Told you I had my benchwork started.

[ChiefEagles]

Here it is:
















Well, actually it is Elliot's [Big Boy] tiny basement layout. [;)] WOW

[FJ and G]

chief,

I'd recommend starting out w/a 4X8. Otherwise, you might have to start looking for a new wife.[:D][:D][:D]

[cnw1995]

I just felt the earth move. Is that the Chief starting his benchwork? Nope, but I agree it's an outstanding layout. Elliot, great craftsmanship.

[Anonymous]

Chief, looks like you have got the "Elliot style" of modeling going on.!!! [snicker, cough, cough] [:D]

Yeah, its a good idea to start with a 4x8, at least then you have one.[;)][:p]

[Anonymous]

That does it! Dammit! I want a full BASEMENT!

Bruce Webster

[dougdagrump]

His layouts are absolute masterpieces, if I tried to do something of that magnitude I'd end up wearing one of those white coats with the wrap around sleeves. [D)] [:o)]

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brwebster

That does it! Dammit! I want a full BASEMENT!

Bruce Webster

FOR SALE
Full Basement - House on Top of Basement Included.
[:D][:D]

We love our basements in Buckeyeland. That's where we hide when the wind really starts blowing in a circular direction.

[IronHoarse]

Now that is what I call a layout!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Ya got me Chief. I opened this topic expecting to see a clean, painted room with lumber. Imagine my surprise.[:O][;)]

Yeah Buck, when I'm dead, the next owner better like trains.[swg]

Doug, they may yet come for me.[:P]

Thanks all.[bow]

[Blueberryhill RR]

QUOTE: [i]Originally posted by Buckeye Riveter
We love our basements in Buckeyeland. That's where we hide when the wind really starts blowing in a circular direction.

You are SO right, Buckeye. And while we are down there, we can run trains.
Chuck
Looks like we won't be eating that bowl of Grits soon, Buckeye !!!

[tdetmer]

Chief,

Wow!!!! You sure have a doozy going! Great job. How long is the longest straightaway section you have?

Tom

[Anonymous]

UMMM..... Baasseeemeennt[:P]

Only 20 more years until the kids move out and the wall between those two bedrooms comes down...

Looks good keep us posted!

[Blueberryhill RR]

Chief's longest straight away, is from the carpet edge to the closet door.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tdetmer

Chief,

Wow!!!! You sure have a doozy going! Great job. How long is the longest straightaway section you have?

Tom

Tom, my guess is you're kind of new around here. This topic title is tongue in cheek, cause the Chief is still running HIS trains on the carpet. The Chief visited my house last Saturday night, and took those shots. The longest straight section is about 28 feet with a 10' diameter curve on one end and an 8' diameter curve on the other. The layout is built for operation, not for speed.[;)]

Visitors welcome, just drop me an email if you are coming to town.

[Roger Bielen]

Since Chief is always talking about a bedroom for the layout at first look I thought "How big is the rest of the house?"

Wish I had a basement, but I was discouraged by the builder when we had the house built. His comments were that is was almost impossible to keep basements dry in out area due to the clay soil not draining. I've since learned that there are ways around that.

Wonder what the wife would say if I decided to lift the house and put a basement underneath?

[lionelsoni]

A few years ago, I met a guy from Germany who actually dug up his yard to enlarge his basement, bigger than the house, to get more room for his Maerklin layout.

[laz 57]

CHIEF wheres the carpet?
laz57

[jonadel]

Basements are a necessity in the midwest during orbicular wind season. There are lots good ways to keep a basement dry, even if the ground is all clay. Builders who are competent can make it work very well. A builder friend of mine says a basement is the cheapest room in the whole house. I sure wish I could have been in on the planning of our house when it was built but I shouldn't complain as I probably have more than I deserve[:)]

Jon

[Anonymous]

Well Big_Boy, all I can say is that's an awesome layout. [bow]

Can't think of a better project for a man to keep cabin fever some sittin' in on those frigid long Minnesota winter nights. Looks to be around 3 years of total work to the finishing touches (landscaping), cause I doubt a labor of love that complex will ever be truly finished? Coffee, homemade pie, and trains......what more can a guy ask for?[swg]

Think Cheif got seriously motivated after his visit?

And, I don't mean about those homemade pies, neither.[:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 3OsWILLGO

Well Big_Boy, all I can say is that's an awesome layout. [bow]

Can't think of a better project for a man to keep cabin fever some sittin' in on those frigid long Minnesota winter nights. Looks to be around 3 years of total work to the finishing touches (landscaping), cause I doubt a labor of love that complex will ever be truly finished? Coffee, homemade pie, and trains......what more can a guy ask for?[swg]

Think Cheif got seriously motivated after his visit?

And, I don't mean about those homemade pies, neither.[:D]

Thanks, but if it gets too cold, I always have Big Girl to warm me up. [:0][:X][:p][;)]Proof that I don't have a one track mind.[:D]

Been workin on the railroad all week since the Chief was here.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by 3OsWILLGO

Well Big_Boy, all I can say is that's an awesome layout. [bow]

Can't think of a better project for a man to keep cabin fever some sittin' in on those frigid long Minnesota winter nights. Looks to be around 3 years of total work to the finishing touches (landscaping), cause I doubt a labor of love that complex will ever be truly finished? Coffee, homemade pie, and trains......what more can a guy ask for?[swg]

Think Cheif got seriously motivated after his visit?

And, I don't mean about those homemade pies, neither.[:D]

Thanks, but if it gets too cold, I always have Big Girl to warm me up. [:0][:X][:p][;)]Proof that I don't have a one track mind.[:D]

Been workin on the railroad all week since the Chief was here.

'Been workin on the railroad all week since the Chief was here.'

Well, at least someone's motivated to 'stay on track.'

Every now and then, we all have to hit the turnout for R&R, basic maintenance and fill the tender. [:D]

[Frank53]

Chief:

I'll be runnin' trains on the top level of my layout pretty soon:

[tdetmer]

Hi Elliot,

Yep, I am kind of new around here but you guys seem like a friendly bunch. I have a layout started in my basement (yes, another basement layout) and I have about a 32' straightaway with double tracks. I built mine for operation and not speed just like you did. What I like is getting down at eye level and seeing the consist coming at you from some distance on a longer stretch of straight track, kind of like you might see out here in the midwest. I wanted a long section just to have that view that stretches out for a ways.

By the way, speaking of carpet, I have a section of carpet that is yellowish in color that I laid next to the track in a rural landscape so it can simulate a field of wheat. I'll put a thresher running into it and it will look about right. Remember I'm in S gauge so a plush carpet is about the right height for my field. So just think of a carpet as a field of grain! Maybe Chief is thinking of fields of grain in running his layout on the carpet. What do you think? [;)]

Tom

[Anonymous]

Buckeye....While we don't have the midwest's reputation for helical breezes the city of Hamilton, ONT., just got hit with an unconfirmed catagory 1 twister the other day. I hope flying cattle don't permanently take up nesting in trees...it's tough enough as is keeping bird crap off my car.
Basements are the normal method of construction here but they cheaped out on my house when it was built 75 years ago.....75% is crawl space

Big Boy....When I was building my layout I thought I'd be happy with 8' straight runs....then Chief posted those pics! Awesome! Just Awesome!

Bruce Webster

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tdetmer

Hi Elliot,

Yep, I am kind of new around here but you guys seem like a friendly bunch. I have a layout started in my basement (yes, another basement layout) and I have about a 32' straightaway with double tracks. I built mine for operation and not speed just like you did. What I like is getting down at eye level and seeing the consist coming at you from some distance on a longer stretch of straight track, kind of like you might see out here in the midwest. I wanted a long section just to have that view that stretches out for a ways.

By the way, speaking of carpet, I have a section of carpet that is yellowish in color that I laid next to the track in a rural landscape so it can simulate a field of wheat. I'll put a thresher running into it and it will look about right. Remember I'm in S gauge so a plush carpet is about the right height for my field. So just think of a carpet as a field of grain! Maybe Chief is thinking of fields of grain in running his layout on the carpet. What do you think? [;)]

Tom

Actually Tom, fake fur from the fabric store makes a good looking wheat field.

[tdetmer]

Elliot,

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll take a look at that fake fur and see what I think.

Tom

[Frank53]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Frank53

Chief:

I'll be runnin' trains on the top level of my layout pretty soon:

and so it is: