2011-2012 Third Annual International Winter Layout Party

ppuinn Jan 1, 2012

  1. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I almost forgot about this!

    I was on the road last week, and will be again next week. I did make about 40 trees over the last couple weeks. These are the bumpy chenille trees I detailed in Craft store mayhem!.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. upguy

    upguy TrainBoard Member

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    I didn't happen to get much done on this project this week. I did do a little "touch up" paint work and that's about all. I had some other things that were calling for my attention. Maybe I'll get that last track work completed this week. After that, it may be long while before I get the track ballasted. It's a lot of ballasting and something that I'm NOT looking forward to doing.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. alexkmmll

    alexkmmll TrainBoard Member

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    Hi guys,

    I'm currently working on the first 4'x10" module of my N-Scale layout. Right now, I have some track ballasted, and was cleaning up the other track. My goal for the end of the modeling challenge is to have all the track ballasted, buildings installed, and ground cover and scenery started.
    Here's a quick picture of the end of module!
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Primavw

    Primavw TrainBoard Member

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    I have made some decent progress, although I must admit I bounced around quite a bit.

    Finished a small yard for the layout
    [​IMG]

    Detailed some locos
    [​IMG]

    Kitbashed a sand and fuel facility
    [​IMG]

    and threw together a walther's modular
    [​IMG]

    I have also acquired a auto-reverse module... not I just need to scrath together some $ for a few decoders. Also I need to work on some sort of viaduct to complete my track work. I guess I still have 4 more weeks right? lol
     
  5. upguy

    upguy TrainBoard Member

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    I worked a little today on the hump yard area...adding another track (where you see the grain hoppers) and adding some flats to the background sky board.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    I will be officially joining the party tomorrow when I'll have time to photograph the current space. Overall the goal will be to finish the bench work and if possible the initial mainline track work. One of the primary design features will be an open expanse about 6 feet long that I can build removable bridges. I would like to build at least 10 different bridges, (not in 8 weeks), that could be swapped out. The bridges in turn would be used for "live storage" / display of trains.
     
  7. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    August 2011:
    [​IMG]
    Built August 2011 with the help of Grandure Lady.
    [​IMG]
    It was designed to be semi movable to allow access to the windows. This forsite paid off when a condo association mandated replacement of siding and windows went through. / pheww.
    Current State:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    Layout Plan as of May 2011:
    To Be Done:
    1. Update / correct plan
    2. Finalize area along window
    3. Relocate lamp and build corner
    4. Build down right side
    5. Lay as much track as I can
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 6, 2012
  8. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    Part One Done:
    [​IMG]
    The good news is my drawing was not off. The issue was that the new window was significantly larger and threw everything out of wack.
    Current Issues to Resolve:
    • What kind of under table cabinates or shelves or both should I plan on? This is my living room but I have agreed with Grandure Lady, (it could be years before she moves in), that it should be "nice".
    • Tha cabinates will determine the nature of the benchwork. Most likely I will go with a simple semi-modular support system I can augment as need be. If I keep the bottom 30"s off the ground I should be ok. Operative word, "should".
    • Design for the valley that bridges will cross
    • Design of the first bridge
    • Do I go with 18" or 24"s down the right side - again, through the livingroom.
     
  9. Primavw

    Primavw TrainBoard Member

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    Another update-

    -Finish track work. I have made a few steps but ran out of turnouts.
    -95% done, need 1 more turnout and need to complete the last leg of track that corsses over the yard
    - Finish gluing down risers- 95% done, last riser will go down with completed track work
    - Wire up track. I also need to acquire a auto-reverse module to wire up my return loop for DCC. -I've been slacking on this, although I did recieve the auto-reverse module.
    - Start piecing together some of the buildings so I can mock them up on the layout (Start being the key word, not finish hahaha)- I left this kind of vague so I guess this is done. I built a few structures.
    - Start plaster work (See above)- Yeah, not even close
    - Install a few decoders since I am new to DCC and all of my Locos are analog- So far, I have 1

    Killed two birds with one stone, finished an (well 2) Atlas Viaduct kit. Will help to complete track work, and also counts as "building a structure" :tb-biggrin:

    [​IMG]

    This thread made me realize how days of work can only be chipping away at the iceberg. I definately set my sights too high with my initial post. It helps me realize how long this project will be and how happy that makes me :thumbs_up:
     
  10. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    • Trains up and running on the first expansion.
    • Solved one big "proglemam". I just could not get the old and new to line up correctly. There was at least a 1/4" bump. Then I realized I could move the Shelves / Table to the far left under the over hang of the old which fixed a couple of height and positioning issues.
    Bonus!: It also made the area to the right available for a valley which I could bridge leading into the corner.
    [​IMG]
    29"s is a crucial height as that is where cabinets will be going.
    I just could not come up with a design for the next expansion as I decided to add valleys and mountains.
    Today I took a worms eye view photo of the area and then removed the clutter from the space in Paint. Now I can design the support / table work for that area. The same will be done for the area to the right and then down the wall.

    I do need to update the plan as I intend to have duel track mainline all the way around.
     
  11. Primavw

    Primavw TrainBoard Member

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    End of party progress report

    -Finish track work. I have made a few steps but ran out of turnouts.
    - Complete, barring any unanticipated changes
    -Finish gluing down risers- Done
    - Wire up track. I also need to acquire a auto-reverse module to wire up my return loop for DCC. -Wired and running DCC
    - Start piecing together some of the buildings so I can mock them up on the layout - Done
    - Start plaster work (See above)- Didn't get that far
    - Install a few decoders since I am new to DCC and all of my Locos are analog- 3 and Counting...


    Trains running!
    [​IMG]
     
  12. eric220

    eric220 TrainBoard Member

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    End of party progress report.

    The upper level ROW has been pushed all the way around to Idaho Springs, and the benchwork has reached the helix. Unfortunately, right in the middle of the party, I changed jobs, so I didn't have as much time to work on the layout as I wanted.


    [​IMG]
     
  13. HemiAdda2d

    HemiAdda2d Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Eric, at least you still have a job. In this economy, so many don't.

    My end of party progress met most of my goals. I didn't finish the snow scene, and my college class, as suspected, ate up a bunch of spare time. I did make about 50 or so trees from bumpy chenille to fill in the Crescent side. I will have to take a photo, but the snow scene had't changed much from the last overall shot.
     
  14. Grey One

    Grey One TrainBoard Supporter

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    I'm just getting started.
    Given that I work till midnight and sleep during daylight and it is just too dark to work. Last night I was able to get a ride to Lowes from my tenant where I selected lights for the living room. Over the next few months there "should" be a lot of progress. Soooo, for me? The party never ends.
     
  15. Doug A.

    Doug A. TrainBoard Supporter

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    OK, finally got my second half of my "benchwork" completed per my original party goals. Had the first side done in time but then had to move and so...took a little longer.

    layout_carved1.jpg layout_carved2.jpg

    So, what you're seeing here is the 2" foam bottom layers of the two "modules" of my layout. These will be laminated to the top layer of 1" foam to form 3" thick sections. The goal was to cut cavities in the foam so that the DCC electronics and other wiring can be "self-contained" in the sections. This is important for a couple of reasons. First, it's gonna be nice and neat. (hopefully) Second, I'm planning on taking the layout to shows so having everything all together is desirable.

    I completed the 3 goals I set out to accomplish. I had a 4th optional goal that didnt' get done yet but I'm happy that I got the original 3 goals done.
     

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