JD
Smith's
Southern Railway's Kentucky Rathole Division
June 18, 2006
Winding your way through the layout,
one views the methods employed not only in laying out the design for
track work, but the devil in the details that JD employs in defining
the actual scenario utilizing pictures, sketches, research information,
that he has collected over the years. His efforts in the last few years
have been very fruitful. Scenery starts with for screen covered with
plaster cloth, forming a hard shell. Later color and other scenery
materials are added including rock molds, foam, dirt, roadbed, track,
ballast, structures, etc, all adding to the look that JD has
successfully achieved.
One interesting trick was the use of styrene sheet under track before ballasting. This gives the track a firm base, but also allows the use of different code track from the main and a passing siding or sorting yards. Superb track work permitted Mr. Smith's guest operators the opportunity of smooth running all afternoon. Starting with the several thirty five to forty car trains including freight and container service, were soon eclipsed by the sixty car coal train with mid-engine helper service. Again flawless operation occurred because the necessary preparation planning had been done. This layout is truly a diamond whose facets are continually evolving.
One interesting trick was the use of styrene sheet under track before ballasting. This gives the track a firm base, but also allows the use of different code track from the main and a passing siding or sorting yards. Superb track work permitted Mr. Smith's guest operators the opportunity of smooth running all afternoon. Starting with the several thirty five to forty car trains including freight and container service, were soon eclipsed by the sixty car coal train with mid-engine helper service. Again flawless operation occurred because the necessary preparation planning had been done. This layout is truly a diamond whose facets are continually evolving.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |