Hey everybody, I haven't posted for a while, and I wanted to share some pics of my layout rebuild progress. I don't think I ever posted any pics of it before. Anyway, a little about it. I live in a one bedroom apartment, so I don't have a lot of room, but, I like having long distances for trains to travel and I want to be able to run them in loops while I work at the computer or whatever. So I decided to build a very narrow modular layout that goes around the edge of the living room. I don't really have a track plan laid out, so I'm kind of making it up as I go, but since it's modular that's not too much of a concern. All the modules are 8 inches wide, and vary in length, but are no longer than 4 feet. They connect to each other with 3.5 inch square blocks at each end which have been drilled to accept two dowels and an IKEA style double ended cam lock thing in the middle to tighten it up. I have to tighten it from below, but it's not too hard. I'm double tracking the entire thing, so each end block has 4 brass screws near the edge and I solder the rails to those. The modules sit in some framework built out of 1x4s, and those are mostly attached to IKEA Stolmen posts around the room. I also have two huge left out bridges that span walkways. http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0523.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0524.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0525.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0526.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0528.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0529.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0530.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0531.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0532.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0533.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0534.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0535.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0536.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0537.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0538.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0539.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0540.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0541.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0542.jpg http://www.steveferrisworld.com/Apartment-Layout-Progress/IMG_0543.jpg
Your layout just goes to show that if you really put your mind to it, you can have a layout in just about any space or situation. Nicely done, and I hope we get to see more progress.
Interesting concept...thanks for sharing the pics. Being in a similar situation, I think it's a great idea. Especially after having worked with 2" foam, I can see real possibilities for this type of layout being very workable. And the Stolmen posts are another great product to know about....whodathunk? Unconventional approach, but it definitely inspires some thought and ideas about possible similar implementations.
Very creative. Looks entertaining for sure! I know how it is to have to use unconventional space for a layout.
And what does your significant other think about this?:wideeyes: Your concept harkens back to the early days of model railroading, when almost all it consisted of was benchwork, track, and equipment -- mainly because all of those things had to be built from scratch. The lavish scenery phase came later. Now it seems to have overwhelmed the hobby, to the extent people think they have to have land, vegetation, structures, etc, tying all the track on each section of layout (no matter if separated by height or horizontal space, or the places modeled are far apart rail-mile-wise on the railroad) together as a big continuous scene. I like and believe in the same idea you have -- the "layout" need be only the track ROW and two inches of scenery on either side.
I don't have a significant other right now, but if I did, she would have to be cool with it. I think once it's done (if it ever is, right?), it will be pretty unobtrusive and what not, so it shouldn't bother any girls. Some girls have come over before and told me they thought it was really cool.
