Jim, I thought this was going to be one of the most worklike and non-enjoyable phases of the construction process, but like when I did my drywall in the basement a few years back, I got a lot of enjoyment out of seeing how good the final result looks compared to how lousy it looks while all the mud is getting slapped on. I do have to admit that I cheated a bit on the sanding: Jamie
As someone stated earlier, your benchwork looks awesome!:thumbs_up:Very clean cuts and straight as an arrow!
Everything looks nice so far. One question though, have you calculated how much power you will be drawing on the breaker that is supplying power to all those outlets? I am no electrician but it looks like alot for one breaker. Craig
Thanks...every time I look at the benchwork I am thanful that I used ripped 3/4" birch plywood for the lumber. This room is on a dedicated 15 amp circuit. There will be about 60 lighting fixtures for the layout, but since I am using low power CFL bulbs, that is only about 8 amps, leaving about 5 amps for the overhead lights and the DCC power. Just in case, since the layout lighting has its own plug in cord, so if needed, I can plug the layout lighting in to an outlet in the adjacent room, which is also on an independant 15 amp circuit and only has a couple of lamps plugged in. Jamie
After a long layoff due to several end-of-year project deadlines at work, layout construction has (finally!) resumed on the N-scale CSX Dixie Line layout. Thanks to everyone for helping me get my daily dose of model railroading via the forums! After we opened presents on Christmas morning, I headed into the train room where I managed to get the final six lighting fixtures installed on the lower level. In this photo, the new lights are to the immediate left, and you can see the two sheets of 4x4' plywood that are scheduled to become the base of the helix in the next few days: Jamie
Looking really good! My oh my do I have a long ways to go with the URRR 2.0 lol Cheers Adam :thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
As always, thanks to everyone for the comments and encouragement! While this latest post really is not a construction update, if you know how long I have been looking for weathered Micro Engineering code 55 concrete tie flextrack (or W.M.E.C.55C.T.F.T. for short ), you will know how happy I am to post the following pics. Jamie P.S. That plywood is for the helix base that I am currently in the process of marking and cutting.
NOTE: This is technically a double post from the Winter Layout Party thread, but I wanted to make sure I updated this thread also. Finished the helix base today by covering the outside with 1/8" tempered hardboard. Eventually, the helix base will be primed and painted using the same dark tan color used on the walls of the layout room. In the second photo, you can see the blended light/dark sky colors on the lower level backdrop to the left; this will be overpainted with the solid light sky blue used on the rest of the backdrops that I think just looks better. Jamie
Can't wait to see this helix go up! I might be moving to Atlanta this year so if you need an extra pair of hands.... :tb-wink:
Drop a line if you are ever in the area, although it may be a while before it looks too much different from what you see now. Probably won't build upwards on the helix until I at least have all the lower level trackwork done; it will just hold a return loop until then. Jamie
Amazing progress in such short time! Can't wait to see the rest of this story unfold :thumbs_up::thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
Thanks for the kind words and encouragement evryone! This week I installed the fascia on the front boards between the lower two levels of the CSX Dixie Line layout. The fascia is made of 5" wide strips of 1/8" tempered hardboard fastened to the front boards with drywall screws and finishing washers. I used vinyl paneling molding between all vertical seams to yield a nice, clean look. When completed, the fascia will be primed and painted to match the color of the room walls. The following two photos show the dramatic improvement from installing the fascia. The two photos show the helix base taken from basically the same angle, but the first was taken before installation of the fascia and the second was taken afterwards. Notice how much more "pleasant" everything looks with the lights blocked out by the fascia: Before: After: Jamie
Jamie, I note over on Atlas you're thinking about reducing from 48" to 36" in the helix - I sure wouldn't do it. I'd do the nolix first. You will substantially reduce the train length with the lesser radius. Even with 48" I felt the old Oakville helix was just too restricting.
Jim, I actually already rebulit the base to the 36" radius. However, I do have an ace up my sleeve that I can pull out in the event that the smaller circular helix turns out to be a troublemaker. The 48" radius circle was just waaaaaay too big to move around in the room. Jamie
Been busy at work again since finishing all of the projects for the Winter Layout Party, but I did take a bit of time to do some structure mockups using the Atlas N Kim's Classic American Home kit as the subject. I'll be using mocked up kits as well as mockups of actual prototype structures to assist in developing the final track plan. The second picture has a digital backdrop inserted; I will probably be using some type of photo backdrop on the actual layout as well. I see I forgot to tape down the porch roof on the house to the left--it looks like it is trying to talk to me Jamie