Have you considered just a plain light blue backdrop? Some folks say that you don't want your backdrop to be too overwhelming or detailed, and thus draw attention away from the trains. I went with the plain blue on my layout and like it -- I'd like to add some subtle mountains at some time, but just the blue added tremendously to the overall look.
Hi Dave, I'm hoping that the abstracted mountans in muted colors will blend into the background. It will be blue-light blue "sky".
The "Final" Configuration (for now) Thanks for all of the suggestions. As you can see the biggest one I took was the "staging" siding on the right, removal of the cross over on the right that really made no sence, and the one about leaving room for scenery given in threads on the first Grey and Grandure. Track plan to follow. ...
Mysterium on the Grey and Grandure I don't feel I have the skills to make accurate scale models so I have created a series of connected industries around "Mysterium". These will likely be fairly modern buildings and structures. The following is taken verbatim from a posting of mine in November 2004:
Industries on the Pink Fox Lines Roberta - (Rrrr on traingboard) has embraced my model trains to the point that she encouraged them to be in the dining / living room. One of the requirements was that we have a "pink train". Well, I took that and ran with it. To keep her interest I developed an entire series of industries around fashion. Some of them will be: Modern shopping mall served by bullet and excursion trains. There will be a casino and resort hotel in the complex. I hope to do a few interiors. Modern factories specializing in little black dresses and of course SHOES There will be "Boxcar Sales" where the boxcars are part of the store with special doors that swing open. When everything is purchased they close up and are taken back to the factory. Fabric factories I'm not going to bother her with how the raw material gets there or where it cam from. "It just does"...."Yes dear". The various industries will be mounted on 1/2 thinck foam and can be lifted out to be replaced by industries from the Grey and Grandure.
Grey One, I must say that this has been a very interesting read. To see each step of the way of everything that you decided was very educational. I can see myself think one thing one minute and by the next hour, I have changed my mind fifty times. So much possibility, so little time and resources! I am liking the idea of using foam. I might have a "negative" grade now that I see how easy it is to use. Maybe a -1% grade down to the river to serve a riverside industry, or just a little community with a small station... Like I said, the possibilities are endless once the mind gets going! Great job Grey One!
Thank you Nut. Keep in mind this is the 3rd major (and 5th over all) rendition in a spate of 3 years. I have had a lot of time to dream and double dream. Current dream is a viaduct / bridge system dedicated to bullet and other passenger trans.
Grey One, That sounds like a heckuvan idea. Keep us posted. I am glad you are taking the time to share your progress with us. It is giving me something to enjoy vicariously until I get mine going. Good stuff. Nut
Thank you! Here are my semi-final "drawings" (done in MS Paint), of the viaduct system: Trapazoid Support System for Viaduct - TrainBoard.com The outer oval of the GandG has been "wired" though it is more accurate to say I: Placed all of the insulated rail joiners Dropped all of the power feeds Ran a buss connecting the feeds Hooked the buss up to the power supply Oooops, Now, what caused that?:
Dave- I have thought of it but decided to cover the seams. The only way that I could think of was to put clouds on the blue.
February 17, 2008 Update Two power supplies: Outer loop and yard, (off to the left) Inner loop, reverse loop, and industrial areas I am tempted to wire the reverse loop and industrial areas to a 3rd power supply. This would ease construction of a control panel and not really affect operations. It would allow 2 or 3 people / trains to work / run together in the same area. Short term plans are to put up abstract backgrounds. eventually the layout will extend from the bottom right into the living room.
Very nice! I see you abandoned the steep grade... Perhaps I'm a bit late in noting that, but it was a good choice all the same. How does it all run, with the new additions and all?
That has Kato written all over it. I love that elevated station they offer? Are you going to try the new V11 set with the super-elevated curves? Enjoyed the pictures very much. Looking forward to more.
Looking good! Steve! You mentioned separate power supplies for the inner tracks and the outer loop. Is there any connection between the two loops,...or are they completely separate, both electrically AND in terms of track connections?
Track Plan February 16, 2008 Hemi - You noticed and commented on the change in another thread last fall. This is the actual "final" plan. The only addition - might - be a the elevated passenger system. That could make things a bit complicated / troublesome because if there were derailments under it retrieval would be "iffy". Pete - she does run smooth. Lowen - Yes, it is my hope to use the super-elevated track. I do have the V11 set but have not had the chance to use it. The min curve is 19" (I think) which rules it out for now. Dave - Yes, it is connected physically. I have run a DPUed train from inner loop to outer loop very smoothly even with an un-even consist as Edit: I will be posting later today. Both throttles are set for about the same speed.
Hemi - Yes it will. First I'll get the backdrop in. Then start scenery. Right now the passenger viaduct would be point to point from the yard area to the bottom right. I just don't see a way to put a loop of track in that would not overpower everything else and look out of place.
Anecdote Cross Posted to "Weekend Modeling Achievements" but that only gets a couple hundred hits. __________________________________________________________________ Used a Kato "joiner puller" to scrape clean an ornery section of track that was causing slow downs. Almost worthy of a stupid mistake is the fact I have put this off for months because I thought it was related to the track not laying flat due to the wire under it (pic to follow tonight). The rest of the story: I had a date over this weekend. I always show them the trains and encourage them to run one. My Date: < curious >"why does it seem to hesitate / slow down over there" < pointing to a known section of track >. Me: < casual tone > Oh, I think it is because of that wire but maybe the track is dirty. My Date: < slightly bemused > let's check. Me: Fine She reaches across and runs her fingers over it and then tests track closer to her. My Date: I think it's dirty. I looked around, grabbed the "joiner puller" and handed it to her as she stood with a smirking face - < rolling my eyes >. My Throughts: Ya know? Who’s the expert here? She reaches over and scrapes away, runs her finger, scrapes a bit more, tests, My Date: < confident tone > It’s ready. Let’s try it. Sigh – it fixed it very nicely. Trains run without a hitch. Arrgg Side Notes: I am 5’8”. She is young, 5’10”, and clearly has very sharp eyes. She admitted that she could tell the difference in the shininess. Me: yes dear. Second note: She is a programmer and wondered what would happen if she flipped one of the turnouts, (without telling me). Oooops. Bullet Train at 80+ scale miles per hour – through wrong way switch. Giggles in the background. Those wondering: She is not "the one" but she is fun and we should always be friends. Edit: I have been request by said parties to mention that the above is "embellished" for entertainment purposes.
