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"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!" -Bill Hogan, 2004- It would be easy to look at all needed to build Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc. and become overwhelmed. It's a complex complex (pun intended) for any layout, but it's key to The Hills Line... both prototype and model. Therefore, the key … Continue reading Tank Farm, Part One
Despite a tendency to "break every bone in its body" when attempting to build something for The Hills Line, even I occasionally have moments of mild success in constructing something from scratch. For the lattice-truss bridge over the Iowa River I have the advantage of having done it once before. I left the deck in … Continue reading Do Over, Part Two
With the bulk of the Johnson Country DHS Parking Garage assembled, I can turn to the elevator shaft and stairwell. Despite taking the time to scratchbuild the structure so that it better matches the prototype, including the full stairwell was well beyond either my desire or ability. Luckily this portion of the garage faces away … Continue reading Parking Spaces, Part Two
Time to get to work on the signature scene of The Hills Line, the Iowa Interstate's deck-girder bridge over the Iowa River. The first detail needed are the cutwater retaining walls that wrap around each of the bridge piers. I searched for a suitable commercial product, but all were too bulky to simulate the prototype. … Continue reading Bridge Over Troubled Water
The Hills Line 