just another layout build thread

tjdreams Sep 28, 2011

  1. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    Before I begin I want to say that I got some of the Ideas for my builds after seeing what others have done. So to those who inspired me with their work I THANK YOU and give you the credit for your work and hope you don't mind me using some of your ideas, techniques, exc, exc, for on my own layout. Again Thank You.

    I would also like to say that any/all comments or suggestions are welcome. (Good or Bad)

    The beginning
    Haven grown up with Lionel trains and large layouts every Christmas I bought my first Z scale set as a novelty.............in 1991.
    Fast forward 20 years and dozens of HO and O layout builds, I'm finally starting my Z scale build.

    My plan is to assemble all the kits and build some of the scenery items first. I have collected quite a bit over the years

    First on my agenda is Trees
    I used a technique I learned at a train show workshop.
    What do you think of my first attempt at making my own trees?
    [​IMG]
    How do they look?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    TJ, welcome to Trainboard, and the trees look great.
     
  3. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    I have also bin working on my own version of something I saw on here.
    It's powered by 3 servos and a board from Scon. The plan is to have it load a gondola with the dirt (Crushed walnut shells) I still need to wire in a sensors to detect when the gondola is in place so it doesn't just dump dirt on the track.
    Then I'm going to automated /animate a bulldozer so that will push the dirt pile closer as needed.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-6lXsXf8xc
    check it out and let me know what you think?
     
  4. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    What is the tree technique that you use?
     
  5. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Nice work TJ, You should join the BAZ BoyZ and bring your projects to the train shows! That's awesome work! :D
     
  6. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    The trees were made using the bottle brush technique.
     
  7. up mike

    up mike E-Mail Bounces

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    Welcome to TrainBoard TJ those trees look good you need to post a "How To" on those.....
    So what is the plan for your layout? how Big or Small?
     
  8. RSmidt

    RSmidt TrainBoard Member

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    The trees look great!

    I would like to hear more about the animation, too. For sensors, you could use infrared detector or a reed switch. Lajos (ZThek) used to have some really small ones. Anyone know if he still has those?
     
  9. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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  10. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    Ingredients for the trees
    22 and/or 24 gauge coated hobby wire
    3M # 77 spray glue
    Coarse and Fine Ground Foam or ground Turf in various tree colors (I used the Woodlands Scenics)
    Sisal Rope
    Hair spray or clear spray paint (Flat)
    Gray and Brown spray paint (Flat) the cheap dollar store stuff works well

    Tools
    Variable speed battery drill
    cup hook or a small nail bent to form a hook and placed in the drill.
    Pliers
    Scissors
    gloves
    a catch tray
    a bucket or something to soak the rope in.
    .
    First I cut a couple pieces of Sisal rope about a foot long and untwisted the fiber bundles. each bundle (3) then untwisted each bundle into (3) more bundles. Then I soaked them in a bucket of water over night. This allowed the bundles to straighten and untwist a little more. Next day lay the untwisted bundles out on a towel and allow to dry for a couple days
    .
    Take a piece of hobby wire (about 18 inches long) and fold it in 1/2. After twisting a small loop in the top I started placing sections of now dry & untwisted Sisal Rope between the wires. cutting the first about 1/4 inch long and flattening out the bundle between the wires and sliding it to the top. leaving a gap cut more and more sections of Sisal rope with each being a little longer then the last and slid them between the wires. Leave a couple inches of wire at the bottom to form the trunk
    IMG_20110814_182140.jpg
    IMG_20110814_182259.jpg

    .
    Hook the loop over the hook in the nail while holding the other end with pliers (Being careful not to let the pope sections slide out) Now spin the drill slowly while holding the other ends of the wire with pliers and pulling away from the drill to keep it straight. and watch the Bottle brush come to life. Be careful not to get hurt by the spinning drill and hook.
    IMG_20110814_182557.jpg
    IMG_20110814_182615.jpg
    .
    once your done twisting trim off any unwanted pieces of rope to shape it to your taste. This would also be a good time to cut the loop at the top off.
    Now that you have a bottle brush tree spray it with a excessive amount of paint (Gray Brown or what ever color you choose) while the paint is still wet sprinkle on the Coarse ground foam allowing it to stick to the wet paint. I used a old paint roller tray to catch any foam that did not stick to the paint. Now use the spray glue to add the fine or course foam where ever you need it.
    .
    Once you have it covered to your liking spray it with the hair spray or clear paint to set/hold everything in place

    Again the idea for how to make these trees came from a workshop at a local train show I simply adapted what i learned there to suit my own needs.
    IMG_20110912_172504.jpg
     
  11. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    After nearly a year's delay things are finaly getting back on track.
    Today I tried my hand at the Logging Camp House Kit 799 90 940 by MTL



    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    there are a few more pictures on my photo-bucket album
    http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad191/Tjdreams/Looging Camp House Kit/
    I'm going to replace both smoke stacks, not happy with the way they look.
    I also lined the inside of one of the houses with off white paper.
    It will eventually get a flickering yellow led to simulate the glow from a fire place inside it
    As always any advice, tips, tricks, comments good or bad are welcome. Yes even criticism is welcome.
    If i have something wrong please tell me and teach me the right way.
     
  12. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Keep going TJ ! Looks like some mountains are planned ;)

    Bay Area train shows:
    San Jose Sept 15-16 and Nov 24-25 plus, 2 new shows in 2013:
    Richmond: Jan 12-13
    Santa Rosa: Feb 16-17

    http://www.greattrainexpo.com/schedule.html
     
  13. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    It's bin quite some time but I havn't given up.
    Do to circumstances beyond my control at this time
    I have had to revise my initial plans of a large modular that I could display at shows

    The current plan;
    Build a smaller 1'-8" x 3'-6" layout that
    1-- can be slid under the bed out of the way when not in use.
    2-- Have a place to run trains
    3-- can be used as a test / brake in track for new locomotives and decoder installs.
    4-- a place to fine tune my modeling skills.
    5-- and most importantly For The Fun of It

    Now for the Question
    Which track plan do you think is, / will look, / will work, / the best ?
    I can't seam to get the pictures to post so here is a link to the Album and pictures I uploaded
    Album = Just For Fun

    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1799&attachmentid=55773
    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1799&attachmentid=55772
    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1799&attachmentid=55769
    http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=1799&attachmentid=55763
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 8, 2013
  14. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    I like the 2nd. However, I'd be curious as to what bridge you'd use over the curve.
     
  15. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    The layout base
    I used a piece of 1/8 ply wood I had left from another project. 1'-8" x 3'-6"
    Needing to keep the thickness of the base as thin as possible
    I made the frame from some 1x2x1/2 Poplar. Laying it flat instead of on edge
    I half lapped all the joints and glued it all together with Gorilla wood glue.

    By taking my time and using just a basic circular saw
    I was able to get a nice snug fit on all the 1/2 lap joints.
    Which really helped to make it nice and ridged.
    It is light weight and I can pick it up flat holding just one corner with virtually no twisting, flexing or sagging at the opposite end.
    IMG_2776.jpg IMG_2777.jpg IMG_2782.jpg

    I'll give it a few light coats of paint when I get back from NTS which should give the glue more than enough time to dry.
     
  16. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    I kept the base thin so I would have more room scenery in the guitar case.
    It fits snugly inside the lid (Now the Base). as you can see I still need to remove the center board from what was the base of the guitar case.
    Using a hotwire and various sized and shaped sanding blocks I started getting the basic road bed into shape.
    I still have a lot more sanding and shaping to do on the left 1/2.
    The red marker shows the approximate location of the river that will run through the middle along side the tracks.
    The right side will be getting a additional layer of 2" Styrofoam to help create the allusion of tree covered rolling hills with mountains in the background.
    For the Track I used 245, 220, & 195mm radius on all but the passing siding that runs alongside the river.
    And if the Radiuses don't look just right it' because the first section of each radius is one size larger radius track to help ease the cars into the tighter turns.
    IMG_2838.jpg IMG_2834.jpg
     
  17. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    Great design! What are your plans for scenery?
     
  18. John Bartolotto

    John Bartolotto TrainBoard Supporter

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    I like it!! Great design!

    John
     
  19. tjdreams

    tjdreams TrainBoard Member

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    Not sure just yet. I'm just kind of designing it as I go at this point. I know their will be a river running along the track a custom built wood truss bridge. I made up another dozen trees like the ones I did in the beginning of this thread. I also started to build a couple micro trains structure kits today and plan to build a few of the Miller Engineering brass kits in the coming weeks. Once I have a few structures built I will test fit and see what looks good where and go from there.
     
  20. SJ Z-man

    SJ Z-man TrainBoard Member

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    Where did you get that guitar case ?!? That's the right size !
     

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