue with my layout project. It was cut to the basic sizes I need and the next step is to make the final cut and shapes required for each module. I already had enough plywood to complete three more modules and with the new plywood I now have enough to complete the remaining seven. After that I will cut and shape insulation foam in 1/2 and 1 inches so below track level scenery can be added. I like doing that because even a small stream can be modeled and it really enhances the track. Hopefully I will be able to start laying track soon. Way too much fun!!!

Joe

 

Thank you Tom.!!!

 

Here are some photos of the plywood I cut for the modules on my layout.

.
Module 08A, 08B, 08C, 08D and 08E


Module 08C, 08D, 08E, 08F and 09


Module 08C, 08D, 08E and 08F


Module 06 and 07


Module 09 and 10


Module 10 and 11


Module 11 and 01


Module 01 and 02


Module 03 and 04


Module 08E, 08F and 09

The next step is to cut foam insulation in 1/2 and 1 inch thickness for each module.

Joe

 

I started cutting the insulation foam tonight and will post photos of them soon. To hold up the modules I've decided to use L Girder type of structure so it will minimize holes in the walls and I will use aluminum for the backdrop which my wife is going to paint clouds and mountain scenery.

Joe

 

Today I cut and glued, using latex caulking, the insulation foam to the plywood. I like to use blue 1/2 inch foam first and then pink 1 inch foam on top of that. When carving below the track level scenery the foam allows you to do that. The blue foam is kind of a warning track so you don't carve too deep. I borrowed the term from baseball.
Lots more fun to come.
!!! YEAH !!!


Module 02 with blue 1/2 inch foam attached


Module 02 edge view


Module 07 with pink 1 inch foam attached


Module 07 edge view


Stack up of modules so the bottom ones can dry.

Joe

 

I like the " warning track" idea. might have to steal that