All my hard board up for my backdrop, so finally after three quarters of a year, and putting backdrop up, I will have all or almost all of my backdrop in by the end of today - buddy coming over to help in the late afternoon. So finally all my backdrop will be up, all 65 feet of it. Took way more work than I would have ever guessed. But I like the looks of it (commercial stuff - Faller's). So I'm into a celebratory mood. [ 12. March 2003, 18:43: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
Congratulations, Rick!!! That must feel nice! Steve, I saw that auction (if it's the same one). If you look at the blwnscale.com website, they sell the Peco switches for, if I recall correctly (age and memory) close to what they went for at the auction. I bought some for my re-tracking. As for progress on my layout, I decided to rip up the old track and re-do it with smaller switches (that are crossing the continent on an intermodal train somewhere as we speak). I found a prototype picture on the internet of a dense switching setup that had turnouts even tighter than the Peco Setrack, and so I decided to create some more space on the two extreme tracks by increasing the angle of the diagonal switches. Because the layout's small, this isn't as big a deal as it sounds. Besides, then I'll have new switches all around, and the used ones get retreaded for a next experimental layout. And the plan is to lay out a test area of ballast/ground cover this weekend to see how it will look. (We're not doing too much this weekend, because we want to drive out to the Tehachapi Loop to catch it while everything is still nice and green.) Question for the group: If I do scenery before structures, how do I know how much space to set aside for the structures? Shouldn't I get them first, if for no reason than to map out their footprints? William
William: I have often left scenery without the structures. I have solved the dilemma two ways. Either 1.) I had a kit and could see the dimensions from the info' or 2.) I always had an idea of what type of building I would be looking for. That way I could research by Walthers or other means, approximate dimensions of some buildings availabe, etc, and figure how much space to leave. OH, and there is a 3rd answer that has also worked. I have kitbashed a structure to match the space. THAT is PROBABLY the most prototypical way as many, many buildings were built to fit a particular lot geometry. GOOD LUCK!
Since Pat walked in the door and he hasn't posted lately, here is a picture of the DQ layout in progress. Track work is almost done. Wiring is in progress
Besides working on the DQ layout, I actually started on the bridge for my own railroad! I'm about halfway done, shouldn't take more than a couple hours to finish it. I'm not trying for prototypical accuracy here, just a functional bridge so trains can move from one part of the layout to the other. Then I have to build another bridge... I'll try to post a pic or two tomorrow. I won't get a lot done this weekend, because we'll be up in Portland for a friend's 90th birthday party. But I do get to go to Whistle Stop Trains! Pat
I was so thrilled at finally getting all my backdrop in and installed I forgot to commit to another weeks goals. I want to get my bottom level assembled and in. I won't bore you with a long post, but the challenge in this one week project is actually "leveling" the first deck. You know - one of those "measure twice, cut once" deals. Once the bottom level is level, I start with sub-structure for track work.
Time for the week 3 update... I've had a problem obtaining the 10 mil clear styrene for the windows, so this week, its time to adapt, improvise, and overcome! I headed back to Staples and picked up some transparency film as a substitute. Shoot it with a light coat of DullCote and we're ready to go! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Hotel St. George: http://web.tampabay.rr.com/djobloni/hotel-03-14.htm I still have some rooftop detail to install, but I'll consider the hotel buidling complete for now. Goals for next week: 1. Complete the tower building (install windows, shades, etc.) 2. Complete the building with the wall detail suggesting a demolished neighbor (City CLassics Iron Front building kit). 3. Complete the tower building's neighbor, a Bachmann Savings & Loan kit. Best regards until next week... Bruce J.
I'm back....although I have not posted in a while, I never fell off the wagon. I have 2 major hobbies, trains and college basketball. March madness is in full swing and I am an active member of my conferences message board so between this board, that one, job, wife and 16 month old daughter, I am stretched thin. I am happy to say I completed one of my main lines. My plan is to have 2 main runs, one for freight and one for pasenger. I originally started out with HO but switched to N so I could do more. I had already laid my HO track which ran through a lengthy tunnel..so when I got to laying my N track, I came across a small problem. How to lay track through a mountain already built? I ended up carving through the mountain to lay the track..it was tight trying to place rail ties but its done. My next problem was the river and harbor I made. My 2 runs cross the river and I made the length of the crossing wide enough for HO bridges..well, for N scale, it caused a problem...If I wanted to use pre-made bridges, I needed to buy 4 for each line, totaling 8 bridges to cross this river. I ended up buying 20in balsa wood for the tracks to run over..and some 1 inch high balsa for the sides..painted it black, did some weathering and it looks great!! I am now trying to decide if i should wire my turnouts or just buy some manual throws. Any recommendations? How realistic is it to run your layout when you have to throw the switches yourself?
One more thing..on my layout, my plan calls for 2 cities/towns. In one of the cities, I want to have trolley service. In many a magazine layout, I have seen trolly cars run through city street where the tracks are in the road. How do they do this? Can you buy pre-made roads with slots to run tracks through?
Say, DD... Find a copy of John Pryke's book 'Building City Scenery for your Model Railroad', published by Kalmbach. The book contains a wealth of info on modeling the urban environment, including structures, weathering, and...instructions on building in-street trackage using posterboad and styrene. Follow the link for some photos: http://www.trains.com/content/dynamic/articles/000/000/002/290xbdhz.asp Hope this helps. Bruce J.
This week's update... Completed the yard control panel, and installed and wired it! I am really happy with the way it turned out - it's my first control panel. Got the elevated second turn risers and roadbed done. I think I already mentioned that I eliminated the spur marked "Stock Yard", for a little bit more room for a larger refinery track. I relocated the planned cattle industry to where it says "Farmer's Co-op," and the co-op is going to become a grain elevator in the upper town where it says "industry". I lose one setout industry on the layout total, but I maintain all of the planned operational elements. By this time next week I want to have track laid on the curve and the third passing siding! David
Darth, I have used manual throws (peco switches - N) and it didn't bother me at all. The way I look at it, you have to move your hand whether throwing a turn out manually or pushing a button. Of course, if you have hard to reach places, use powered turnouts.
Weekly Report. Goal was to get some operations going. Club visited last Tuesday night, so I gave it a try. Moderate success. Comments on the car card system requested colors of cars be added to assist in quick identification. Big lesson learned. Layout uses Digitrax DCC. After the arrival if a Through Freight, engine went to the servicing facility, but I left it "acquired" by the throttle. About half an hour later, one of the guys asked, "Does this throttle control anything?" as he twisted the knob to full power. Took about 5 minutes to re-rail everything and restore some form of order. The lesson: Unless you're sure of all the operators, don't leave anything "dangerous" within reach. Goal for the week. Continue work on the industries' labels and signs, tweak the car cards, and try another mini ops session.
Warner, Its official... your not allowed to quit trainboard, I now know some one here who will be able to help me with ops once I get there. I lay my first track next week. COMMERCIAL TIME FOLKS: This is my third layout party and as I have stated before, I haven't accomplished as much as I wanted. But by just primarily working these layout parties, in a little bit less than a year, I got through the daunting task of get my backdrop up. Some of you folks are like me, spurt workers. If that is the case, continue on to the next layout party (in the fall). If you continue to work these layout parties, and attempt to get some or most of your commitments out of the way, you'll find you are making genuine progress. For me, finishing the backdrop is a huge load off my shoulders and I have been working on the layout straight since, and getting an amazing amount accomplished. So hang in there guys, plug away at what you have, struggle through the problems you have discovered. I find that for every layout problem solved, I discover two more....lol. But I now have more confidence to work through them. So I hope many are finding this layout party helpful other than just me.
I've been extremely busy and unable to get ANY work done. But I finally purchased my new truck, and I found out I need to lower the backdrop on my modules to fit, so that's another thing I'd like to get done. This week I hope to get back to the joint on the modules and finish up my connectors. I am writing a photo essay for RR Explorer's Spring/Summer issue that needs to be in by Saturday, but I hope to finish that up and get back to modeling.
I'm late again with my update. This party has me so charged, I don't want to take any time away from the layout. I completed laying half-inch plywood and one inch pink foam on the benchwork this week. I'm now in the process of transcribing the track plan to the foam. This week, I will complete that, lay cork along the mainlines, and apply a coat of brown latex paint to the whole thing. At that point I will have completed my six week goals and be ready to lay track. Is someone getting the champagne chilling? Dave
no progress this week ive been ill of late, not very happy, about all i have felt up to doing is watching a train slowly run around the layout, and then im scared i might sneeze all over everything im starting to feel a little better tonight which is a good sign, and i get paid next wednesday so im going to see if i can aquire myself some turnouts. if failing that i;ll just buy a building kit or something.
darthdave, Go for the handthrows, they are more reliable! However there may be a few places where you need remote control. As for my layout, it is progressing. My next project is to finish putting together 6 more steam era coal hoppers to run behind my steamer at an open house.
Progress report: Well, my new Peco Setrack switches arrived, so I ripped up the previous track and relaid it. (That sounds more impressive than it really is, because I am doing a switching-intensive modern urban layout on only a 1' x 4' shelf.) Because of the sharper angle of the Setrack switches, I end up with longer leads for more efficient switching. The goal for the coming week is painting the track and conducting enough experiments with coloring to figure out the ballast/scenery (since this is an urban branch setup, the track blends into the surrounding right of way). If it weren't for March Madness I would have gotten the scenery done, but as we all know, MM comes but once a year William
