This is the introduction to my layout build thread. It is an N-scale layout planned for an 11'x14' area in the extended side portion of my garage. I am in the beginning stages of construction with planning progressing as I build. It will be a freelance design but I hope to incorporate elements from full size railroads to make operations and scenery more realistic. The "Decoy Route"- a play on the initials of the family members in my household (David, Karen, Olyvia, Isabelle) Decoy- synonym terms in the thesaurus: fake, imitation, replica NYNV&AO RR- The "New York, Nevada, and All Over Railroad" for all of the places I have lived. Born and raised in NY, currently reside in NV, and as a former Marine and current truck driver I have been around the world and travel all across the country. The "All Over" is also where I get my inspiration. As a truck driver I see many different prototype railroads in operation. I may adapt something from many different areas to make this model railroad my own. Over the years I have read through many different publications about model railroads. "Track Planning for Realistic Operation" by John Armstrong has given me many good ideas about what can fit in my available space. I have decided to plan my railroad as a multi-deck layout. This will give me more overall space for a longer track arrangement. A bottom level will serve as staging for trains. I will then build two levels above this as the main scenicked portion. My track plan is continually evolving. I was intrigued by the articles in Trains magazine about the Western New York & Pennsylvania RR. Another article gave insight about the operations of the North Shore Railroads in upper Pennsylvania. A track plan provided in Model Railroad Planning 2013 about the WNY&P gave me ideas about what can be built as "a lone wolf" modeller. I hope to model something similar that I can build and operate on my own, as well as have friends over to operate with me. Stay tuned as I share design ideas and pics of my build.
Thanks guys. I hadn't really planned to publicize my build. I have been a lone wolf in most aspects of my hobby life for a while, but seeing a lot of fine layouts by others and getting inspiration from many, I decided to share. I know that my sharing will motivate me, and I hope it will give others a little help or creativity in building a layout. Okay, when we move in to our current house in 2011, it was agreed that I would have space to build in the extended side are of the garage. A requirement was for the family van to fit inside. Our other house it was parked outside, and the missus WOULD NOT let that continue in our "upgrade". I allotted myself, for the good of the family unit, the aforementioned 11'x14' area. The paper drawing will suffice for now. I carry paper and pencils with me in my truck, and I enjoy drawing things out the "old fashioned way". My plan is turning out to be a G shape layout. I will also be using 3rdPlanIt track planning software to further design my track plan. I enjoy the ability to render 3D images to see what I'll be building before anything is placed full size. I will design a plan where the tracks follow the table edge. This will give me the ability to "chase" a train around the layout passing thru each scene only once. More to come. David Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2
Okay, not sure why it's posting double pictures. I have pics on my phone and other on my computer. I'll figure it out.....be patient with me. Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2
I'll move on to some of the construction I have completed. I decided I wanted most of my benchwork free standing. To accomplish this I attached 3.5"x 40" strips vertically to my walls. I ripped 23/32" plywood to make my own lumber. I don't think 1/32" makes much difference from 3/4" plywood. I feel plywood is stronger and less likely to warp or bend. Ripping plywood also gives the ability to make whatever size needed. I figure it is close to equivalent price, too. I plumb/ level these 40" boards at a height of 80". I am able to re-use benchwork sections from a previous layout. This will support the staging level and others above it. All benchwork built to this point was built in place. I made sure things were level as I went. As a lone wolf I don't have extra hands available to hold large segments as I built. All connections were made with only screws. This level will hold my weight, so I am confident it will support the weight of multiple layers above it. . I used temporary legs to help in holding things where I needed them. More to follow..... David Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2
I continued to build this table that will hold the bottom level staging yard. All plans, at this point, were only in my mind. I did doodle and such, but I built with the "vision" of what it needed to incorporate later. I have read Tony Koester's "Designing and Building Multi-Deck Model Railroads" many times, but he points out there are too many ways for it to work for all to be described. I am confident my plans will support future construction. I tested the fit of a piece of 1/8" hardboard to envision the final look of the table. Many clamps make easy work of holding the board to shape. Stay tuned.... David Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2
After I got my table built and leveled, I laid out heavy stock craft paper. This was used to mark the benchwork edge and determine how much space I needed for the staging yard. Once I had the paper marked, I cut it into puzzle pieces. I laod these sheets onto a sound deadening board (sold at HD or Lowes). This is much like homosote as it holds track nails very well. I cut out the pieces and glued these to 1/2" plywood I also cut to shape.. After the "puzzle" was down, and the glue firmly set, I filled the joints with compound for a smooth surface. When it was all dry, I sanded it and applied a couple coats of paint. I used a dark brown to help hide this level when there is benchwork above it. The temporary track that I have laid down is how I plan my track arrangement. I can visualize what works and looks better full size rather than on software. After I decide on a final plan for a section I will measure things and ctransfer my drawing to my computer. I will be laying track directly to the surface on this level. Being hidden later on it won't be seen much. More later..... David Sent from my SCH-I405 using Tapatalk 2
I have been doing some work on my plan. As the weather keeps changing, I find I have temporarily lost interest in actually building, so I have been able to go to another aspect of the hobby. As I previously stated, I plan my layout by placing my track pieces out on a flat surface. This allows me to see the arrangement better than what I see on a computer screen. After I have designed to my satisfaction, I measure track lengths and sketch on paper my turnout arrangement. I also measure reference points to align tracks with edges and obstacles. I then transfer this info to 3rdPlanIt. This is the process I used to draw the benchwork for the staging level, also. Using the program's "layer" function I am able to compared previously drawn items before I overlay or edit new items. This is helpful for keeping the drawing uncluttered. One layer is for track items, another for benchwork, and yet another for descriptions and reference material. I could use some help in planning the switch arrangement for the staging level. All trains that come down the helix will be parked or immediately returned up the helix. As shown, it will be a return loop design. The yard along the left side will be both a "fiddle" yard and a continuous run option(not shown) for east/west loads/empties. If someone can come up with a design that will keep the "flow" but have a smoother look to it, I would appreciate your comments. So you can get an idea of where the next higher level (main level) will go, I have drawn a preliminary plan with a basic routing of track. The helix from the staging level come up in the lower left corner of this plan. I will hide the entrance with a highway overpass. The helix (very rough) in the upper right of drawing will connect to the top level. I hope to be able to get in my garage again soon to make physical progress. Until then, I hope you enjoy this update. More to come..... David
Okay, I am a slacker. It has been way too long since I updated my build thread. I have made enough progress to be able to add some content soon. I am mostly a solo planner/builder/operator, so I usually avoid doing the "show off" part of the hobby by posting about what I have done. I will need to take some pics of the layout and get them uploaded. Look for another update in the next couple of days. Thanks for your patience.
David, like your helix build, we used same philosophy on the RGW and its been very well received& reliable. Good to have you back. M
Hi david Like your layout so far. Keep updating, i am also in the process of building a new layout and it will be nice to keep up with each other Btw i also was born in ny Former marine 87-91 Oh and i am a truck driver pulling containers out of Harrisburg intermodal yard. Looking foward to see the progress Joe
I just stumbled on your thread. The name "Decoy Route" makes me think of ducks, particularly fake ducks designed to attract real ducks before they get close enough to know the difference. Your design seems to be a walk-in, but a duck-theme layout really should have a DUCKUNDER shouldn't it? Maybe a fake duckunder. Perhaps you could have the underside of the layout skirted, with a sign that says 'DUCKUNDER HERE." When an unsuspecting visitor lifts the skirting to get a view of the layout from the other side, the way would be blocked by a washtub with a fake duck floating in it. Oh well, too much of this. I need to stop and go play with my trains.
RGW Mike-- I used the helix method you detailed on your build thread for the lowest loop. I wasn't concerned with about thickness, so I overlapped sections (1/2" ply)and glued/ screwed them to provide a solid base. When all together, I drew an outer mark all the way around for my outside radius and used my jigsaw to cut the circle. The upper loops I needed to keep thinner for clearance issues so I drew out multiple arc sections on 1/4" plywood. When I had my pieces cut and sanded, I glued them together in puzzle fashion to make 2 more loops. I then clamped it all together and drilled the holes for the threaded rod. Probably not truly circular, but close enough for my purpose. The threaded rod will allow for precise adjustment when it comes time for me to set the grade to reach the upper level. A lot of different ways to do the same thing, this way just seemed easier FOR ME to accomplish what I had planned. Chessie fan Joe-- I love that area you're in. I have many fond memories of traveling I-81. Oh, to see all those NS trains every day when you're at work. I would probably get fired after the first day working that area, for all the time I'd sit just watching. Ken-- The "Decoy" that you're thinking it what I started at to come up with a name. I'm not much of a water fowl aficionado, so my thinking evolved to other meanings. I want my layout to be an imitation of the real thing. I may not get many repeat visitors if I lead people to under the layout to nowhere, especially if a headache or bad back occurs because of it. And a duckunder was a definite druther in my plans. More to come. Thanks for your interest.
A couple more helix pics: The first shows my base level with two loops installed. Note the difference between thicknesses. The second is the clearance between staging level and lowest helix loop. A fellow n-scale modeler in my area pointed out that if I couldn't fit a double stack car thru, I'd be limiting my train options, so measurements in other areas take this height into consideration.
In addition to layout construction, I have made some comfort improvements in my layout area. Another thread I've participated in is about garage layouts and suggestions on what to do to make our areas more easy to live in. I've installed foam in my garage door to reduce heat loss, laid foam squares on the floor for softer standing. And built a workbench/ desk for somewhere to sit to do projects.
Enjoying this thread! Like the way you used your planning and building. it's a hobby, so planning the nth detail can become too tedious, thats when it's time to build! Fun! Liking your concept of the mainline, and am interested in seeing how it lays out as the track goes down. My only suggestion about your staging is to find your most finicky loco/cars and run them back and forth thru every possible alignment. fix every glitch, then you can feel confident that it will be more or less trouble free....until a gremlin joins you RR. Keep the updates coming.
