Bachmann Online Forum

Discussion Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Terry Toenges on January 29, 2017, 12:20:10 AM

Title: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on January 29, 2017, 12:20:10 AM
Since I took the Christmas layout down, I'm going to try something different while I still have the board up.
I'm thinking of either the trolley going back and forth between buildings on the upper and lower levels or maybe some type of logging or mining. I'm thinking On30 but I'm not sure yet. I might do it in HO.
I'm glad my great granddaughter had her Legos over here that I could use for supports so I could get an idea of what I would do.
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/tmount-2-873-600x297.jpg)
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/tmount-7-878-600x262.jpg)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: charon on January 29, 2017, 06:10:56 AM
With all the grades and curves I think On30 would be excellent, imho.
Chuck
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on January 30, 2017, 01:20:25 PM
It's going to be a challenge since I'll have to custom build some bridges. I can use some tunnels. I have some old trestle kits that I haven't built yet that I can use.
I have to make a frame and put it on rollers so I can roll it out because it sits in front of the cold air return. I have to leave that part open somehow. During Christmas, I just put a new filter in before I built it. Then I had to take it apart so I could slide it out and get to the filter. I tried to slide it out with the setup all together but that wasn't happening. Maybe if I covered the concrete blocks and the under side of the board with some sort slick material it would slide.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Len on January 30, 2017, 11:51:21 PM
Instead of the concrete blocks, have you considered framing the lower plywood with 1x3 boards, attaching some mounting pads to the bottom, then putting the whole thing on 4" casters?? Something like this:

(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l529/Pickanotherid/Bachmann/Layout_zpsnsxhrmot.jpg)

Then you would be able to move the layout around without a lot of hassle.

Len
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on January 31, 2017, 12:51:18 AM
Len - Thanks for the advice. I thought about doing something like that. I had my old layout on wheels.
Earlier today, I ordered an adjustable bed frame on wheels for $50. I figured that would be the easiest. I can adjust it to the width of the layout.
There will be 13" overhang on each end for the length or I could run 8' "slats" on the frame. I'm thinking the overhang might be ok. I'll have to wait and see.  It's 5/8" plywood. I've got about 8" overhang now on the concrete blocks.
If I want it to fit between the frame rails, I'll have to cut a slot where the extra piece is attached. I'll attach a couple of pieces of wood under the extra piece hanging out to better secure it to the main board. It is already glued with white glue and I have four metal brackets screwed to it and the main board.
If I use the slats I won't have to cut the slots because it will sit above the rails. I'd probably secure the slats to the frame and board to the slats so it wouldn't slide around on the frame.
With the bed frame, I have the added benefit of it being all open underneath so it won't interfere with the bottom part of the cold air return. Since it's on wheels, I can pull it away from the cold air return a few inches so the top part is not obstructed either.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71bT-luKmeL._SY355_.jpg)



Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Ken G Price on February 01, 2017, 10:59:49 PM
Quote from: charon on January 29, 2017, 06:10:56 AM
With all the grades and curves I think On30 would be excellent, imho.
Chuck

I have to agree that On30 would look really good with all the curves.
You don't so much as need tunnels, as needing view blocks, such as trees, little hills, and buildings.
I had 4 tunnels on mine at the start and converted 3 of them to just small ridges to block parts of the trains.
This also made it much easier to get to a derail. And with just one short four car tunnel (in the center back of the layout) less aggravation.
Of course this is just take on it.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on February 02, 2017, 01:24:14 PM
I'm going to do On30. I already have some On30 ore cars and log cars. I like the Climax but there aren't many out there and not so good reviews so I'll buy a Heisler. Anyone know how they are on 4% grades?
I'm thinking a tunnel on the far right to go over the back part of the ground level so I could do a ground slope from the top to the bottom. I'm going to have to add a parallelogram piece of wood to the piece that sticks out because of the track overhang there. That will be a bridge or trestle over that.
I remember seeing pics of somewhere in S. Dakota, I think, where there were two or three levels of track crossing each other. I'll have to locate that.
Admin - If you need to move this to On30 now, I understand.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on February 03, 2017, 11:50:24 PM
Inspiration. Three levels of track at Lead, South Dakota in early 1900's. Deadwood Central RR (Later taken over by Chicago, Burlington and Quincy), Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley RR (later taken over by Chicago and Northwestern) and Homestake RR.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2012649432/ (https://www.loc.gov/item/2012649432/)
http://transpressnz.blogspot.com/2014/09/three-rail-tracks-in-lead-south-dakota.html (http://transpressnz.blogspot.com/2014/09/three-rail-tracks-in-lead-south-dakota.html)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: RAM on February 04, 2017, 02:00:13 PM
Richmond Va. The only place 3 class 1 rr crossed.  Seaboard, Southern. & C&O
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on February 04, 2017, 02:33:45 PM
I didn't know that.
I found pics of that, too.
http://southern.railfan.net/ties/1950/50-4/three.html (http://southern.railfan.net/ties/1950/50-4/three.html)
This shot is from a little farther away.
http://www.piedmontsub.com/graphics/RichmondTripleCrossing1990.jpg (http://www.piedmontsub.com/graphics/RichmondTripleCrossing1990.jpg)

Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on February 08, 2017, 07:20:55 PM
I made some minor modifications so that I can have straight bridges were the tracks pass over other tracks. The back part where they cross over tracks will be hidden by a tunnel. I also checked out where I can add turnouts on the top and bottom.
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/tmr-3-444x491.jpg)
I had some old HO Lifelike bridges that were too narrow for On30 so I widened them with some balsa wood.
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/bridgerebuild4-221x187.jpg)
Below are the before and after pics.
Before -
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/mogbridold3-123x490.jpg)
After -
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/mogbridnew-150x493.jpg)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on February 11, 2017, 02:47:57 PM
Changed it a little. Added a mid-level run-around. Cut up some foam blocks and glued and stacked them. I measured them and graduated the height. I measured the spacing of them so I could figure out if I can do 3% or 4% grade.
It looks like I'll be able to do 3% grade starting at the lower level to the first bridge. The bridge will be flat.
Then, the mid-level curve will have to be 4% up to the run-around. The run-around will be flat. I have to do 4% so the run-around part will clear the lower track.
The upper curve can be 2% after the run-around since I can adjust the height of the top level.
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/tmr-withruna2-600x271.jpg)
I'm pretty sure I'm going to do a tourist RR. I think that will be the easiest.
My bed frame was delivered a few days ago. My sister was down here with her van so I was able to go get the pink foam board. I just got back from getting from some 1X4's for the slats for the frame.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on February 20, 2017, 01:08:27 AM
Got my bed frame together and the 2x4 and 1x4's screwed down and plywood screwed to it.
Here, the frame is just laying on wood so I can get it sized right and the 2x4's properly placed. I put the wheels in and flipped it over to add the 1x4s. The frame edge was too high to go with just 1x4's. I would have had to notch the frame for the two pieces sticking out. It was easier just adding 2x4's and screwing the 1 x's to them.
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/tmr-frameassem-1-600x263.jpg)
Here I have the 2x4's and 1x4's all in place ready for the plywood.
(http://sarget.com/sitebuilder/images/tmr-frame-done-375x286.jpg)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on March 12, 2017, 06:03:41 PM
I put up my notes and the planning and figuring I've been doing for the layout.
http://www.sarget.com/trains/tmount2.html (http://www.sarget.com/trains/tmount2.html)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on March 20, 2017, 04:22:20 AM
I like the idea of view blocking, rather than tunnels. I had plans for my Old West, to have open plains, and a mountain on one side with a tunnel, but the more I pictured it in my head, the more I thought it would be a bit cheesy... and then I remembered the layout I wanted to do back in the 80s... I was reading in a magazine (can't recall if it was Model Railroader, or one of the "how to guides") and the suggestion was to use old broken ceiling tiles. Break them into the right shapes, use a wire brush, and then paint them, and they look REMARKABLY like rock formations.

So now, I plan to do a simple enough track plan, with the "rock formations" hiding areas of track, and have my western town built into the hills, and canyons of the layout.

I am, however planning on a FEW cheesy elements... one of the houses will be the "Munster's" house on one of the mesas... I plan to have a DeLorean hidden inside the blacksmith's shop (I found a Johnny Lightning set that has an HO scale "Doc and Marty" in it) and then maybe... just maybe, in a back alley, have a blue wooden British police box... because honestly, I'm a NERD, that loves little jokes, and Easter Eggs in a setup.

As far as On30... I will always LOVE the Climax... all those moving parts is just awesome!
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on March 20, 2017, 12:30:39 PM
I'm probably just doing the one tunnel. There's no way I can get around that one given the space I have to work with.
I just use styrofoam for rock formations. I use a variety of things to shape it like wire brushes, serrated knives like Ginzu, woodworking gouges, rasps and graters. I found a set of miniature garden tools about 8" long that include a hoe, a rake and shovel. The kitchen utensil drawer is good place to find stuff much to the chagrin on my wife.
I just got the pink board glued to the plywood so now I can paint it. I opted for a "safari brown" this time. It's a pretty dark brown. I used tan one time and the last one I used a dark evergreen color. It's really hard, standing there at the paint color charts at Lowe's, trying to visualize what the different colors would look like. I got to thinking about all the tourist railroads we've visited and how a lot of the ground is dark around the railroad operations from a variety of fluids over the years.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on March 20, 2017, 07:03:29 PM
That sounds sweet! And yeah, everything from foot traffic, vehicles, maintenance, fluids, and anything else you can imagine in the daily operations of a railroad tend to darken the ground just a bit (and let us not forget the weeds that tend to be the only things that grow in such soil)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on May 15, 2017, 10:36:59 AM
I'm just about ready to get start on the layout again after a taking a break. We're getting new carpet in the living room and I'll have to move it around when the carpet gets laid. Even though it's on wheels, I figured it will much easier to move before I start stuff to it. I might have to tip it over on it's side and slide to the dining room so they can do the laying in the living room. Easier without having stuff on it.
I now have my Heisler and an 0-4-0 Porter, both with sound. I have most of the DCC turnouts I'll need. I might have to buy a couple more. I've just been buying piece by piece for a few months
I opted for the MRC Prodigy Elite Wireless DCC system and i just received that last week. That gives me 10 amps of power which will be plenty for whatever I want to do with it in the future. I also liked their handheld controller better than the others. The buttons are easy to read without putting on my glasses. I did a lot of comparing in articles and Youtube videos. It wasn't an easy decision.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on May 15, 2017, 02:44:52 PM
That all sounds awesome! I'd love to see it all when it's done!
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on May 15, 2017, 07:53:00 PM
I've been tossing around a few name sin my head on what to call my layout. I temporarily call it Terry Mountain until I think up a good one.
I'm thinking seriously about putting in a water fall on a backdrop on the upper level and that would be the tourist attraction and the reason for people to take the train trip up the mountain. the fall would go into the creek and then under a bridge and down another fall to the main level. Have a spur to back the train into. Have a fence in front of the fall with a viewing area and, as people get off the train, they go look a the fall.
Since it's backwoodsie, I thought the "creek" would be known as the "crick" to the locals. Being that there is a waterfall, I thought "Crick Falls" sounds like a cool original name. The top down below, where peole board the train, could be "Crick Hollar".
I figured I'd Google it I'll be "danged" if there isn't a Crick Falls in Pennsylvania. Other people on Google talk about "Sh*t Crick Hollar".
I might stay with name anyway even if it's not original. The CFRR.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on May 15, 2017, 09:27:37 PM
I LOVE it! Having a father from West Virginia, I do know the difference between a "Holler" and a "Run".

My Wild West town, I have decided will be named for what the locals believed was the local Indian tribe. The "Hekawi". Only, the local tribe was never local, and when asked who they were, they responded "We're the Hekawi?" (pronounced "Where the heck are we?")

Not clever, or original (F-Troop beat me to that joke, but it's still a favorite!)

I like "Crick Falls" or "Crick Holler", and you can even have some backstory, where the tourists think the name has to do with crickets or something... (maybe a bait shop called "Crick Falls Crickets? Best Cricks in the Crick"?)

It all has a very "Lil Abner" feel to it.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on May 15, 2017, 11:32:15 PM
I think I might just call the creek Shat Crick and the railroad Shat Crick RR. "We don't need no stinking paddles. We're going up Shat Crick by train." There's an advertising slogan forming here...
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on May 16, 2017, 12:10:31 AM
Quote from: Terry Toenges on May 15, 2017, 11:32:15 PM
I think I might just call the creek Shat Crick and the railroad Shat Crick RR. "We don't need no stinking paddles. We're going up Shat Crick by train." There's an advertising slogan forming here...

(http://gottawatchit.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Schitts-Creek-1x03-1.png)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on May 16, 2017, 12:12:10 AM
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3d/bd/70/3dbd701f1eb82d5c1f662efdf07b4855.jpg)


It seems, no matter what we think of, as modelers... real life may have one upped us!
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on May 16, 2017, 01:02:06 AM
But no railroad by that name.
A Google search turned up the following SC railroads:
Southern California RR
South Carolina RR
St. Croix RR
Spring Creek RR
Shenandoah Central RR
Sandhill Central RR
Southern Central RR
Summit County RR
Stone Canyon RR
Stillwater Central RR
Shanty Creek RR
Seoul-Chemulpo RR
Susquehanna Central RR

If I can find decals for one of those railroads that just say SCRR, that would be good.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on May 16, 2017, 03:05:49 AM
Awesome! Oh, and the Southern California RR not only ran close to where I grew up, but, even after moving to the San Diego area, I still have SCRR tracks close by (some of which are still in use today, even if the SCRR is a distant memory)
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Warflight on May 16, 2017, 03:06:41 AM
Oh... wait... no... I'm thinking of the California Southern RR. The CSRR.
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Len on May 16, 2017, 06:55:30 AM
You forgot an 'SC' line: Seaboard Coast Line, which could become 'Shat Creek Lumber' for an industry. 'SCL' decals shouldn't be too hard to find.

Len
Title: Re: Going to try a new layout
Post by: Terry Toenges on May 16, 2017, 01:13:58 PM
I saw Seaboard Coast Line but didn't include it because of the "Line" would make it SCLRR.