Here's a full-frontal view of the valley, complete with dock, bridge, and dusty main drag... Photo by Bill Rutherford

A close-up of the dock... Photo by Bill Rutherford

...and of the bridge. Photo by Bill Rutherford

Description

Thompson Valley, An N Scale Narrow Gauge (Nn3) Module
by Marc Sisk

I committed to attending the 22nd National Narrow Gauge Convention held in Providence, Rhode Island 4-8 September 2002. Along with that commitment came the fact that I had also stated that I would have a Nn3 one-track module ready as well so that we could complete the track plan that Jim Labaugh (Northern Virginia NTRAK) developed for the convention.

I built the module framework in January along with several other modules that I built for other people. The framework sat around from January until mid July when I thought that I had better get moving if the module was going to get done by the convention. So, six weeks before it was to debut in Providence, work began (in a hurry).

The module framework was constructed of ¾” birch plywood ripped into 3 ½” widths. Wood glue, screws and nails were used as fasteners. Module legs are built from a 2x4 ripped in half to form 1 ½” square legs. Folding legs were built using hinges, a cross brace and locking brackets. Two-inch pink polystyrene insulation foam used for the module top and scenery base.

The sky board was made from ¼” birch plywood. It was finished with two coats of artist’s gesso on front, followed by an application of acrylic craft paint blended for the sky color. Clouds were done with flat white paint and a stencil held at various angles and distance from the sky board. My wife Carol hand-painted the mountains on the sky board using acrylic artist’s paints.

The Peco Z scale track is mounted directly on the foam base. The #5 turnout was built by Tom Knapp and incorporates a micro switch to control polarity through the frog. Tom is a NMRA Master Model Railroader and produces some outstanding Nn3 work.

The module front and side fascia boards were made of 1/8” masonite cut to match scenery profile, finished with a primer, then satin black paint applied. Module terrain features were formed using laminations of polystyrene foam and then carved using a wire foam cutter and wood chisel. The river shape was formed with the wire foam cutter and then a sure form tool was used to smooth out the river bottom. Rigid Wrap (plaster cloth) was used to seal the river bottom and also used over the mountains on the left side of the module to help create basic shapes. Rock castings were created using molds and Hydrocal. Castings were applied to the mountain on the left and blended with more Hydrocal. The mountain on the right side was carved from foam. Mountains and other features were finished with acrylic artist’s paints applied as a wash.

Trees are all hand-made using rope, etc., (pine trees) painted and flocked with ground foam. Other trees were made using dried flowers. Dirt roads were formed with a light color powder applied over straight Elmer’s glue brushed onto the painted foam scenery base. Ground foams, dirt, rocks and other textures were applied using wet water and Scenic Cement. Gypsolite was used to create the uneven ground texture. The river bottom was sealed with Hydrocal, and then painted with green-black and earth colors. The river colors were blended in with sand, talus, and rocks. Envirotex-Lite was used to create the river. The river color was made using colored tints and India ink mixed into the Envirotex-Lite.

All structures on the module are wood craftsman-type built, painted, weathered and detailed. The bridge is a plastic kit built, painted and weathered. The fishing boat is a Model Tech Studio resin hull kit built with many detail parts applied. It has appropriate rigging, and is painted and weathered with crew.

All the structures are detailed with weathering and signs. Signs are paper or plastic cut out and applied. Some structures have blinds installed in the windows. People, vehicles, bicycles, trashcans, barrels, pallets, etc. have been added to create many individual scenes on the module. As an example, the vegetable cart on the side of the general store has painted vegetables in separate boxes. Workmen are busy repairing/painting the back of the freight house. Sawhorses, wood and a saw are ready for their use. Folks at the tavern are looking across the river to see the deer on the mountains. Railroad crossing and speed limit signs regulate traffic in this small town. A harp switch stand is installed at the turnout to the freight house. Folks are down by the river fishing and having a good time relaxing. A dog is trying to get at the fish that his owner is holding up. Light fixtures are installed on all structures to provide illumination over doors and signs.

Overall module weathering was created using chalks, paints, washes of acrylic paints, dirt, ground foams, Gypsolite, Hydrocal and other textures. Structure and road signs made from plastic or paper. Paper signs were sanded very thin, then applied to structure and weathered. The module skirt was made with cloth material and is attached to front of the module with Velcro. The module sign was created using Microsoft PowerPoint software, various clipart, then printed onto glossy cardstock and mounted on foam board. Velcro was secured to the back for mounting to the module skirt.

Thompson Valley is not an actual location. My thought was to create a small town feeling. The town is located in a valley between mountain ranges. The time period is the fifties. The nearby river provides fishing, boating, and employment opportunities for the residents. Folks here know each other and are friendly. The hotel, general store, and tavern does a brisk business. Sightseeing is prime as the surrounding mountains are havens for deer, elk, and other wildlife. The Rio Grande railroad has a narrow gauge line that goes through the middle of town with a siding to one of its freight houses. The railroad provides employment for some residents.