Well, since I went out and bought a new Bachmann DCC E-Z command train set (Thunder Chief set) so, I started lurking this forum after i bought the set for a while and thought it was time to come out lol.
I have already started doing a video series of the build of my layout but i thought i would also do a thread about it here as well, I'm not much into doing threads and pics and all but i do fairly well in trying lol
i'll post the videos as well as some pics and details of the build here.
I have started building a new layout using that train set with the E-Z track and i can tell you that using the E-Z track is challenging but i like a good challenge lol, so far I have build a 56x118 table that is 42 inches tall for the layout,
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0785.jpg)
it is on wheels so that i can place it in the center of the room as a walk around layout.
The layout has regular left and right turnouts and left and right crossovers all are the decoder equipped type and so far they work great with the E-Z command controller.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0790.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0791.jpg)
The layout will have an old Bachmann bridge that i have had for over 20 years haha and i will make a tunnel for it as well. i will be using the woodland scenics sub terrain system for it and as you can see i already laid the 2 inch risers.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0797.jpg)
i have also laid a 2% incline set that i had to custom cut to fit the track layout.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0800.jpg)
I made a template for a riverbed, or creek bed which ever you want to call it lol that i will make and i have a pond mold that will be put somewhere in the area in the pic
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0802.jpg)
here's another pic with a profile board in place just so i can get an idea of what it may look like
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0804.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0820.jpg)
I soldered most of the rails together and did all the weathering on the ties and track rails, was not easy on the E-Z track but it came out good, i think haha
a couple of pics of the crossovers weathered just to give you an idea of how the rest looks. I painted the rails with a rust color mixed with a little black shade to it and painted the ties with a brownish black mixture.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0806.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0808.jpg)
here are the videos i have made so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHQrLPbHcZ0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHQrLPbHcZ0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAHqetOUhg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAHqetOUhg)
that's it for now, i will be working on the build more and more (mostly weekends) and i'll post some more as i make more progress.
Looks great so far! Keep us posted on your progress.
Quote from: Yardmaster on November 08, 2014, 04:27:20 PM
Looks great so far! Keep us posted on your progress.
Hey thanks Yardmaster, i will try to keep updating this thread. It's been fun so far working with the E-Z track, some challenges but what's a layout without the challenges haha :P
Hey man! Really liking what you've done so far!
Was wondering what you did to weather the track?
Quote from: Striker1945 on November 08, 2014, 07:10:54 PM
Hey man! Really liking what you've done so far!
Was wondering what you did to weather the track?
Thanks, I used a combination of colors, for the ties i used a flat brownish color with a hint of flat soot color and a top layer of woodland scenics weathering pen.
for the rails i first painted them flat black then i used a combination of colors, first i used the woodland scenics rail weathering pen then, i used some watered down flat rust color (gunze sangyo from japan) then, as the final coat i used testors flat rust color to give it a darker look.
it was not easy weathering the E-Z track but with some patience and a steady hand it came out pretty good.
Great start S1,
What radius is the outer and inner loops?
I weathered my EZ track also but ran into a problem around the points. Had to use a little thinner to loosen them up. The paint was causing them to hang up. Have you tried throwing yours to see if they are sticking? Manually they were fine but the switch motors would cause them to hang up.
Quote from: Jerrys HO on November 09, 2014, 09:37:40 AM
Great start S1,
What radius is the outer and inner loops?
I weathered my EZ track also but ran into a problem around the points. Had to use a little thinner to loosen them up. The paint was causing them to hang up. Have you tried throwing yours to see if they are sticking? Manually they were fine but the switch motors would cause them to hang up.
Thanks Jerrys HO, The outer loops are 22 radius and the inner is 18 i did 22 on the outer lane for better operation and it worked out great.
At first I had that same problem with the points sticking a little but once the paint dried they were all fine i think watering down the paint helped for that plus i wiped them off fairly well while the paint was still wet, in this video you could see them all working fine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAHqetOUhg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpAHqetOUhg)
Be very careful ballasting around the switches. Put a little oil under the throw rod and don't ballast around the point rails at all until you have a whole evening for each switch to go tie by tie individually with pipette application of alcohol and scenic cement. Don't rush this, I did and paid the price.
I'd paint the roadbed too because one rock out of place with those nice thin ties and you'll see grey plastic. Be careful around the slot for the throwing actuator too, gravel in there can gum it up very easily. Also, when applying anything around switch point rails, try to get the points centered in mid throw so that when everything is dry it's not hard to loosen the points back up.
I know all of this stuff because each thing was learned the hard way. E-z track is easy to get a layout down fast and running, looks pretty good when painted and ballasted, but if you deviate from a track plan that uses standard sections, it can get rough trying to cut and fit odd pieces.
E-z track ... can get rough trying to cut and fit odd pieces.
This is where using standard sectional track and flex track has an advantage. Using a pair of Xuron rail cutters, you can cut to just about any specific length you want (need), easily.
Quote from: Trainman203 on November 09, 2014, 11:42:57 AM
Be very careful ballasting around the switches. Put a little oil under the throw rod and don't ballast around the point rails at all until you have a whole evening for each switch to go tie by tie individually with pipette application of alcohol and scenic cement. Don't rush this, I did and paid the price.
I'd paint the roadbed too because one rock out of place with those nice thin ties and you'll see grey plastic. Be careful around the slot for the throwing actuator too, gravel in there can gum it up very easily. Also, when applying anything around switch point rails, try to get the points centered in mid throw so that when everything is dry it's not hard to loosen the points back up.
I know all of this stuff because each thing was learned the hard way. E-z track is easy to get a layout down fast and running, looks pretty good when painted and ballasted, but if you deviate from a track plan that uses standard sections, it can get rough trying to cut and fit odd pieces.
Thanks for the sound advice Trainman203, i hear you about the point area i do plan on being kinda sparing on the ballast in those areas. I also do put the points in med throw as a precaution it worked good when i did the weathering. I did not Paint the middle section between the ties because i plan on adding the ballast carefully but, i might mess it up how knows only time will tell lol
I will take apart the switch section when i apply the cement although around the point area like this
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0841.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0837.jpg)
And i have already made little ballast sections to cover the manual throw area, like this
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0843.jpg)
I also use this liquid electric tape to coat the electronics, been using it for years on my rc truck electronics without fail works every time. it gives a good seal to protect the electronics from liquid.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0845.jpg)
Quote from: jbrock27 on November 09, 2014, 01:19:32 PM
E-z track ... can get rough trying to cut and fit odd pieces.
This is where using standard sectional track and flex track has an advantage. Using a pair of Xuron rail cutters, you can cut to just about any specific length you want (need), easily.
I have not had any problems so far with the E-Z track and i did have to cut a small section of it for my bridge section which i will cover later when i get to that point, granted i do have a bandsaw and just use a micro file to clean off any burrs on the rails, i also have some sections that i will use on the layout (tunnel section) that is standard track (code 100) i did not have to cut the tunnel section and i had no problems with making it fit/match to the E-Z track but it is a challenge to get the standard track to match the E-Z track.
Nice! A pre made ballast cap to install over the slot on the switch. Why didn't I think of that. Great idea. This is why we have forums.
I am going to install operable switch stands on my switches, Caboose Industries high level stands. Concealing that slot has always been a bugaboo that I could not think of how to fix other than gluing a bush over it. Thanks!
Quote from: Trainman203 on November 09, 2014, 04:57:38 PM
Nice! A pre made ballast cap to install over the slot on the switch. Why didn't I think of that. Great idea. This is why we have forums.
I am going to install operable switch stands on my switches, Caboose Industries high level stands. Concealing that slot has always been a bugaboo that I could not think of how to fix other than gluing a bush over it. Thanks!
you're welcome, yes i agree that is why forums are so important. The switch stand sounds like a good idea i'm just going to get some of those cheap $2.00 fake ones to place next to the switch on each one :P
I made some more progress today, i put down some plaster cloth on the tunnel section and i also cut the tunnel walls and painted them flat black. right before i put the walls in place i will add some ballast and some random rocks to line the tunnel area probably only the first 8 inches or so.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0823.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0825.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0831.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0849.jpg)
I also laid down the section of foam roadbed for the tunnel section and working with this foam was so easy, it curved around the radius extremely easy.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0851.jpg)
here i added some old cork i had laying around to fill in the empty void under the track to lessen the noise and i will fill in the rest of the smaller gaps with some thin weather stripping, i have already tried this and it helps deadened the sound do to the empty void under the E-Z track a lot.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0853.jpg)
so, i want to wire up some signal lights to my switches so that when i throw each switch the lights will turn on and off respectively, does anyone know which wire does what lol or does anyone have the wiring diagram for these DCC decoder equip turnouts and crossovers?
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0835.jpg)
Mr. Bachmann tech ... help!! haha i guess i could go through the motions of figuring out the wiring but if anyone know the wiring let me know.
Jesus Saves, And A Beauty!, never inferred you or anyone had any problems with their EZ track, just pointing out how it is easier to cut non roadbed track with Xuron cutters. To me, that makes for an advantage for the use of sectional track or flex track, w/o roadbed. Not everyone has a band-saw at their disposal.
Nice work, lookin good. The time and planning you are putting in shows ;).
Quote from: jbrock27 on November 09, 2014, 09:17:15 PM
Jesus Saves, And A Beauty!, never inferred you or anyone had any problems with their EZ track, just pointing out how it is easier to cut non roadbed track with Xuron cutters. To me, that makes for an advantage for the use of sectional track or flex track, w/o roadbed. Not everyone has a band-saw at their disposal.
Nice work, lookin good. The time and planning you are putting in shows ;).
I agree it is easy to work with and cut standard sectional track and i do like the advantages of using them, cutting the E-Z track has not been fun nor easy but i was up for the challenge. i was going to make this layout using standard track but since i bought the E-Z track i gave it a go. When i planed the tunnel area i already had some old code 100 track so there was no way i was going to buy extra E-Z track sections for that area if i didn't have to.
Saved-
Thank you for the excellent, illustrative photos of your layout's progress. I must say, your sweeping curves and elevation changes are rhythmic and lovely to look at. Why, they're almost to graceful to cover up with track and scenery! You did just a great job with the WS materials.
As regards cutting roadbed attached track, I've used a cut-off wheel in a Dremel tool. I carefully measure first and then cut the roadbed and the rails to the exact length I need. The Dremel makes roadbed joints just about invisible if done slowly and carefully, but that doesn't matter if ballast is applied. Although I no longer use roadbed attached track, I think it is an enormous improvement over yesterday's sectional track.
I have friends who crush some of their ballast nearly to powder for the tight clearance areas around turnouts. They use gray paint and sprinkle on the powder to ensure they have a color match without fouling the points or operating rod.
-- D
Although I no longer use roadbed attached track, I think it is an enormous improvement over yesterday's sectional track.
How so Doc?
Jim-
The big difference is the roadbed. It holds things together so much better than rail joiners alone. This improvement disappears once everything is fastened down but roadbed attached track still makes the assembly easier to do than sectional track which has a tendency to come apart or become misaligned even while it's being worked on. It's also easier to get a straight section straight because the roadbed doesn't let things wiggle around. There's nothing that looks worse than a tangent track that weaves back and forth due to sectional track requiring more care in assembly.
You have to remember that my HO days go back to 1959 when track meant Code 100 brass sections, brass flex on paper ties, Tru-Scale milled roadbed or hand laid. And did I mention Code 100 brass? That's all that was readily available. Nickel silver rail was available only as rail, not as part of assembled track of any kind. And everything was Code 100 because all of the wheels had pizza pan flanges.
-- D
Quote from: Doneldon on November 10, 2014, 03:31:50 AM
Saved-
Thank you for the excellent, illustrative photos of your layout's progress. I must say, your sweeping curves and elevation changes are rhythmic and lovely to look at. Why, they're almost to graceful to cover up with track and scenery! You did just a great job with the WS materials.
As regards cutting roadbed attached track, I've used a cut-off wheel in a Dremel tool. I carefully measure first and then cut the roadbed and the rails to the exact length I need. The Dremel makes roadbed joints just about invisible if done slowly and carefully, but that doesn't matter if ballast is applied. Although I no longer use roadbed attached track, I think it is an enormous improvement over yesterday's sectional track.
I have friends who crush some of their ballast nearly to powder for the tight clearance areas around turnouts. They use gray paint and sprinkle on the powder to ensure they have a color match without fouling the points or operating rod.
-- D
Thanks, yes it was a hard decision to cover up most of the incline work i did but that is just the way the layout was planed, i did already modify my layout plan to get a little more incline to show. working with the WS foam is pretty easy.
oh a dremel i have 2 of them, i love my dremel, the one thing i don't like about using a dremel to cut plastic is that it tends to melt the plastic but they do work very well when you take time with the tool.
I do have some fine gray ballast that i will use in the point areas, i will just take my time in those areas when doing it.
Yes Doc, thank you I realize the difference.
As you put it in the context you did, I now understand why you said what you did.
Instead of calling roadbed track an improvement over traditional sectional track though, I would instead agree it provides a different option. As you point out, it stays together better than the job rail joiners do alone on traditional sectional track (which can be solved by soldering the rail joiners together and this also helps keep sections in line-I like to join 3 sections together by soldering them and this makes it easier to work with.) This makes roadbed attached track ideal for setting up and taking apart layouts that are temporary, where traditional sectional track is not meant for that.
Saves And A Beauty, I love my Dremel tool too! Just be careful to wear eye protection when using it-I have had bits of brass and plastic get flung all over the place.
Quote from: jbrock27 on November 10, 2014, 07:01:50 PM
Yes Doc, thank you I realize the difference.
As you put it in the context you did, I now understand why you said what you did.
Instead of calling roadbed track an improvement over traditional sectional track though, I would instead agree it provides a different option. As you point out, it stays together better than the job rail joiners do alone on traditional sectional track (which can be solved by soldering the rail joiners together and this also helps keep sections in line-I like to join 3 sections together by soldering them and this makes it easier to work with.) This makes roadbed attached track ideal for setting up and taking apart layouts that are temporary, where traditional sectional track is not meant for that.
Saves And A Beauty, I love my Dremel tool too! Just be careful to wear eye protection when using it-I have had bits of brass and plastic get flung all over the place.
yeah wearing eye protection is a good idea for sure.
Saved-
You can cut plastics with your Dremel if you lower the RPMs. At full speed your abrasive or saw creates high heat which has the potential to distort the things you are working on, including the parts you want to retain. So ... turn the RPMs way down. You'll give up a little speed of cutting, sanding and drilling, but your work will be more accurate and less likely to degrade your final product. Many Dremels have this ability on board. If yours don't, you can get a rheostat into which you plug your tool to get the same control.
Be careful with that fine gray ballast around the moving parts of your turnouts. My friends use almost powdered ballast, not just small ballast. They are mainly concerned with color matching but aren't worried about texture.
-- D
Quote from: Doneldon on November 11, 2014, 04:57:22 AM
Saved-
You can cut plastics with your Dremel if you lower the RPMs. At full speed your abrasive or saw creates high heat which has the potential to distort the things you are working on, including the parts you want to retain. So ... turn the RPMs way down. You'll give up a little speed of cutting, sanding and drilling, but your work will be more accurate and less likely to degrade your final product. Many Dremels have this ability on board. If yours don't, you can get a rheostat into which you plug your tool to get the same control.
Be careful with that fine gray ballast around the moving parts of your turnouts. My friends use almost powdered ballast, not just small ballast. They are mainly concerned with color matching but aren't worried about texture.
-- D
ah yes, one of mine has a speed control so i could use that one to cut with. I will be extra careful around the points and switch area when i do it :) i'll post pics of the final results when i do it.
Got a little more progress to my layout done.
I glued down the sections of track for the tunnel areas and put some ballast on the entrance/exit tracks of the tunnel areas about 9 inches a little more then i wanted to but once i started i got excited and went to far lol i used a blend of medium and fine ballast it came out pretty well, i think
a few pics of one of the sections
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0855.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0857.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0861.jpg)
i also got a few pieces of this stuff, i will use them as tunnel liners for about the first 6 inches or so
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0865.jpg)
like this
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0863.jpg)
I had to cut the trusses of the bridge a little to make them line up with the rest of the E-Z track, was easy i just glued them back together with some plastic cement and once i weather them it should hide the glue, i hope haha
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0880.jpg)
lined up really well
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0882.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0885.jpg)
I cut a small section off each end of the E-Z track where the bridge track meets the E-Z track with a small hand saw with a micro fine tooth blade, came out good
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0894.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0892.jpg)
drilled and ran all the track feeders, i used 18 gauge stranded wire for the feeders, i used 3 in total.
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0871.jpg)
I also drilled and ran the wiring for some of the block signal lights i will be adding later
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0896.jpg)
since i am doing a video series of my layout build, here is part 4 of the video series,
"spoiler" alert haha in the video i give a sneak peek of the block signals i will be using lol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNsF4QNQfeI
well, till next time have fun with your model trains ;D
I am really enjoying your work as the layout progresses. Sharing your work with photos is makes all the difference. Thanks for letting us watch your layout grow.
I like your weather stripping under the EZtrack. Looking forward to watching a train run across the rails.
Regards,
Jonathan
Quote from: jonathan on November 16, 2014, 08:15:59 AM
I am really enjoying your work as the layout progresses. Sharing your work with photos is makes all the difference. Thanks for letting us watch your layout grow.
I like your weather stripping under the EZtrack. Looking forward to watching a train run across the rails.
Regards,
Jonathan
Thanks Jonathan and, you're welcome. i am having a lot of fun building this layout and i do believe doing build threads and such are a good thing for the hobby. this is my first layout build i have ever done so, by no means i am no expert at it haha so yeah just goes to show that if i can do it, anyone can!
over 20 years ago i bought a bunch of ho scale train stuff, like a train set (which i did not use lol), buildings, accessories and stuff like that but was never able to build it back then do to having no space but now since i have my house all to my self i can do it yay ;D so a mix of old and new will be used for my layout.
Nice retro bridge and trestle there! Who made that one: AHM, Life-Like, Model Power, TYCO or Walthers?
I'm also working on an E-Z Track layout for the local hobby shop's museum.
Hmm never thought of using the Chooch flexible walls as a tunnel liner.
Nice retro bridge and trestle there! Who made that one: AHM
Before I glue assembled ours together (AHM and 2 actually) I spray painted the trestles of the bridge section flat black and then after assembly, I painted the walkways on either side of the track platform, wood color. Makes a difference. Before switching to Atlas grey stone block piers, I spray painted the wood looking piers a brown (Rustoelum primer).
Quote from: wiley209 on November 21, 2014, 12:25:55 AM
Nice retro bridge and trestle there! Who made that one: AHM, Life-Like, Model Power, TYCO or Walthers?
I'm also working on an E-Z Track layout for the local hobby shop's museum.
The bridge is from an old tyco bridge and trestle kit set. I've had this bridge set for a long time, It maybe from the 70's but not sure.
I would love to see the layout you are building ;D
Quote from: Joe323 on November 21, 2014, 08:38:54 AM
Hmm never thought of using the Chooch flexible walls as a tunnel liner.
They worked out pretty good I did have to use a little hot glue to keep them on the Styrofoam, i am almost done with the tunnel section when i finish it i will post a few pics of it.
Quote from: jbrock27 on November 21, 2014, 10:08:29 AM
Nice retro bridge and trestle there! Who made that one: AHM
Before I glue assembled ours together (AHM and 2 actually) I spray painted the trestles of the bridge section flat black and then after assembly, I painted the walkways on either side of the track platform, wood color. Makes a difference. Before switching to Atlas grey stone block piers, I spray painted the wood looking piers a brown (Rustoelum primer).
I will be weathering the bridge section (i ran out of paint lol) and i will paint the wooden sections on top of the bridge as well and weather those too, i agree with you, it will make a difference :)
I finished lining the tunnel using the chooch flexible wall and it came out better then i thought it would, i even had enough to line the ceiling of the tunnel too lol
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0898.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0900.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0902.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0904.jpg)
I also finished the tunnel "yay" and placed and trimmed the profile board background :)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0933.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0947.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0949.jpg)
I cutout a total of 3 excess ports in the tunnel area
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0906.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0908.jpg)
I had some old thin strips of vinal laying around from work so i will use it as a hinge of sorts for the excess doors, once i plaster it all together it should look and work good. I'll add a little handle later to open and close the excess doors
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0914.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0910.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0918.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0919.jpg)
As always, since i am doing a video series of my layout build, here is part 5 of the series,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAxHPq9Mi3I
well, till next time have fun with your model trains
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving
That was a great idea on the tunnel. I love the look!
A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well :)
Quote from: jbrock27 on November 23, 2014, 06:43:30 PM
That was a great idea on the tunnel. I love the look!
A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well :)
Thank you and,
thank you
Saved-
Your tunnel looks great. It's a good idea to have a long tunnel which conceals part of the turn back curve on a table layout as it makes the whole thing a bit more realistic. Using vinyl as hinges for your access points is also a good idea. It should allow the doors to stay closed unless and until you need to use them. Another way to hold them is using magnets, but it looks to me as though your hinged doors will work just fine.
-- D
That tunnel liner looks great
Quote from: Doneldon on November 23, 2014, 09:24:38 PM
Saved-
Your tunnel looks great. It's a good idea to have a long tunnel which conceals part of the turn back curve on a table layout as it makes the whole thing a bit more realistic. Using vinyl as hinges for your access points is also a good idea. It should allow the doors to stay closed unless and until you need to use them. Another way to hold them is using magnets, but it looks to me as though your hinged doors will work just fine.
-- D
Thanks, yes i think the vinyl will work pretty good
Wow! The tunnel simply looks amazing. Looking forward to your next update!
-Striker
Quote from: Striker1945 on November 24, 2014, 08:19:43 PM
Wow! The tunnel simply looks amazing. Looking forward to your next update!
-Striker
Thank you ;D
I took some time off do to the Thanksgiving holiday and i hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving
even though i took some time off i was still busy at work on my layout, got a little plaster on my shirt in the process :P
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0957.jpg)
But, I did finish the mountain area over the tunnel and did one small part of the flat section where some buildings will go
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_0999.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1001.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1013.jpg)
in the pic below i made a small section on the top of the mountain where i made a small flat section kinda like a pond of sorts in which a body of water will be and then i will add some realistic type water and a waterfall coming down behind the bridge
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1015.jpg)
I need to start painting the mountains and add the scenery and i will get to that soon, i hope lol
i also got a signal light bridge that i was working on (or should i say trying to figure out haha) which i will cover in another post when i get to it lol but, if you want to see a sneak peak of it you can watch this tutorial video i made of the signal bridge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_PnsEuO-ok
As always since i am doing a video series of my layout build, here is part 6 of the series,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXiTmaZfyCo
well, till next time have fun with your model trains
Looking good so far.
Really looking good.
I have a 6' X 10' figure 8 type double track layout using EZ Track & WS Sub Terrain Products.
Here's what I did to blend the foam sheets to the EZ Track roadbed.
Mix a small batch of Hydrocal. While it is still wet, using a sponge brush, spread it over the seams where the foam sheets meet the risers and over the roadbed right up to the ends of the ties on the EZ Track. Let it dry, then apply your favorite shade of "Undercoat".
Quote from: Flagman46 on December 10, 2014, 09:44:15 PM
Really looking good.
I have a 6' X 10' figure 8 type double track layout using EZ Track & WS Sub Terrain Products.
Here's what I did to blend the foam sheets to the EZ Track roadbed.
Mix a small batch of Hydrocal. While it is still wet, using a sponge brush, spread it over the seams where the foam sheets meet the risers and over the roadbed right up to the ends of the ties on the EZ Track. Let it dry, then apply your favorite shade of "Undercoat".
thank you, ah that is a good idea using hydrocal, i do plan on making some sections level with the roadbed but i was thinking of using smooth-it only because it is a little softer of a compound when dry and easier to cut and carve
i been so busy the last few weeks with Christmas coming and all but i managed to get some work done on my layout, not much work though :P
I have been busy working out all the wiring for the block animators for all the signals i will be using and also the flashing circuit board systems for the cross bucks i plan to use, here is one of the cross bucks i will use in one section
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1017.jpg)
the electrical aspects have been kicking my butt but alas, I have figured it all out ;D
I also have been testing out different colors for the mountain area, not sure yet which colors i will end up using and i added another flat section as well
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1022.jpg)
And i started the river bed it's not complete but it's getting there haha
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1020.jpg)
As always, since i am doing a video series of my layout build, here is part 7 of the series,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLoaEaHoH-M
I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas with many blessings.
well, till next time have fun with your model trains
So I took a few weeks off my layout build do to Christmas and new years but i did sneak in some time for some more progress on my layout lol and finished all the plaster for the flat area
I got some sculptamold
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1026.jpg)
and have been using it with great success :D
i painted the mountain area (even though most of it will be covered up by the grass, bushes and such lol) and used the sculptamold to make some rock formations on the tunnel entrance and exit
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1036.jpg)
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1038.jpg)
i also used the sculptamold to make the waterfall area and it came out pretty good
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1044.jpg)
i added some rock faces to it just for kicks and giggles
I also used the sculptamold to create the river bank
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1040.jpg)
I also finished laying down all the plaster for the flat areas and, i got my pond in place
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1042.jpg)
last but not least haha, since it was Christmas and all, i got two new diesel engines
(http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j6/soulwinner4JESUS/trains/IMG_1058.jpg)
As always, since i am doing a video series of my layout build, here is part 8 of the series,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N4VEHJKkNM
well, till next time have fun with your model trains