Below is the invite I posted for my last layout party. This will be explained at your read further. This is my third year of hosting these parties so I am actually getting a sense of what I am doing now. I will be advertising in a number of forums, so apologises to those who bounce between many. You will see threads I have included at the bottom of the invite so you can peruse at your own pleasure as you make up your mind whether to join in. I can say, that everyone in all the parties have had a good time. This one will be called: Workin the layout – time to party Okay, I know you're out there. Yeah you, and you, and you with the potato chip hanging off your lip and the half drunk coke sitting beside you...lol. I know you're not working on your layout as much as you hoped to. Well what I am proposing is a layout party for a 5 week period - a layout design self help group. The purpose of the group is to encourage others to get out of their armchair and do some more work on the layout. And also to motivate you (and me) to do more work on our layout. I am hoping we can get a small group (but no one will be rejected) of people who will be committed to posting their work on the layout from the following week. This means for 5 weeks you are committed to posting once a week (or more – several did). We will of course congratulate those who work on their layout, and encourage those who haven't. Rules: 1. Brief description of your layout to present, with what you want to accomplish in the next 5 weeks (don't make it grandiose is my recommendation). 2. Brief description of what you hope to accomplish in the next week. 3. A commitment to posting once a week describing what you have or have not done. It is important to report if you have "fallen off the wagon (not worked on the layout" so that we can see all are human here, and that we can encourage you). You can include pictures, problems you have encountered, get bragging rights around the cooler, etc. I’m looking for you to walk the walk, as well as talk the talk. 4. A commitment to not fudging your reply so that you look better than you are really doing. By joining this group, you are acknowledging already that you haven't worked on the layout as much as you know you should have. The idea here is for us to have some fun and act as an electronic round robin self help group. When I have others coming over to my home to help me build, I am more efficient because I have to plan and prepare, then work when they arrive. Well, this is the the internet round robin group, we may not be able to physically help you out, but we can support you and your efforts. Many had a good time with this format. It was not uncommon to hear people say they had accomplished more work on their layout in the short time we ran the thread than they had in long time. Many posted pictures, asked questions, helped others, moaned about their problems, and encouraged others through theirs. I am including the threads to the last three layout parties if you want to check out what happened and what is expected out of you. I host this at www.trainboard.com in the “Layout Design” forum; I am the moderator there. I have found it is easier to keep track of one longer thread there than in some other forums. Also trainboard has free Image hosting (picture hosting) so you might want to take advantage of that forum. You have to join the trainboard to participate, but it is free. Again, the title of the thread will be: Working the layout – time to party If you have any problems joining trainboard or posting pics, let me know. And I will get some one to assist you. Just around Xmas some were having trouble getting a password, but that has been solved now. From Arm Chair to Benchwork http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/ubb/get_topic/f/33/t/000234/p/1.html? Lonely Hearts Club Band http://www.trainboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=33;t=000106 High Balling the layout http://www.trainboard.com/ultimatebb.php/ubb/get_topic/f/33/t/000178.html [ 12. January 2004, 05:13: Message edited by: rsn48 ]
I will start the party! I will be working on my "nolix" area (there is thread here talking about nolix's for those who don't know what it is). My plan is to have the basic benchwork up for the nolix area, with some but not all of the spline road bed in, over the next five weeks. I will post a pic of the area that I am working in and hopefully get a pic of what I will have built at the end of the 5 weeks. So my commitment for the next week is to remove paint from some legs I plan to use, and get the basic "S" shape I have already built up.
Greetings I would love to join the party if I may Ok, trying to follow the rules here.. bear with me... 6 months ago, I moved from the UK to Canada, and sold my complete model railway N gauge layout, featured on my web site... http://www.colony.co.uk . Having now settled into my new home and life, it is time to start all over again. I have modelled for over 30 years now in N gauge, mostly british, but dabbled in North American. Now because of my new location, I am going to model the railways I see around me, i.e Canadian national, today in n gauge. I have track plans, and I have space, and I have track on order from the UK (I wanted to stick with peco code 55 and it was cheaper to import it I have one other prime time aim with this layout as well... I am going full DCC and have my controller units. My 5 week modelling project is to start building the row of shops that will run along my backscene behind the main street on my layout, well some of them anyway while I wait for track to arrive etc. I have a shelf full of DPM kits (well about 9)which are screaming at me to stop reading magazines and start building, so if that will fit into the category of joining this party, then thats what I would like to do This week in particular, I want to get at least 3 shells together, painted and fully assembled and start on the details for at least one of them, including going out with the digital camera and taking photos of some local stores so that I can start to make interiors for them as well. I also plan a visit to a model railway store I have found here that sells lots of bits in N and see what I can find for detailing bits and pieces to elevate the kits from just out of the bag to models Looking forward to seeing what everyone else is doing. Regards Graham Evans http://www.colony.co.uk
Well, I haven't done much work since November, so I guess I can join! I have a spot or two on the layout needing some work- as a matter of fact, it needs track laid, buildings built, scenery put in, backdrop painted, the whole 9 yards. Go to Cyberspace Flagstop , click on the link to the SLSF Spring River Subdivison, click on the link on the bottom of that page, and you'll see the trackplans. The area needing work is on the Spring River RR area of the layout. I have a Walthers tire plant that needs to be put together, and plenty of code 83 track to lay in the area. I've recently installed a backdrop in the area to block it off from track on the upper level (the Frisco main line), but need to paint it and add scenery. So for this layout party, my contribution will be called "Goodrun Tire Plant at Seneca". I don't have a digital camera, but I will be honest in my efforts and reportings. Now that my feet have been put to the fire, I'll have the emphasis to get busy.
Cool concept Rick! If I may be permitted to join, I'm coming from a different angle. First I don't have a layout started yet and second I have not been idle, in fact I've been busy of late. Let me explain: I'm starting back in to the hobby after a 25 year layover, using my 4 year old son as a (lame) excuse. I'm in the planning (and learning) phase. My problem is I'm STUCK in the planning phase. Trying to reconcile conflicting design criteria, I'm bouncing round between different designs and can't seem to commit to one and get started. So my commitment for these five weeks is to get a design selected and start some benchwork! this is one project where you guys CAN help heaps, with advice and critiques for the design. You have two Canadians and a Lone Star. Now you have a Kiwi too. regards Rob
Hello, I've messed up already. New to this forum thing. I've mistakely posted my project under the topic LNER Shelf Layout. The layout is going to be an Inglenook sidings type of shunting puzzle layout. At the moment I have a blank shelf, and some Peco OO track. This week I hope to be at the stage where I'm ready to lay track. See my other post for details. posted 12 January, 2004 19:18 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I'm new to this forum, and I'll be building my first layout. To date this layout consists of a 4 feet by 1 foot pine shelf (still shrink wrapped) a few points and a couple of yards of flex track, all Peco. I've some wagons and a Bachmann LNER J72 0-6-0 Tank shunter (switcher). The layout is going to be an Inglenook type shunting puzzle. This weeks jobs are: 1, Finalise track plan. 2, Try out Kadee couplings (if they arrive in time). 3, Lay cork underlay. 4, Prepare mountings for points (switchs) and motors. I think that's enough for the first week of actual work. I still haven't decided on the scenic treatment, the choice is urban or rural. Regards Martin (I posted the topic into here) (Colonel) [ 12. January 2004, 11:40: Message edited by: Colonel ]
I'll add myself to this party. I'm in the process of just beginning a small layout (see trackplanning thread "N layout on a door"). After giving myself a headache for several weeks I've finally settled on a trackplan. Now it's time to start mounting track and gluing foamboard. The 5 week goal would be to get all the track laid and most land countours in place (since I have yet to buy a structure, I'll leave myself some slack for placement). The whole thing should be running and functional if not pretty by the end. In a week's time I'd like to see the grades done. And I'd like to at least buy a structure or two by then.
Mind if I join in?? Having finalized a track plan and built the frame for the benchwork, my goal over the next five weeks is to finish putting plywood on the frame, draw the track plan out on the plywood, cut the plywood along the track lines, put risers underneath it to achieve my desired grades and elevations and finally get the cork subroadbed down for the entire layout. My progress to date can be seen in the link in my signature. The latest progress (not yet pictured) consist of raising the "stop sign" area of the benchwork in order to accomodate a future helix down below and applying plywood to this portion of the layout. Yesterday I also started drawing the track lines on this portion of the layout, cutting the plywood and installing risers. My goal for this week is to get this portion of the layout to grade and get the cork roadbed installed.
What timing. As you were crafting the invitation I was building a 49" x 97" bench for a small layout that will eventually be two towns on a bigger layout. I am returning to modeling after a 16 year hiatus. I got bitten by the bug and am about to set up to enjoy it again. The bench is currently in the garage waiting to be brought into its indoor location. That is today's task. My goals for the next 5 weeks are to install the main line, with balast and wiring so I can start some trains around, and to get as much of the siding work done as possible. This week will see installation of the bench and main line loaction, with the first turnouts going down.
On behalf of myself, my fellow moderators, and the admins here at Trainboard, I'd like to say Welcome Aboard to all you new folks who just joined, and especially those of you who have accepted invitations to Rick's layout party. Feel free to look around, and don't hesitate for one second to ask questions- we'll help you out as best we can. As the fight announcer would say, "Let's get ready to rum-bllllleee!"
I am going to add the jobs I do not like, so it is out there for all to see. I have been building structures, and experimenting with building trees, and painting figures... all while the benchwork remains incomplete. The problem is that the 4x8 is up and running without the track being on cork, or even nailed down. I guess I do not want to interrupt the continuous running I now enjoy to add the final risers, lay corsk and track, and properly wire stuff. So that is what I will attempt in the next 5 weeks. Finish the trackwork! I can't promise any ballasting, though I might throw in a remote controlled turnout or two... Within the week - get all those risers in place! Andrew
Hi there, I saw this posted at the Atlas site, and I'm interested. Winter is perfect time for this. I'm somewhat of a beginner; working on a small switching layout with a layout pretty much the same as shown on this site At this point, I have track laid and running not badly. Track is laid on cork on plywood, and I struggled on how to begin scenery for a while - what I decided was to hydrocal the plywood to add some variety and remove the woodgrain, and also to lessen the effect of the high cork roadbed. If anyone has suggestions I'd appreciate it. what I'd like to accomplish over the next Five-six weeks: 1) Complete a 3' shelf I'm building separately for storage of railcars. 2) complete application of hydrocal 3) some basic scenery, including the installation of a building that's half built.
My plans are fairly simple for the next 5 weeks. I hope to complete the half finished garden railway I started building over the holidays. I promised my wife to finish it before about mid February, which would be the appropriate time to landscape the beds here in Houston. Once that is finished, I plan to start planning for my 12 ft x 12 ft indoor S Scale layout. I'll work on that during the long hot Houston summer, as it is to be in an air conditioned bedroom.
My mainline and industry branchline are all down. My five week goal is to finish laying track in the yard area, lay track on warehouse branch, and to begin ballasting... (N scale small room layout)
well today. i did nothing. just testing to see how the cars roll on the #4 turnouts and waiting for the Flex track from Atlas.
First welcome to the new members. As has been suggested, look around and see what we have to offer here. If you want to post pics but don't have anywhere on the net to store them, you will find that railimages here is very popular. People post pics from railimages to many different locations on the net. Peter, Brando and Shawn a special hello as you are newer. Once I recall how to post a pic on the net I will show the area I am working on. I talked to a buddy today who shelled out big bucks for a wonderful new Cannon Camera that can use all his old Cannon lens and he has agreed to take some shots with it of my finished work. Brando, This is not a good time of the year for this suggestion in Ontario. But I sort of have a similiar problem as you with plywood. What you can use is real dirt held down with white glue/water combo. The dirt I use is from a river (The Fraser River in BC) and is very fine. I harvested it in some of the hottest weather we had and it was a fine powder which I ran through a screen to get out the big stuff. A friend of mine was the first to use it and he has used it in his yards. He is using the "dirt" as the base for latter stuff he will be adding, but it does hide the plywood very realistically.
My goals for the party will be to get the first 2 modules of my layout operational. That means taking this: and doing the following: Add 2" foam Prep the foam and lay track Do the wiring and test Weather and ballast the track Paint and add 12" backdrops Paint and add 4"fascia If I actually manage to get that far, I may even see if I can add the roads and miles of fencing needed. Did I say if? Party on! William
William how bout that chair...looks like you didnt have to go far? Maaaybe the dorm layout needs to stay under the bed where it lives for a few weeks.... My first quarter of college hit the grades pretty hard I woould like to get the one half of the layout that i've started sceniking fully land-formed, I've got plenty of materials but I haven't just sat down and gotten dirty with it yet... I've gotten the area ready for plastering and the tunnels covered. I modified the trackplan a little to allow for a different industrial set-up, and I got my first N-scale structure kits!!! I love those inexpensive DPM kits and they look great. I also got a Cornerstone lumber yard. I'll get pics up ASAP, and over the next 5 weeks hopefully we'll lay the foundations for the town! I'll keep ya posted heres a pic or two: And just for fun, here's my real layout, the HO scale Plywood Pacific. I don't think I'll be home though in the next 5 weeks... [ 13. January 2004, 08:05: Message edited by: Derek ]
Thanks for the welcome, friscobob and rsn48. I got the table installed in its final resting place testerday afternoon (until I move - wife wants to be in a new house by next Christmas. Downside - moving. Upside - huge train room.) I have a bunch of old #6 Walthers code 83 turnouts left over from a layout I built 16 years ago, but they won't fit on this smaller layout. That means 12 #5 Walthers code 83 turnouts - big bux. Last night I got the idea that I might want to try handlaying the layout. It's small enough that the task is not overly daunting, and it might be fun. My table is 1x4 framing with a 1/2" MDF top glued and screwed to the frame. Legs are 2x4's braced with 1x2's. The table is fairly sturdy. Before deciding on the MDF I tested it with track nails to see how it would work. My last layout was 1/2" plywood under 1/2" homosote. I found that the homosote did not hold track nails well, and the glue layers in the plywood were hard to nail through. I tested a scrap of MDF from my shop and it accepts track nails easily and holds them very well. Handlaid track on 1/4" cork with 3/8" nails into the MDF should hold very well. What do you all think? Are there any good on-line primers on handlaying track? I see that there was an article about this in the Jan 04 MR, but I don't have a copy. I will hit the three hobby stores in the area later today to try to find it. Also, does anyone know where on-line I can find a #5 turnout template, preferably in PDF format? I have the #4 and #6 NMRA templates, but a #5 would help.
Well you know i am in rick!! Goals include: Roadbed and track laid for ore peninsula area. Finish all mainline trackwork Build second control panel complete 3 additional buildings to assist in laying out cityscape. I believe thats a full load
