NOTE: FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE, THE NEW POSTS AND UPDATES START ON PAGE 2.
Hi Bachmann friends!
I have had several requests for photos of my new layout under construction. So I thought I would send out a little report of how things went thru Mid February. If you have any interest I will go ahead and do a second report through March.
As some of you may know I have moved to Colorado. Tore down both my indoor and outdoor layouts in Missouri and have a new railroad under construction in the basement and crawl space of our new home. Tough starting over at the tender young age of 75, but it has been interesting meeting new challenges. Moved into the new place in late November 2014.
The first task was to finish the basement exterior walls with sheetrock and add electrical outlets every 10 feet along the walls. I also brought in a new circuit for the new overhead lighting and a second for track lights along the aisles (someday) I them surfaced the unfinished concrete floor with a gray epoxy paint. I got this part done by Jan 15th.
I was anxious to unpack my tools and set up a workbench and add some shelves for my trains. I found some good used base cabinets and added a laminate countertop which can be seen in photo 1. I also put up some one by six shelving for trains as I unpacked them and set my parts cabinets up (on the right). This was complete by Jan 21st.
Photo 1: (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4039.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4039.jpg.html)
With this done I wanted to get some track laid so I could at least test my many loco's even if I could just go 10 feet. Since I had my trackplan was ready, I went ahead and put up some benchwork to the left of my workbench which will eventually become my engine facility. Currently it is in use as a very very small yard for test trains. I use OSB board for a base and closed cell foam and sound board for the roadbed. I had to sort out all my salvaged track an make repairs to some of it. After 15 years in the ground some of the ties on my outdoor track deteriorated very badly. and had to be replaced. It was great to have a workbench and test track in place and really great to unpack all my tools I got this far by the end of the month.
Photo 2: (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4038.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4038.jpg.html)
In early February I finally got going on a thirty three foot extension along the south wall of the basement. It is shown with my Annie #97 some of my custom painted tank cars and a kitbashed shortened Bachmann 8 wheel caboose
Photo 3.(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_41021.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_41021.jpg.html)
I had to make a removable bridge so I could get access to the water softener, Radon removal system, and basement sink shown in Photo 4. It simply lifts out for the access. I also had to make a lift out in the south east wall window well seenn in the distance for the fire escape access.
Photo 4: (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_41011.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_41011.jpg.html)
I got this far by mid February and hung the mountain view poster as a reminder that some day there would be scenery instead of a wall mural. Couldn't resist a photo with my version 6 #97 Annie posed in front of it (photo 5) and another of Missouri Western early RS-3 diesel at the same spot
Photo 5: (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4095.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4095.jpg.html)
Photo 6: (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4023.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4023.jpg.html)
That is it for now, let me know if this is worth your time and I will post more.
Loco Bill
Hi Bill,
Looking good! Glad to hear you've got the plan already for the new layout. I've seen guys move and the trains stay packed up for years. Let me guess. No duck-unders and everything within reach I'll bet. So nothing outside for now? Remember those LGB adjustable track sections I used for my liftout bridge. They worked very well.
Keep us posted
Wade
Looks great thank you, keep it up the news
Update when you can. Let us know when all is finished -- then some can tell you what you did wrong! ;D
Hi Guy's
Wade, I do have a plan for outside and even a plan to get from outside to inside using a helix in the crawl space. I am not sure I will ever do it because I would like to get the inside layout more or less finished before going outside. I will not have any duckunders, but will have two either hinged liftups or maybe liftouts. It has been a long time since I saw your layout, but I do remember those adjustable LGB track sections.
Fhenn, thanks.
Hunt, As you know a model railroad is never finished, so I won't be surprised if folks start telling me what is wrong right away ;D ::)
In my own mind doing an inside layout has already forced me to do some things wrong. I wanted to keep the minimum radius at 5 feet, but where there is double track on a curve I was forced to make the inside curve 4.4 inch radius in one place. Also in my written plan drawing I thought I could keep the grades to 2.0 percent, but if I want to run my 1:20.3 I will be forced to make the grades 2.5 percent. The K27 and C19 are short enough to keep the grade at the lower level, but the stack on the long caboose was higher than even those two. I am considering lowering the grade by not running my 1:20.3 goodies on my layout, but at my son's instead. I must admit I am unhappy about the 2.5 percent grades. I need to make a decision on this before I get too far along.
I hope some of you with inside layouts will post some of your good tips and ideas along the way.
Glad to see you are getting settled in and find time to get the railroad started. That mountain view looks GREAT !
Thanks Dale,
Things are slowing down on the construction now that the weather is better and I have a huge backyard mess to get on top of. I will post part two in a few days time.
Hope to see you and some of the old gang at the national Convention! I will have an open house during that time.
All the best,
Bill
Having finished the track along the south wall by late February I decided to open the portal to the crawl space and bring the track out to spot where it would cross under the track from the south wall and enter the south side of the soon to be center island. So I started by building the benchwork along the east wall. I added two sidings which will eventually be completely hidden by the scenery. Photo 7 shows the tank cars being pushed onto one of the siding tracks.
Photo 7 (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4092.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4092.jpg.html)
Photo 8 shows one these tracks entering the crawlspace. I am thinking I might do the Moffat Tunnel east portal here. I extended the track into the crawlspace far enough to give me a long switch lead so I can play around switching cars on the new sidings. The blocks of wood with the blue circle are my version of the real railroad blue flag rules. I use them to remind me not to pass a blue flag and risk a serious derailment.
Photo 8 (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_40991.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_40991.jpg.html)
In this view(Photo 8A) you can see how the track comes out of the crawl space(left center slightly hidden under the upper track) and under the track from the south wall onto the south side of the center island. I got this done around the 4rd of March
Photo 8A (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4106.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4106.jpg.html)
Photo 9 shows the south center island benchwork and tentative track support where it will begin the climb to the north side of the center island. In this view the track support OSB board has not yet been lifted up on the risers and I have not yet installed the roadbed under the track. I started out using a foam insulation product and cutting it to shape with a utility knife. It was terrible to work with and left behind lots of little pieces of the white insulation over everything. I questioned the idea of using this, but the idea of using foam was the latest and greatest way to go according to what I read in Model Railroader magazine. What I did not realize was there was more than one type of foam insulation. I learned from a friend that I needed to use a closed cell foam insulation available from Home Depot or Lowe's in 4 foot by 9 foot sheets. the product at Home Depot is purple in color and the other brand at Lowe's is blue in color. I was invited to visit a big Bachmann customers layout in northern Colorado. Mel M has a really great layout in his basement and models the Rio Grande. He has all the K-27's, c-19's and 1:20.3 rolling stock, I thought I was in a Bachmann display booth!!!! Anyway I digress, Mel used a homosote like fiberboard insulation product for all his roadbed. He got it at Home Depot under the product name "sound board" I bought a sheet and made roadbed out of it and liked it very much. I also bought a panel of closed cell foam insulation board to try. Of the two it was easier to cut the foam with a utility knife over the sound board. So while I liked both products, I will use the closed cell foam for all future roadbed. I got to this point by March 8th and decided to go ahead and build the North center island benchwork which can be seen in the background of Photo 9.
Photo 9 (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4088.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4088.jpg.html)
The north center Island benchwork was next to go up and I found I was getting pretty good at building the benchwork. With the benchwork complete by March 11th, I cut the OSB board base or the track and installed the risers for it on the entire center island. It is at this point I realized I could not get away with a 2 % grade and have the necessary clearance to operate all my 1:20.3 loco's and rolling stock. I re-did the risers and increased the grade to 2 1/2 % to get the necessary clearance. It was March 13th when I finally got the risers done and started cutting the roadbed. Photo 10 shows the newly redone risers and OSB board base in place. I should mention that I made cardboard templates of the curves to lay on the OSB board in order to mark the cuts. I used OSB board gussets under the OSB board to join sections together using screws. The little red roller cart which I purchased at a Harbor Freight store is very hand for holding my screws, drills, and track laying tools making it very easy to roll it to the place I was working.
Photo 10 (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4093.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4093.jpg.html)
I finally got the roadbed cut up and in place on the center island by March 18th. One the roadbed was installed I painted it an earth brown flat color to serve as a base color. Once dry I was able to start laying the track. At this point I took the time to unpack all my track, since it was all mixed up from both the old indoor and outdoor layouts. I sorted the track into serviceable and unserviceable piles. I decided to repair the unserviceable track sections as much as possible and to use the worst sections to cut for fit where usable. Some of the outdoor track ties were ruined by the sun in spite of the fact that they were supposed to be UV stabilized. It was not Bachmann track, and the track involved had been outside for over 14 years. I finally joined the track at the bridge over the lower section by March 22nd. Photo 11 is an overview of the center island with the roadbed and track installed. Visible are the diagonal OSB diagonal stiffeners I screwed to the underside of the benchwork to make is very stable. I used some 1x4's to connect both sides of the island to the metal beam support which really made the benchwork very solid. By the time I got all the stiffeners in place it was the end of March.
Photo 11 (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4107.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4107.jpg.html)
In the closer view in Photo 12 you can see the painted roadbed. This photo also gives a pretty good picture of how the rails which were outdoors compare to the unpainted new rails from the indoor layout. One of the more miserable tasks will be to paint all of the sides of the rails a prototypical color. Both sides of the island will have view blocks using painted backdrops. The curve on the north end (photo 11) will have scenery which goes to the ceiling and a short tunnel will be used to break up the curve and serve as a way to join the backdrops from both sides of the island.
Photo 12 (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4096.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/New%202015%20Layout%20construction/IMG_4096.jpg.html)
This is where things stood by the end of March and progress has been slowed by the Easter holidays and a need to get some outdoor work done here on the new home. I do plan to have an open house during the Denver Garden Railroad Society sponsored National Garden Railway Convention. Any of you coming out for this great event let me know if you would like to visit and I will email you the details of my open house. My layout will not be on the tours as it it is too new and unfinished.
As always comments and questions are welcome!!
Bill
Bill,
Photos and layout look great, please keep posting when you can.
Thanks,
Chuck :)
Hi Bill,
Well, you've been busy. Looks like a nice run you'll have. Are you going to do anything to the ceiling?
Wade
PS I'd say that WP&Y was an OSH set till I find out other wise.
Hi all Thanks for looking.
Wade,
I have not decided what to do with the ceiling. In the past I usually used 2 foot by 4 foot sound absorbing ceiling tiles. I do plan to try to do some scenery to the ceiling and since I will eventually add trac lighting I am thinking of hanging some blue cloth from the joists. I saw it done in a museum in England many years ago and was impressed by the very open effect it gave to the room. It even moved a little from the ventilation system and the effect was amazing.
Bill
Hello all who are interested.
I have been asked about my progress by several of you. I have been lazy about updating this, thinking there was not much interest. I have kept building and have since built a wye, added two sidings for industries, completed the double track mainline, and built a fair sized yard. I still have to finish a hidden staging track in the crawl space. Once the staging track is done, the track work will be finished. I will then focus on scenery and structures.
I am going in for repairs(outpatient surgery) tomorrow but as soon as I recover enough to get some pictures I will post some showing the progress.
Bill
Bill,
Great looking layout (in progress). We haven't talked since I gave you the JD info, but being a year younger than you I found that keeping up an 1100' outdoor main line on an island 250 yards from the ocean was too much. Getting down to do maintenance was easy, getting up was becoming a problem, so the outdoor line was moved indoors. I look forward to seeing more on your layout and hope all goes well with your "maintenance".
The layout is looking great so far! Very interested in following your progress.
Good luck with the surgery!
Thanks John & Ray,
Surgery is done and I am working on the update during my recovery since the doc won't let me do anything else. Forgot all the work involved in doing something like this kind of report. I decided to try to do it because most Large Scalers are doing Garden Railroads, and indoor large scale is relatively rare. Guys like me who started in the early 1980's and when crazy when Bachmann came along with their great U.S. prototypes in 1989 are getting too old to crawl around in the dirt on hands and knees maintaining the track.
One thing I noticed when I did my small indoor layout in part of the barn on my farm was that I never had to relevel the track, electrical problems were gone, i didn't have animal damage, buildings and details remained in good condition, and I did not have a problem with junk on the tracks or leaves. In spite of all these good things I still loved my outdoor layout even with the maintenance involved. After tearing down both layouts and moving to Colorado I knew that at age 75 rebuilding two layouts was out of the question just from the total work involved. We found a home with a half basement and a large crawl space so I decided to build indoors with the thinking that by avoiding all the constant maintenance associated with the outdoor line, I might have some hope of having a nice layout again in a reasonable time. So far I have completed all the benchwork and track laying except for one siding in about a year. So I am feeling pretty good about it since I had to sheetrock the walls, add electrical service, paint the floors, build shelves, and build a workbench, before I could even start the layout benchwork. One of the reasons I am doing this thread is to show that you can have an nice indoor large scale layout and It need not be as large as mine.
Stay tuned!!
Bill
Image 1
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0141.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0141.jpg.html)
My combined Colorado & Kansas and Missouri Western Engine facility is stub ended at my workbench. it is also now my main charging station for locomotives which have internal non removable batteries. It is also track powered to test DC locomotives being worked on. In spite of being almost 100% battery powered I do have some switchers which are DC. The mainline for now will not have track power, if ever.
Image 2
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0150.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0150.jpg.html)
One of my major additions has been the new railyard. I really wanted a run through yard, but had to settle for a stub end yard ending at the right side of my workbench. These two tracks coming off the main are my yard leads. They cross over the aisle on a hinged bridge to the yard. In the distance you can see the crossovers that allow trains from the yard to use either main.
Image 3
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0145.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0145.jpg.html)
Here is a long view of the new yard. The yard had proven great for switching and making up trains. The long double leads serve as a runaround track and the track on the right allows for a lot of room to make up really long trains. The stub tracks on the right with the plow will be covered by a car repair shed. The plow was kitbashed from a Bachmann eight wheel caboose.
Image 4
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0143.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0143.jpg.html)
here is a close up of what will be a car repair shop. I haven't decided yet but the car repair shop will probably be open sided to show detail. The box car shed and the tank are from parted out junk cars I found left in the crawl space when we moved in. The box car shed will probable be moved elsewhere once the shed gets built. You get a little better view of the plow kit bash as well. The yard will also be track powered and the wires are just temporarily in place in this picture and will be completely hidden.
Image 5
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0142.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0142.jpg.html)
MW 202, an NW 2, sits on the caboose track. The piggy back flats with the green Missouri Western Trailers are Bachmann Flat cars modernized by removing the tie rods adding deck rails, Brettendorf trucks and a modern brake wheel, they are then weighted enough to be used anywhere in a long train. The cabooses on the shelf are from left to right a kit bashed drovers caboose, a shorty one window caboose and the stock eight wheel caboose. The yard stubs on the right side of the the workbench which is convenient for moving cars to and from the shelves. I would have liked one additional yard track, but so far the existing tracks have provided a lot of great switching fun.
Image 6
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0147.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0147.jpg.html)
Even with one less track the distance between tracks is still tight. The aluminum uncoupler rod is a made from a thin piece of aluminum I bought at Lowe's and bent with pliers to an L shape. Works very well in the tight spaces of the yard. I use both Bachmann and USA Trains couplers since they are very compatible together without modification. I do put USA TRAINS couplers on many of my modernized Bachmann cars like the the piggyback flats in the background. Because of the height of the yard, I have to use a stool to reach over all the tracks. I will build a step up shelf on the floor the entire length of the yard to eliminate the need for moving a stool around.
Image 7
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0153.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0153.jpg.html)
At this point I will go around the main line showing the newer construction, industry ideas, and operations possibilities as we go. Looking back at Photo 2 of this update we see the yard track leading out to the double track mainline and a crossover that allows trains to move to either main line from the yard. The track then parallels the aisle, curves over the lower main and over to the wall on the other side of the room heading down grade back toward the the yard and engine facility end of the layout.
Image 8
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0169.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0169.jpg.html)
As we continue on the main along the outside wall past the temporary mural we see the crossover here which allows trains or locomotives going to the engine facility to enter from either main line. It also allows switching at the oil refinery seen in the very far right.
Image 9
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0149.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0149.jpg.html)
Image 10
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0148.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0148.jpg.html)
The oil refinery will be one of my major industries. The track in front of the pickup trucks is the lead track to the engine facility. My plan is to apply a photo mural of the Commerce City, Colorado oil refinery to the wall with only the real loading platform and a few actual storage tanks in the foreground to add depth. I staged these photos to illustrate my scale problem. The tank cars on the left are 1:22.5 Bachmann standard line cars. The pickup on the left is 1:24th scale and it along with 1:24 scale buildings are what I used to go along with the 1:22.5 scale trains on my old indoor layout. On the right are the 1:29th scale tanks cars and the red pickup is 1:32nd scale is what I used on the outdoor layout. In my train world, I use my Bachmann standard line narrow gauge trains to represent standard gauge rather than the narrow gauge. So now I only have one layout for both sizes. I can decide what scale to use for people, buildings and vehicles. So far I am leaning to using 1:24 scale for the buildings, 1:32 scale for vehicles, since there are many available. As for people I will go with whatever looks decent with whatever scene I am doing.
I am going to stop for now, but as always I am open to comments, questions, criticism, and ideas you may have about what I am doing. Everything I learned about model railroading I learned from others, and even at 75 years old I am still willing to learn.
More coming soon.
Looks great Bill!
Your fortunate to have room inside to build.
Almost all of my rolling stock and locomotives are Big Haulers and I have been building Colorado Model Structures ( which holdup very nicely outdoors, year round, for a couple years now). I have been using 1/24 scale metal die cast vehicles, but they look a little to small close to the locomotives. I wish Bachmann would come out with a line of 1:22.5 or 1:20.3, early 20th century vehicles, that would go with their large scale trains.
I think that's a niche that needs to filled and many molders would love to have them.
Once again, looking Good!
Adam
Adam,
The vehicle situation for 1:22.5 and 1:20.3 is truly a problem. You are absolutely right that 1:24 Scale vehicles are just too small for the above scales. Many years ago I thought 1:18 might work and I bought a few, but they were just way too large and didn't fit well even with the buildings available and meant to be used with 1:22.5 or 1:20.3. I also have several Colorado Model Structures buildings and I like them a lot, but them seem undersized for 1:22.5 and 1:20.3. They seem a much better fit for 1:29th. Maybe when 3D printing gets cheap, we can make our own cars!!
Bill
Thanks for taking the time and effort to post your progress, Bill! Looks good so far. I agree with you on the advantages of modeling indoors! If I had room for it, I'd have an indoor layout. On the other hand there are some things that are easier done outdoors, and you can't beat natural sunlight for photographing the layout.
All,
Regarding the vehicle situation, I just use the old Hubley kits, which I think were repackaged later under the Revell brand. These often show up at train shows and on auction sites.
They were 1/20 scale, easy to assemble, metal kits of cars from the 1920's and 30's.
Chuck
Thanks for sharing this great indoor Large scale. I just started in my backyard with my new 3 truck shay and really like running my train outside. I also have a pretty extensive n scale in my workshop out back. When I bought my house the shop had a bad roof and lots of leaks. I patched them but they always came back. Last week I decided to do it right and tore off the roof and replaced it with new roofing. I used to do a bit of construction work in my 20's but at age 50 my recovery time is about a week. I lift weights and keep in shape but my time doing that kind of work is coming to an end. Planning ahead for getting older is a good idea with this hobby. Your indoor is fantastic and I love the mountain mural with the Annie!
Thanks to all or the comments and suggestions.
I will now continue with the mainline tour.
Image 11
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0164.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0164.jpg.html)
After passing the oil refinery the mainline crosses the aisle back onto the center island over this hinged bridge. The bridge swings down on a piano hinge when the layout is not in operation. I had no choice but to do a curved bridge given the size of the basement. I will probably use a curved deck girder attachment to make it at least look like a bridge. In the far background you can see another bridge leading from the yard to the main where we started. It too will get the girder bridge treatment.
Image 12
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0170.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0170.jpg.html)
After crossing the bridge the track will plunge into a tunnel under the upper mainline. I plan to make the scenery here go up the ceiling with the upper mainline carved out of the cliff edge. Try to picture a double tunnel portal surrounded by the scenery. In my mind I originally planned for a single track main and tunnel portal going under the upper main. In the end I went for a double track mainline so I could run trains in both directions and do switching at the same time even without a friend present assisting with the operation. As it stands the layout can be run by four operators when friends do come over. Two for mainline and two for switching.
Image 13
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0165.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0165.jpg.html)
The tunnel will end just past the switch and the main will curve left into another tunnel under the upper mainline and on to the bridge to the crawlspace. The right hand switch completes the reverse loop back up to the main. I will show another view at the other end when we reach that point.
Image 14
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0157.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0157.jpg.html)
This is an alternate view of the main showing how it will again go under the upper main cross the aisle and proceed into the crawl space. In this view the bridge is in the down position.
Image 15
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0138.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0138.jpg.html)
Here we see a closeup of the aisle bridge in the down position. It too will get the girder bridge treatment.
Image 16
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0135.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0135.jpg.html)
We are right at th point where the track enters the crawl space The mainline proceeds to the far wall of the crawl space turning right along the far wall. The switch is for a holding siding which will run all along the mainline. I will use it as a staging track for one long train or two short trains. This will allow me to surprise visitors when they see one train go into the space, but a different one out the other end. The siding is the last track to be laid and after that I will go all around getting kinks out and otherwise make sure all track is reliable and true.
Image 17
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0133.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0133.jpg.html)
Interior view of the crawl space trackage along the far wall and the turn along the back wall as it heads to the exit of the crawl space.
Image 18
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0137.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0137.jpg.html)
The switch to the left will connect back to the entrance switch completing the holding track. I had thought about putting a run through yard in the crawl space, but at my age I stay out of there as much as possible.
Image 19
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0136.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0136.jpg.html)
There will be another tunnel portal at the exit. There will also be a charging station for battery packs and for locomotives with onboard batteries here. On the wall to the right I will have a backdrop photo of a grain elevator complex. This crossover allows trains from either main track to service the sidings shown in the next photo. In most cases I put crossovers in many places to allow not only for switching needs, but to also function as a passing siding is some cases.
Image 20
(http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh291/sharronbillc/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0173.jpg) (http://s259.photobucket.com/user/sharronbillc/media/2016%20Basement%20layout%20Update/IMG_0173.jpg.html)
After exiting the crawl space the main curves to the right back onto the center island. On the left of the main MW 4-6-0 #97 sits on a stub siding that has two tracks. To the left of the locomotive I will have a grain elevator mural and diorama. It will have some detail placed in front of the mural to give depth. The very far ends of the tracks(past the window) will be hidden by the scenery and also serve as storage or staging tracks.
In a few days I will post the final pictures of this January Update.
Bill
WOW Bill :o
You have been very busy for sure!
The layout looks great!
How are you enjoying the new track plan ?
Keep these great pics and updates coming.
Thank you, coming from you that is a great complement. The track plan has worked out great. The big change from my original plan was to go double track all the way around on the mainline. Once I went double track, I had to rethink what to do about crossovers. On some of the original trackwork I had to go back and put in crossovers so I could switch industries and the yard from either mainline track. The operational aspect have been above expectations and lots of fun. So I now need to get into the crawl space and get that staging track done.
I wish I could have done the layout without the hinged bridges over the aisles in three places. That has been a bit of a pain, but in reality I had no other choice because of the space constraints and the need to maintain the 10 foot diameter minimum I established from day one.
I do feel pretty good about getting this far in only a year, especially at Age 75. In many ways it has been good exercise.
As soon as the doctor approves, I will get back in the crawl space!!
Bill I want to thank you for last edition. I have been out with a bad back since last June, of last year. Shots have made quite of bit of improvement, finally was able to go up and down stairs right in December. But could not bend over .So the out side layout had become weed garden galore. Went out a sprayed the weeds today git some more edging material. Hopefully I will be back on track in March. Thanks for the renewed ambition. I fiqured out that growing old is not for sissies ;D
Hi fhenn,
Glad you are doing better, hang in there and don't give up on the railroad. Let us know how it goes by March!! I think being on this board has helped me a lot. Seeing what everyone is doing keeps me going!!
Thanks Bill for taking the time to show the world what can be accomplished indoors in 'G' !!
Your world (trackside) is shaping up to be a very busy one :)
doug c