Mike mike mike mike mike its looking awesome ,i have the bench work up to
Now i have to get plywood &insalation sheets but down here the sheets are ultra thin
So looks like im gonna have to double up lol
Finished the corner section. I placed the coal mine buildings there to see how it would look.
The conveyors will go along the left wall, over the tracks, then to the flood loader.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I'm working on the corner section now. Where the mine will be. Its gonna be around 3" above track level. Then I will add some conveyors from the mine, along the left wall, to the flood loader.
Not sure about the green. But its definatly grey. That prototype photo was taken in the natural sunlight. So there's no way to match it exactly under flourescent lighting.
Michael:
Since you asked, IMHO your rock is a bit too green, at least that's what I am seeing with your comparison photos. There could be more texture with sharper edges in some areas of the rocks too.
Having said that, I do think the rock section looks pretty good. Only someone who has seen the prototype photo would see a reason to criticize.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I finished the first rock wall section. I tried to match the colors from this photo I have of the Royal Gorge Route.
Doughless Looking good Michael. Are those Peco curved turnouts there in the loop? Very nice.
Looking good Michael. Are those Peco curved turnouts there in the loop? Very nice.
jlc41 Hope you don't mind, am new to this and have some questions. I would like to build a 4x8 layout. I have looked at a bunch and like the one's that have elevated track. Can you tell me where I can progressive incline foam blocks. Thanks in advance.
Hope you don't mind, am new to this and have some questions. I would like to build a 4x8 layout. I have looked at a bunch and like the one's that have elevated track. Can you tell me where I can progressive incline foam blocks. Thanks in advance.
Check out Woodland Scenics risers.
- Douglas
Well I finally finished the trackwork for the loop. And now I can run trains! Yeeehaaa.
Before I start the next section of benchwork, I dedided to start working on the rock wall in the corner. This rock wall section will be removable until I get the backdrop installed.
Here's what I got so far.
richhotrain This is the point in layout building that I always wonder about. The benchwork is completed (at least for a section of the layout) and the layout surface is in place. Time to lay track. The objective is to lay bullet proof trackwork. Laser straight mainlines, perfectly shaped curves. How do you do that? Do you lay the roadbed first and secure it to the layout surface? Do you lay track on loose roadbed and glue it down later? Rich
This is the point in layout building that I always wonder about. The benchwork is completed (at least for a section of the layout) and the layout surface is in place.
Time to lay track. The objective is to lay bullet proof trackwork. Laser straight mainlines, perfectly shaped curves. How do you do that? Do you lay the roadbed first and secure it to the layout surface? Do you lay track on loose roadbed and glue it down later?
Rich
Yeah, my concern would be using the diverging rail of a turnout as part of a loop, since the diverging rail is never really curved, but straight...at least in the manufactured sectional variety. Anticipating to produce a perfectly round loop using diverging rail portion of turnouts will lead to disappointment and reworking of the cork roadbed for most, or a narrowing of the radius of the loop somewhere therin, or requiring a kink in the trackwork exiting/entering the turnout near the frog.
I just replied to your other thread.
I just glue the cork roadbed using latex caulk. But I don't use too much. A thin bead is all you need.
If I have to re-adjust, pull up a section of trackwork. I just remove the cork using a thin serrated kitchen knife, slide under the cork. It comes up fairly easy.
Re-work the track, then glue the roadbed down again. No big deal.
Alton Junction
Hi,
Not sure what kind of backdrop you are going to use but it might be good to work it before the layout gets to far along.
Ha, I know the lure of laying track is super strong, but............
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Thanks Tim. I love it when a plan comes together.
I also mounted the backdrop boards. I will be getting a new photo backdrop with a snow scene.
Got the cork roadbed installed. Tomorrow I need to install 4 Peco switches (and machines).
Well I got the foam installed, and cut out the access hole.
I traced out where the track will be, its 36" radius.
Motley Wow I just found out that this mountain section is HUGE!
Wow I just found out that this mountain section is HUGE!
Wow I just found out that this mountain section is HUGE! On the plans it looks tight. But I got up on the benchwork today, and traced out the loop track area.
I have plenty of room for a 36" radius curve now! And still room to the outside wall. And a good 10" from the inside edge. More room for bridge/river scene now.
Got the second 4x8 section completed. Phweewee building benchwork is hard.
Next up will be the foam. Then cut the access hole.
Sounds like the perfect size closet for a helix. Some food for thought...
Widening a door is not too big a deal, so that might make access easier.
For train access, there's always the hole through the wall (or two) if the doorway is not in the best place for it to enter/exit.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Renegade1c I have a question for you. How big is the closet? Could you build the staging yard in there if you pulled the door off the hinges (store it under layout)? I did this with my helix at my previous house. I had the Helix in the closet. Just a thought for you to ponder. If it is a decent size closet you could pontentially add alot to your layout if staging was in there.
I have a question for you. How big is the closet? Could you build the staging yard in there if you pulled the door off the hinges (store it under layout)? I did this with my helix at my previous house. I had the Helix in the closet. Just a thought for you to ponder.
If it is a decent size closet you could pontentially add alot to your layout if staging was in there.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Got quite a bit done last night. Finished the first 4x8 section.
I decided to go with 44" track height. You were right, the 48" would have been too high with the 30" reach to most areas.
On to the next 4x8 section.....
mobilman44 Hi, Hey, just want you to know I (one of many I'm sure) appreciate your layout building updates. For me, the building process is the most fun, and I'll enjoy it thru your efforts. I chose 41" for my layout height (I'm just under 5-10) and that works out pretty nice. For me, 48 seems way too high, especially for reaching the outer edges. That said, someone mentioned "step box" and I have two of them. They are 12x14x12, made from 2x12, and covered with scrap carpet. The carpet lets them blend in, and keeps the splinters at bay. ENJOY !
Hey, just want you to know I (one of many I'm sure) appreciate your layout building updates. For me, the building process is the most fun, and I'll enjoy it thru your efforts.
I chose 41" for my layout height (I'm just under 5-10) and that works out pretty nice. For me, 48 seems way too high, especially for reaching the outer edges. That said, someone mentioned "step box" and I have two of them. They are 12x14x12, made from 2x12, and covered with scrap carpet. The carpet lets them blend in, and keeps the splinters at bay.
I got the lumber today. So I started on the first 4x8 going in the upper right corner.
Didn't get much done, but its a start.