Getting close to being done with landscaping, The upper passing siding is Wahsatch, the lower one is Echo. I need to ballast the two siding to the right, and finish a creek bed. Then start on adding detail, setting back running trains and drinking a cold ice tea.
That is beautiful! Great layout and very nice grass compared to mine here in Texas this time of year.
Beautiful job! Wow, that is a beautiful job!!! Could u post a few picks of your raised track area??? Ie, showing the piers/risers u used for the elevated section?? I would love to see it as I am trying to figure that part out for my layout. Regards....... Darryl
Darryl, I used 1x2 plastic house trim from Home Depot, and Menard's. The pipe is pvc 1 1/2" pluming pipe. I drilled a hole 24" deep, drove the pipe down another 4" and back filled. Before after If you need any more info let me know and will try and help you out. I been very happy with the way it came out.
This idea you used is sure alot cheaper than using the Hillmans rail bed system. This is a great project you posted on the board for us G scalers to see, thanx.
Nice Trains, Thats just plain SWEET! I have been working on my layout this summer....some pics in another post. I have an area that was origianally going to be raised bed....but now I realize it will be easier/better to have it similar to yours, and also use some trestles. I have been trying to figure out what to use on a temp basis till the trestle can be built, and this is the PERFECT solution!! Thanks again for the pics!! Mother nature was nice to me this week, with torrential rains,,...which was EXACTLY what I needed to get my dirt settled in. Monday, we plan on getting some crushed fines to put into the road bed base trenches I dug last week. Hopefully, I can get to your point of construction soon! Regards, Darryl
Hat's off to you......a real nice set up without a doubt. Clean, functional and sturdy. Only complaint some might have is a lack of scenery, but for just plain running enjoyment no one can fault you. Question regarding your Menards? Not sure what that is, but did you just screw two side pieces to the road bed piece and screw the whole assembly to the upright PVC? I have been wondering how to handle the uneven terrain in my back yard and now I think you have given me the solution. BTW, love the contrast between the green grass and the gravel color. Great job!! Loren
Loren, Menard's is like Home Depot and Lowe's. As far as the road bed, I cut spacers out of the 1x2" trim 1 7/8" long and screwed them to the 1x2" every 12". The 1 1/2" pipe I used was 1 7/8" outside diameter. The ties hang over about 1/8" on the sides. I used deck screws for everything. This is the start of the layout.
Like Sally Field said in the movie Smokey and the Bandit....."it depends on what part of the country you are from as to how dumb you are" I had never heard of Menard's before. Thank you for the info. Since we are going with O scale, the tie ends won't hang over and this technique of yours will work perfectly. Very cool stuff, Thanks again, Loren
Another couple of questions....the plastic house trim actually doesn't need painting, but did you paint it anyway? Also, what did you drill your holes with for your upright supports? From the looks of your picture of the construction you must have began this in the fall/winter, or even spring before the lawn had been fertilized? Gotta run to Home Depot and check this stuff out.....getting excited. Oh, one more question before you tire of me completely.......where did you buy your track and did you incorporate any fixed radius or is it all flex? I was thinking one could use fixed radius for some curves, (cheaper than flex) and then tie in the other areas with flex. Of course, one can tell from your pictures that you have the luxury of lots of space........something I don't have. In my Z scale I use only flex track so I can "go anywhere I want to: with my track.
Loren, The trim come white it is 1"x2"x12'. The hole were drill with a 3" auger I got from Tractor Supply or a from a farm store. I started in the spring last year, this is the second year for working on it. I got the track from St. Aubins and got a free box from Aristocraft. The layout is all 10' radius, mainline. Passing sidings are about 9'2" radius. The switches are USA trains, they are a lot better then Aristo's. Not getting tired of you just glad I can help out. Don't know if you read my last post but you said you was going with O scale.I don't think O scale track will last out side as there are no UV protection on the ties.
I am told that Atlas makes a UV protected track piece so will confirm before I venture outside. I've signed up with two O scale yahoo groups to do some more serious "brain picking" Thank you for your info and thoughts. Loren
