The New Oakville Sub

Jim Reising Jun 23, 2008

  1. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    The new Oakville Sub is officially underway.[​IMG]
    And a trackplan as well: the main level:[​IMG]
    Staging area:[​IMG]

    I have one more room to put the backdrops in, then it's on to benchwork. I've also somewhat redesigned the web site to allow for the new layout. It's good to be working on trains again, even if it's only the backdrops!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 10, 2010
  2. Fotheringill

    Fotheringill TrainBoard Member

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    Looks like a great start.
     
  3. GaryHinshaw

    GaryHinshaw TrainBoard Member

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    Jim - looks like a great new start! Your previous layout was a source of inspiration - I look forward to seeing the new one.

    One question: I saw in your photos that the backdrop was (apparently) composed of Masonite and that it was coved pretty tightly. What thickness are you using, and do you have any tips on coving it that tightly?

    Thanks, Gary
     
  4. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Thank YOU, Gary!

    I used 1/8" tempered, I was a bit worried about the big boxes carrying it but Lowes (they're closest) did have it. They made the cut for me at three feet on each panel (Sixteen to be exact!), making it easier to load on my car and giving me some one foot pieces to cut into splines.

    The Masonite was actually one of the easier parts of the whole deal so far! I leveled and marked where the base should be, finding and marking studs as well. Then I drove a couple screws in to support the panel at the correct height, and a couple more where the first end needed to be.

    Then I put the panel in position and simply pushed until the cove felt about right (How's THAT for a measurement!), marked the panel for the nearest stud, cut it there, put a couple more screws to hold the cut end, and again put the panel in position, this time held by the bottom screws and the screws at each end. Then, at my leisure, I could secure the panel properly with countersunk screws - three vertically in each stud location, but staying clear so as not to distort the cove. (The media Backdrop Warehouse uses is 12 mil - accordingly there's no need to fill the countersinks or use joint compound at the Masonite joints - it literally floats right over them and they can't be seen when the backdrop is up. Good stuff!

    As to the radius of cove, I guess I could have gone larger but this works for me. Actually I DID go larger in one location and there really doesn't seem to me to be all that much difference in how the backdrop looks...
     
    Joe Lovett likes this.
  5. OC Engineer JD

    OC Engineer JD Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow....what a fantastic start, and a great track plan. Look forward to seeing progress photos of this layout. :)
     
  6. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Thanks, Jerry. That's my intention. You've set a pretty high bar, though! Finished the last of the backdrops this afternoon, now it's LUMBER time!
     
  7. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Basic benchwork is now complete in the south room. What you see here is where staging will go.
    [​IMG]
    Next up: the staging yard.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 5, 2008
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  8. GaryHinshaw

    GaryHinshaw TrainBoard Member

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    Nice workmanship! Please keep posting updates.

    -Gary

    P.S. Thanks for the earlier info about the backdrop. I'm looking for a pretty tight curve myself, but I think the time I tried this before it was with untempered stock.... -SNAP-
     
  9. TexasNS

    TexasNS TrainBoard Member

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    Can't wait to see more - you're last layout continues to be an inspiration and I really look forward to seeing more of your progress!
     
  10. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    We're ready to lay track!!!

    [​IMG]

    The curving Masonite strip is the path of the main which will be double track spline; the area below is staging. Staging will be laid first - I'm doing it this way so I can work whilst awaiting switches for the yard ladders. The ladders will be on the far right where the tools and such are piled.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 6, 2008
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  11. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Wow, I'm envious of your room--very nice! What happened, if you don't mind my asking, to the old Oakville Sub?
     
  12. GaryHinshaw

    GaryHinshaw TrainBoard Member

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    Jim - fantastic progress! Given the pace of your work, I'm stunned at how neat the room is! So just one question: is being retired as fun as it seems? If so, I can't wait. ;)

    -Gary
     
  13. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Hemi: What happened is I retired, sold the house, moved 500 miles south where there is a much larger basement! I think I have a "Deconstructing Oakville" page at the web site, and the full story is there IIRC.

    Gary: It was worth waiting for. Of course, the way the markets are going we may start eating dog food, but I have faith in the American economy. That doesn't mean I'm not nervous!
     
  14. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Twas a busy week! I laid 160+ feet of track in staging, prewiring as shown here:
    [​IMG]
    Then I drilled and placed the wires through the plywood, creating finished track:
    [​IMG]
    Finally, this afternoon, came a milestone. I dug out and hooked up the necessary DCC gear, put a loco on, and successfully ran my first engine on the new Oakville Sub (I saw that railing after I took the pic; also wish I had used Helicon Focus):
    [​IMG]

    Rob tells my my switches will ship very soon. This will allow me to complete the staging level and proceed with the spline main line.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 6, 2008
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  15. CraigN

    CraigN TrainBoard Supporter

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    All I can say is WOW!!!

    This looks like the beginning to a fantastic layout!!

    What are you using for track and switches?

    Craig
     
  16. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Craig, track is Micro Engineering code 55 weathered. What you are seeing in the photos is actually relay rail. Just like the real roads I'm using old track in the yards...it was a real pain to clean up but has laid nicely.

    Anyway, the visible track on the layout will be ME code 55 concrete tie weathered flex, with the wood tie stuff for the occasional siding. Their weathering simply makes the track SO much more realistic IMO.

    Switches for the staging area are being built by our own Rob De Rebel and are expected to ship shortly. I was planning on using Atlas code 55 #10s in the visible areas. These will be mainly crossovers. The prototype doesn't have all that much in the way of sidings either.
     
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  17. Caddy58

    Caddy58 TrainBoard Member

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    Jim,

    that looks fantastic! Very clean room (I am sort of envious here) and great backdrop. Inspirational!

    One question: It looks like there is not a large separation between the stagingyard and the spline roadbed. How are you planning to get to the innermost staging tracks if an accident happens? From my experience they will always happen where access is most limited....

    Keep us posted on your great progress.

    Cheers
    Dirk
     
  18. Jim Reising

    Jim Reising In Memoriam

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    Thanks for the kind words, Dirk.

    I built it clean and I keep it clean. It's easier to do good work in a good room.

    There is NOT a large separation there but I anticipate no issues.

    First, the track WILL be bulletproof.

    Second, I can very easily access from the center of the island. And there will be a mountain ridge down the middle to give me headroom.

    Third, I plan to have easily removable fascia.

    What you can't see is the benchwork is quite high. Doing the wiring was a snap, I simply rolled an office chair under, ducking slightly, and did my thing. The upper level track is just a bit below my eye level, and I'm 5'9". Believe me, I gave all this a LOT of thought before butchering wood!:disdain:
     
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  19. Tbone

    Tbone Permanently dispatched

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    Jim, I am jealous but I hope I get an invite someday since it looks like we are neighbors.I would love to get a tour so maybe I will learn something.Keep up the great work.
     
  20. pastoolio

    pastoolio TrainBoard Member

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    Jim, looks quite nice!
    I wish I could keep my layout as clean as yours while I build it. For some reason, stuff always seems to pile up in front of the track gang, maybe that's why it's taking them so long to put down the main line! =)

    Oh, and thanks for the cars, they are superb =)

    -Mike
     

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