I started with Z scale more than a decade ago. I have built several layouts, but each one had its shortcomings: too small, too big, too unpractical, boring, unsatisfying.... I have never finished one of them... A few of those layouts had the name Atlantic & Pacific RR, because my roster had engines and cars from everywhere between the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans. Later I found out - thanks to Trainboard - that there actually has been a real Atlantic & Pacific RR! In 2015 I started building my current layout - yes, its name is the Atlantic & Pacific - and I was rather pleased with it. I had choosen for MTL track instead of flex trak, because I wanted to avoid uneven trackwork. I also was not very fond of the Märklin track, so I didn't want to use that again. I even managed to avoid a spaghetti bowl of trackwork, so I was rather satisfied with the results. I have scratchbuilt most of the buildings. Someone here on Trainboard asked me why I hadn't built a doubletrack mainline. I responded that a single track was sufficient, and that I didn't need two trains to run at the same time. But the question stayed somewhere in my head, and I began to realize that a double oval problably would give me more pleasure. I haven't done anything on the layout during the last 1,5 year. We have moved twice in the last 3,5 years, and we still have the feeling that we don't live at a place where we want to spend many years. That feeling has drained my energy and motivation to work on this layout. And there is still that little voice in my head telling me that doubletrack would have been a better choice..... So, maybe I should start over? Again? A few weeks ago, I decided that I didn't want to finish the existing layout anymore, and that I wanted to do it all over again, so I ordered some new track pieces. Yesterday, I bought some wood at the wood shop. Today, I built the framework for the new layout. It measures 150x50cm. That's enough for a double track mainline, it has room for a station with long tracks, and there is plenty of room for scenery. Of course, the layout will be called the Atlantic & Pacific RR. I will re-use my scratchbuilt houses, depot, grain elevator and tower. The curves and turnouts are MTL. I have bought some Atlas flex track that will give the trackwork a more natural look than the standard MTL snap track (their flex track is far too short). I will also upgrade my lousy wiring, with simple but nice connectors in the fascia instead of large holes..... I hope that this version of the Atlantic & Pacific will be more satisfying than the previous ones. And that the layout will be completed. That would be something new ;-)
There is something inspiring about a fresh board like that. Nice...I am a fan of double track main line it opens so many possibilities.
It took me 2 months to just get started with dismantling the old layout.... I have salvaged all the buildings. There is some damage, but nothing I can't repair. I think that most of the tracks have been rescued too. I only wonder what to do with the MTL switches: they have a lot of problems, they are not reliable. Should I buy Rohukan instead? Would kost me a lot of money, again :-(
After painting the onetrak module for our N scale club, I decided to paint the Z layout too. One more layer of paint, and then the planning of the trackwork can begin.
Personally, I would get rid of the MTL switches (put them on eBay as someone will buy them for parts or repair) and either get Rokuhan or wait for the Atlas manual switches that are coming very soon (I hope).
I was thinking about replacing the MTL's for Rohukan's. It will cost money, and they are electrical, so, two things I don't like..... But a layout with frustrating switches, that's also very irritating......... Still thinking........
Have a look at FastTrack. You can build them in code 40 or code 50 several sizes. Verstuurd vanaf mijn ANE-LX1 met Tapatalk
