Well thanks to the Progressive Rail article in the June MR I now have both ends of the GVR designed . Actually I have about a third of the layout built ,but not wired. Neat part is I can do the entire Progressive Railroad in all its glory and run it as a seperate railroad. Now all I need to do is get myself well enough to build it.
Everyone has made such tremendous progress here! Geez, some of you guys have practicaly built a complete layout in the last few weeks. We see fantastic bridges with ballasted track, passenger servicing, lots of track laying, and even whole towns springing up. Great job! Well it's time for another update: I guess you all figured out by now that I hate trackwork, and anything track related! That is why I have made absolutely no progress on the layout. So... I submit for your approval, my new diversion... total insanity, Coon Gap Sawmill: Now, I bought this baby a few years ago and after working on my timber trestle, I decided to start this baby. I have spent 3 days on just the 2 parts you see in the photo, and it is pretty much stick by stick construction. Their are over 200 parts in the loading shed alone, and I'm guessing at over 1000 in the whole project. I just hope I have what it takes to complete it!
My goal for this past week was to lay more industrial track but guess what!! It didn't happen . Instead I have done some work at the Maberly terminal where there are six tracks leading into the station. At one side, I decided to include a connection to the MTC subway system so commuters could get off the train then go directly to the subway. The MTC is the Maberly Transit Commision and the older subway cars were purchased fro the TTC which is the Toronto Transit Commision so the RED ROCKET rides again . I am scratchbuilding six subway cars which should be done by the end of the weekend. Who knows, maybe I will get back to the industrial track laying this coming week . Fun eh!! I am scratcbuilding the subway cars because I haven' t seen anything available at the hobby stores . Good work for the rest of the crews reporting here .
Robert. Just keep thinking, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" and keep at it. Before you know it, it will be finished.
If you can scratch build subway cars, then you should start a cottage industry of subway goodies across North America. I know people from all over who are craving to own the Metro, or Sky Train, or the "L", or you name it .. to run on their layout. I know a chap out here in Vancouver who makes corrugated G scale passenger cars and even without advertising he is doing well. Believe it or not, he quit his job to do this full time and he is making a go of it. The reason he doesn't want to advertise is that he feels he would then be a year behind in deliveries and he doesn't want to live with that pressure. Right now, he has a 6 month waiting list. [ 03 May 2002, 04:26: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Rick, I used to do wood work for a craft store and also wood blanks for a craft painting class. Then I started getting phone calls asking for a certain size blank and they wanted fifty by next Tuesday along with custom orders for the craft store. It was sawdust city around here until I came to my senses and said "Eough already!!!" I didn't have time for my model railroad. So that guy in Vancouver with a six month waiting list would be far too much pressure for me. I may consider doing something when my layout gets closer to completion if it ever will cause there will always be changes or additions but then that is what model railroading is about.
It is great seeing all the progress that has been happening. I am really enjoying this topic and seeing how everybody is progressing . This week there has been no progress due to short supply of mainline ballast and ballast glue also my work and family commitments have kept out of the layout room. I intend visiting my local hobby shop this week to pick up some ballast and pay off some more money on my P42. The evenings are getting cooler with winter approaching so I won't be spending as much time on the layout over the next few months, I still hope to finish ballasting the main line over the next few weeks. Keep up the good work guys.
Paul, I think you have it backwards, maybe it is because you are hanging upside down on the planet from us and all the blood has rushed to your head....lol. You are suppose to be active in your trainroom in the fall, winter, spring, and summer is railfan time. I agree with you concerning this thread, it has worked out very well. Some of the layout photography is really excellent as well as the modeling projects. I wish I had a cheap way to get goodies onto the net, but I am trying to devote my money to a layout that has been inert for too long. If I see a really good deal on a scanner, maybe I'll grab one. I'm planning on having "Lonely Hearts Club Band - Part 2" in September, after labour day. I figure if I do it too much, the enthusiams will wear off; so many twice or three times a year would be good. In between time can be used for those wishing to join this exclusive club in helping them plan their layout, or helping in other ways. But we have three weeks to go, I'll have to check as I'm beginning to lose counts of the weeks.
Hello All, I just started a new layout last weekend. It is an N-scale 8'x6' L shaped layout. The bench work is built in 2'x4' sections using 1x2 lumber and 1/4" plywood. On top of this is 2" foam. The track plan is still being refined, but as it stands now it is a double track main line with an industral area for switching. I don't have any pictures of the new layout yet, but I have pictures of my 2'x5' coffee table layout at http://home.att.net/~j.s.niedermyer/index.html The coffee table layout is about 95% done.
I have been busy on a golf trip, and leave again for business tomorrow morning. So there is nothing new to report that is completed, but I did go up to the train room jjst before I left, and upon my return. As I left last Saturday, I applied a third application of glue to my ballast. (BTW, in the LHS today, a guy was asking why his ballast came up in chunks. Besides the normal advice he got from the clerk, I had to add, "When you think you have enough glue, then glue it again!" ) Anyway, I had taped the switch points and moved them continually until I HAD to go to the airport, and instructed my daughter to keep moving them. When I returned yesterday, the points were stuck, but not so stuck that a little water didn't loosen them! I freed the points, and started painting some Atlas skyscrapers for my downtown area. I also started on my new roundhouse. As I think I mentioned, I saw an HO version sort of americanized, and I am doing the same to my UNion City Roundhouse kits. I am also reducing to nine stalls.
Hawaii, I noticed your post was the first, so welcome to Trainboard, the layout design forum, and the exclusive "Lonely Heart's club Band Club!" You're 8 by 6 layout should look fantastic if your coffee table layout is any reflection of your talent. To Jeff and others, Our time together is past the half way point but we are not home yet so catch up time is still available. Sticky turnouts is the one concern I have about my upcoming tracklaying. [ 04 May 2002, 23:11: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Rick, I say go for it! There is very little that can't be undone, although I suspect there is some. My point is that I let my fear of screwing up really impede my progress more than it should. I often "noodle" on a project for about three times the time it actually takes to complete a project! Even if you mess something up a third of the time (not likely) you are still time ahead to just do it! (perhaps not money ahead though ) Even with my new found productivity, on account of this thread, you will notice from my posts that I have started more projects than I have finished in the last few weeks, in the ration of about 5:1!
Hawaii, Welcome aboard! I also see you are building your layout almost EXACTLY the same way I am! It works really well, and I am using latex liquid nails to glue the Woodland Scenics foambed and track down with, temporarily using atlas track nails to hold it while it cures. Forgiving, in case of a mistake, and easy!!! Goodluck!
Hemi, Nice layout!!! I wish I had that kind of room. How did you attach the foam to the plywood? I was thinking of using Liquid Nails to glue the two together then use weights to press the two together while the glue dried.
Hawaii, Thanks! That's exactly as I did mine. I used clamps, as they held better thanweight. Esp is the foam is not exactly flat, or bent, as mine was, the weight will not do the trick on 2" stuff. The more clamps, the better, and use 2x4's or something to clamp the foam with, so you don't leave crush marks. The mainline is done,a nd I am soldering the joints. Works well! Good luck!
Hawaii Welcome to Train Board. If your coffee table layout is any indecationof you talents, your new layout should be fantastic.
Hawaii, Firstly welcome to trainboard it is always a pleasure to welcome new members. Your coffee table layout is just excellent I would love to build one for my living room one day. I'm sure it would make a great topic of conversation by visitors . Did you design the layout yourself? I have seen a website where the whole project was explained, it as very similar to yours.
For those of you still in the running, 8 weeks is up on 23 May, so two more weeks to go. I have revised what I am going to do by then. I was going to do some construction and track laying. But I have figured out this would interfere with putting in the backdrop in the upper level and the nolix area. So in the next two weeks, I am committing finishing the backdrop, except for about 5 feet (need to order that and it won't be here in time). I have installed hardboard in the lower level for about 24 feet, but I need to install more hardboard to cover around 38 more feet. This also means I have to install around 42 more feet of backdrop after the hardboard goes in. Sounds easy, but I know it will be a lot of work. The good news is that I know what I am doing now, and have experience. So in two weeks, all my backdrop will be up except for about 5 feet.
Time for an update... Ballasting has begun on the main. Two more ground throws installed (it helps if you don't hit them with the hammer while installing). I will start installing backdrop next week.
