Today the next section, (counter clockwise), was glued down. If all goes well the final two may be done by my birthday, 9/14. Covered Pier will be in the corner where the 'cut out' is. This will permit the unobserved export of Mystrium and import of another rare or unavailable substance.
Above image is the 'Wester Section' of the layout. Here is is sans boulders, er, river rocks. Photo includes a short spur off the 'Freight Line', (to be named later) The G&G line to the 'port' and the first structure 'place holder' on the layout. A mysterious black building.
South Southwestern Section Next step is painint. Left: Double track is as it will be. Center: Will vary a little. Right: Will change a lot. Note: I'm aware of the 'S' curves. I will be testing short slow trains with short cars. If it doesn't work I'll put a few straights in. This area will be agriculture. Edit: Provided info.
@in2tech 'Potato Rock' is its official name. It is granite from a river in NH. Look for it here and there in future pics.
Ah! A pet rock! I had one back when I was much younger. It was smooth and black with a lot of tiny gold speckles. I believe those are called Iron Pyrite. It found a new possessor during a party.
@Shortround Thanks. Next steps: 1) Painting the foam. 2) Firming up the positioning of the middle track. 3) Doing up a 'How To' with cheap skewers. wood glue and boxcutters.
@Shortround 'Pet Rock', hmm, now that you mention it, the rock has become something of a 'sobriety stone'.
@Shortround 'Pet Rock', hmm, now that you mention it, the rock has become something of a 'sobriety stone'.
Nice layout. But I hope you've test-run your longest loco's, coupled to a few of your longest railcars, on those S curves in the SSW section! Some of them look pretty severe to me, but photos can be misleading. A 2.44" (62mm) or longer straight piece between opposite curves works well if you have problems. Otherwise I avoid anything more severe than a 28R to 15R S, or a 19R to 19R S curve. Those are roughly equivalent to a transition from straight directly into 9.75R. A handy formula for the equivalent transition radius is Req=1/(1/R1 + 1/R2), like calculating parallel resistance in electricity.
@BigJake thanks for the comments and heads up on the 'S Curves'. Did you miss this? "Right: Will change a lot. Note: I'm aware of the 'S' curves. I will be testing short slow trains with short cars. If it doesn't work I'll put a few straights in." I definately intend to test it thoroughly. In general I make sure the length of the straight is greater than the length of the expected car. Your formula will be useful. Thanks again.
Oh, and overall I'll be running 'two bay hoppers' and 'shorty tank cars'. Motive power will be my Kato steeple cab and a few geeps. Excursion cars will be modified 40' cars. I'll go into rolling stock when I have the track completted.
@BigJake < bemused grin > I like your humor. There will be a lot of places in my layout for you to exercise it. ☻
Primer coat down. I would show a picture but I'm sure you have all seen white paint before. Will start with light browns and greens on Thursday. Keep in mind folks that I have limited vision, terrible contrast and not entirely color blindness. This should be fun. ☻
In other words, it will look perfect to you! What else could you ask for? Bristle brush, air brush, or rattle-can?
Bristle - 'Keep it Simple'. Get trains running Get scenery down Test everything and decide what to sell. "In other words, it will look perfect to you!" No, not by a long shot. I have images in my mind going back to my teen years. "What else could you ask for?" A train room with a condo attached. An easy 'plug and play' wiring system and my own company to design and produce it.
