Following on from my recent 'track upgrade' topic, I have now got to the point scenically where I can finally post some before-and-after photos, showing exactly what changed and where. Operationally, the layout is much improved at the west end, now that much of the switching can be done without 'fouling' the main line, and I can 'spot' at least 2 freight cars at each industry. Somehow, the new trackplan uses three fewer turnouts (and their accessory decoders), but I have ended up with one extra spur - haven't figured that one out yet. The main change scenically was the removal of one of the two grade crossings. This allowed for a more complicated track arrangement and the introduction of a park area, where I will be siting a soup kitchen for down-and-outs. before After Another area where the scenery was drastically altered was the building hiding the approach to the off-scene fiddle yard. The whole block was uprooted and moved backover to accommodate an additional spur. before After Jon
The Fuel and Oil company had to be rebuilt extensively to accommodate the two additional tracks passing on that area of the layout. Before After Another area that received major surgery was the scrap yard and the space west of the team track. Before After New photos edited in Jon
wow i dont know how you do it but you are amazing those couple photos just blew my mind that must take hours each day to do your layout is full of all sorts of cool scenery are those telegraph poles from rix products nice layout
It's a lot of changes and it looks really great! I am amazed at how you moved the buildings to create more space. The buildings were even lengthened in some cases. I don't see any sign of the new vs. old areas; it all blends in so well! It's an excellent job, Jon. :thumbs_up:
Another comparison from the scrap yard Before After A scene from mid-layout showing some of the new track alignment. Before After Jon
It's good to change things once in a while- in this instance, your layout went from awesome to WOW!!! Nicely done!!:thumbs_up::thumbs_up:
Both Walthers Cornerstone and Rix. I did string some lines up to see the effect, but most of them managed to get knocked either on the way to, or at shows, causing damage to the insulators and arms. Therefore most of it has come down again. Jon
Great to see the before and after shots. Your layout is an inspiration, I've even showed it to my wife! I, um... I gotta get off this keyboard and go work on the layout...
Jon, Great work on all of the additions. Will be great to see it again at a show with the new additions. Keep up the great work. Chris
Jon: The "Fuel and Oil" rebuild shot (w/ lone switcher sitting on tracks) is a fabulous model shot, period. Never mind the "rebuild". That a very believable shot! Such stuff keeps me encouraged while we wait to buy my new trainroom... uhhh, I mean home. Nice modeling.
