I finally got started on my 4' x 8' layout, it's going to be modeled after the featured Rosston, Joelberg & Holly RR in the February 2011 issue in MRR (it's HO, but I converted it to N scale). Day One has the L girder benchwork moving along nicely: A little closer: Need to get crosspieces in and then hopefully I'll have time in the next couple of days to start getting roadbed into place.
Like it so far! Looks sturdy. Also, you better get rid of that couch so you'll stay off it & keep building up that benchwork! haha....
I think thats for when hes in the dog house :tb-biggrin: looks great! keep up the great work!:thumbs_up:
Hopefully I'll have progress this weekend. Having my 2 nephews up to help, so it should be interesting. I'll post any progress made over the weekend.
Made some progress... Printed the layout and then figured out which sections would get cutouts: Then figured out how to cut from 2'x4' 5/8" plywood sheets (just one as an example): Then onto the actual boards, starting to realize there may be some adjustments needed: Once I had the cutouts drawn on the plywood sheets and eyeballed it I did make adjustments (now that I was seeing full scale), then cut 'em and laid it out again: ...more to come.
With all the basic pieces cutout and the plywood pieces laid out I started on the backdrop/screen at the same time I was also getting the highest elevation in: I'm using 1"x2" to put the screen in and then both sides will be covered with 1/4" hardboard: I didn't quite finish getting the screen into place on one side, but it's close: Next I plan to get one side of the screen fully attached and in place and finish the sections on that same side. There is still some adjustments to be made to the boards under, to make room for the streams. I am hoping to to have the basic cutouts in place, at proper elevation and attached to the benchwook before Friday (going on vacation for a week). I'll update with whatever progress I make before I go. Have a great week! Greg
May I suggest you experiment with your camera settings? All of your photos have a horrible yellow tint to them. There is likely a "light setting" feature on your camera that will adjust for different types of lighting; indoor, outdoor, underwater, etc etc. Your camera is likely set to an inappropriate setting. Unless of course you light up your basement with yellow bug lights. Then I suppose that would explain the tint! biggrin:
Looking great Greg! Keep the updates coming! And it appears today is your birthday as well! Have a happy one!
Happy birthday, Greg! Looks like the layout is coming along nicely. I like the divider. I hope the impending blizzard doesn't affect your travel plans. We should be dug out by Friday...right?
Sorry about the photos Gringo, I am taking with my camera phone and I have not yet figured out how to get the white balance correct. Thanks Mark & Steve for noting the birthday thing... Ahhh, the years roll on faster than I can keep track. It's amazing how quick the transition is from 'know-it-all youth' to 'clueless-older-guy'. As for this 'blizzard' business Steve, of course it will be clear by Friday. If I have to shovel the runway myself!
Looks great! Happy birthday and I hope you're happy with your progress before you're forced to go on vacation I like the plan, and it looks like you'll be starting with a great base.
Thanks for the kind birthday wishes. I'm thinking I may have some time tonight/tomorrow to work on the layout, with this storm coming... We will see. I picked up some new books to read while on vacation, since I won't be able to work on the layout I figure I can still learn something. Picked up the Model Railroader's Guide to Bridges,Trestles and Tunnels, since my layout will have quite a few of varying size & types I was thinking I may scratchbuild a couple of em. Have a great day! Greg
So, back from vacation... spent some time on the layout after a week long break. First thing I noticed is that I wasn't happy with the leg cross supports, they were just too long (at 32"+). So, I just about halved them: I also added some cross supports to the other side, as I was still getting some wiggling. Now it's solid. Then I got the rest of the supports for the divider screen in place and fully attached the first side: I then attached the high point for the layout (where the coal mine will go): I followed that up with getting the other side of the divider screen fully attached: ...I'll continue on the next post...
Here's a photo from the top of the divider screen: I'll be painting the divider screen blue, like a nice cloudless summer day. I then went back to getting the other cutouts in place... and then things started going downhill. I realized that some of the cutouts were not going to work as I hadn't really considered the elevation of each track. I considered just attaching the cutouts directly the the basic benchwork and then building up from there, but I didn't like the idea. After returning from dinner, I decided to get the zero elevation section set. I ended up moving one of the pieces I had cut into a different position and then filled the other small triangular sections from pink foam board: I'm gonna need to get more plywood (I think) so I can make the curved track base pieces for each track and support each of them at the correct elevation/grade. Once those pieces are in place I can start laying out some track and make sure it's gonna work at 1:1. Make any further tweaks and then start putting in electric wires/feeders. Hopefully I can get through most of this tomorrow & Sunday. We'll see.
I just realized I hadn't put up a design of the layout I'm building. I have attached my rendering. I would provide a link to the MRR track plan, but I think you need to have a subscription to view it. Not really sure if everyone has a subscription, so I won't for the time being. Greg
The progress over Saturday and Sunday wasn't quite what I had hoped for, but it was mostly fun. I got about 3/4 of the track benchwork installed: I consider this side to be the trickier overall with the multiple elevations and getting the easements right. The other side is pretty much under layout/out of view so i'll just use fixed radius curves on those. I also picked up some paint and put some one to see how it would look: It may be a little light in color, but I wanted to see it for a couple days before I decide. Next up, finish the track benchwork and then start installing the roadbed & track and setting up the electrical. Perhaps I'll have trains running in a few weeks. Have a great day! Greg
