Spiralcity N-Pire In Progress

KWE May 27, 2023

  1. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    I have restarted my layout, as the old layout was small plus it needed more upgrading than I cared to add to the foam core build. This time around I am in the process of building proper benchwork.

    The layout started like this about 14 years ago. I will dig up some more files of the original build and add them as I find them.

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  2. Hardcoaler

    Hardcoaler TrainBoard Member

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    Referencing the bottom photo, what material did you use for that?
     
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  3. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    Built on foam core. The bluffs were made from sculpt-a-mold.
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2023
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  4. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    I found some more photos of the early progress. I'll just keep posting until I am up to date.
    This was the next few steps in the progress.

    Added a small yard area.
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    Setting the highline up.
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    Added a short line loop.
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  5. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    This is the highline continued. Track was temporarily laid to get a look at space constrictions.

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    Verification of fit and added ballast plus the small yard grew a bit..

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    Once the fit was verified, I added a mining spur.

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  6. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    So, this is where I stopped the early build. The layout went into storage and sat there until 2023. I had to give up my train room to my granddaughters who had moved in.

    I added the mountain for the mining operation.

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    Another angle of how I was planning this set-up.

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    This is the backside where I was adding a lake.

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  7. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    This is what I was looking at after I pulled the layout out of storage. At this point I decided to rebuild from the bottom up.

     
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  8. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    So, this is a very condensed version of my N-Pire build and leaves me where I am today. I have nearly completed my benchwork (construction), I do plan on painting the table.

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  9. Rip Track

    Rip Track TrainBoard Member

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    Love the benchwork with the hinged framework. Looks well thought out. I tried that once with a return loop section on a layout I had. It did two things for me. First, it saved my back and knees when working on wiring. Second, the upper layout portion overlapped the base section by about 1.5 feet. When not running the layout, I could prop up the track layout portion and maximize access to the laundry and utility room in my basement.
     
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  10. french_guy

    french_guy TrainBoard Member

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    Nice benchwork indeed....I assume you already know what layout you want to build? What is it going to be?
     
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  11. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    yes, it will be a modified version of my previous N-Pire layout with an added yard. Im still kicking around the idea of a 3rd table to for an L shaped layout, as I would like to add a lumber area there.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2023
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  12. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    A small update on the N-Pire. Not much really but starting over is a real process. Table 2 is together, the next step is sealing the plywood and tabletop braces, I will paint the rest of the table for a good seal (Milwaukee Road colors).

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  13. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    I haven't posted for a while in my build thread simply because what I am currently working on is not particularly interesting. I have been sealing my tables. First coat and second coats of Kilz 2. The large table is ready for paint, the smaller table is still a work in progress.

    I haven't been able to locate an orange paint that is a perfect match for Milwaukee Road Orange, but that is OK with me, close is good enough, there is no need to be perfect.

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    Here is the orange I will be using.
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  14. gmorider

    gmorider TrainBoard Member

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    "No need to be perfect." I like your philosophy!
     
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  15. sidney

    sidney TrainBoard Member

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    i see a run hahahahahaha JK......... looks good cant wait to see it in orange ...
     
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  16. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, plenty of runs. :whistle: I scrape them back with a sharp flat chisel and touch them up as I go. I am not concerned with the bottom side, but any visible surfaces will be touched up. Also the wheels have taken a bath, they will be cleaned up when all is said and done. I am finding the process of painting to be difficult, as I do not have much room to move around.
     
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  17. BigJake

    BigJake TrainBoard Member

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    "Orange you glad you picked that paint!"
     
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  18. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow. Painting that intricate benchwork must take a while. So much to get covered up. :)
     
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  19. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    Hi folks. It's been about 2 months since I have done anything with my benchwork. The long wait was due to me waffling on my paint purchase. I picked up a gallon of electric orange and started to paint one of my tables this past Sunday. I wasn't happy with the coverage of the paint, but that is to be expected. I do not care how great the coverage is advertised to be; it always seems to be less than advertised. In any case, this is just a very short update on the train room.

     
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  20. KWE

    KWE TrainBoard Member

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    I just purchased a Wagner 3500 spay gun to make life a little easier. I just about knocked out the first table, second table will be wrapped up next week. I had my granddaughters over for the weekend and they hated the orange color on my table. I tried to explain that the color represented the Milwaukee Road and even showed them a few of my engines, but that proved useless, they still hated the color. My youngest granddaughter told me I should have painted the table gold with sparkles! :LOL:


     

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