New Layout

[Demay]

Greetings,

Some of you may remember the small layouts I had when I lived in Oklahoma and then Japan.  About six months ago we moved to Ohio and I've been trying to find time to build a small layout in our basement.  The past few weeks I found the time to start and have made some progress.  Since we will probably only live here two to three years, I decided to not go crazy and build something simple that will allow me to run trains soon.  I also wanted to keep construction costs down since this thing will be dismantled when we move.  Fortunately, the landlord left behind some old doors he no longer needed.  They worked quite well for the majority of the tables.  I purchased some 2”x4”s for the legs and two sheets of ¼” OSB for the tops (two tables: one 48”x79”; one 42”x78” in a T).  Since I will never be on top of this layout and I spaced the joists/supports close together, that size OSB works fine.  I used SCARM to come up with the track plan and it was great.  I laid out the track and some buildings to test the fit and I am pleased.  The two boys and I also ran a few locomotives.  I will either top the OSB with some foam, grass mats, or simply paint it.  The Super Snap track keeps the noise down much better than my FasTrack did so I don’t need anything else; therefore, I am leaning towards simple paint since I just want to start running the trains.  I attached some photos, starting with the SCARM plans.  Let me know your thoughts; please excuse the messy, unfinished basement.

Joe

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[sir james I]

Looking good Joe...

[RockIsland52]

Looking good, JoeyD!!!  

My son in law went to a fabric store and bought some green felt material and we hot glued it down just on the edges and trimmed it........and the material stretches slightly, so you can't see any seams or the board edge.  Took 2 of us maybe an hour.

His layout utilizes all of my daughter's lighted Christmas village pieces (10 buildings) with the wires dropping under the buildings and through the board through holes that we had pre-drilled before we put down the material.  He added automobiles and people figures and continues to add.

His plywood board is 8' X 37" which is all he had room for.  A single loop around the outer edges of the board.......and no siding for now.

Your set up allows for 2 trains plus the siding! And I like the flair on the wide end.

Go, JoeyD!!!!!

[fifedog]

Nicely thought out thread.  I have had trouble with tunnels over curved tracks (Uncle Murphy will hang out there).  Can I suggest a lovely Union Station type of complex at the back wall, with a covered train shed/canopy (see Mt Royal B&O).  This would give you the "tunnel like" view block, but now over the straight tangents of track.  Plus, when you get to an overall state of completion, you could go back and really super detail the scene.

You can also carry your two roads over the track work via some street overpasses, again giving the trains that in-and-out in-and-out view block.

[Northwoods Flyer]

JoeyD,

The work you have done so far looks great. Thanks for starting the thread so that we can follow your progress.  I'm looking forward to following your work on this.  I think its great that you are involving your children in the project too.

Should we assume that th Under The Bed railroad has been been retired? I think you should consider a new name for this project.    Let us know when you are taking suggestions.

Enjoying the World's Greatest Hobby

Northwoods Flyer

[KRM]

Nice Joe, Looks good and not UTB. My tunnel is on a curve with the track on an incline. You can do it! I have many pictures of what I did. PM me if you have any questions.

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

fifedog

I have had trouble with tunnels over curved tracks (Uncle Murphy will hang out there).  

If you would get the right equipment it would work.  

Joe, Layout looks good.   

 

[wrmcclellan]

Joe,

i like the plan. I also like the track. Wish I had bought that in the past.

Pay no attention to Fife's tunnel comment. He forgets one can slow the train down for curves in tunnels. 

Since you are in Snohizo Buckeye will bring his tunneling machine over. Hope you have a cot in the basement.

[laz 57]

Looks GREAT JOEY D.!!!!!  Ya might even be able to do some polka dancin on the top of that layout?  Looks good and sturdy.  Good job!!!

Stay frosty my friend,

laz57

[Demay]

Thanks for all the comments.  I was out of town for work this past week and haven't made any more progress yet.

Jack - I used some green felt on the UTB RR and I liked the results.  I think that is a good option here too.

Fife - That is a great observation and suggestion.  I would love to do the station, but I cannot do that as I have to have the elevated area for the airfield where we will have the hangar and my older son's 1:48 model planes.

Northwoods - Yes, the UTB RR is retired, but I still have all its parts and when I finish this one maybe I'll set it up in the boys' room again.  I haven't named this layout yet and will definitely take suggestions.

Buckeye/Roy - No cot in the basement, but a nice futon in the office.  Come by anytime as I'll always accept cheap labor.

Laz - No polka dancing for me, I'd probably pull a muscle. 

Joe

[Demay]

Hello,

So I finally had some time to work on the layout.  As you can see in the attached photos, I changed the table configuration from a T to an L.  I felt this was a better option as the L gives me a longer run, less curves, and a longer siding.  I also have a nice area against the one concrete wall to use as a viewing area and control area.  I will use some poster board I have to create simple backdrops for the long (approximately 122 inches) backside to somewhat block the wooden cabinets in the background. 

I used two 50" x 100" medium green grass mats to cover the tables.  I went that route as I'm keeping costs down since this layout will be up for about two years.  Using a 40% off coupon, these mats were quite inexpensive at Hobby Lobby. 

I have tested both lines for clearance and they are good.  So far I only have the one power feed for each line, but I'm not seeing any significant power drop with the trains.  The Super Snap workes quite well.  However, I will add one more feed to each line just to be safe and I will isolate the siding as well. 

I think the buildings will remain where they are (except the bungalow house), but I may try one more configuration to see if I like something else better.  The next steps are to finish the wiring, lay out some streets, and then build the upper level airport.

Please excuse some of the clutter in the photos and please note that this is a rental house so I cannot make any basement modifications, plus we'll move in about two years.

Joe

[cnw1995]

Looks perfect for just running and 'coaling' up.

[rtraincollector]

Looking good Joe

[KRM]

I like it Joe and really like the look of that SnapTrack. Enjoy!