Hi all. I'm currently renovating a room for my layout. It's 22' x 16' and will have coved corners. My layout will be a freelancer Colorado narrow gauge in HOn3. I've drawn the track plans for it, and I can't wait to start building it. To prepare, I've been doing some city planning for one of the towns, called Twin Peaks (work name, yet to be decided) IMG_20170518_110214 by Michael Graff, on Flickr Main Street, the town will be 8' long. The station will be regauged to HOn3. IMG_20170518_110240 by Michael Graff, on Flickr IMG_20170518_104830 by Michael Graff, on Flickr IMG_20170518_110137 by Michael Graff, on Flickr The street will go upwards in the back and turn into suburbs.
The track plan for my new model railroad. 6.5 x 4.5 meters in size. This is the inspiration for the city on my layout:
Finally some progress! I've actually managed to clear out the space for the layout. The room as it looked... Insulation and moisture barrier installed. Sheetrock... We all love to do some sheetrock and mud and sanding, and mud and sanding.... I rounded two of the corners. I made a backing from two layers of 1/8" hardboard. I used 1/4" sheetrock that I wetted and bent to shape in the corners. The backdrop is now the next step (almost..) I need to install the lighting first. I painted a test piece just to see the colors and tonal values. It needs to be toned down a bit though. More like this test: I've ordered the carpet and all the LED light fixtures, so it's finally getting there.
I envy your being able to curve that room corner. It appears to be far more compact than most I have seen.
Hi all, I have had a problem with putting my HOn3 locomotives and cars on the track. On my standard gauge I used a plastic rerailer ramp. It's a bit of an overhang on the narrow gauge equipment, so you can't easily grab the trucks to rerail them... I heard that there was a commercially made rerailer ramp available, but I haven't seen one in many years. I then designed this: I designed it in Fusion 360 and printed it in PLA on my Wanhao Duplicator 4S. It works really good: I think I'll make it available on my Shapeways store...
I have uploaded it to Shapeways now. https://www.shapeways.com/product/M54VV6YUT/hon3-rerailer?optionId=64950183&li=shop-inventory It has some changes made to minimize the materials used (to reduce cost).
Let there be light! First LED strip in place in the train room. There'll be double rows, the other angled 20 degrees to the wall. Fill lighting will be with LED spotlights. Can be okay in the end. The switched power supplies I use are from Mean well, 12 V and 18 Amps. They are adjustable between 11.4 V and 12.2 V. The LED strips are rated at 12 Watt per metre and are 5 metres in length. 4800 K in temperature.
Installed the second LED strip today. The light level will probably be okay when I can install the outer LED strips as well. I have to build the valance first, so it'll be in the right places. My plan is to have the valance about 2-3" outside of the layouts edge. The LED strips has a 40° light angle will be mounted 20° inward so it will light straight down at the front, and towards the backdrop.
Started the backdrop painting. One wall is sky painted with clouds. The backdrop is 60' long and 4'6" tall. I use regular wall paints. I will wait a bit to paint the landscape until after I've started the benchwork.
All free-hand. I used a 2" brush and started with the top edges and then toned it downwards. I used a finger to blend the edges.
Well done, Sir! I love the details on your buildings, and the weathering of them! You've got a great start on your railroad empire!
I have started the benchwork. It's 1/2" construction Plywood that I had the lumber yard rip for me in 5" widths. I have glued and nailed the modules together. The longest sections will be 8' and no one wider than 2'. That will make it easier to move if needed. This is the first two sections: j
Finally some creature comforts. Carpet laid and trim installed. It made the room much more comfortable.
Amazing work and don't spill that drink on your brand new carpet I am going to follow this thread. Can't wait to see the progress! Best of luck!
