DiezMon, Nice looking grass there. I was wondering how long before we would see some examples of the Eureka technique on our layouts. Mark, Great video clip. Is it just me or is the train cresting a grade right there as it comes off the bridge? Mike, Like the lights--you don't have to ever worry about dark patches. As for the extra 4", thats exactly why I shrunk my helix. No more turning sideways and brushing against everything. And as for your dropdown redo, at least you have a practice run to fall back on Jamie
I dunno guys.. do you think the grass still looks a bit fuzzy/furry? I wonder what the trick is to making it look more.. um.. grasslike?
Looking awesome Mike! But why do you have to redo the whole dropdown? I'm not sure I get it. Can't you just slap another 4" onto the closing end?
Ooh, ooh, ooh! I'm late to the party, but want to join the fun. I just found this thread (been living under a rock called "the job") and could use some motivation to keep up the work on my current layout. I decided at the beginning of December to dismantle my old layout and build a different one with the salvaged materials and track. There were too many mechanical and electrical problems with the old plan stemming from having to put it in storage for a while and move it to a new house. Besides, I realized the trackplan was not going to be much fun to operate. I came across the Pike City Belt Line plan (8' x 12' shelf) in an old issue of Model Railroader and realized it would work much better and I had most of what I needed to build it already. So, here are my goals for the party: 1) Dismantle the old layout (DONE) 2) Rebuild the benchwork for the Pike City plan. 3) Install all of the trackwork. 4) Make it all run smoothly. Bonus Goals: 5) Build and install mockup buildings for the structures. 6) Install ground cover and other basic scenery. The rebuilding of the benchwork is almost done. I reworked the L-girder supports and attached hollow core doors for the base. I ended up purchasing two 24" panels but was able to reuse the panels from the old layout. I glued salvaged 2" pink foam to the HCD base but now I need to sand the top of the foam to smooth out the joints and remove old paint, glue, etc still attached from the old layout. I'm planning to use spray foam to fill in the major holes and gaps before painting the entire top tan and laying track. Here is the extension side (small yard on far side and town with 4 industries on near side with a backdrop divider down the middle): This end will have two staging tracks hidden inside a large appliance factory builiding as well as a couple of external tracks and a switchback to reach the town on the extension: And the remains of the old layout yet to be reused: Anybody have suggestions on how to recondition the cork roadbed so it can be reused? It is covered in white glue and some yellow carpenter's glue. I may just skip that and put the track straight on the foam since this is an urban layout. Thoughts? Use cork roadbed or lay directly on the pink foam? Mark Wilson
You could try sanding the cork to smooth it out, but in my experience it's easier to just replace it. In my opinion, it looks more realistic with the tracks right on the board in an urban layout.. otherwise you tend to have to fill up the surrounding areas to match the roadbed height. I'm more concerned with where you plan to SLEEP?
Mark, I would not recommend to reuse the cork. Even with most careful sanding you will not get a smooth and level surface. The dried glue is harder than the cork, so sanding it will remove the glue, but also the surrounding cork. If your urban layout only has street-running do not use cork. But if you have a mainline I would elevate the mainline using cork to get some visual separation between the main and other trackage. Cheers Dirk
Mike, I hate to see you throw out all that work on the drop down. Have you thought about making it a "lift out"? Instead of moving it back 4 inches, maybe you can replace the hinges with a half inch lip on the layout and one on the opposite side. Then you have a cradle for the piece to sit and you still gain the extra 4 inches (or 3 minus the half inch lips), and save all the track work. And I'm sure you can figure a simple plug for power.
:tb-biggrin: Across the hall! This is actually one of our guest rooms that has been designated for railroad use. I'm trying to get the bed cleared before we have any overnight guests visit. :tb-wacky: Eventually, this room will be expanded into a small loft area to make a 12' x 23' layout room for my Asheville Division layout (which is still in the track planning phase). I have been really enjoying the postings on this tread and very impressed with the work being done. I've got a lot to live up to, but I like being challenged! Makes me produce better work. Mark
Diezmon, It looks pretty darn good to me. Do you think it might look too "furry" due to how thick it is? maybe thinning it some? How about painting it a different color? Thanks for the responses! Much appreciated Diezmon, Thanks for the face slap to wake me up! You are right, I could just add the extra 4" on the "fat" side of the dropdown. Just gotta beef it up some so there's no flexing. Ok, so she's stripped, still trying to find a way to cut the track but not rip up any more homasote and still have a nice clean, straight cut in the MDF. I guess I'll have to use my jigsaw, but it's not the best for super straight cuts. I'll figure it out.... And it looks like I'll have to move my light switches. -Mike
Man this party just keeps rocking on, great work everyone. DiezMon: The grass looks fine to me but maybe you could shoot a little color on the grass with an airbrush? A few extra plantings scattered amougst the grass to simulate weeds may help also. My own progress has slowed up although I did weather the rails and tried to make the Peco turnouts blend in. And built an el cheapo throttle pocket out of a used dishwashing liquid bottle. And shot another video. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JCnogQyugo"]YouTube - Jan Pics 004[/ame]
Tim, I think it looks fine as is. It could do with a little thinning if it really bothers you but the colour looks good in the photo. Ken, the layout is looking great. All you need to do is ditch the yellow... Welcome to the party, Mark! Looking forward to the progress being posted. Mike, maybe the drop down could have been recessed back in to the benchwork so it was close to level with the edge when dropped? The track arrangement would have need to be modified on the fixed portion, though. I just got back from buying the backboards and roadbed and some supports for same. With Mike's posting of his layout construction, I'm now seriously considering a lighting valence around my layout. Everything is in place to do so easily around the periphery but I'm still considering how to deal with the peninsula. The backboard there will be double sided so I thinking of making the supports suitably strong to handle the weight of the valence and lighting.
LOL, I have been trying to find some warbonnets for my loco fleet with no real luck. However this year could be my lucky year with both Atlas and Athearn bringing out some Santa Fe/BNSF warbonnets. I want to relegate UP power to occasional visitor status.
Gary, when I did my lighting valance on my old single level layout, I put in a vertical support with a horizontal support attached to it in the middle. pretty much looked like a bunch of "T"'s down the middle of the peninsula. Kinda like how Jamie's center peninsula looks like. That is exactly what I'm up to :tb-wink::tb-biggrin: I've cut the area out where the drop down will go, just need to extend the "bridge" 4 more inches and put in a few more supports. But track is cut back and ready. -Mike
Great progress have you all. No work for me. I'm busy with the FREMO meeting next Friday - Sunday. Januar 2009 I've prepared the layout and paperwork. Diamond Valley has the oil dealer. :angel: Wolfgang
Holy straight-edge batman.. talk about a nice straight cut LOL What'd you end up using? Ok, I'm not going to mess with the grass too much..always your own worse critic I guess. Maybe I'll try coloring it with some of the kids markers.
