I finally figured out how to get my photos online so everybody can see my up-and-coming dorm layout. The resolution is kinda cruddy because I took it with my cheapy webcam, but you'll get the idea. My roomate just got a NICE webcam so I'll use his when it gets hooked up. It's very similar to Mike's layout that he's keeping us updated on. I only purchased enough Subterrain to lay about half of the line. Tomorrow I'll trek by bus to the nearest good train store up in Atascadero about 30 minutes away. Hopefully I'll have trains (train) traversing the mainline by the end of the weekend. The base is made from 3 sheets of 2x4' styrofoam each with a foot removed from the end side by side. Poplar acts as a fascia and helps keep all the foam boards together. The whole thing seems to be keeping together pretty well so far. Here's the AutoCAD scheme of things. I highly recommend using the program it if you have access to it. Thanks for looking!!! [ 10. October 2003, 08:29: Message edited by: Derek ]
Derek- Can't see photos. Just the dreaded red "X." Could you try again? I'd like to see what you have built! Boxcab E50
In the meantime ... If you are stumped like this there is a way to view the pictures by manually getting the URL. It's very easy. For Internet Explorer (others probably similar): Right mouse click on the place where the picture isn't . In the menu that appears, left click Properties. In the middle of the window that pops up you should find "Address:" with something like this after it: http://www.blah/blah/bler.jpg Select the string beginning with 'http' (left button drag the cursor along it, and down to include next line if needed) so it's highlighted. Press Ctrl+C. Close the Properties window. Paste the string into the address panel of the browser (open a new one and paste into that if you don't want to leave the site). Hit Go and the picture should appear .
Hmmm sorry... I was playing with that for about an hour lastnight, and tried linking them from a couple of different places, and Geocities seemed to be working. (I can see the pictures on the post.) I "applied" for a railimages account, but they havent gotten back to me yet, and I was impatient so I had to find another way. Anyhow...I'll try again when I get the account there. Thanks Mike, but that's exactly what I've been doing. I guess the system's just a little hokey... For the meantime, you guys can probably see the pictures on the Geocities site. Geocities site Thanks (ps...does that mean you can't see the signature picture either?)
Here's more. I did a lot today after I got the rest of the Subterrain. My B23-7... And this is what I coooould be doing....(my roomate Ben endlessly playing some computer game....)
Derek, I notice your entire layout is on subterrain. Is that because you NEVER have a flat piece of track anywhere on the layout? I tend to like at least some of the track flat, because a railroad isnt a railroad without a passenger station (even though passenger trains are relatively boring, operationally) !!! While I've got some subterrain (still sitting in boxes), I havent noticed if they have incline transitions at the high end. By that I mean do they transition for incline to level rather than just 'hard change' from 4% to level? You have a bit of an advantae on your layout where your going to have a bridge between the 4% incline and 4% decline, so you can build the transition into the bridge ('arched' bridge). Might have to look at that myself :>)
Yes, the entire layout is Subterrain, but the whole thing isn't on a grade, just most of it. ...But I wasn't dare going to go above a 2 percent grade. The double-tracked loop w/the spur at the north end of the plan is level at 2.5" above the foam base. No portion of the layout is lower than an inch above the board, so the whole layout is on some form of the Subterrain risers. The 2 percent grade isn't that steep, and should still allow for placing of industry or (stations ) along the mainline. The transition from no grade to two percent is hardly noticable or violent...I would suggest getting some of the 2 or 3 percent starter grades to make your transitions from 0 to 4 percent. WS doesn't make any kind of smooth transitions as far as I know.
ahh, ok. No lower than an inch above. Why? Drainage? (j/k) I've gone with 4% for the inclines I;ve bout because they are aimed at wifeys extended loop xmas train layout, which will be running to very grunty loco's pulling 4 carriage trains.... 4% isnt going to be an issue. My N scale will be quite a different story though with some long stuff expected on the mainline, so that will go 2% or lower if I can find em. I think I'll custom make that stuff, purely because then I can build in transitions.
haHA!!! We have continuous running!!! The golden spike (or golden glue...) was laid and the final track connected. In a few hours I'll pull the nails out and watch it go round! I haven't had continuous running since my 4x6 HO sectional years ago. As much as massive point-to-point switching operations make things interesting, long trains running forever and ever through the countryside or wherever is what so many of us love to see. I'm very appreciative of my 42' of mainline! (what...about a mile and a half in N?)
Congratulations! The empire may seem small right now. But it is much better than nothing. And there is still plenty a person can do. Both on or off the layout to keep busy. By the time you are ready for that room filling dream, all your skills will be sharp, and you'll be ready for any challenge. Boxcab E50
Hey peoples- Started scenery over the weekend and it's starting to look pretty good. Just a wintery plaster landscape, but it's going well. And for anybody in the scenery stage...As much as it sounds like cookbook-work, its totally not. I just got a bag of plaster powder today, spooned it into a little bowl of water (with no apparent method or mixture) and started dipping paper towel and newspaper. Messy and fun. Scenery is actually much less intimidating than other aspects of the hobby. Just mess around and you'll get results. Also I highly recommend constructing some sort of fascia at the edges to conform the landscape up to. I've just got 1/4" foam black foam board that's really easy to cut and it looks sharp.
