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Buffalo Creek & Western Journals/Blogs
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Regular poster 474 posts Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Buffalo Creek & Western is a freelanced HO scale model railroad layout set in Montana in 1985. Heavily inspired by Tom Johnson's Cass County track plan (and rural setting), the BC&W is an under construction layout. Its main theme is grain elevators.
 
After I tore down my previous N scale layout, I removed all the old benchwork, saved some lumber and started over.
 
IMG_0132.jpg
 
 
IMG_0140.jpg
 
After I painted the backdrop a light blue color, I am now installing the valance that will support COB LED layout lighting.
For further details on the layout, check the link in the signature below.
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 19
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
"Ceiling" and LED aluminum profiles installed. Next step is attaching the COB LED strips, wiring them to the power supplies and dimmers and adding a valance.
 
IMG_0145.jpg
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 12
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Valance and COB LED strips installed.
 
I'm also completing:
  • the DCC bus wiring
  • the 12VDC Tortoise bus
  • a separated 12VDC layout lights bus
All using WAGO connectors.
 
IMG_0193.jpg
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 12
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Last winter I completed the first structure for the BC&W.
It's the Anderson Grain Co. elevator, based on a Walthers kit.
 
 
A detailed step-by-step can be found on the BC&W website:
 
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 12
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Here is a June 2026 update on benchwork construction. I made significant progress over the course of the last month.
 
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 9
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
I kept the flywheel turning and, despite the heat wave that hit Europe, I was able to work on the layout to the point where 70% of track work is done.
 
I went from bare benchwork to test-running trains in a few weekends.
 
trackwork-phase1.png

 
here is a video covering most of the track laying steps.
 
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 14
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
I managed to organize all the power supplies, DCC command station and power breakers in a custom-built box.
The power supplies are for Tortoises and layout lights.
 
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 8
nogoodnik Regular poster 150 posts
nogoodnik
Hi Denny,
 
It looks like a nice little grain switching layout.
 
Where are you located (what country)?
 
Since one of your grain elevators was named Teton, your layout could easily be set in Idaho or western Wyoming too.
 
Joe
Reply 3
southdown Regular poster 414 posts
southdown
Needless to say, very excited to find you here! This will be a great place to show off your amazing modelling skills.

It Always Gets to Town  When You Ship with South Down.

https://www.youtube.com/@SouthDown
Reply 3
Indian Rock Regular poster 182 posts
Indian Rock
Followed the blog following this blog very cool giving me lots of ideas for my layout when I get there
 
Nice job
Vince P
Indian Rock fall 1979
Reply 3
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Hi Denny,
 
It looks like a nice little grain switching layout.
 
Where are you located (what country)?
 
Since one of your grain elevators was named Teton, your layout could easily be set in Idaho or western Wyoming too.
 
Joe

Thank you, Joe!
 
I’m located in Italy.
 
Yeah, probably the Teton mountains in Wyoming are more popular than Teton County, Montana 🙂
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 4
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Needless to say, very excited to find you here! This will be a great place to show off your amazing modelling skills.

Thanks so very much, my friend!
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 3
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Followed the blog following this blog very cool giving me lots of ideas for my layout when I get there
Nice job

Thanks a lot!
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 3
Tim Moran Speed-Mo Tim Prolific poster 1,033 posts
Tim Moran Speed-Mo Tim
Valance and COB LED strips installed.
 
I'm also completing:
  • the DCC bus wiring
  • the 12VDC Tortoise bus
  • a separated 12VDC layout lights bus
All using WAGO connectors.
 
IMG_0193.jpg
Greetings!
 
I was wondering what brand of LED lighting you chose to install. The results look great!
 
Thanks in advance!
 
Tim Moran Akron, OH

My blog: https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/21964

My YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/user/wrfreemo2006

Thanks for looking!
Reply 3
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Greetings!
 
I was wondering what brand of LED lighting you chose to install. The results look great!
 
Thanks in advance!
 
Tim Moran Akron, OH

My pleasure, Tim!
 
Yes, COB LED are great. A little more expensive than traditional strips, but worthwhile.
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 3
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Oh, and sorry @Speed-Mo Tim
Here is the exact COB LEDs strip I purchased from an online shop here in Italy (available in different color temperatures)
 
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 0
Indian Rock Regular poster 182 posts
Indian Rock
 
From Italy Denny you're on a roll with modeling Montana
 
Traveled thru Montana many a time think that's why I'm so enthralled with your direction and watching it come together
 
Keep on keeping on my Italian friend
Vince P
Indian Rock fall 1979
Reply 1
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
 
From Italy Denny you're on a roll with modeling Montana
 
Traveled thru Montana many a time think that's why I'm so enthralled with your direction and watching it come together
 
Keep on keeping on my Italian friend
Thank you so much! 😊
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 1
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Lately, I've been working on the Buffalo Creek bridge scene. I 3D-printed the trestle, assembled, painted and weathered it. Then I completed the basic terrain shape and installed the trestle.
 
A video showing the entire process will be available on YouTube soon.
 
 
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(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 11
tp Prolific poster 2,895 posts
tp
🙂
Reply 0
Indian Rock Regular poster 182 posts
Indian Rock
Lately, I've been working on the Buffalo Creek bridge scene. I 3D-printed the trestle, assembled, painted and weathered it. Then I completed the basic terrain shape and installed the trestle.
 
A video showing the entire process will be available on YouTube soon.
 
 
1.png
 
2.png
 
3.png
 
4.png
 
5.png
 
6.png
 
7.png
Scenes coming to life.
 
Don't forget you need a ton of pronghorn
Vince P
Indian Rock fall 1979
Reply 1
Indian Rock Regular poster 182 posts
Indian Rock
running_antelope.jpg
Vince P
Indian Rock fall 1979
Reply 1
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Scenes coming to life.
 
Don't forget you need a ton of pronghorn
😂
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 1
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
Thank you, @Indian Rock !
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 1
Denny99 Regular poster 474 posts
Denny99
And here is the video, showing the whole process step by step:
 
(HO Scale Freelanced Short Line, Montana, 1985)
Reply 4
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