At last on the final stretch of the tracklaying. I’ve laid the ties and will get to the track itself tomorrow. Just a few notes:
The Modoc Trip – Pyramid Lake
The Modoc Line heads out of Wadsworth in a north-westerly direction towards Pyramid Lake – about 34 miles in distance. For much of the way the line is visible from highway 447 so I was able to find a few locations to take some photos of the abandoned roadbed. The roadbed itself has been partly paved so it is quite easy to drive on. However being alone and not sure of the tires of my 4 wheel drive I decided to not chance it for this trip and kept to the main road. Smaller roads would leave the main highway and cross the line at various points so I was able to get a good view of the roadbed from these crossing points.
Quick photo
Not much to add about this other than that I’ve discovered the Lightroom app for the iPhone which uses the RAW image format. As such I’ve been able to work with white balance and exposure in a more precise way and produce some half-decent photos. I’m currently working on the west side but I’m continuing to add small details here and there on the east side. I’ve made some small changes since last time I posted this picture – see if you can spot the differences!
The Modoc Trip – Wadsworth
At one time Wadsworth was an important town on the railroad hosting company shops, a roundhouse and employing large numbers of people. Then in 1904 the Southern Pacific rerouted the mainline and left the town high and dry. The remaining settlement – it’s not even a town any more – was the first stop on the Modoc Line after leaving Fernley.
The Modoc Trip – Fernley
After reading Jack Bowden and Tom Dill’s book on the Modoc Line – a cross-desert railroad that began in the north-western corner of Nevada – I decided to take a couple of days off work to go and trace part of the route.
Trackwork – final section
Started the final section of track today. I’ve decided to leave the final turnout and crossover attached to the same section of the plan. This week will be spent laying ties and next week I’ll start laying the rail.
Right embankment
I’ve been quietly plugging away at the diorama while track-laying on The Town. I try to do at least 20 mins in the evening and add some small detail during that time: a flower here, a bush there etc.
Tracklaying
Finished the second of the two turnouts for section three. Two more sections to go – one more turnout and one more crossing and then I’ll be able to assemble them together. I’ve decided not to lay the rail on the straights as I want leave the area free for landscaping the trackbed.
Tool roundup – Part two
Continuing on from last week. Here are some more tools that I’ve recently acquired or made.
Tracklaying continues
I have now finished the latest turnout of the 3rd (of 5) section. Nothing much to add other than that I’m still struggling with the clearances around the frog area.
