Thanks to all! I had doubts about that picture because it shows too much other than the layout IMO - but there's really no other way to show the size of that train. That room, BTW, is 18 feet deep. I wonder if I could add ANOTHER Maxi III... Jamie, glad it piqued your daughter's interest! And your I75 scene is looking great!
Jim, Add 6 more Maxi sets and it would still be sweet! Out around Mohave CA, BNSF has long hauls of inter-modals that stretch from horizon to horizon it seems. So toss another several sets of well cars and maybe a few rear helpers! Sweet can only get sweeter in this case!
Ooohhh David, you're stirring the pot! I really need to get some more forests done! VERY tempting though.... Must make more puffballs, must make more puffballs, must make more puffballs.....
I have often been accused of that! But really, you have the size to support the rear and possibly even mid-train helpers, so I say go for it! If you need more locomotives and well cars, I can help you out and lease them to you.......... Just like the prototype!
It's 66 platforms. Very cool, I've only gotten up to about 35 platforms at the club. (Of course we have 3% grades!)
66 Platforms is correct, Steve (thank you, jagged Ben). Something this size doesn't LOOK like there are grades, but there are. The ruling grade is hidden, coming up out of staging, and then into the ruling curves as well but at a reduced grade. Still, if you get a heavy enough train you'll stringline on the second curve (coming out of the canyon). I played with it a bit during testing and got it down to about 1.5%, but I suspect if/as I add more platforms I'll end up with pull-aparts at some point. And David, thanks for the offer but there's plenty of power sitting in the Oakville engine facility - including a new UP GEVO that's getting detailed this afternoon...(it runs as well as the other two...)
I actually get just as much--if not more--inspiration and enjoyment from pictures that show not just the scenery of the layout but also how the layout fits in to the surroundings. Makes me feel like I am standing in your train room watching that train roll through. Plus, it motivates me because I can imagine what I hope a similar train will look like on my layout (with a whole bunch more Eastern trees, of course). Jamie
66... intermodal...platforms...soooo...gooood.....soooo....jealous!! As a significant intermodal junkie this picture really, really pleased me, now the questions: What is the make-up of the platforms? I understand you have some Maxi III's? Looks like some Maxi IV's? Are you matching the loads to what the BNSF typically carries (aren't they a big EMP carrier and UP the big Pacer carrier or do I have that wrong?) Great, inspiring photo, THANK YOU! Jan
While I don't have the room for a layout, your scenery does make me want to try my hand at a photo diorama. I liked your previous layout and this one pushes it to another level! Shawn
Well, Jan, let's see: There are some Walthers stand-alone Thrall cars, and some of their 5 unit Thralls in there as well, and some N Scale Kits Maxi IIIs, and some DI Maxi IIIs, and LoPacs, and some Kato Maxi IVs. I'd like to match up more closely, but those little buggers are expensive, and they have changed three or four times since I started buying containers, so I pretty much go with what I have. I COULD do the train with all Hunt containers - but I haven't unpacked them yet... And thanks to all for their comments on a photo I was hesitant to use! That was the idea, Shawn, thanks. This is my retirement project; I'm mainly trying to get the layout fleshed out so I can begin doing detail work. I'll get to that point shortly - as you can see I need lots more trees (prepping them now), and about six feet more of fencing in the south room (painting that now), and fencing in the north room and then I can call the basics finished. It will have taken less than two years to get it to this point - the layout was begun in June of 08. And THEN the fun starts!
What a difference a week makes! You will recall this shot from last week: Several hundred trees and puffballs later: Here's a closer shot along the west side: Some times I almost think I'm gonna get this done! (Actually it will be two years in June - barring catastrophe I should be complete with the basics well before then...)
Looks great, I should deliver the loaner cars and locomotives in person an maybe have a few trains tucked away in my back pocket! :mbiggrin: Never ceases to drop my jaw! Jim, between you and Jerry's ATSF layout I just don't stand a chance....... Keep it going!
DCESharkman said: Visitors and their trains are always welcome, David. As long as they have lp wheels and DCC! Jerry and I are actually only about three hours apart...gotta find an excuse to go to Gadsden...
The puffball trees look great Jim.:thumbs_up::thumbs_up:They work out great on a slightly elevated surface. How far is the camera away from the trees?
That looks fantastic!!!! The last photo is one of the best I've seen! Keep the progress shots coming, they get better and better each time.
