Layouts under construction: Reports Requested

[danrunner]

    I love hearing about layouts under construction and always love to see the pics.  I'm sure I'm not alone.

You folks with some layouts under construction or recently completed, can you folks treat us to some pics of what you're up to and a few words.  I'm sure we'd all enjoy a spot where we could see many new layouts in the same thread.

Dan

PS  Elliot, where are you Big_Boy?  I'm dying to see what's new on your massive layout.

[Frank53]

a link to my layout thread is in my sig line. I've been working on it for about a year, but haven't updated teh thread in a couple of months. The finished layout will be three levels and thus far I'm still on the top level. I figure I have about 18 months more work before I have all three levels presentable.

[Jumijo]

I've also been working on our layout for about a year, with a few month-long breaks thrown in. Ours is nearing completion, as it is nowhere near as large or ambitious as Frank's is. Lately I've installed a coal facility, and a rock outcropping at one end of the layout. You can access photos of our little layout by clicking on my web page button below.

I'm already thinking of tearing it down and starting over. Multiple levels intrigue me!

Jim

[FJ and G]

I hope to soon be fabricating some wooden rail, based on prototype photos in Kentucky about 100 years ago. It will be a logging road and will include some primitive bridges, floating logs in real water, a train shed, stub switches, and other things that I can find based on the prototype.

I've already converted an ATV R/C by removing the tires and testing it on wooden rails. I need to do some weathering as well. The operation is fairly good. So far, the entire R/C setup was less than $11, including the ATV.

The cab is from an Industrial Rail wrecking caboose. Tires removed reveal flanged wheels

before



after

[cnw1995]

Looks great, David!  I'm close to finished with the main part of this layout - begun after the Great Radon Mitigation of 2005. It's visible on Shutterfly and by searching the Sunday Night Photo Fun Thread of a few months ago. It's on a sort of hiatus for the summer. Have plenty of trees to make - I'm thinking of reworking some yard trackage that would accomodate a trolley barn - I've some ideas about what that might look like - as well as musing about making one of my Western Hobbycraft trolleys into a freight motor.

[perry1060]

Dan,

My layout is never done. I am working on a winter scene, but I don't have any pictures yet. My web page is attached here with some older pics.

[thatboy37]

its me and i have nothing to update you guys on as i plan to do a little bus wiring to day for each of my  mainlines. my last update was me finishing the rewiring of my switches with longer wire to reach the control panel. after a long brek and a few vacations in between i guess i will do a little work to give an update. i dont want to bore myself out with trains thats why i'm taking my time to finish this layout. which a layout is never finished as you guys say.

[DCmontana]

Under construction???  My layout will be under construction till I tear it down to build a new one.  Isn't this the continuous plan???

[cheech]

I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF ONE.  [SEE LAYOUT INTERSECTION-HELP RECENTLY POSTED]  IT SHOWS VERY ROUGH RR-TRACK PLAN

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES I AM WORKING THRU....

• A DEAL WITH A GENTLEMENT FOR SOME NEAT GRADUATED TRESTLEs I SAW HIM OFFER ON EBAY--WE ARE INTO THE MONEY PART NOW!
• CERTAINTY ABOUT MY WIRE PLAN THRU THE INTERSECTION I CREATED [MY FRANKENSTEIN] SHOWN IN THE PREVIOUS POST. ADVICE IS SPARSE SO I'LL HAVE TO DO A LOT MORE BASIC TESTING  TO THE WIRING THAN I HAD HOPED.
• AND SOME CONNECTOR PINS ---THE PCB TYPE THAT WILL LET ME EXTEND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CONTROLS AND SOME ACCESSORIES [LIKE INTERMODAL CRANE, STEAM/CLEAN/GRIND, DRAW BRIDGE]---  SEEMS LIONEL THINKS ONE SHOULD STAND DIRECTLY OVER THEM TO OPERATE THEM -- MY ARMS AIN'T THAT LONG. 

THANKS TO "EZAK" I AM ON TO A COMPANY THAT MAY HAVE THEM.  ONCE  GET THE RIGHT TERMINOLOGY TO DESCRIBE WHAT I NEED---THEY SEEM TO BELIEVE EVERY ONE KNOWS THE PART NUMBER.

ALL IN ALL, I'M ABOUT 3 MONTHS FROM SOLID PICTURES SHOWING PROGRESS AND 3 MONTHS BEYOND THAT FOR ALL WORKING.

RALPH

[FJ and G]

Doug,

This fall you can go out into the field and grab up weeds, spray them with glue, hang upsidedown for a week and they're good to go. Get hundreds. I think I've mentioned this before in many posts and photos. Also, get some colored sawdust or groundfoam to sprinkle on them when they are sticky with the glue.

No need to be spending hours and hours making trees.

Dave

[dbaker48]

UNDER CONSTRUCTION ????? !!!!!!!   I've been in the planning stage since January.  I think I have logged in hundreds of hours on RR software.  A major summary of the planning phases I've been through....

Phase 1 - Developed four plans trying to accomodate 72" radius in 11 x 14 room.  NO GO !

Phase 2 - Developed 2 plans using two adjoining bedrooms, NO GO !

Phase 3 - Developed 7 or 8 plans for a New room to be built 16 x 20,  each of the plans had at least 5 or 6 itterations regarding various modifications and track arrangements.  Actually came up with 3 very accommodating layouts.  ROOM CANCELLED AFTER BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED DUE TO INCREASE IN PRICE.

Phase 4 - Developed 4 totally different plans for a "Patio Room", 14 x 20, CONSIDERABLY less expensive (10% the cost of Phase 3).  Currently trying to accommodate other family desires in the room which includes a 52" x 24" bar.  THIS WILL WORK, ROOM SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETE BY 9/5/6.

Room will have 42" layout, and a suspended G Scale oval with a couple of sidings. 

Hopefully will START layout in November.  (After room is complete, need to do the suspended track first, then carpet room. October lost to 21 day speaking tour in Ariz, then hopefully start benchwork in November.

Note:  Last night did a 1:1 scale drawing on patio floor of layout.  I'm convinced when I am using the 12" grid on the RR software, my minds eye sees it as 1/4" grid.  Boy, does the area shrink when you go to reality from a piece of paper or computer screen!