An Inglenook-Shunting-Puzzle

Update 2013

In Januar 2013, I decided to enter the private model layout contest at a modelrailroad exhibition with this tiny little layout. I installed LED lights and cut holes through the side backdrops and extended the rails through the walls into the a fiddle area. The whole show case was set into a 45x150cm board and I connected the "main line" to an oval with hidden a hidden fiddle yard. This way I was able to run multiple trains or even long fright trains as continues during the show.

The layout was a great success and got many likes by the public folks. Most where fascinated that two men can play model trains on less than 1 square meter with only 2 turnouts and a lot of operation. Even the jury of the layout contest was fascinated and my layout was honored with the second place. That's my second award now and I'm proud of my little Southern Layouts. It was an unexspected success for such a little layout.

Construction of "Bryson City - Industrial District"

As it will take some time until I can start with a modular layout, I decided to build a small shelf switcher to let the rolling stock run. The layout design shows a classic Inglenook.

The sidings can hold three cars each, while the main line will hold five cars. The head shunt is long enough to fit a loco with 3 cars. The game is very simple. You have 8 cars and a loco on this rare track layout. You have to design a 5 car consist in the correct order on the main line. The consist is random chosen with car-bills. I just pick up five of them and lay them out in any order. Now the game can begin.

I used code80 tracks from Fleischmann with ballast and Roco flex track under the concrete area. The turnouts are operated by hand. The structures are kitbashed from Pikestuff and Walthers kits. The concrete plates are made from card board.

During the next steps, I filled the ramps up to the concrete areas with plaster and pre-painted the underground. The weathering of the tracks and concrete plates are done by airbrushing. So it was time to start with the scenery. Due to an accident, I mixed up some batches of turf and flockage by dumping my blue container with all this stuff inside. First I was annoyed, but the mixed stuff was looking very fine. I tested the new mixture on a small area and found it perfect for my scenery. I covered the ground with thinned white glue and strew sand and the mixture over it. I added some small bushes here and there.

I also placed the first detail parts like vehicles and clutter. I've found a lot of other detail stuff to and will add them step-by-step. There will also be a fence between the "mainline" and "industry area". But first, I was going to add the backdrop. The superstructure was made from plywood. The backdrop was photoshoped from pictures I found at google. I printed them on std. paper with a laser printer. I than applied them to the plywood with double-sided tape.

The last job was the scenery. I needed some hours for this, but I'm finally happy with the result. I build billboards from wood stripes and added self printed pictures on them. From my scrap box, I picked up some stuff and clutter to detail the scene. There are some hobos there, 2 dogs and a cat, a lot of clutter and scrap all over the ground...

At the end, this Inglenook turned out as a great showcase and photo diorama with the possibility to do some shunting ;-) I'm very happy with it. Please visit the picture gallery for more photos (high-res).