Looking great, Jerry!
I did my outer two lines, GG! and put it in 3d..my long slow 2% climb on the back is going to be awesome I think! Thanks for sharing the software!
B

thanks for the replies, guys, and thanks yardmaster. I'm sure that tooling isn't cheap.

I've been watching pretty hard now since school has kicked back in gear and it's the beginning of train season again. I've noticed that most manufacture's do the same loco(s) for their big release(s) of the year.
since I'm new to the hobby is this standard practice or is it some rule the NMRA has set in place that they have to abide by?
I figured that each company would benefit more if they didn't do all the same type of locos...guess I'm wrong in this...

I do know that dummy engines are pretty much a thing of the past, but I wish they would do them again..anywho, I noticed only a few companies do the undecorated version of their models. I know the yardmaster stated that undeco'd loco's don't sell well, but they must somehow or the other companies would be doing them right? or is because Bachmann sells so much the sales don't justify the quantity they would normally produce?

Just rambling and thinking this morning.....

Best,
Bal

Actually GG1, I can. I've toured that Hotel a few times.  Creepy place to say the least. I'm a huge S.King fan.
Me either Jerry, all the yard except the turnouts leading into the yard are peco switches and flex track. Thanks for the kind words. Means a lot!
Yeah, GG, I might a car or two short...maybe more, but that leaves us something to keep going to the train store for eh?
B

Thanks, GG1, yeah the back track will be elevated on a 2% for a 16' so climb starting in the top right corner.
This railroad is in the town Shaleford of my novel, Pray, which is modeled after Telluride, Colorado. Basically it's just a box canyon town, hence the U shape layout. I do plan on having some different elevations though throughout the layout.
Here is a pic of Telluride, Co
https://www.google.com/search?q=telluride+co+pictures&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=NiMeUor4N9epsATluYDwAg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1920&bih=932#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=ur_qHCzrxr279M%3A%3BGKl3p6SFv1B12M%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmedia.outsideonline.com%252Fimages%252FP413453-1-1_telluride-town-center.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.outsideonline.com%252Fadventure-travel%252Fnorth-america%252Funited-states%252Fcolorado%252Ftelluride%252FThe-Uncrowded-Mountain-Town.html%3B440%3B270

yeppers, not to worry, I'm a tall slender fella, with them long monkey arms. plus there is a two foot clearance all the way around on the backside of the layout and more on the front.

Thanks, not to worry, this is and was the last one of the little ones. 

On another note...had some spare time and wanted to see what it looked like...I like what it gives me in the yard aspect....I don't know, what do you all think? Everything is still there, just moved around a bit. the only major difference is the size of the walking trail and houses. It got shrunk a tad, but overall it's pretty much the same just moved around a bit and now instead of 10 yard lines I have 17 in this revamp. Thoughts? Likes? Hates? hehe..
Best,
Bal

Hehe, a Balrog type table. That made my night, M1! Thanks!
I love the layout GG, to have fun is the main purpose of the hobby and I would have hours of fun on yours that you posted. I LOVE the leg shelves, great idea! Wish I could do that, but alas with another toddler up and coming its just not feasible for me right now, but the idea is awesome!
B

Thanks M1, I've started the crazy endeavor to try collect the IC/ICG entire fleet of Sd40/SD40-2's. I'm using mostly dummy engines so I'm really not looking for power, but I'm off to a real good start. That was the power move in the vid. The Chessie and BN will stay as is but the UP is getting a facelift. Along with a few others that weren't in the video.

I haven't forgotten about the sheets. I'm still compiling them. 

Thanks M1. I think I've figured out a way to use the empty space on the bottom right in the curve. I thinking I'm going Tao back the two bottom buildings up some and have a way through for forklifts and use the right as a storage area or something along those lines. Should be pretty easy with some good ole plasticard or match sticks. We will see how it comes out though. The biggest problem is going to be leveling all the buildings and transfer table so it's functional as one unit. They are all at different heights, go figure eh? The inside of the buildings will be lighted. A led strip on the underside of each lines in the engine facility and some strips on the top overheads.

Yepperz, Anyrail to the rescue! Thanks guys, Jerry it's going to be the 90' Cornerstone DCC turntable, I'm not running steam so it's no need for the 130' foot one.
Wow, would have loved to see pics of the transfer table hidden in the woods like that, Desert..but thanks for the comment. I can't wait to get it all together.
Best,
Bal

Welcome to the forum and the great hobby of model trains! You wil need a separate power source for your switches/turnouts. A regular DC power pack should be fine for this if your turnouts arent decoder equipped. You can find them cheap on eBay or any other online retailer. Hope this helps!

You were reading my mid GG1, I'm going to put one in right next to the diesel house. Figured I best have one since repainting and upkeep is a prime directive of my fictional railroad eh?
Yeah, the end to end is really growing on me. I checked the video again where I saw it end to end and he has it on a dead end on one side so I don't feel so bad for having it run into the transfer table now. I figure quick fixes will come in off the 3 tracks and the heavier jobs will be brought in via the transfer table.


I'm really liking the end to end now Mr. Don! Lol, well, two tables are already built and some switches have been ordered. But gosh oh mighty is my switch board going to be a nightmare to operate.  The other three 5'x8' tables that need to be added will be commencing next weekend! You really can't see it on the layout to well but the top track will have a 2% incline that begins at the top right outside curve and will slow climb for 16' until the top left corner, and then she'll be comin round the mountain...literally! =) The whole left side will be the 'scenery' part of the layout. I've got some neat plans for it I think, and it won't be just a flat plane, lots of hills and rock outcroppings making up some neat and different elevations on those two tables.

Here is the video where I saw it end to end, this guy has tons of money evidently(over 2300 square feet of track). Really nice looking layout as well. The Diesel House is around the 9 minute mark on the vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEPGhVaGAgE&feature=share&list=PLqHQgiAJ9oRLXlHHqJcUATUvI4lAXnKh1
B

Ok, Mr. Don,
Here ya go. I actually like this way. But what do you all think? I'm posting the side by side pic first and then the end to end pic second.