Please visit my layout website.

[ChiefEagles]

WOW!!! Now you can come and help me do mine. [;)]

[phillyreading]

Mark, great layout & looks like you are using GarGraves Phantom Rail track.
Have you experianced any problems with GarGraves track or switches? I had one small problem with a GarGraves switch and that is the frog or divertor point popped up,
I glued it back down and it works fine now.
Lee in West Palm Beach FL.

[BMRR]

Mark, that's a great looking layout, thanks for the pics. Keep up the good work.

Stan.

[Mark9700]

Thanks for all the comments.

I purchased both TMCC and DCS systems and have 6 SC2 and 3 AUI'S. I am wiring both systems to run the switches and engines. Since I have several TMCC controlled accessories, culvert, log loader, and crane I need it for those accessories and DCS for others. I have one DCS engine the others are all TMCC. I have not been able to run the DCS much since the whole layout was running off one power connection. This is no problem for the TMCC system but of course the DCS won't work and you just lose control of the engine when it gets out of range. I have started soldering wires to the track for sensing location and wiring the blocks so soon there will be 32 blocks with three separate power feeds. I have bought the MTH terminal strips and have the lamps to install on each circuit.

I chose Atlas track based on the recommendation of others and have been very happy with it so far. There is a large selection of different track types and small sizes so you do not have to cut track. The only diappointment is that the switches do not have indicator lights. I have not had and derailment problems but I have notices the engines hesitate sometimes in the switches, especially when there are two switches in a row. I bought a pile of snap relays to add positiion indication when I get time to wire then into the system.

Thanks again for everyone for taking the time to write.

Mark

http://www.ogaugelayout.com

[Mark9700]

Thanks for all your comments and encouragement.

I really like action accessories and just found out about one I did not know about, the 12767 Steam Clean and Wheel Grinder. I think I found a spot for it an the layout but have no idea where to find one. I Google'd and both places that listed one did not have it when I called. I checked Ebay and there does not appear to have been one there in some time. If anyone knows where I can find one please let me know. Thanks in advance.

This is a great forum and I enjoy reading many of the message strings.

All comments and suggestions are welcome. I need a good way to support the upper level track where it is directly above of the lower track.

TGIF,
Mark

[mickey4479]

Your photos bring back good memories. I expanded my 24 X 12 layout by about 70 feet. I have a large basement. Your diary of progress was much like mine insofar as planning, learning from a few mistakes, problem solving etc. My expansion included shuffling a work bench, storage, dismantling shelves, installing wiring and neon lighting, sheet rock, painting a few walls, and the endless clean up. But I like to make saw dust and run trains. Your site is an excellent primer for anyone thinking about making a layout. It certainly takes me back. Thanks for sharing your journey. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Very, very nice layout! I love all the postwar accessories!

[ChiefEagles]

Great job. Come help me with mine.[:)]

[Anonymous]

Mark, GREAT track plan! Great lookin layout too!

[thor]

Very nice, I envy you! Nothing like a good long run, I hope it gives you many hours of enjoyment.

[Anonymous]

Your layout looks great.

[FJ and G]

Mark,

Maybe you can help the Chief w/his layout. :-)

Like the folding table idea.

You managed to get a lot of track in there. Reminds me of my visit to the rail yard in Zurich a few days ago.

Keep up good work.

[Dr. John]

Mark, great layout and website! Thanks for providing the link.

[Anonymous]

great track plan cant wait to wee more@@[tup]

[dwiemer]

Mark,'
Looks good. I thought that may be the case. You have a lot of action there. When it is up and running, you may find things fit a little better somewhere else, and then change it 10 times. I think this is why they say that the layout is never really completed. It is always a work in progress.
Dennis

[laz 57]

Good Job MARK,
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] to the forum.
Looks like your having fun.
laz57

[Anonymous]

Mark, It all looks great!! Keep us updated as it gets further along.

usairways85, it says on the front page of his site that he used RRtack 4.02

[Anonymous]

very nice, out of curiousity what program did you use to design the track layout that you have on your site?

[Mark9700]

Thank you all for your comments.

Colin the Dash 8 is Lionel. I have 5 TMCC engines and a MTH SW1500 BNSF Switcher.

John , What is Suday Photo Fun?

Jake, It has been hard to remember to write down comments and take photos along th e way.

Dennis, I have to admit accessory placement was done mainly by where things will fit. Having so much trackage creates very limited placemnet opportunities . The ice station is actually the UPS package station that looks like the ice station.

George, Yes, I am buiding in my loft that overlooks the living room. I could never have cleaned up the basement enough to make room.

My next step is wiring. Plan is a hinged 3 x 3 foot board with both TMCC and DCS. I have bought both SC-2 and AUI and plan to wiring switches to both since DCS cannot control TMCC accessories. I believe this to be a big shortcoming of DCS. History has shown that keeping a system closed will limit its growth and acceptance and accomplishes the opposite of intended result. Opps, slipped off the soap box....

Thanks again to everyone for there comments. Any suggestions are appreciated and can only make me try to make the layout better. The one real limitation to tmodel trains is that the actual layout can only be shared with only a few and so many people have done such a fantastic job with building their layouts that pictures alone can not convey.

Mark

[darianj]

Nice setup! Thanks for sharing.

[overall]

Mark,

That's going to be a really nice layout when you finish with it, which will be soon at the rate you're going. I admire your disipline in keeping a construction log. I wish I had done that. A lot of my construction was done shooting from the hip. I didn't have much money when I first started, so I used a lot of old lumber and track I had from previous layouts. I'm curious, are you building it in a loft? I think you will like the Atlas O track. I absolutely love mine.

Thanks,

George

[dwiemer]

Mark,
Admirable job. I like the track plan. I do have one question, and please don't take this as a negative. Your overall scheme, you have a passenger station right next to the log loader and freight operations, seems like it would limit you that you could not use one while the other is in use. Secondly, it looks like you have your businesses mixed ie, you might want the dairy/cattle operations next to the ice station. I am no expert and that is why I am asking the questions. Please keep us updated on your progress and let us know how everything works. Good Job,
Dennis

[jakeoregano]

Great looking layout. Nice job cronicling the progress. It's gonna be a beauty when it's finished.

[csxt30]

That is a nice job, Mark, on that layout & nice web-site, also.
[#welcome] to the forum & don't forget Suday Photo Fun & we have a Coffee Pot !
Thanks, John

[dbaker48]

I am jealous. Lots of activity!!![tup]

[BNSFNUT]

Good layout. Keep up the good work.[8D]

[tmcc man]

Very nice job. The trackplan is amazing, and a lot of action. A quick question. The Amtrak Dash8 pulling the bi-level cars, does it happen to be Atlas O?

[1688torpedo]

Wow!........Looks like you have a nice Track Plan for a very busy layout.Thanks for sharing the photo's.Take Care.

[Anonymous]

Thats pretty nice! and just about the same space i have available accept i would have no perimiter.

Keep it up and run some trains![:D]