I have cleared my benchwork of clutter, bought one logging loco and am saving for its stable mate(been hard to find a roster for the real BK lumber company). Layout space is 4x8, but narrowed in the middle to access my storage shelves for my G scale trains. Since this was taken, there is a bridge that crosses the narrowed area that is 6 inches wide, retaining the opening in the middle area for access. I may remove this if I can tune the new Mallet to run around really tight curves. My thoughts on the track plan is a meandering lower loop for the Mallet to run on, with siding for a small mill and engine house. On the layouts right side is a short extension shelf, that will have the lead that branches off the main to switch back up the mountian. Using Woodland Scenics 3% grades and spacer blocks, the line will climb upwards, bridging over the lower line in the middle area at the rear, then again at the left front corner to go above my workbench to a small 2x2ish shelf where the log reload camp will be. The "hill line" will be the domain of the future engine, a NWSL Willamette 3 truck geared engine. Most all the rolling stock will be brass. NWSL/FED did log cars that are darn close to correct to what they used. And both locomotives are brass. Below are pics of the table area(sans the bridge section) and the first loco for the line.
Silly NT's, I have Asperger's Syndrome
Mike,
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This looks like a great beginning. I look forward to your build updates.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
A bit more progress. Picked up a sheet of Homasote and cut it to fit the shape of the layout. Needs to be screwed down and painted still though. Already been playing around with what Atlas track I have on hand, figuring out what I need to buy still. Also need to get the Woodland Scenics foam grades and spacer blocks to build the high line to the reload camp up on the mountain. I bought the NWSL Willamette Shay, a 70 ton 3 truck model. And I am getting a nice selection of hte NWSL camp cars to build my loggers encampment. It will be on the narrow shelf that spans the window opening above my workbench. With the reload area just to the left of that in the corner opposite the current layout. I am also hunting some logging/woods like material(not camoflage) to hang under the benchwork to hide the "stuff" underneith. Mike the Aspie
And just like that, the mainline is roughed in and operational. The only building actually in its place is the finished lumber loading shed. The mix of corrigated/wood building in front of the control center is where the mill will go in the future. They are just stand in buildings for now. The Mallet just and I mean just manages the tight curves. A can motor is in its future as the open frame runs really hot despite having a very good magnet in it. The can motor should quiet the model down further and stablize the lower speed range. There are no binds in its driveline, just a underpowered/weak motor. The lead to the switch back is just behind the finished lumber shed. Track will climb up, crossing over the other main line at the rear, then switchback again and run back up and over the mainline at the left side of the layout to get to the reload camp. But thats a future project later this winter. I have some cut outs in the Homasote to make for the creek and log pond area. Mike the Aspie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaOivdE_Pl4&feature=youtu.be