This what I have been working on

[riverrailfan]

I've been working on my new layout for the last few weeks. Here is the design and will post more pics at later dates when I get them downloaded.

 

 

 

Nine of these allow me to move the layout from the wall to work on the other side. At 8ft deep, I need all the help I can get. They work very well. I can move the table by myself.

 

 

Someone that is responsible for starting the hobby and can't wait to run trains.

 

 

[csxt30]

Very nice Riverrailfan !! Nice & heavy duty benchwork & looks like lots of operating fun coming !! I think the little fellow there had a great idea !!   Keep us posted !!

Thanks, John

[HopperSJ]

Nice layout, I like the adaptation of a traditional trackplan. Looks like it will be a lot of fun.

By the way, what did you use at the base of the legs? I can't quite make it out from the photograph. It is a wheel or caster? My layout is on small cheap casters that work, but not real well. They scrape, more than roll along the floor!

[thatboy37]

nice layout looks like alot of fun!

[Dr. John]

Nice layout! I like the design - should be a lot of fun! Looks like you made some very sturdy benchwork too!

The little carpet gliders are a good idea. Unfortunately, they don't work too well on concrete (in my case).

[Jumijo]

Great layout! You're off to an excellent start. I wish I had placed something like that under my layout's legs.

Jim

[BobbyDing]

Very Nice. What Track Planning Software are you using here?

 

Bobby

[dbaker48]

Very nice plan and layout.  What will you be running?  Need to build a stool or two.  I'm sure your son really appreciates it.  Surprising how easy Moms are whenyou add something the child really wants

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Before you go much further, you may want to think about your lighting and how if at all you are going to treat your walls.  With the fluorcent light where it's at it may make seeing details when you are working later tough.  Consider track lights.  There are some that work with your suspended ceiling.  I thought about the wall and did a mural, but did not think the lighting would be an issue till later. 
It's great to overcome inertia and start your layout.  Going to the train room is a must when the grandkids visit.  Great start
Jim

[ChiefEagles]

Great job.  Keep it up.

[MartyE]

I like it!  Good Job!  Looking forward to more.

[riverrailfan]

To answer a few questions.

  HopperSJ, the inner loop is basicly a copy of Lionels Track Pak set to Fastrack. I shortened it and added the two switches. I really didn't expect it but the train runs a different direction everytime it goes through the switches. I use manual switches as they change by them selfs. This also allows the train to change direction when going back out to the outer loop. The things on the legs is what Dr John says. Carpet gliders. They are used to move heavy furniture on carpeting. Just a plastic disc.

 jaabat, I put the gliders under the legs after the bench work was done. You only need a couple inches of the ground to install. The layout is 8 by 12. I did it myself.

 BobbyDing, The track software was RR Track 4.0. Saved countless hours of figuring out what Fastrack pieces I needed to assemble the track(1.75,4.5,5.0straights etc.). The track when assembled fit perfectly. The only bad thing is the software makes it seem like you have more room for buildings and acessories.

 dbaker48,  I will be running mostly modern and MPC Lionel, MTH and K-line. I have one post war set that I use for xmas. Stools will be in order but I think I will build a platform for the little one. I really thought the wife would disapprove of the size of the layout but in the end she said it was too high(36"). I also plan to store some things under the table and height was a issue. Also I have a 7 month old son and I don't want him to get into trouble. Mom was the one that made the decision where to build it.

Sturgeon-phish, I will have to do something with lighting at a later date. Most of it is at the front and gets pretty dim at the back. I'm not to sure on the wall yet but when I do decide, I can move the layout far enough out to perform the work. Overcoming the inertia is the main thing to getting started. The wife kept on asking me when I was going to get started and I had to kick myself in the butt to get going.

 There are good days and bad days when you work on it. Sometimes you need to step away. Sometimes you need to step back and look at the big picture and question if something you do now will affect something later that will make it more difficult. I've already changed my inner loop slightly.

 

[waltrapp]

Riverrailfan: would you mind if I asked what it cost for you to get this far??  I'm trying to get a feel for what it cost to build a permanent 14'x10' layout.  I have NO idea what I might in for IF I decide to go thru with it.

You can email me if you feel better doing it that way: [e-mail]

BTW: You do nice work.

-walt

[dougdagrump]

I use the same glides on our Christmas layout and they work GREAT. However i would suggest that you put a round foot under the leg on the glide to evenly distribute the weight on the plastic glide. The carpeting under the glide will want to compress by distributing the weight as evenly as possible will enable the glide to move easier in the future. Like I say ours worked great on the living room carpet, with a heck of a lot of weight on it.