Building a layout on a rotisserie

[hon30critter]

I have started a condensed version of the thread for those who are more interested in understanding the basic concept. This thread is at almost 900 posts so expecting someone to read the whole thing in order to find out how I built the rotating benchwork is totally unreasonable. Thanks to IDRick for motivating me to do this.

I'm going to continue to use this thread as the primary location for posting developments as the layout progresses. By doing that, I can avoid diluting the condensed thread with all the enjoyable but not necessarily fully useful banter.

Here is the condensed thread:

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/287007.aspx

Dave

[hon30critter]

I'm afraid that there won't be much progress on the layout for a while. My broken Achilles tendon (it's healing slowly) still prevents me from working on the layout proper, and my torn left shoulder tendon (not sure if it is healing or not) is too painful to let me work at the workbench. I can still type as long as I keep my left elbow on the arm rest, but that is about all I can do.

Sorry. Your patience is appreciated.

Cheers!!

Dave

[hon30critter]

I need to reclaim my workbench! It is overflowing with rolling stock boxes and various other detritus. I have decided to order a few Rubbermaid totes so that I can pack a lot of it up and move it to the garage. Of course it's going to add more clutter to the garage, but at least I will have regained my workbench.

Dave

[hon30critter]

SeeYou190

Dave... I hope you can get well soon. I will be looking forward to more updates when you are able.

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your well wishes.

Unfortunately the word 'soon' doesn't seem to apply in my situation. Even without surgery my Achilles tendon will likely take months to fully heal, and the same is true for the torn tendon in my left shoulder. Even after two months it still causes pain and my arm is weak. In fact, I'm pushing my luck by typing because after a couple of hours my shoulder is aching. I should learn to shut up but I enjoy the forums so much that the pain is worth it.

Dave

[SeeYou190]

Dave... I hope you can get well soon.

I will be looking forward to more updates when you are able.

Take care of yourself.

-Kevin

[hon30critter]

I saw my surgeon on Thursday regarding my ruptured Achilles tendon. He says that it is apparently healing on its own so I might not need surgery. However, it will be a few months before I can spend any time on my feet working on the layout in the garage.

Cheers!!

Dave

[NorthBrit]

Yes, Rich.   An interesting scenario.   Then I thought about the roads on my layout.  I move my vehicles around to give a little variety to a scene.  The man selling ice cream is in the Industrial Park.   Next week he will probably be selling his wares  near the Timber Merchants.   To get there he will drive along imaginary roads that are 'there' but not made (nor will ever be). 

The beauty of modeling.

 

David

[richhotrain]

NorthBrit

I like the scenery to bring life to a railroad and a reason for things to be where they are.  How many times in real life one only gets fleeting glances of a train as it passes?  Knowing a train is there, but cannot see it. 

David, your comment about knowing a train is there but cannot see it brings a thought to mind.

Someone on a limited budget and/or limited space could build a layout, or more appropriately a diorama, with structures and landscaping dominating the scene without even including trains. You could add sound from recordings, perhaps a whiff of smoke, the reflection of a headlight, to simulate a passing train.

I am half joking but by definition I must be half serious. Something to consider in the right situation.

Rich

[NorthBrit]

richhotrain

 

 

hon30critter

 

richhotrain

Dave, you keep that up and you are not going to be able to see the trains for the structures. 

Hi Rich,

Actually, I think that the density of the structures will be a good thing for precisely that reason. If the structures in the center of the layout are tall enough to partially block the view of the trains on the opposite side of the layout, then I think the fact that the layout is a plain oval will be less obvious. I'm hoping that the structures will serve as sort of a view block so that the trains on the far side of the layout will disappear at least momentarily from the view of the observers on the foreground side of the layout. We shall see.

Dave 

 

 

 

Agreed.  

 

Rich

 

 

I agree with Dave also.   

I like the scenery to bring life to a railroad and a reason for things to be where they are.  How many times in real life one only gets fleeting glances of a train as it passes?  Knowing a train is there, but cannot see it. 

 

David

[richhotrain]

hon30critter

 

richhotrain

Dave, you keep that up and you are not going to be able to see the trains for the structures. 

Hi Rich,

Actually, I think that the density of the structures will be a good thing for precisely that reason. If the structures in the center of the layout are tall enough to partially block the view of the trains on the opposite side of the layout, then I think the fact that the layout is a plain oval will be less obvious. I'm hoping that the structures will serve as sort of a view block so that the trains on the far side of the layout will disappear at least momentarily from the view of the observers on the foreground side of the layout. We shall see.

Dave 

Agreed.  

Rich

[hon30critter]

richhotrain

Dave, you keep that up and you are not going to be able to see the trains for the structures.

Hi Rich,

Actually, I think that the density of the structures will be a good thing for precisely that reason. If the structures in the center of the layout are tall enough to partially block the view of the trains on the opposite side of the layout, then I think the fact that the layout is a plain oval will be less obvious. I'm hoping that the structures will serve as sort of a view block so that the trains on the far side of the layout will disappear at least momentarily from the view of the observers on the foreground side of the layout. We shall see.

Dave

[richhotrain]

Dave, you keep that up and you are not going to be able to see the trains for the structures. 

Rich

[hon30critter]

Thanks Mike,

I am much happier with the increased density despite the fact that I just committed myself to building more than a dozen additional structures. Most will be scratchbuilt so that will be fun.

Dave

[mbinsewi]

Looks good Dave ! 

I like the trolley.

Mike.

[hon30critter]

Hi David,

FWIW, here is the latest track plan. The structures drawn in pink are potential additions to the layout. All the other structures I have already purchased:

Dave

[NorthBrit]

Hi Dave.  Glad to have helped.  You see how making things narrower than real more can be added.  A busy built up area is made.   Well done.

Regarding your physical limitations.   Just take your time.  There is no race; just a winner - you!

 

David

[hon30critter]

You may have read my comments on David's (North Brit) thread about my concerns about the urban/industrial areas of my layout not having enough density. In other words, I think I have too much open space between the industry structures. David's very closely situated scenes inspired me to take another look with the result that I have reduced the size of the paved areas between the major industries. That allowed me to add another larger industry to the scene.

I did the same thing with the downtown area by eliminating some of the alleyways between the buildings and moving the roads a bit closer to the track. The result is that I can add five or six more larger buildings to the downtown scene. That will make the streets look much more populated and add to the perception that the streets are actually longer than they are.

I have also been able to reintroduce a small neighbourhood of typical railway employee housing. The houses will be small and I will have to scratch build them, but I'm happy with the addition to the plan.

I also have made space for three or four small shops/factories close to the locomotive service area. Hopefully those will add some density to the scenes.

I am really disappointed that my current physical limitations are preventing me from doing more work on the layout, but the changes to the plan that I have been making will improve the layout's appearance significantly! It's also going to cost me because I will have to buy more building kits and scratchbuilding supplies. Darn!

Cheers!!

Dave

[hon30critter]

hon30critter

The only thing I forgot to check was to verify that the prints were the proper size.

I finally got around to checking the print size accuracy and I am very pleased to note that my printer prints at almost exactly 1:1. There is a 0.015" difference every 8" which equals 0.27" over 12'. That means that I can use the full size printouts to lay the cork and track. I can't see 1/4" making any significant difference over the 12' length of the layout.

I bought a larger pounce wheel to transfer the pattern.

Dave

[hon30critter]

Track fiddler

I did a full size layout on poster board taped together and the points from your computer program could help you do this.

Hi TF!

Thanks for your suggestion!

Actually I already have a full sized print out of the track plan. Making it was easy with 3rd PlanIt. The only thing I forgot to check was to verify that the prints were the proper size. Some copiers don't print at the actual size. Their output may be smaller then the actual plan by several percentage points, so before I use the full sized printouts I have to do some checking.

I bought a pounce wheel to transfer the plan from the paper to the subroadbed but I think the teeth are too fine to do the job. I'm going to check the sewing web sites to see what they have in a larger space between the spokes.

Thanks for your interest TF!

Cheers!!

Dave

[Track fiddler]

Hi Dave

I'm hoping the best for you that your mobile health can improve soon.  When it does and I'm hopeful as I'm darn sure you are, you can resume doing the things that you love to do again

I've been meaning to post to your thread for a while as I always enjoy your posts.

 

I remember not too far back in your thread it was the topic of the layout technique to be used for your layout.  I know you have the coordinate points from that computer program of yours.  I just thought I'd throw this out to you.  I did a full size layout on poster board taped together and the points from your computer program could help you do this.

The 4 by 8 poster board taped together was quite floppy and cumbersome but I sat on the couch cutting it out with a scissors.  After that the edges could be traced on the foam perfectly for exact placement where the cork goes.

 

 

 

 

TF

[hon30critter]

Well, I tried to do some modeling tonight but my left shoulder said no thanks to that. All I did was install the pilot from Ed's kind donation to my RDC and reassemble the thing and my shoulder was complaining loudly! So, I guess I get to wait until my shoulder has fully recovered before doing any more work.

Cheers!!

Dave

[hon30critter]

NorthBrit

Afterwards save the tea,  let it dry and 'instant earth'  when doing scenery.

My layout is in my garage so I'm going to try to avoid any scenery materials that might be considered dinner by the local residents. We have mice issues every few years.

If I get my workbench cleared off I have enough space to set up a 12' test track on the bench and the desk next to it.

Dave

[NorthBrit]

snjroy

 Hey, you could also just watch some trains go by and sip some tea!  

Simon

 

 

Tea! Tea!  A man after my own heart.    Afterwards save the tea,  let it dry and 'instant earth'  when doing scenery.

 

David

[snjroy]

I'm sorry to hear that Dave. I'm guessing that accessing the health system is a challenge these days. Maybe someone can assemble one or two loops of track for you on your table. Then you could do some really easy stuff on rolling stock, like weathering and changing couplers. Hey, you could also just watch some trains go by and sip some tea!  

Simon

[NorthBrit]

hon30critter

 

I need to get my butt in gear as far as modeling goes. I have to stop using all my aches and pains as an excuse to procrastinate. I'm going to try to clear off my workbench tomorrow.

Cheers!!

Dave

 

 

Dave.  Once you start  modeling again  you will feel better in yourself.   Just enjoy what you do.

 

David

[hon30critter]

Hi guys,

For better or for worse I am back. The mental fog that the Hydromorphone induced is mostly gone. I am able to survive on Tylenol these days. Still no word on when I will have the MRI on my Achilles tendon. I'd like them to have a look at my knees at the same time. I already know that my right knee is messed up, but they both hurt when I try to stand up.

I need to get my butt in gear as far as modeling goes. I have to stop using all my aches and pains as an excuse to procrastinate. I'm going to try to clear off my workbench tomorrow.

Cheers!!

Dave

[hon30critter]

rrebell

you should know that the beneficial effect of pain meds can deminish over time even with no change in condition.

Hi rrebell

I am extremely leery of taking narcotic pain meds. I only take them when things get really bad. I don't take them as a preventative measure.

Dave

[hon30critter]

snjroy

Did your doctor talk to you about neurostimulation? It's an option when taking meds becomes a problem.

Hi Simon,

I have tried just about every type of treatment to ease my back pain, including neuro stimulation, and they all failed miserably. In fact, most treatements made things far worse. I fall into a small group of people where all the doctors can do is raise their hands and say "sorry, there's nothing we can do about the pain....", that is except for narcotic pain meds.

To make things worse, my doctor told me on Thursday morning that my right Achillies tendon is ruptured and will require surgery to reattach it to my heel. He aslo told me that my right knee is a mess so it will likely require surgury too. That means that I am likely hobbled for the next several months.

Oh well. I will survive. The worst part of the whole affair is that everything gets dropped in Dianne's lap. I can't even drive the car to take her bird watching.

Cheers!!

Dave

[rrebell]

Wow, surprised doc hasn't addressed the shoulder probem yet being on the left side, much more worrisome than right. My wife has a problem on left elbow but x-rays showed water on the elbow proubly caused by arthritus. Hopfully you feel beter soon and the electronic device may work but everyone is different. Also you should know that the beneficial effect of pain meds can deminish over time even with no change in condition.  Hope this is vague enough to pass muster here.