April 2 NCI work night on the ONR Ramore Sub

What a great night of progress on Bob’s Ramore Sub. We decided to focus more on scenery this time but further north up the main line at Swas Junction. This is a complex area since the wye occupies a focal area and space with tight radii and several viewing angles. The station is further north (about 2.5 feet) so we need to make the viewer’s eye focus on the great scenery and rock cuts in this area of the wye.

ONR GP9 1602 and van on the east leg of wye in August 1974, highlighting a typical rock cut.

Another view of the wye 30 years later but looking in the opposite direction. The pine trees have grown.


Before the work started we backed up a 20 foot train from the layout on to two of the wall shelf cartridges. Steve did this without a hitch under the watchful eyes of Scott, Ken, Keith Mark and Bob.

Scott guided us in laying out the scenery topography so that the viewer’s eye focus down to the appropriate area, not over the hills in the distance.

We then got to work.

Steve found his favorite spot in Englehart yard doing what he is enjoying more and more, hand laying rail. Word has it he will be doing so on his new B&O layout.

We then started applying plaster cloth on the foam we shaped for the east side of the junction main line.

The room is small but we have found the way to make it work. Here we see Mark, Keith, Ken and Scott applying the scenery cloth while Steve is on the other side of the scenic divider working in Englehart yard.

One of our traditions is to play RR videos during the night. Sets the mood and helps offset the occasional boost of vocal singing by certain members of the NCI. (Excuse the messy work bench, I call it progress). Yeah, I know, I need to tidy it up!

Scott handing Keith a piece of wet plaster cloth (Scott is thinking baby diapers) while Ken wonders what all the fuss is about and Mark spreads a strip of it. The scenery modules are removable as you see here to make then easier to work on.
We used Scenic Express Plaster Wrap which is almost $2.00 cheaper than Woodland Scenics. Seems to work the same.

We then applied some precast rock molds pieces and rock out-crops along the right side hill that transitions into Kirkland Lake in the foreground. We did this by cutting out pockets in the pink foam with a hot knife so the rock would sit flush with the terrain. We then painted everything except the rock pieces with a green / brown coat of woops paint.

Here is how the junction looks this morning with all back in place. The station will be in the top right corner of the photo.

Early in the evening, Keith and Ken also installed the first Tortoise on the layout. I have decide to do this on a few turnouts that need a stretch to operate.

Thanks Keith, Ken, Mark, Scott and Steve. A great night of progress and a lot of fun doing this with you guys as well.

Bob