Well here are a few snap shots. Perhaps Vail didn't read that I was expanding a layout built in a former residence as a "flat on the carpet-slide under the bed" experiment. I wanted to incorporate 2 of the three layout board modules I had created. All the inner loops are thus the former perimeter loops of the orignal layout.
Connection would be via one turnout formerly to the "south yard" now to a new yard. The old south yard would be connected via a turnout off another new yard that runs under a Warren Truss bridge. The lower loop of the new outer oval mainline is a rise and fall on a 4 degree slope.
The new layout pieces also had to be modular, and I could not build it at table height as I had to put it in a nice, but low main floor storage space I have refurbished for the purpose. Thus there are many board margins that I had to contend with.....and place the entire layout on 2 and a half dozen 2 inch casters. That way I could manouver them into place when wired and I can also stand, sit, and lean on the 1" medite boards with no flexing.....there are 6 to 8 casters under every board.
I can access the layout from two ends at least.
But it is true, no doubt, that it doesn't resemble a realistic "working" railroad.
I'm glad you put it back up. I was skimming and not reading last night. But, I think there might still be learning to be had from this layout, so instead of calling it stupid, why not see what is good and bad about it? I'll try to really look at it, and post later. Still at work now!
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
I must say that's an interesting ladder you have there next to your silver bridge.
I like the switch control boxes.
I was looking at it, and it has actually given me an idea for making a change on my layout, which is still being constructed.I sat down last evening, and gave mine the "rathers and druthers" look and possible ways to do things differently.So your posting your pictures has been of value.It's not stupid, you're doing what you can with what you have.There's no set rule that it has to look like or work like a real working railroad.Part of the fun of this hobby is creating something we enjoy, and have fun with.If everyone built about the same thing, prototype or whatever, it would be dull in my opinion.Everyone of us have different ideas, different creative talents we can share with one another.
Happy MRR'ing
TheK4Kid
loathar wrote: I must say that's an interesting ladder you have there next to your silver bridge.I like the switch control boxes.
When you say interesting, I know you mean "interesting"! After spending so many dollars on locos, I was trying to use up my leftover stock of turnouts in the best way to put the most track down in sidings. Thus I used a series of RHs with the little 1/3 secton turned which produces the odd 's' look, instead of a ladder with the proper LHs since I was out of those. That's the kind of budget-mindedness that produces goofy results, I know.
What would make me happy is if I ever saw and actual yard with something similar.
The switch control boxes are also budget...I don't think I could even make one of the beautiful ones I have seen posts of......the black electonic panels with pinstriping and activation lights etc. etc....or I would spend all winter just making that panel.
They are just the white coated 1/8 in. medite with a computer printout of the layout under a little plexigas.....some little brass trunk corners to hold the Zephyr in place.
This is my first layout. Started planning last Jan. and planned the expansion in July.
Thanks to everyone for the helpful comments so far.
Hey, I love that layout...ambitious rock work.
I have a couple of these, one with factory sound and one waiting for it's Tsunami,.....surprised at how poorly it handles the 4 degree grade even with no train.....when I get the decoder in the second one I'm thinking of MUing them for fun to take a run at the hill.
Every other thing I have....and it is quite a range, has no problem....at least on it's own.
What's the steepest grade you drive this one on?
Cisco:
Nothing wrong with your control boxes. You use what you've got. I also appreciate the effort in trying to reuse existing stuff.
The layout is a little strange, but I don't think you need to start over. I think it could stand some reworking. What sort of operating scheme are you planning?
I do think you could have more fun if you had fewer, longer tracks. You can always keep the switches you don't use, and reuse them later.
Have you considered taking out the inner loops and double-tracking the big, outer one? You've got lots of room now. If you did that, and extended the silver bridge yard, deleting the other yards, and put a branch in the middle, going to a mine or something, for example, I think you could have something really fun to run, and lots of switches left over.
I like it. I also like some of the suggestions I've seen so far. Maybe doubling the main line and removing some of the inner loops would be ok. I think your turnout control boxes are fine. Better than anything I have put together to this point IMHO, although I aspire to greatness.
As for it resembling a prototype railroad...do you care? I know I don't. It's freelance. You can do whatever you want. The main thing is to have fun, learn, and enjoy your hobby. I think your layout has fantastic possibilities. The layout I am dreaming of will be freelance. It will not resemble a "real" railroad for the most part but I do want to model a protype branch line that services a Seed Plant in our town. I want to scratch build a model of the plant if I can. My only worry is the motive power for the branchline...I haven't seen any RTR Brandt Industries Rail Haulers anywhere. Not sure if I can scratchbuild that or not?!