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New Layout Progress Report (New Photos Added 12-29-09)

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  • Member since
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  • From: Fountain Valley, Ca.
  • 763 posts
Posted by Bob grech on Monday, January 4, 2010 5:37 PM

ondrek

 In the very first pic, it looks as if the track is down directly on plywood.  is that correct?  or is there a layer between?  It also looks as if roadbed is not used at all, is that correct?  if the track is directly down on plywood, how noisy is it?

thanks

Kevin

 

Although it may look like the track is resting directly over plywood, it is in fact resting over 1/2 inch Homasote.

Here is a before and after shot of that area: 

 

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by Bob grech on Monday, January 4, 2010 5:33 PM

Allegheny2-6-6-6

 Ok Bob I think I'll start on tearing down my layout and starting over, beautiful work. If I may ask what type of construction is your bench work and scenery, open grid, L girder hard shell etc.? In all seriousness it's layouts like yours that give guys like me inspiration rather then frustration

 

I used Open Grid construction for my bench work. The track / sub roadbed is 5/8 plywood. For roadbed I use 1/2 Homasote for flat areas such as yards. I use cork roadbed for the elevated "out on the main" ballast look. For scenery, I use cardboard web strips to form the land forms. This is covered with plaster soaked towels. The rock formations are a mix of hand carved and plaster castings. As far as rock work goes, I once tried using foam but found that no mater how hard I tried, it still looked like foam. In addition, the color and texture I can achieve with plaster is too difficult for me to re create using foam.  So my hats off to all of you who have mastered this technique. The only foam on the layout is a 2% WS incline I used along the river. 

Here are a few early construction pics showing my bench work.    

 

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, January 4, 2010 12:59 PM

I have several areas on my layout where the track is directly atop the plywood.  As long as the layout construction is solid, it's no noisier than track laid on cork.

Wayne

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Posted by ondrek on Monday, January 4, 2010 12:33 PM

 In the very first pic, it looks as if the track is down directly on plywood.  is that correct?  or is there a layer between?  It also looks as if roadbed is not used at all, is that correct?  if the track is directly down on plywood, how noisy is it?

thanks

Kevin

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    March 2007
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Posted by Allegheny2-6-6-6 on Sunday, January 3, 2010 11:48 PM

 Ok Bob I think I'll start on tearing down my layout and starting over, beautiful work. If I may ask what type of construction is your bench work and scenery, open grid, L girder hard shell etc.? In all seriousness it's layouts like yours that give guys like me inspiration rather then frustration

Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn?
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Posted by Pennsy nut on Sunday, January 3, 2010 5:25 PM

WOW!  That is one incredible layout!  Awesome!

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  • From: Glendora, CA
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Posted by zgardner18 on Sunday, January 3, 2010 4:49 PM

Wow, it does look fantastic.  Can't wait to see it someday in person.

--Zak Gardner

My Layout Blog:  http://mrl369dude.blogspot.com

http://zgardner18.rrpicturearchives.net

VIEW SLIDE SHOW: CLICK ON PHOTO BELOW

 

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Posted by Bob grech on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 2:02 PM

 Thanks for the kind words. The layout is HO Gauge (1:87 scale).

Have Fun.... Bob.

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  • From: Zebulon, NC
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Posted by icemanrulz on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 9:20 AM

 I have to say that is some awesome work!

May I ask what scale that is?

Thanks Stryker
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Posted by secondhandmodeler on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 9:22 PM

Very fun to look at.  Thanks for the updates. 

Corey
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  • From: Phoenixville, PA
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Posted by nbrodar on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 9:03 PM

 You're a bad man Mr. Grech!  Smile,Wink, & Grin

Great looking work Bob.

Nick


Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/

  • Member since
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  • From: Fountain Valley, Ca.
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Posted by Bob grech on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 8:06 PM

 Just wanted to give Jeff the photo credit for these new pics. His work behind the camera makes it look like I''m seeing my layout through a new pair of eyes. Thanks again.

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by Margaritaman on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 6:12 PM

Every once in a while I have to go to Bob's place to make sure he hasn't gone "modern era" on me.  I was asked to bring the camera and today was just one of those days that the camera and I were talking to each other.  Some are repeats, but I thought the color was such that they needed repeating.  Bob was chugging right along as always.  I did see one diesel unit on the layout but he promised it was only for track cleaning duties.  Enjoy!

















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Posted by Margaritaman on Saturday, December 19, 2009 11:06 PM

I know you've made progress, so where are the pics?  I'm off this week, let's run some trains and take pictures.

  • Member since
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  • From: Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada
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Posted by Blue Flamer on Saturday, December 12, 2009 7:05 PM

 Bob.

I see that you are at it again. It's not nice to fool all these fine people by going out into the boondocks and byways to take pictures of any and every old building that you find. What is worse is the fact that you then super-impose all those Pics. onto your bench-work and try to pass them off as models on your model R.R.

Have you no shame???

But on a more serious note, keep up the great work. You are an inspiration to us all. Bow Bow Bow Thumbs UpThumbs Up

Blue Flamer.

"There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"." Dave Barry, Syndicated Columnist. "There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes." Doctor Who.
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Posted by PowhatanFan on Saturday, December 12, 2009 4:10 PM

Bob,

I'm really new to this. How long have you been at model railroading? I'm just trying to get a handle on expectations. Is this a skill you acquired over 5 years, 10 years or ....  Beautiful stuff

 

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Posted by Medina1128 on Saturday, December 12, 2009 2:32 PM

Looks great! Just a suggestion though. Check to see if your camera has a "macro" setting. I discovered mine when I was fooling around with it. If not, try using the manual settings and set your f-stop to its highest number (smallest opening). This will increase your depth of field (making things closer to the camera more in focus). You'll probably have to use a tripod, because the shutter speed with be pretty slow. But keep up the great work, and keep us posted with pics.

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Posted by Bob grech on Friday, December 11, 2009 1:32 PM

Ben1272

 Bob, your layout is a beauty!  Reminds me of George Selios' F&SM.  Have you ever posted a trak plan for your line?  I think it is very much the style that I am looking to build my layout in (shelf style).  Is this correct?  Could you post a track plan?

 

Best Regards,

 

Ben

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by Bob grech on Friday, December 11, 2009 1:30 PM

upacific1862

 Hi Bob,

As you can see in my profile I´m from Barcelona, Spain and I don´t have enough words to give you many congratulations for your work. Incredible!!!

I have a question? Can you tell me the track you use in your layout?

Thanks,

Alex

Hi Alex.

I used modified Walther's code 83 turnouts and a combination of Atlas and Micro engineering (code 83) flex track. The spurs, such as the one shown next to the Flour Mill, is hand-laid using ME code 70 rail. If you take a closer look at the first picture, you can see how my turnouts were modified. First, i cut off the head block ties so only two ties under the switch throw remains. Second, I drill  the center of the throw tie in order to recieve the actuation wire from below the layout. (I'm using Tortoise Slo-Mo Switch Machines). Third, I cover those "ugly" point throw rivets using .019 thick sterene strips.  To finish, I weather and hand paint my rails using Burnt Umber and Grimmy Black, followed by a wash of alcohol and india ink over the grey-blend ballast. 

Have Fun.... Bob.

  • Member since
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  • From: Piera - Barcelona - Spain
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Posted by upacific1862 on Friday, December 11, 2009 7:02 AM

 Hi Bob,

As you can see in my profile I´m from Barcelona, Spain and I don´t have enough words to give you many congratulations for your work. Incredible!!!

I have a question? Can you tell me the track you use in your layout?

Thanks,

Alex

pirineuscalemodels - H0 and N USA scale models

www.pirineuscalemodels.com

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Posted by Knowcents on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 8:56 AM

Thank you for posting these pictures. You have a Great layout!! The attention to detail, the fine scratchbuilt structures just add to the realism.

Jeff Clodfelter Santa Fe "Knowcents Division"
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Posted by tgindy on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 8:05 PM

Bob grech

This is my favorite picture due to the subtle track-siding blending into the jam-packed neighborhood let alone the small deck bridge.

Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956

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Posted by GARYIG on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 7:03 PM

Ok if my layout looks even 1/8 this good i will be happy incredible details got me going.

Gary Iglesias, Hialeah, FL http://photobucket.com/GARYS_TOWN
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Posted by Ben1272 on Sunday, December 6, 2009 8:25 PM

 Bob, your layout is a beauty!  Reminds me of George Selios' F&SM.  Have you ever posted a trak plan for your line?  I think it is very much the style that I am looking to build my layout in (shelf style).  Is this correct?  Could you post a track plan?

 

Best Regards,

 

Ben

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Fountain Valley, Ca.
  • 763 posts
Posted by Bob grech on Monday, November 9, 2009 9:52 PM

doctorwayne

Thanks for sharing those scenes with us, Bob.  The new layout, not surprisingly, Wink looks great!  Thumbs UpThumbs Up

Wayne

 

 

Wayne. Thanks for the kind words. Coming from you, it means a lot.

Have Fun.... Bob.

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: Fountain Valley, Ca.
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Posted by Bob grech on Monday, November 9, 2009 9:50 PM

 Hi Mat. The gravel road was done using "real" dirt which was sifted to remove all the unwanted debris.

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, November 9, 2009 1:13 PM

Thanks for sharing those scenes with us, Bob.  The new layout, not surprisingly, Wink looks great!  Thumbs UpThumbs Up

Wayne

 

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Posted by PRR_in_AZ on Monday, November 9, 2009 12:59 PM

Bob,

Extremely nice work, extremely nice!  I especially like all the different types of shots (close, medium and far).  Close up shots are nice - but sometimes it is nice to see the overall thing.  Wish my layout progress was as fast as yours.

Chris

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Posted by salt water cowboy on Monday, November 9, 2009 11:39 AM

 Thanks for the great pics! I really like your gravel road in the last photo. Howdja do it?

Matt

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