Some you that have been around for long, long time might remember some of the photos. When Trainboard changed their site a number of years ago, I lost the build thread and the photos along with it. I've committed to being on the layout tour for this years N Scale Enthusiast convention in Kansas City. I started building the layout and finishing the basement in late December 2003 and in a few weeks had the staging yard and helix done. Another few months I had the mainline done up to Keddie Wye and the yard in at Oroville. After working on the layout a couple of years, I started building and modeling in 20.32 scale (3 foot narrow gauge on G gauge track). Built a outdoor layout with about 800 feet of mainline as of now and want to add another 1000 feet someday. I have a home machine shop (including a Bridgeport mill and 14"X48" Clausing lathe) and scratchbuilt a few locos. In late 2011, I started building a FDM 3D printer and 25 printers later, I decided I needed a CNC router and mini mill. I built and have the router running and still need to finish up some wiring on the mill conversion. So anyway this is what I've been doing instead of working on the layout. In the last few months, I've gotten all the mainline in and working on track in Keddie and Portola yards. Here is the basic track plan. There are a few changes, like between Williams loop and Clio Trestle, I've went into the next room to make the passing siding long enough. The layout is 26'8" X 50'8" mushroom. Minimum radius 24 inches Minimum turnout on main #10 Minimum Visible track is ME code 55 The staging yard is 90 inches off the floor. It'll hold 10, 100 car (40 foot cars) trains.
The helix is 56"X 78" Has 9 1/2 turns and raises the track from 53" to 90" at the staging yard. The minimum radius for the outside track for upgrade is 26" and just under 2% grade. Where the track comes out to layout. Upper is going to Portola and lower is Oroville. There is also a reverse loop at the bottom coming out in the lower left. A 60 car train Oroville
Here is a few I forgot I had. All the layout lighting will be changed to these bright white LED strips.
Me too! I'm in Hannibal, MO. Only a few hours away. I was unable to get my vacation scheduled during the convention but I am hoping to get a couple of days off and drive over. I will definitely make a point of visiting the layout and also hooking up with Chuck from Feather River Train Shop.
Rodney, Glad to see you posting again! Must be kind of hard to work on two layouts at once? Haven't seen you at Marty's lately, The wife doing ok? Don
Hope to see you then. If your just coming for the weekend, send me a PM with your ph # and we'll set up a time that will work for you. The outdoor rr is a disaster right now, but hope to have it up and running for the convention. I have a couple of friends that are going to work on it for me. Yea, we missed Marty's last year cause I used all my vacation when we went up to Mayo last July. Kristi is doing great. Thanks
Wow!!! Really impressive and a lot of hard work invested! This is the kind of layout I usually dream of... great work!
Rod That looks fantastic - there are four of us coming over from my Club - the Black Diamonds in the Midlands UK - for the Convention and are really looking forward to seeing the layout. Thanks very much for posting your work - and it will be great to see you in person Peter Peter Harris N Scale Kits www.nscalekits.com
