Time to kick of a new layout planning thread here at Trainboard. Here I'll be posting progress on my new layout that is based on the Model Railroad project layout, The Salt Lake Route (See Jan 2010 issue). The first few posts are past updates from my blog: Originally Posted December 1, 2009. ---------------------------------------- Last night I started doodling around with a track plan for the new layout. I discovered that I can take my existing benchwork modules and arrange them to fit this exact plan. So another "Yippie!" for this plan. I mainly started working on trying determine the needed radius on the track. I have most everything situated excepted for the right section, and the upper industry spur (near the orange car shop). But so far it's coming along nicely I think. I've also been thinking about the layout's location. I do like the valley side with the tunnels, but would like it to be a little more green. I couldn't really move it to a real southern location because it's pretty flat here with no tunnels, and keeping the tunnels might be a requirement as they act as a good scene divider on that side of the layout. The same goes for the industry side; something a little more urban/just-outside-of-town scene, rather than a rocky desert scene. So I'm going to toss on my Freelance hat and call the layout the Union Pacific Elmwood Route and use some of the old layout info for it's background. Here's a look at what the plan looks like so far:
Originally posted December 2, 2009. ----------------------------------------- Here's what I've done so far on the track plan: The general feel is similiar to the original Salt Lake route in the magazine, but I was pretty much guessing on what radius curves were being used at spots. Overall, I think it's a good plan. I have two spots on the industry side to do light switching and a double track main for continuous running for railfanning the layout. Right now I have a few choices I could use for the main industry on the right side. My top choice though is the Superior Paper mill buildings I already have. I'll have to draw up all the buildings and see how they fit.
Originally Posted December 4, 2009. ----------------------------------------- Here's the latest plan. Still kinda playing with the spur lines to the car shop and superior paper. I think I'm might move the switch to the the car shop sw to the left more. Looks kinda odd having the turnout wayyyy over on the right. I could even move the superior paper switch over to the right some and get rid of the crossover, though I think it could add nice visual element to the area. Also thinking of maybe moving one of the crossovers on the mainline up to just after the bridge, to just add some visual elements there. Also gonna clean up the backdrop so there's not so many little bends in it.
Originally Posted December 6, 2009. ------------------------------------------ Tonight I unpacked all my benchwork, assembled the modules and laid out where the benchwork will go. So glad that the modules I already have will fit the size exactly.
(Post are now current. This is from last night) Been working on the benchwork here and there the last few days. First I picked up some caster wheels from Lowe's. Siever's legs come with a hole drilled on the bottom for their little adjustable foot things. I had to drill this hole a little wider and deeper for the 2" wheels. They've been working great so far. I still need to add angle bracing to each leg just for a little extra support, though they work great as is. I then decided I would go ahead and pre-wire the 16 DCC bus lines that'll connect to the BDL168 occupancy detector board, along with a primary Rail A/B bus. I've got 8 run so far. Might be a little overkill to run all 16 wires the length of the layout, but I figure easier to do it now than later under the layout. I also labeled each wire after each cross beam so there's no guessing as to which wire is what. I also installed a little shelf for the DCS100 to sit on. It's zip tied in place so it isn't going anywhere. And lastly, I installed additional bracing to support the wire panel.
I like the look of the layout. The paper mill will really enhance operations with all the different materials needed for paper manufacturing.
Yowza! I had forgotten I started this progress thread here. My apologies for not posting anything for 6 months of my progress. If you like to see the progress of the last few months, please check out the archives at my blog, http://www.upmodelrailroad.com Save me from post-hording this thread with 6-months worth of updates. So where am I today? This weekend I got my river bank framing installed, and the fascia cut down to profile. Also have two tunnel portals installed and mostly complete: Over on the Elmwood side, I built my 4-lane overpass (see blog for details) and have most of the track laid out. Just need to finish installing the industry spurs and glue down the yard tracks.
Today I got the plaster cloth down on the banks of the river. Just need to finish up the interior of the last tunnel, glue down the foam hills to the layout, and then it'll be time for some Sculpt-a-mold. Still debating on how I want to tackle the area behind the bridge and hide that one support post.
Looking good Shaun. I'm planning on building a layout based on the Salt Lake route plan myself and I like what you've done with it so far.
Today I started working on an idea I had to filling in the empty space on the river side of the layout. I thought I might be able to reuse my old Rubber Rocks I had from the old layout. First I cut out a piece of foam board to fit the open space. Since the original Rubber Rocks were shorter than what I needed, I had to cut 'em up and rearrange them like a puzzle to fill in the space. I glued the molds to the foam using Liquid Nails for foamboard, and then placed in on the layout for the initial "How does it look" test. The next step will be to secure the piece to the backdrop permanently, fill in the gaps with Sculpt-a-Mold, and paint.
Shaun, looks like they'll form a nice wall and backdrop, I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out!
