As some of you who belong to the Kato Unitrack group know, I've started on the journey of creating my own permanent layout. It will be called the JACALAR (a concatenation of family names). The layout is in an 8x15 shed, just constructed today (electricity tomorrow). Here's the proposed layout: My new shed (construction photos in following posts) and an interior shot (there will be trains here) Here's a link to my entire shed construction album, on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=1436986236&k=SXC5QV6SRYZM5JF1YAY2QU
Shed beginnings Here's what the yard was like, last week (a little bit of clearing, started): and here's the cement pad going in
Here's the beginning of the framing, this morning a 9am They did each wall on top of the other, placed appropriately to raise into place. Painting was done by pouring the paint on the wall, and spreading with a roller Walls going up
Awesome work on that shed! You'll have benchwork up in no time with that crew. Your plan still looks solid but I think you went over kill on the double cross overs in the yard. I drew my suggestions on the plan. Changing the double crossovers to single cross overs (blue, with the purple optional) saves you quite a bit of cash and gives you more length to the yard tracks for storing trains. I also added some cross overs to the adjacent tracks (green) so you don't have to go all the way to the round house every time you store a train there. Last, that red line, not quite sure what you have in mind for it, but it looks like something that would have been abandoned long ago. I'm glad your daughter's clarinet teacher suggested turning the roundhouse around, I sure would not have thought of that. Keep us posted.
I was looking at this also, where the main crosses several tracks near the roundhouse...this could be problematic if it is a grade level crossing...could you not switch the main to a lower track so as not to interfere with engines going into and coming from engine servicing?? Or am I missing something. and that track crosses overhead of all of those tracks...?? I did not see elevations for any of them...IIRC....otherwise, standup job on the shed, nice crisp, clean little building, off to a great start...
The shed looks spectacular. I am envious. I imagine other's have said this but: There seems to be way too much track going every which way The double cross overs in the yard are not needed / in the way Remove the duck under Remove anything that creates a reverse loop There is more but I am unable to determine what it is because I can't see the "track plan because the track is in my way". I think once you remove anything that creates a reverse loop and the duck under it will be easier to perceive.
The main crosses the roundhouse tracks overhead, though I've been toying with the idea of putting the main below-grade there. Not sure how well that would work, though, but could be cool. Yes - insulation is on hand. Bought a bunch of the blue Dow foam, enough for the benchwork and the walls! The shed is by The Shed Shop. I'll put thin board over the insulation, flush with the studs. Not sure what I'm putting on the floor, been thinking of this cushy flooring they make for kids playhouses... protection from the inevitable. Mark - thanks for the suggestions. Will look at them in detail. The red line... my plan is that is going to either a mine (gold/silver) or lumber yard. That lower turn around area is "the mountains", with a river between the two tracks. So, yeah, it isn't a heavily traveled line, but is there for moving the load down. The drop off point will be before the yard.
I think the trackplan you are showing is what you like! If thats what you like, keep it that way and enjoy it!
I'm always open to suggestions. Especially on something which I'm still new to. Also, free to consider and reject. I've flip-flopped on double-crossovers versus singles in that section of the yard for a while. And, I don't know why I didn't put any in on the mid-yard :tb-ooh: Question on A/C: No, no provisions, but then, don't have any in the house, either. We live 1.5 miles from SF Bay, and get only about 10 days per year with temps above low 80s (and not even that many in the 80s). I plan to install one of those rollup screen doors, to allow the door to be kept open. And a small space heater for the winter (two separate 20-amp circuits being run; one for the trains, the other for lights, tools, space heater, etc). Also running ethernet out to there. Anyway, first things first. Electrical install today, then a "simple" portable layout just to RUN TRAINS! Insulation, floor covering, wall, benchwork, ..... :tb-wacky:
Rick, Congratulation's on such a great start. You are going to like your train shed and your layout plans look awesome. Don't give up! Wasn't there an oldies, goldy type of shu-bomp song with those words? Have fun!
Rick, Nice looking building inside and out! This will make for a great train layout / work area. As you said this is just the proposed layout and a great proposal by the way. We all know actual train operations are the true test of any layout. You will enjoy tweaking the design to fit your needs and desires. Best of luck and most of all enjoy the journey. Jerry
My dad has a similar shed for his music recording (teacher by day, rock star by night) in Redwood City, just across the bay from you. It does get hot as it has far less shade than the house but last I checked he still gets by with fans and insulation.
Great looking shed Rick. I'm out of town and will respond in more detail when I get back home next week.
niiiiiiice............... Nice shed- liked how quickly it was built, too. I agree- don't build so you can't reach windows, or the deepest point on your layout even with assistance. Any specific RR, or did I miss it? Please keep us posted on updates!:thumbs_up:
