First real layout

[HopperSJ]

Well folks, I am putting together my first permanent layout. I have the benchwork begun (almost done) and have some of the track (the benchwork is keeping me busy while I save up for the rest fo the track. I thought I would post a picture to see what you all think.

I'm going fastrack because that is what my inlaws gave my son for X-mas and I like it (even though it is expensive!). I also am limited on space so I am only going 6 x 8. Some day when the kids grow up and I am filled with the spirit, I will branch out, but for now, this is a good first size, I think. I am blocking the track so that we can have two trains running at the same time. Let me know what you think. . .

Here is an overall picture of the layout. It has two levels which are pictured below. The dashed lines are in a tunnel.


Here is a picture of the lower level:


Here is a shot fo the upper level. The lower left siding is raises, partiallly on a tressel and ending on a little mountain island. The drawbridge is located where I only have a two and half inch rise over the lower track. This has kept my grades reasonable.


I obviously haven't done much work on the buildings and scenery, but I wanted to make sure I got the lumber loader and lumber mill on there for my kids!

Thanks for viewing!

[cnw1995]

Hi Hopper, This is great - six by eight and two levels - is pretty impressive . Let's see - that would be twelve by sixteen if you stretched it out. How are you going to do this? What is the spacing between decks?

[Roger Bielen]

Looks good Hopper. Have you checked the ads in CTT for Fastrack? Some times the prices are pretty good, even with shipping if you buy enough and figure the sales tax savings.

[HopperSJ]

cnw - perhaps I made things sound a little too impressive! The upper level is really only an elevated section on the main platform.the grade is going up between 3-4%. At the highest point the upper level is only elevated 4.75-5 inches, just enough to get a traditional train underneath. My guess is some standard O's might bang, but maybe not. Only on the left side of the layout does the upper level really traverse over the lower level. (The draw bridge is the one exception to that.

Roger - Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out. I've found some places on-line that have remarkable fastrack prices, but even at about 60% of list this layout is still about $600 in track. I'll get there!

[cnw1995]

Still sounds clever and something great to share with your son. I'll look forward to hearing more about it.

[Dave Farquhar]

Hopper, that's a great-looking layout. It's visually interesting, and at 6x8 it's big enough to have a lot of fun with but not so large that it'll take years to build.

Question: Is the track in the tunnel visible? If not, you could get a couple of the Fastrack adapter pieces and use tubular track in the places that aren't visible and save a few bucks. Also, if there's a Hobby Lobby near you *and* if they stock Fastrack (a couple of big ifs), they occasionally run a 40% off coupon online, so you could get a couple of items cheap. And about once a year, during the Christmas shopping season, they have a big sale on train sets/accessories.

My first layout was around 4'x4'. I sure wish I'd started with something like yours. Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing!

[andregg1]

Hi
for the firs layout is perfect!!!+
Andre.

[sanman0516]

welcome to the fourm [#welcome]
try trainworld they got some pretty good prices on fasttrac.
nice layout and good luck and remember to have fun

[laz 57]

Nice job!!!!
Now have some fun and run those trains.
laz57