Hello everyone,
Having sorted after a long time the photo hosting issue, it is about time to start a thread about my (relatively) new layout. It started approximately 2 years ago.
Layout size is about 20' x 17', along the walls with a lift-gate. Benchwork made out of 3/4” Baltic birch plywood assembled with pocket holes.
Locale/scenes: LA Division, Pasadena subdivision covering scenes from east LA, south Pasadena, Pasadena downtown (Route 66 crossing in Colorado boulevard), Wilton/Chapman and Cucamonga.
Era: 1968-1970 (early)
Track and electrics: DCC (Z21), Tortoise motors (analog operation via custom fascia control panels), Peco code 83 flextrack and #5, #7.5 and #8 turnouts (#7.5 and #8 on the mainline).
Design: The layout has been designed as a sectional one, and has some "disposable" sections and some “key-sections”. The idea started by designing first a larger layout for the future. Then I cut the key elements/scenes from it and adapted them to my current space using the disposable sections as connectors (still made out of plywood etc… but I don’t hope to salvage any tracks etc…).
Ops: Mainline passenger trains (Super Chief / El-Cap, 23/24 Former Grand Canyon) and local freights serving local industries along the line (numbered 1 to 8 on the trackplan).
I wouldn’t like to tire you with more details about the layout in the opening post so off to the photos.
Thanks in advance for your time and replies!
Yannis
This is the current track plan:
Starting of with a pile of plywood cut to specified dimensions
An idea of the completed benchwork. This area is the downtown Pasadena area with Colorado boulevard etc. It is removable in order to get access to tracks on the rear (right side of the trackplan)
Backdrop construction (EPS + pvc sheet for the coved corners)
Primed and sanded.
Sky painted
San Gabriel mountains added.
Yannis I wouldn’t like to tire you with more details about the layout in the opening post so off to the photos.
Hi Yannis!
Are you kidding about boring us with more photos and details?!? Your work so far is excellent! I think that I can safely say that we would all be interested in many more photos of your progress. You are being too humble!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Nice work Yannis, good to here from you in this forum. I've caught bits and pieices in another.
The layout is looking great.
Mike.
My You Tube
Dave and Mike thank you for the kind words! Some more photos and details from previous stages of construction.
Fascia is tempered hardboard, and i followed advice of a fellow member which was found in the March 2014 issue of MR magazine (if i am not mistaken it was Broadwaylion to thank for).
I cut openings for installing the control panels for the tortoises
A finished panel, following my favorite mix: art-deco & streamline moderne. Painted with hammertone finish in order to remind me of old-style interiors (such as locomotives etc).
The lift gate... connecting south Pasadena with Pasadena Industrial and depot area. I offset the hinge in order to have the movement required and proper rail alignment. The wooden blocks that hold it in place while open will be disguised as structures/signs.
In order to maintain alignment across all axes, i added cabinet hardware in different orientations and also brass barrel locks. So far it has passed the test of time with 2 full years in action. This is the south Pasadena side of the bridge...
Finally, the bridge/gate lowered with the brass barrel lock, locked close. It's secondary (to alignment) role is to act as a kill-switch for track power, to make sure that trains dont become planes.
And a lower view
Thanks for stopping by!
Mahvelous benchwork. I would either have higher backdrops or paint the walls the same sky blue to match.
Benchwork made out of 3/4” Baltic birch
My British wife says is't "baltic" when it's very cold. Does that mean you wood came from Baltics in northern Europe?
I've noticed wood I've purchased lately, usually clear pine, comes from Sweden.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Riogrande thanks for the reply! I am totally with you on the backdrops, but unfortunately i could not do either in the current (rent) space. In a permanent house though i ll opt for higher backdrop and possibly valance.
As for the plywood, if i am not mistaken "baltic" stands for the fact that all the plies in the plywood are indeed Birch and no layers of softwoods are inbetween. I don't know for sure where this particular Birch came from (if it was actually Baltic in origin). Furthermore it has many more plies than the typical plywood i could find in the big stores over here.