This thread will capture my progress as I build a small (85"X40") portable layout modeling D&RGW during the transition era. The location will be "somewhere" in Colorado. I have the setting, but still haven't decided on all of what will eventually be put on the layout (towns, industries, etc). The layout is going to roughly follow the plan attached (I may have a few minor tweaks as I build). I am using a table previously built for a slightly different layout, which I never actually started. I decided it was better to simplify the layout, learn from the process and enhance as I go. I had pink foam already laid down, but some came up due to use of an adhesive that wasn't friendly to foam. After cleaning that up I've got a solid base to build from. Using Woodland Scenics TrackBed, got the "front" started. Decided on 1 1/4" spacing on this spur. I had thought I would get the inner oval (mainline) built first, but realized I should get the outer track defined/started so I have a better idea of how much room I have to work with on the inner oval. This isn't the "train" plan to run normally. With this now set I started getting the inner curve set. I wanted to keep the inner track at about a minimum of 16-17" if possible. Using my informal curve gauge I didn't quite make it. I have not yet glued this down, I'm going to make another cardboard gauge tomorrow to help me get the inner track a little better looking and then I'll glue it down. It's a little too wavy for my taste: I'm hoping to get most of the trackbed laid down before the weekend with the hopes that I can put down the track and try running a train over the weekend. Thanks for looking! Greg
Gregory, Excellent! Now hurry up and get past me in the progress so I can learn from your mistakes instead of the other way around! Ha ha! Seriously, I am looking forward to seeing your progress. And the vegetable cans on the track as weights I would have never thought of but its a great idea!! Good luck!
Amazing where in the house "tools" can be located. At least until the wife catches you in the act....
Had a bit more progress, after watching an episode of American Horror Story (S2)... Spent a bit more time and used a sharp blade and made a couple templates to smooth out the inner track bed. I think these are going to work really nicely, I may just make a few more to assist with laying down the track as well: Also got another incline laid down. Hopefully this view shows how much better it looks (it does to me at least). I also started the buildup of foam into the next corner, I think I'm going to build a skeleton with pink foam and then fill it in with Great Stuff for Windows & Doors: These templates should come in handy to use on the outside of the curve. Looks like most of your curves are laid Mr. Dean, but if not perhaps it will be handy: That last shows where the incline is at as of now... about 1 1/4". Should be able, hopefully, to get about another 1 1/4" before it goes over the mainline track at 0" elevation. Hopefully I'll get a no-glue build done tomorrow so I can make sure there's going to be enough room with track down and all. Otherwise I'll have a little room to nudge it up before it's glued down to ensure I'll have the clearance I need. Thanks Gents, have a great evening! Greg
Little more progress. Cut the pieces for the elevated curve and built it up, threw a track over it as well as roadbed/track under: Even without the last section of incline (or at least part of it) it looks like right around 2 1/2" total and one of my tallest rolling stock it looks ok. I may just leave it about where it is, I left it up so I'll take another look tomorrow and decide. Fingers crossed that I'll be laying track this weekend... knock on wood. Boxcab, I think T-Pins = Awesome. I have a few hundred so I won't run out. I already know I cannot compete with members here on engines and/or rolling stock, perhaps I'm in the lead on T-Pins (I'm not gonna count em...) Have a good night/day/week/etc. Greg
Greg, I would love to see the photos, but the fun filter at work is preventing the photos from showing up. If you upload them to Rail Images (free), you can post them here for all to see... :-D As a fellow D&RGW modeler/nut/foamer, I would love to see more of your layout.
Finally able to view the layout at home. Love the progress so far. WS Foam roadbed I have not tried,I am interested in seeing how it works out for you. I've been a cork man for all my layouts. A quick way to make inclines/risers is to measure the amount of rise needed, clamp straight boards to either side of the foam, fire up the hotwire cutter and cut them yourself. I did that on a previous layout, and it was loads cheaper than WS foam risers/inclines. Just do the hot wire cutting outside or in a well-ventilated area. Too many carcinogenic compounds are in the fumes from cutting.
Hemi, thanks for the kind words and advice. I had considered making the inclines myself, but since this first layout is small a single box of WS Inclines was all that was needed and past couple of years I've been moving from one apartment to another, so space tools and whatnot were at a premium. This evening I tinkered a little bit and decided to break the back elevation/scene by putting in a bridge that will go over a river. Here are a few shots: I'm saving the files locally this time Hemi, so you should hopefully be able to see them. I'm still considering WHERE I'll have that river go to, my prevalent thought is to have it continue along the right side of the layout and under the track near the front where the other track will pass over, but the river would be pretty short. If I have it continue toward the left side, I could have it follow the 0" elevation track along the back. But that could reduce my ability to run any siding off of that back track... so, just not sure. The bridge clearance seems like it should be fine so I think I'm just going to leave it like it's pictured (with adjustments to ensure I've got the upper track placed well on that curve. I'm pleased with how it's going, not nearly as "hard" as I had made it in my head but I do have a tendency to over analyze things. Oh, and Hemi. I've been finding quite a few great resources you've put up on TB related to D&RGW, thanks for that! Have a great evening! Greg
Greg, I used a yardstick with a hole drilled in it at the 1" mark and and then holes at the radius marks that I wanted (remember to add 1 cause you started at the 1" mark and not zero). Just put a thumb tack in the end and a pencil in the part with the radius marks and let it it go around in an arc... perfectly drawn center lines that way. However, when I put down the WS risers I made a small mistake in two areas that I showed in pics earlier. A small mistake can make your track radius change quickly! Anyway, it looks as if your layout is coming along very nicely. I want to see how you plan to put in your bridge supports and track to and from either side of the bridge itself. I still have not glued down any track but I am close to doing so. Waiting on a couple more sets of bridge abutments to come in the mail so I can measure and cut for fit. For some reason that part is freaking me out but I am hoping it will not be as bad as I am thinking it will be. Keep up the good work! Dean
Dean: I had originally used the same method, but found the same issue among others. The curves changing radius, also multiple lines use to try and "redo" the curve after a failed first, second, third attempt (etc) and then not knowing which to use. In fact, the last curves I'm putting in on the right side of the layout are giving me challenges, as I want them to best use the space and run close the the "rock face" the incline is built on. The templates are working nicely to make easy adjustments as I lay the foam trackbed with t-pins and then I can see how it flows. I just made another group of templates for the incline section and a s-curve I've decided to add on the back inside track to accommodate a river I've decided to add. As for the bridge(s) themselves, I haven't decided yet what type to use. I figure I'll have a couple different eras represented, still looking at photos to find what I like and will work. I'm working on overcoming my "freaking out" as well. I always over analyze and try to make things perfect and I'm learning that I've gotta go with the flow and just adjust as it comes, it is all going to work out fine in the end. Meanwhile I'm learning by doing, lessons that can be applied to later layouts. I'll get some photos up tonight with the latest progress. Not sure if I'll have a train running yet, but it's close. Thanks again Dean! Greg
it seems grabbing canned veggies or fruit and the like is a commonly shared practice when it comes to holding glued cork roadbed and then glued track in place as the glue cures. glad i am not the only one who empties out the pantry every now and again! peace, Gary L Lake Dillensnyder
Progress did not go as far as I had hoped, but there was some: I did get DC power to the track, but wasn't able to run the train more than a few inches. I will complete the inner oval and get feeders hooked up and then my PowerCab can be setup, so those are the next steps. Greg
Hey if it makes you feel any better, every time I think it is time to move onto scenary I get stuck fixing trackwork due to derailments. Take your time and enjoy!
Thanks Prima, I'll be making sure the trackwork is solid. In fact, that's all I did this evening was go over the track, made a few adjustments and cut a couple more pieces. I wasn't able to dig out my drill, so no drop holes for feeder wires. I'm guessing everyone solders the feeders before securing any track? I had considered looking to see if I can solder in place, I've worked with a soldering iron a time or three hundred. Just would need a decent heat sink. Probably not worth the effort. BTW, I'm looking for photos of the D&RGW bridges so if anyone has any sources please let me know (for any D&RGW photos for that matter). Thanks and have a great evening! Greg
Greg, Any progress is good. So don't feel bad about only small amounts of it. Going to try and install at least one bridge on Wednesday and will let you know how it goes. Will also try to glue down some track and drop a few feeders myself that day. We shall see.... Keep up the good work! Dean
I did grab any photos as of yet, but it's not much to see really. Dropped/soldered about half the feeders for the inner oval, installed my NEC PowerCab and can now run trains! About a third of the inner oval is glued down, so I think I should have the full oval up and running tomorrow. Side note: The soldering of the feeder wires is going fairly well, I realized after making a shopping run that I really need a new tip for my soldering iron. In retrospect, I guess taking 20 years off from soldering regularly and my skills are just a tad... rusty. Oh, and the hands are just a damn bit more shaky than they used to be. I plan to put up some photos and maybe a video tomorrow, depending on how ambitious I am. Have a great day! Greg
