White Pine (N)

[Karl]

So A little over a year ago I decided to downsize layouts. I decided to model the end of Wisconsin Central’s White Pine Subdivision in White Pine, Michigan in 1996.
I started by flattening the plan until it fit into a set of FreemoN compatible modules.


I built the frames from 3/4" birch plywood, topped with 1/4" birch ply and 1" foam.


I contoured it from one end to the other so it wouldn't have the plywood prairie look to it.


I used Atlas Code 55 (with 1 exception I'll get to later). And I wired it as I went. It's nice being able to lay a section on a table to wire. So much easier on the back than crawling under a fixed layout.

[Karl]

I really enjoy tortoise powered switches. Instead of the keyed DPDTs I used on the Skally, I decided to use Rix CTC style switch covers. This is a dead end branch, so I’m not worried about someone throwing a switch as they go by.

[Paul S.]

This is one cool cosmetic appointment, Karl.

[Greg]

Karl, after seeing the control knobs,,i am back on the fence about using switch motors. The issue I have is I have 2” of foam plus 1/4” of birch ply to go through.

Great look! Just looks “ right”

Greg

[Michael Whiteman]

I love those levers Karl. I once used them on a Lionel CTC panel. Many would not take the time to contour an otherwise flat terrain. Definitely worth the time and effort, I think.

[Karl]

With the trackwork done I started testing. I ran a mock ops session checking all the trackwork. Then I ballasted, added ground cover and planted 2 boxes of SuperTrees (about 400 trees). I added a few JTT trees in for texture.

[Greg]

The switch stands make the scene,,along with the trees. Great job! I know the WC back in the years before the official SOO, they used their shield shape as the switch stand target,, how hard would that be? One has to wonder.....

[Karl]

Greg it would be doable, but luckily I have pics of the prototype and they are just yellow rounds on this part of the White Pine

[Allen]

Karl, I know you don't have a lot of time to work on the layout as your usually very busy, but it still amazes me how much you get done when you have the chance. That shot of the treeline and switch stands is top notch.

[Karl]

Paul S. the switch stands are Showcase Miniatures. They are my new favorites. Not as thick as NJI, but they are the closest to scale that I've used so far.

I'll make the next post about the scale house!

[Karl]

The scale house was the first building I made for the layout. I sized it up off satellite photos and a couple of photographs. The scale house and scale track will be an important part of ops on the line. I found it’s not about the size of the main line, it’s all about the work along the way.

Here you can see the scale track. The rail work was done for me by my friend Benjamin Horne. I installed the ties and the detection for the scale readout.

The readout is for the Boulder Creek Engineering Weigh Station. This will allow crews to generate car weights for outbound pulpwood, wood blank, copper scrap, and copper anode loads. This setup can give empty car weight, loaded car weight, or scale test car weight (which will be important down the road for me).

[Greg]

The scale house is a thing of beauty! The scale track is impressive!

[Allen]

Um yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing some Op vids...
I'm finding out very quickly as well that one doesn't need a basement empire to find joy in this hobby. It's only taken me 20+ years to figure that out. There are days that I wish mine wasn't as large.

[TimMoran]

The scale house was the first building I made for the layout. I sized it up off satellite photos and a couple of photographs. The scale house and scale track will be an important part of ops on the line. I found it’s not about the size of the main line, it’s all about the work along the way.

Karl - Your statement about the work along the way resonates with me. It is the same thinking used in the development and operation of my layout as well. Thank you for stating it so well!

[Karl]

After getting the wooded end of the layout done I started making some progress on various structures for the layout.
There are a pair of old HCl unloading structures


The offices for White Pine Electric, the power plant that is just off the layout. This is just in primer while I figure out the lighting plan.


And Global Wood Sticks LLC. I need to get this one into primer so I can prep it for painting.

[Greg]

Very nice! , maybe I need to hire you to make my elevators for Hiawatha,lol. Cant wait to see more progress!

[Michael Whiteman]

Karl, this a a very believable scene above. I like the way the track follows the road around the corner. Looking forward to seeing your finished building there.

[Jeff B]

That little elevation change from truck bays down to track is something not often modeled, but really increases the believability of the scene. I hope to copy that touch when I expand my layout. Great work there!

[Karl]

I’ve been a little busy with life, but I’ll get this thread caught up a little more. I don’t think I covered the layout fleet. I only plan on a few engines, so I’m going custom on everything. I detailed and painted a GP35 and a GP40. Wire handrails and LokSound for every engine on the layout!


For the rolling stock I’ve also been upgrading everything. One key piece was a Prairie Shadows Pt. St. Charles caboose I modified into a WC radio control car. I used Highball decals and added an airhorn before weathering.The WC used them on the White Pine Sub to allow for one man crews.

I added some gondolas patched out for WC to match some prototype photos I have found. These will be used for hauling copper ore.

Most of what the layout needs is boxcars. I have 5 different types to handle the different commodities. Again, working from prototype photos, I made this patched car to haul copper scrap.

I’ve also started on a WC GP30. I removed the dynamic brakes and started the handrails. Lots of detailing left to do.

[Paul S.]

Glad to see you've gotten a little time, Karl.

Thanks for the photos of the fleet. That patched-out MILW boxcar looks great!

[Greg]

Karl, your modeling is always inspiring! What road number are you going to choose for the 30?. What about making a red/light gray unit with the WC on the cab.

[Steve H AC&Y]

Great to see some wire bending work going on Karl. Beautifully done.

[Rodney]

Nice layout and your attention to details is outstanding. The fleet looks terrific.

[BarryK]

Nice work, Karl. It looks just like the White Pine I remember when I made a few trips up there on the WC.

[Karl]

I’ve wrapped up WC GP30 #700. Now if only ScaleTrains would make the SDL39 in N.

[Greg]

I officially resign my N scale model railroader card. To quote Wayne’s world, “ we’re not worthy, we’re not worthy”

K dude, super freaking fantastic!

[Paul S.]

"Thunk" (Sound of my jaw hitting the floor).

That's real piece of fine modeling, Karl.

[Allen]

And it just keeps getting better, nice work Karl!
I like the mismatched red on the cab, just like the prototype, nice touch...

[Ron McF]

Very impressive work, Karl. Are those wire-frame trees? Have you done a "How To ..." on making them?

[Karl]

Very impressive work, Karl. Are those wire-frame trees? Have you done a "How To ..." on making them?

Ron, most of the trees are SuperTrees, the poplar I added for color are JTT 2”-2 1/2” trees

[Ron McF]

Thanks Karl. Those white (?) trunked trees don't look like the SuperTrees that I have. In any case, I've almost used up my one box of SuperTrees, and they're now unobtanium here in Australia.

[Karl]

I am prepping the layout for a trip to Wyoming next month. I added another parking lot behind White Pine Electric and I added the dirt lot outside of Global Wood Stick LLC. I finally got the crossing markings down on the pavement. A friend made me a template on his laser cutter. It’s not perfect, but it looks decent from my normal photography angles.

[Paul S.]

Very nice, Karl.

[Greg]

Very cool! Just awesome!
I wonder if I could fly into Evanston? Hmm

[Michael Whiteman]

If you don't think they're perfect.... blame it on the road crew. They look good to me. Does this road deserve a center line ?