Grey and Grandure Bullet Train Layout

Grey One Oct 31, 2019

  1. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Gray and Grandere RR has emerged from oblivion with the full support of the family. The 'Bureau of Land Management and Air Rights' has allocated 24 to 30 in around three walls of the living room and a semi-removable / semi-temporary bridge spanning the fourth leg of the oval.
    The track plan will include 3 separate lines at 3 levels:
    • Low Line at ground level will be for diesel freight and steam excursions.
    • Mid Line at 6ish inches will include double track main with four track yard, (at one end), for bullet trains There will be 3 hyper-modern cities to serve.
    • High Line will be 12 to 15inches above ground, semi-automated, double track bullet train. While the 'Land Barron', (me), will push for more this may be the only line that receives full 'air rights' over the livingroom.

    Sent from my RCT6513W87DK5e using Tapatalk
    Edit: Formatting, clarification and spelling. - I won't use 'Tapatalk' for posting any more. argh.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2019
  2. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    Features
    Theme: The Grand and Grandure', GandG, aka G&G, will focus on moving people via bullet trains on the upper two 'levels'. The 'Low Level' will be a short line serving a coffee centric area along with miscellaneous freight and well, what was I calling that stuff?
    Scenery will include:

    • Hyper-Modern Cities - I intend to build a wide variety of unusual buildings using Plexiglas and other materials. There will also be modern duelings including my fantasy home built from containers.
    • Mountains - These will reach the ceiling in some places.
    • Coffee Plantations - This will require some research on my part
    • Beaches - served by a private car for a special friend
    • Canyons - Require ring elegant bridges
    • Olde Town - for freight and such. I intend to use track plan, #4 from '1o1 Track Plans' by Lynn Wescott. - Links to follow
    • Farms - Cuz, just cuz I like em.
    • Rivers - I like bridges
    • Coffee factory and Coffee shops, 'Have A Grandure morning with Coffee'
    • Coffee Maker Company - 'K-Cup', the greatest invention since sliced bread'. ☻
    • Solstice and Equinox - Markers - I'm hoping for an 'Eye of the Needle' ock formation, a city street and a small crude Stonehenge like monument. The layout will run past 2 windows which face south / southeast and have sun coming through about 8 to 10 hours per day.

    Footprint:
    • Western End: 24" deep, 101"s long. Half of that behind TV
    • Southern Wall: 30ish"s deep, 19' long with two windows
    • Eastern End: 30ish"s deep, 13ish feet long. Extended into pantry, 1'x4' (maybe some day)
    • Trans Living Room Span: 1' deep, 15ish feet long would cross from the East to West at about 56"s (give or take).
    Following image is done in 'Excel' and then Edited in Paint:
    Large Squares are 12"s
    Small Squares are: 6"s
    Not to Exact Scale but almost.


     

    Attached Files:

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  3. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    Introduction
    For those who don't know me I was very active on Trainboard for many years. There was a fire at my place and I had to put rebuilding on hold. Older layouts featured 'Mystreium' (among other spellings). I have very poor vision and my modeling skills are not near the caliber of some folks nor is my interest in historical accuracy.
    My Eyes: I have what is known as 'tunnel vision'. Symptoms include among other things night blindness, light sensitivity, (the yellow TB page is hard to view), very poor and un-correctable acuity and some limited color vision issues. This does not stop me from hiking, cooking, or using a camera. Yes, I take pictures and videos. I will be posting links to some of my old 'GandG threads soon.
    Imagineering - It is not that I think outside of the box. I do not acknowledge that there is a box and as such many of
    y ideas are beyond comprehension to many. That's Ok with me.
    Respect for All People: I won't dis yours if you don't dis mine. Oh, wait, I won't dis yours anyway. ☻ Please take my comments with a grain of salt especially if I include an emoji.

    Enjoy your day,
    Steve
     
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  4. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    Hi Steve, welcome back, or home, if you wish. We've missed you. How are you, Laura, and the kid(s)?
     
  5. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    @Hytec, Thanks! 'Home' is indeed an appropriate selection.
    Life is good. Laura, and my grandson are doing quite well. The grandson is in the 4th grade and growing fast. He is looking forward to working on the Gey and Grandure.

    Addendum
    Layout Drawing, (in second posting)

    The track as depicted is 'abstracted / estimated'. The 'final' plan will take place as I layou it out.

    Question / Request for Help
    Does anyone have any experience using Plexiglas?
    https://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/plexiglass.128283/
    If so please reply to that thread.
     
  6. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Good to see you back! As they say, model railroading never really goes away!
     
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  7. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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  8. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    @SecretWeapon - Thanks for the greeting in the 'Atlas' thread. Fifteen years ago I moved to a townhouse in Boston / Roslindale. That same month I started posting to Trainboard. Over the years I planned many and assembled quite a few layouts. What I didn't notice is I had at age 50 started to drink daily and heavily. I never finished anything. I never followed through. I always blamed my ADD.
    The main reason I have been away is:
    Ironically, on January 16, 2016, at 6:16 AM, (I know because I have a file date stamped that day / time. I hit 'Ctrl S', when the alarms went off.), my tenant on the 3rd floor fell asleep drinking and smoking.
    Fortunately the flames went up giving everyone a chance to get out safely with cloths, computers and such. But, the water came down and my layout was under it. Still, most of my rolling stock, all of my shinkansen, and a bit of track survived untouched.
    I just could not hang around Trainboard and 'arm chair' it. I kept getting the 'I Wants'.
    Caution: Grandpa Bragging Time
    'Almost Anything with Almost Nothing'
    I have spent my days raising my grandson who pretty much lost everything and learned that 'Steve', (me), could do 'almost do anything with almost nothing.' Among other achievements we, (he and i together), created a star ship game with cardboard, foam core, and markers.
    For those who don't know me, I never had children of my own. My 'grandson' is actually my wife's grandson but in the absence of his male lineage I have been honored with the role and label. He is almost 10yo now, dyslexic and determined. He reads every night for 30 minutes. It is painful but he perseveres. Woe betide him who shall laugh even once. Oh, and he is about to get his 'Green Belt' in Kung Fu.
    There is more but I'll spare you.
    ----
    Note: I am now 15 months sober and know I will never pick up again. With sobriety has come a wondrous awareness of life and a new found energy. At 65yo, (as of September 14), I know I will be able to complete the layout. My family is with me all the way.
    ----
    This layout will be relatively simple with two point to point bullet train levels and a freight level with a loop, lots of switching and excursions. I will keep the wiring simple with adroit use of the power routing turnouts and multible power supplies.
    More later.
     
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  9. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    Grey One ....Welcome Back (y)(y)(y):):)
     
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  10. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    @mtnbimmer Thanks! It is good to be back. Your RV RR inspired a few daydreams of layouts around the walls of a container.
     
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  11. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Congrats on both the sobriety! (Join you there) and on the role of "grandpa!" Am looking forward to the new layout progress!!
     
  12. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    Suggestions for coffee themed names invited / encouraged. The Grey and Grandure will be moving "Mysterium Mystrium / Mystryum', (I have forgotten how I first spelled it), ' but its more prominent theme will be, Coffee. The 'Naming Committee' is soliciting coffee related names /concepts / ideas for any aspect of the layout including industries, shops, freight cars and geography. How would you name a mountain? River? Bridge? Slogans?
    The first suggestion is from my grandson:
    • 'Jelani's Perfect Coffee Caffe' - It is a light airy place for families. It includes lots of coco flavored drinks for kids and specializes in spill proof cups so they can play while the grown ups talk. Cell phone / table / computer usages is forbidden. Hmm, out of the mouth of babes, or almost 10yos. ☻
    All Ideas will be considered and listed.
     
  13. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    Java creek flowing from Java Peak!
     
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  14. Hytec

    Hytec TrainBoard Member

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    On the Island of Java.
     
  15. SecretWeapon

    SecretWeapon Passed away January 23, 2024 In Memoriam

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    THAT'S GREAT STEVE!!!! I'VE HAD MAJOR CHANGES IN MY LIFE ALSO. I GUESS THE KEY IS TO KEEP GOING FORWARD.
     
  16. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    Latest and I hope last diagram, (until track is in place and scenery is begun), of the layout.
    Gryphin and Grandure
    • November 7th, 2019
    • -Not to Exact Scale-
    • 12 Pixles = ~1"
    • Squares = 60 Pixles
    Notes:
    • Footprint is within 5%
    • Window locations are within 10%
    • Couches are within 20%
    • Track locations are abstracted but good indicators
    • There will be many sidings / spurs addes
    • Track colors are for editing purposes
    • Diagram done in MS Paint
    • Vertical Strip left of center is future 'Removable Bridge' from bottom to top.

    Actual Directions
    • East is Up
    • South is Right
    • West is Down
    • Kitchen is to the left
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    More Information / Explanation
    The layout 'diagram' depicts an accurate footprint of the layout as it will exist.
    • Eastern Branch, (Top) - 13' 2" X 30"s. There is a window along about 9' of that length.
    • Southern Branch, (Right Side), is 14' X 24" to 30"s. Between the East and West Branches. That wall is 19' long.
    • Western Branch is 8'x24"

    The Three Lines
    • Low Line - Is at table height and will run freight / switching along with excursions. The diminutive, (for me), freight yard will hold a few cars destined to points unknown. It is the only line to have a complete loop for continuous run.
    • Mid Line - Will be about 6" to 8"s high and run point to point . I am hoping the Eastern branch will have enough room for a hyper-modern terminal / station with 4 long tracks and a cross over. I am looking forward to giving it a long beautiful viaduct to run across.
    • High Line - Will run along the back at 12" to 16"s, (I'm not sure). It will be be a double track point to point with cross a few beautiful bridges over deep canyons. There may or may not be any storage / staging or cross overs. I do hope to computerize / automate this line.
    Scenery ?
    I'm not sure yet but I think:
    East Branch - Will manifest itself in an ultra-modern city made of glass and Plexi. With the shinkansen terminal being the focus. In front of that will be the older Grey and Grandure freight and passenger yards / operations.
    E-SE Nexus - Likely an imposing and equally intrusive mountain will break up the corner and lead to a series of high mountain passes
    South Branch - The passes give cause for the desired bridges of the High Line and a bit of what I hope will be dramatic scenery. Olde industry in the foreground for the GandG to maintain as the Mid Line speeds past ignoring both. Some place along here there will likely be a 'Equinox / Solstice' 'clock / structure revealing those days with shadows or streams of sunlight. In addition someplace along here there will be a farm and a river with an island.
    S-SW Nexus Another intrusive mountain with transition to the 'terminus'.
    East Branch - The main feature is a television. Yep, there really is a 5'6" TV right there so, not a lot of scenery. Well, um, let's see. The top of the table is at 56", (window break height in most homes). Add 12"s for the High Line and ya, maybe a bit of sky and perhaps another bridge.

    Feedback
    All ideas / responses / concepts are invited.
    I would ask for thoughts on the track plan but as it is now? It is so abstract as to be futile.
    If there is anyone in the Boston area who would like to participate they are welcome.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2019
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  18. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sigh, can you hear that sound? It is my reality check clearing the bank. I have decided to omit the construction / inclusion of the High Line. My ego says I could successfully build it. But, I have to asks, 'at what price'? The layout is more than 40 feet long. I estimate that the cost including track, wiring and table cost about $10 per foot and takes about an hour per foot to get running, (not including wiring).
    Trade Off
    • Eventually more trains running
    • Suitable height for trans-living room bridge
    vs
    • Lower cost, Could save upwards of $400
    • Lower build time. Including wiring could save > 50 hours
    • Lower stress, Could save my heart, well, I'm in good shape, but still.
    • Greater room for scenery
    • Greater room for switching
    • Room for a loop? on the 'Mid-Line, (Gryphin and Grandure)
    With the High Line out of the way I might be able to work in a loop for continuous running.
    Depending on how it goes during table construction I might put int supports for the High Line but then again, maybe not. I know, if I were to advise someone else I'd tell them to keep it simple. Hmmm KISS


    Naming
    Low Line -
    Will retain the name, 'Grey and Grandure' as befits its heritage.
    Mid Line - Will be given the name, 'Gryphin and Grandur.' to honor an ideal.
     
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  19. badlandnp

    badlandnp TrainBoard Member

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    It can always be added later, y'know!?
     
  20. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    @badlandnp Yes, while I keep that in mind I'm thinking it will be quite a while.

    Coffee Related List
    @badlandnp : 'Java creek flowing from Java Peak!'
    @Hytec : 'On the Island of Java'.

    --------------
    Update / Thinking Outloud
    Did a framework design and lumber requirements list today. The hardest part was not availing myself of the space previously allocated by my wife. I had to continuously remind myself:
    1. Get track laid
    2. Get trains running
    3. Get wiring workable
    4. Get at least some scenery in place
    then: If viable, expand.
    Wait, wait, I could make the bullet train a loop and then I could. Sigh, Stop, Steve, back away from the sketch and measure for wood. But, but...
    No buts, just do it.
    Lowered the height to 48"s as there was no advantage to the 56" height, (and then I could get two legs with one cut). I can't go much lower than 48" as there is a cabinet in the way.

    40': The Length of the Layout
    From bumpers of the staging area behind the TV to the pantry door at the upper left the layout is 40 feet long, (depending on how you count it).
    Ramifications
    Soldering:
    Double track point to point every 3 feet, (4 lengths of track), = 30 drops
    Single track with loop = 20 drops and probably 2 power supplies and crude block control.

    Scenery
    I try to imagine how a fully sighted person would 'experience' the layout as they step into the living room. Their first glimpse will be through the livign room door and then across to the East Branch. Their gaze should then continue around to the right and along the 19' south wall finally directly to their right where the lines end in staging yards behind the TV.


    To that end I am currently I'm envisioning a glass and silver city and passenger terminal that will hopefully catch the attention of the visitor. I would like to see them drawn across the room to examine it. In the forgroudn is the freight yard and excursion train area which will be overlooked as a remotely activated sound sequence announces train departure / boarding and such. Moments later the warm up sounds of a Shinkansen come from somewhere and another eases out of the terminal to the blast of a warning whistle. Passing through the imposing mountain at the nexus of East and South it glides across a viaduct past a modern coffee plant and through a plantation..
    There is more but my wife is hungry and I'm the cook.

     
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