Revision of Stonehead Mountain

Stonehead Mountain Track Revision — 2015 – 2016

Track below Stonehead Mountain was revised to take a hump out of the curve by Paul F. (See March 2013 Newsletter below) Bob A revised the scenery beginning in November of 2015. Pictures from Rob D's Blog, with oldest at bottom, newest at top of page.

Rob D's Blog 17 December 2016

Above and below, more scenery work by Bob A. He felt the side of the cut that had been left alone needed some rock work to match the other side.

Rob D's Blog 03 April 2016

The rocky area has been treated to some additional paint and other work it is really looking much better in person now than it has recently. I apologize if it does not look that way in the pictures, if your in the area stop in and you can see for yourself.

Now the photo below shows a scene that has been in existence for a long time. But many folks do not notice the details on the trestle or the wrecked locomotive behind the trestle. The layout has several little scenes like this on it.

I thought it would be nice to share some things like that so that you folks following the thread can tell that we do have some guys that build the occasional scale item for the layouts. Webmaster comment — trestle and scene by Bob T.

Rob D's Blog 03 March 2016

We also had some more work done on the layout in the area of Stonehead mountain.

The picture above should provide the reason for the name. Incidentally the kids that visit the layout really seem to think this is a cool feature. The rail lines in the area next to Stonehead are narrow gauge and logging in nature. There is also a museum on that peninsula.

They finally have the rock work completed. They still need to finish the painting and detailing that needs to happen in the area below is an over all shot.

As can be seen the colors of the two adjacent out croppings do not match, nor do they seem to be of a like kind of rock. The scenery guys will need to figure this out and do the required blending to make it look good.

I am really looking forward to running a long coal train through the area, something like 200 cars should look pretty good rolling through the area. Now I need to get cracking on some more coal loads.

Rob D's Blog 28 February 2016

Here we see Bob and George rockin but not rollin around stone head mountain. George was heard to say his main job was to keep Bob from dipping his brush into his coffee cup instead of his water cup while installing more rocks.

As can be seen above the stone work is moving along. As can be seen the rock work is being evaluated and modified along the way. This is what happens when someone does not have a plan for the scene prior to building it. This is not a bad thing and it does allow for flexibility provided the folks involved are not bothered by needing to make adjustments on the fly.

Rob D's Blog 21 February 2016

A bit of what was done and a bit of what is to come. These guys sure do not work at the pace of Michael Rose that is for sure. I am wondering if it is do to us having Gremlins instead of Elves?

Rob D's Blog 20 December 2015

Here is your post about the surface mounted machines and linkages finally. Sorry it has taken so long to get things to this point but that is the way it goes sometimes.

As can be seen here work is also moving along on the layout as well as on the building. Bob A has been building scenery. Early in the day he was asking me if I knew of material for casting rocks. I mentioned to him that we had lots of rocks and molds we saved from a former members layout that we disassembled not too long ago. I showed him a large box of castings and other scenery materials and he was very happy with the find. I then went back to plumbing while he was happily building scenery.

As can be seen above and below Bob was working the castings into place on the layout. and onto the switch machine access hatch.

Rob D's Blog 06 December 2015

Here is your post about the surface mounted machines and linkages finally. Sorry it has taken so long to get things to this point but that is the way it goes sometimes.

The first shot gives you an overview of the mountain Bob A is working on after a track realignment has been completed. The switch machine will be recessed into the side of the mountain and access will be via a hidden hatch.

Here are a couple of shots of the switch machine shown after the switch has been moved. Note the groove the throw rod is in to get to the turnout.

Rob D's Blog 24 November 2015

No one was working on Bob A's scenery project so it was easier to get a couple of photos with out folks in the area. It is rumored the switch machine will be placed under the layout so it will not interfere with scenery construction. In the second photo above and the one below one can see where the location got it's name.

The place has been called the following at one time, Monkey Mountain, Skull Mountain, Stone Head Mountain. The other side of this peninsula has a location known as East Onion Breath and I am not clear on that story as to the name. But I'll bet somebody knows and we all know if somebody knows somebody will tell. So in a future up date I will try to get to the bottom of the naming of East Onion Breath. I will try and get some more updates later around the holiday times and we will see how that goes.
Webmaster comment — Official name is Stonehead Mountain. East Onionbreath came from a song I heard in California.

Rob D's Blog 21 November 2015

In the two photos above we see Tom B and Bob A discussing Bob's scenery project near Stonehead Mountain.

Bob A is thinking some aspects of this operation suck.

Rob D's Blog 11 November 2015

Some work on the main layout was being done by Bob A.

Newsletter March 2013

The mountain moved – The mountain and the outer loop tunnel on the middle peninsula is gone, to facilitate a track relocation to facilitate the development of credible scenery in the area.