LILLY FORK
The logging operations of the ERC&L Co. are represented on the layout with a scene to the left inside the door to the layout room. The longest siding is for loading logs. Another siding serves the Starcher company store and a third siding is reserved for storing Climax #3 and Raymond Davis' caboose. Near where the track to the Starcher log camp leaves the BC&G main at Avoca Jct. I have modeled one of the creek crossings the ERC&L is so well know for.
The supporting 1X2" supporting structure is visible in the photo left. Along the wall is the beginning of the cover over the hidden track that will run behind the scenery. Below shows the foam profiles for the hills and the plastic screen hotmelt glued to them.
PROTOTYPE INSPIRATION
CONSTRUCTION
The landforms are completed in this view and rock castings from the prior layout have been attached to the Homax. The Buffalo Creek runs along the front of the layout and makes a U-turn under the Cressmont bridge, middle right.
Climax #3 has a short log train in tow as she tip toes across the causeway while a crewmember on the ground gives the train a quick safety check.
Climax #4 is rounding the curve near the Devil's Sawmill water fall. On the prototype the falls was on the BC&G main but it looks great here on the layout.
I think I captured the feeling of a logging site even though the total space available is pretty limited. Here Climax #3 has the Raymond Davis caboose and the company's ancient American log loader coupled to her tender. Out of sight to the right are a couple of loaded log flats. The train will shortly back out on to the BC&G main and make its way to the log pond at Swandale.
Here's the view a circling hawk would have of the causeway creek crossing. The tree stumps and cut logs are actual wooden twigs. A variety of bark textures and colors suggests they are different types of wood.
This fellow and his dog are approaching the company store at Starcher. Perhaps he's looking for work. And it would seem he passed up a ride in the pickup truck as it's such a beautiful day in the West Virginia mountains!
This image was inspired by the Prototype Inspiration photo below. Raymond Davis has parked Climax #3 next to his caboose out in the woods. As Cody Burdette tells it, Raymond put a plank between the platform of the caboose and the cab of the engine so he could tend to the engine over night while sleeping in the caboose without having to climb down to the ground and back up in the cab.
Notice how far away the distant hills appear. In reality it is about 60" from the engine to the most distant hill.
