This is an amazing thread! I just found it yesterday and I spent I-don't-know-exactly-how-long reading the whole thing. I have learned a lot from the "history" of the evolution of this plan. I've subscribed to it and bookmarked it as well. I look forward to seeing more progress photos and further evolutionary discussion. I'll make whatever contributions to it I can after I've digested what's already here! Bravo - keep up the great work!
03-24-08 The layout is progressing nicely but very slow. So this is what has been done in the last couple of weeks. I have the backdrop wall on 2 sides of the layout. It is 3/16" hardened MDF, the long wall is 2 sections of 2'x4' and the smaller wall is 2'x2'. Supports are on the back side to make them more rigid. I have staging up against the back wall and needed an easy way to access it in case of derailments. So that is why you see the strip of wood running on around the backdrop. Yes I know that it's not big enough to cover the staging. The reason my staging yard has the switches on the left hand /lower side is so that I can pull my trains into the staging and not push them with a chance of derailments. I built an L shaped design out of MDF that I could set on the wooden rail around the back drop. There will be building fronts on this that will help conceal the look. Here is a view down the longest tunnel covering the staging. Continued.....
03-24-08 There are 3 removable sections in all, the one that fits against the 2'x2' section will have an overhang of a building to help hide the entrance/exit more. You can see in the picture a building will be against the lower section with a freight door and if you can picture from the MDF above it a 2 story section of building. Where the MDF is it will split the building in half. The covering for the staging will also allow me to put other building parts on top to further help in the field of depth. Lastly, I made a manual switch mechanism out of brass tube and piano wire for the hidden staging yard. works out very well. Don FG
I like the hidden staging behind the buildings idea. I'm sure there's some way you can install some sort of sensor or something back there to let you know when you're where you need to be with the train. Here's a thought--why not have the windows in the buildings clear where your uncoupling and end of track is going be, but have them darker in other places? That way the train is hidden from view almost all the time, but you can see it were you need to. Just a random thought. Nice to see your progress. Keep those pictures coming!
can you show and explain more about the switch mechanism please? i would like to do something like that. thanx steven b
Building Overhang Another installment of the ever growing TRRA. I've been kit bashing and scratch building to get the type of buildings I need. Sloooow process for N-Scale, sitting at my workbench with a jewelers magnifier to get a lot of this done. Any way on to the progress. North end of the layout I have an overhang building that hides the entrance/exit to staging that is coming along nicely. This part slides over the particle board to make the top half. Still need support legs under this section. Still a few more details to add to it and finish up painting.
Mallinckrodt Chemical Area Here we have the Mallinckrodt Chemical prototype. And here we have my take on the main building. The small shed will not be modeled. This last picture shows the North end of the building. Used part of Walthers 3 stall train shed roof and Walthers modules.
Phillips Metals Here is the main building for Phillips Metals, 2 story. Kit bashed from a Walthers 3 stall train shed.
Thomas Proetz Lumber/Switzer This is one of the Prototype buildings for Thomas Proetz Lumber yard. And my take on the building. One of the signs I will have on the side of a building is a classic that stood in St. Louis for years, Switzers. The prototype almost looks like a model itself.
Nice to see progress on a layout. Mine was going full bore and now it is stalled out. Keep the inspiration going for the rest of us arm chair guys.
5-7-08 Thank you Geeky, Spring time stall or enthusiasm stall? Well it's Wednesday and a few more pics. Been playing around with decals and found I really need the white background decal sheets. Once I find some this should come out great looking. All of the clear lettering & border should be white, or I could just paint the background white first? I added a down-spout to the side of a building. This is 4 separate pieces. 3 for the pipe and 1 for lashing. The pipe is 1/8" thick & soldered together. Closeup And I added an electrical box to the side of the building.
5-7-08 continued. Mallinckrodt-top-front, needs windows and weathering yet. side shot, shows elevator tower. Back side
5-7-08 continued Entrance to hidden staging. The white piece at the bottom of the building is the start of the support. Three support pylons will be at the bottom, down spouts will also be on this building. Angled view All for now, let me know what you all think so far. DonFG
looking good don very nice weathering on the buildings. have you got some track work done yet? looking forward to see it all blend in with each other (especially the street running). stevenb
Have not started on the roadway yet, needed to get some buildings started. I hope to start work on them next month. DonFG
This is one of the few forum threads I have bookmarked to visit regularly. Your attention to detail is inspiring!
My uncle used to work at Switzers in St. Louis back in the 30's or 40's. I love licorice, but my mom wouldn't eat it because of the stories my uncle would tell about how they made it. Dave H.
