A key detail when weathering railroad track is the odd assortment of debris that can be found along the line. Some clutter stands out and some is hardly noticeable. I enjoy having a bit of both. It is the type of detailing you see when working the ground as a crew member (switch, train) or as a clerk booking cars. Here are some of the details I have seen working the ground on the Jersey Regional Manufacturer Ry.
Here is a piece of broken 2 by 8 lumber of some sort that fell from a train car or from some where. Where it came from doesn't really matter. What does matter is that it fell exactly to highlight (read: locate) where the rail gaps are for the reverse loop seen in the scrolling photos of the header. I also like the lone piece of ballast on the tie.
A weather faded Form 19 flimsy has found a home trackside nestled among the ties. It might well blow about – have to wait and see. A thin piece of paper stained with an almost dried-out sharpie highlighter and a scribble with a pencil did the trick. This detail is not attached to the layout.
This piece of aluminum looking packing material or outer wrapper from a load or near by loading dock is shinny. Funny thing is, peculiar not ha ha, I do not know where this piece came from. One day it just appeared, caused no operational problems for a month or so, so I glued it in place. Adds an extra touch.
A common occurrence in rail yards is a piece of paper or trash will work its way between a point and the stock rail. It is loose - used a small piece of kleenex facial tissue – stays soft and pliable when the point moves, and gets dirty.
I replace this detail ever month or so. For the past six months there have been no electrical or derailment problems. Even shows when the point is closed. In due course this tip of the trash will be worn or cut away.
This piece of split wood was placed here just 'cause I wanted to. I mean, why build something if you can't add the odd detail. I found this accent on the floor while picking up tools after bench work. Thought it had a nice look for a piece of mauled & split 1 by 4 scrap of wood so I glued it in place.
Every railyard needs some discarded, fallen off or other source rail car pieces of scrap. Air hoses and brake wheels are the popular lot. Every few months, railroads will go through the yards picking up stuff. Luckily for track detailing, the cleanup hasn't started. I may well move this rubbish about once in a while. Didn't find any hoses.
Spills happen. Some times it's a box car door opening during humping and cases of a most popular rum hit the ground – don't touch until the FRA shows up. Some times it's dry powered chemicals. Beware and Be Careful! Remember, watch your step. Walking slowly is very prototypical. And check out the pieces of ballast some rapscallion put on the rail top – some people...this white powder spill is glued in place.
Lading spills can add a bit of color to a yard. I'll bet this spillage is from a gon that took a hard coupling a while back. Look closely: there's another bit of shinny stuff. I put it here, free to move, I keep an eye out.
Here is a piece of hardware that fell from a car. Looks like brake rigging. I suppose I should investigate from which car – I like it there, another gift to the track. This scrap is not attached so free to move about on it's own. I could find the car, Bad Order red tag it, carefully incorporate it into a train, with a designated movement plan, and transport it towards the nearest repair shop.
A drawhead pulled out of a car and still has the knuckle attached. Seams the drawhead shank broke at the flat bar key slot.
Another piece of wood I found in the track. I did place it just so. Looks like scrap from the small Calabasas Wood Works shop adjacent to Blueberry Yard. They make bushel, peck and crabbing baskets using veneers shaved from planks the company cuts from paler sheet stock. Every few weeks, they receive a small (LCL) shipment of material.
BJB
Here is a piece of broken 2 by 8 lumber of some sort that fell from a train car or from some where. Where it came from doesn't really matter. What does matter is that it fell exactly to highlight (read: locate) where the rail gaps are for the reverse loop seen in the scrolling photos of the header. I also like the lone piece of ballast on the tie.
A weather faded Form 19 flimsy has found a home trackside nestled among the ties. It might well blow about – have to wait and see. A thin piece of paper stained with an almost dried-out sharpie highlighter and a scribble with a pencil did the trick. This detail is not attached to the layout.
This piece of aluminum looking packing material or outer wrapper from a load or near by loading dock is shinny. Funny thing is, peculiar not ha ha, I do not know where this piece came from. One day it just appeared, caused no operational problems for a month or so, so I glued it in place. Adds an extra touch.
A common occurrence in rail yards is a piece of paper or trash will work its way between a point and the stock rail. It is loose - used a small piece of kleenex facial tissue – stays soft and pliable when the point moves, and gets dirty.
I replace this detail ever month or so. For the past six months there have been no electrical or derailment problems. Even shows when the point is closed. In due course this tip of the trash will be worn or cut away.
This piece of split wood was placed here just 'cause I wanted to. I mean, why build something if you can't add the odd detail. I found this accent on the floor while picking up tools after bench work. Thought it had a nice look for a piece of mauled & split 1 by 4 scrap of wood so I glued it in place.
Every railyard needs some discarded, fallen off or other source rail car pieces of scrap. Air hoses and brake wheels are the popular lot. Every few months, railroads will go through the yards picking up stuff. Luckily for track detailing, the cleanup hasn't started. I may well move this rubbish about once in a while. Didn't find any hoses.
Spills happen. Some times it's a box car door opening during humping and cases of a most popular rum hit the ground – don't touch until the FRA shows up. Some times it's dry powered chemicals. Beware and Be Careful! Remember, watch your step. Walking slowly is very prototypical. And check out the pieces of ballast some rapscallion put on the rail top – some people...this white powder spill is glued in place.
Lading spills can add a bit of color to a yard. I'll bet this spillage is from a gon that took a hard coupling a while back. Look closely: there's another bit of shinny stuff. I put it here, free to move, I keep an eye out.
Here is a piece of hardware that fell from a car. Looks like brake rigging. I suppose I should investigate from which car – I like it there, another gift to the track. This scrap is not attached so free to move about on it's own. I could find the car, Bad Order red tag it, carefully incorporate it into a train, with a designated movement plan, and transport it towards the nearest repair shop.
A drawhead pulled out of a car and still has the knuckle attached. Seams the drawhead shank broke at the flat bar key slot.
Another piece of wood I found in the track. I did place it just so. Looks like scrap from the small Calabasas Wood Works shop adjacent to Blueberry Yard. They make bushel, peck and crabbing baskets using veneers shaved from planks the company cuts from paler sheet stock. Every few weeks, they receive a small (LCL) shipment of material.
BJB
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