what do u think i should add?

[Anonymous]

here is a pic of my basic layout, i want to buy some kinda building like a water tower and something small like that, its not much of a residential area but i still want to add some kind of building in maybe with lights. what u guys think i should add?

[Anonymous]

well, on your little branch line you should add Walthers Medusa Cement plant or the ADM Grain elevator or lake side shippign, all very nice, and you can add a road to it for truck traffic.

[Anonymous]

Well since i'm modeling the grain industry i'm gonna say a Grain elevator

[AntonioFP45]

Coldcrow, [:D]

You can base your building on what type of freight cars you enjoy looking at or constitute the majority in your fleet.

If you have a lot of boxcars like I do, consider a warehouse, furniture manufacturer, or a printing company. If you really like Centerflow and Covered Hoppers: Go with a cement plant or an Animal Feed company. (There was a nice Purina Feed Mill in the Walther's Catalog a few years back. Probably still available.) What's nice about feed mills is that they utilize boxcars and Covered Hoppers. Lumber Yards would use mostly Flatcars and Boxcars. Go with what you like seeing parked on a rail siding.

Please don't be offended but If I may also make a suggestion: [;)][8D][:D]

I like your layout; but to give it more "Depth & Dimension" consider adding an additional 10 to 12 inches to the long sides of the edge of your layout with wood and/or foam. This will take away the distraction of the track running on the edge of the board which was a common problem with traditional 4x8 and 5x9 layouts in the past. It appears that you have the space and it would take you a short time with screws, metal "L" brackets and either two "1x"10 or, two "1x"12 wood boards which are quite cheap. [swg][tup]

With this extra space you'll now suddenly have room on one of the long sides for:
A small or mid sized town.
A "main" street in front of the town running parallel to the tracks.
A small passenger station!

On the opposite long side you would even have room for a small locomotive servicing facility or yard where you can have your locomotives parked on display; ready for service. The Walther's Diesel Facility or the smaller Car Repair Shop (which can be easily modified for locomotives) would fit in nicely!

Please keep us updated! [:)][:D][8D][8)]

Cheers and thanks for the photo!

[Anonymous]

I would suggest a mine, gravel quary , cement plant, grain elevator, or ware house on your branch line. mabey a small town in the valley on the oppisite side of the bridge ?

[Anonymous]

I think AntonioFP45 has a very good idea as what to do with your layout. Maybe even a small lumber yard would look nice. & in one small spot on one of the hills along the tracks you could put a small old log cabin or house with some trees & have a few hobos sitting around a camp fire swaping stories etc. PS; I love your paint scheme on your loco. looks SOO nice. Have Fun!.............

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Coldcrow, [:D]


Please don't be offended but If I may also make a suggestion: [;)][8D][:D]

I like your layout; but to give it more [b]"Depth & Dimension" consider adding an additional 10 to 12 inches to the long sides of the edge of your layout with wood and/or foam. This will take away the distraction of the track running on the edge of the board which was a common problem with traditional 4x8 and 5x9 layouts in the past. It appears that you have the space and it would take you a short time with screws, metal "L" brackets and either two "1x"10 or, two "1x"12 wood boards which are quite cheap. [swg][tup]

WOW THANKS i really want to try alot of this now, i am very depressed with the size and the depth of it right now very boring. I was looking for an idea like this thank soo much will definitly keep u up dated

[Anonymous]

Nice layout....

I would build a logging camp and/or a saw mill.
---Pop some trees in there too, some knocked down and some in the process of being logged.

Centre beam flat cars with lumber are always fun to run on the layout.

[AntonioFP45]

Coldcrow and Stokerk,

Wow, glad that I could be helpful! I know what it's like to struggle to build a good believable railroad. You're on the right path because you're asking questions, experimenting, and trying to continually improve, which at the rate you're going you'll have a fine running system! Things get boring when you stop or give up! Keep reading and get support from fellow modelers and even this forum. Some of the finest layouts in MRR started out as "Toy Trains".

If you decide to extend the layout and make it wider as suggested before, build your small town using the "Merchant's Row" series buildings as well as the regular DPM kits. Very affordable.

Cheers and keep at it!!

[Fergmiester]

Well Coldcrow I have to say what you have now is far better than what I had when I started out many years ago. We all get down and disheartened at times. What you have is an excellent start. Don't get hung up on buildings as there are other things that are important, like rivers and water falls. If you have that then you can have a "grist mill" which can be fed by a grain elevator, Logging mill fed by a logging camp, cement plant fed by a quarry. A swimming hole or resort fed by a station. Your possibilities are boundless. but is a good idea to have two related industries that will give a sense of purpose to your layout.

Keep up the good work

[Anonymous]

how do u think i should i connect the other wood to the one i have now, i want to put more on the side just afraid it wont hold up, i'll need more legs for the table then.

[AntonioFP45]

Coldcrow,[:D]

If you're going to add boards to the long sides of your layout that are between 10 inches and 12 inches wide and 1 inch thick, then just purchase the metal "L" brackets from any Home Deport or hardware store. Very common item that comes in a variety of sizes. Most of the larger ones have one section that's longer than the other, just like a capital "L". You'll need one bracket for every 2 feet of board length. Make sure you get the brackets that have at least a 10 inch long section.

It would be good if you had someone assisting you, but you can still do it yourself.

Hold the boards against your layout's edge to make sure that they butt up to it. Then, place the boards on the floor and space your brackets 24 inches apart. Position the brackets so that the section that's going to attach to the layout's is on the edge of the board. Take your time-- If it sticks out too much, you'll wind up with a big gap. Using a drill with a phillips head tip, screw the brackets in with 1 inch long screws. Pick up one board, with the brackets facing down, and with an assistant or using "C-clamps, position the board level with the layout's edge. Power screw in the the brackets into the vertical board of your layout's edge. Do the same with the next board and and your done!

You can also use the "triangle" shaped brackets which are little more expensive but sturdier.

With the added real estate, I bet you're really going to have some fun adding a town, streets, a yard, or engine service facility, station, warehouse, ---you get the picture!. You are the president of this railroad, have fun!

Hope this helps!

[AltonFan]

You might consider adding a station or signal tower near the passing siding. (And if you're running a modern line without passenger service, distress the structures, glue boards over the windows, and let them give a little history to your layout.)

And the branch does cry out for some kind of industry.

[Anonymous]

Coldcrow,
First of all your layout is very cool!!![:)] And if your having trouble finding what to add?[%-)] You can look at the railroad you like! And with that SOO locomotive of yours I say grain or even I guess coal (grow around it)! Whatever the choice it's yours and the possiblities are endless!![:D]
ENJOY IT!!!

BNSF ALL THE WAY!!!

[Wdlgln005]

Does one track end square with the end of your layout? then your extension could add some trackwork & some industry. You may even have some space to make a litle town. Or you could do a service facility with a spot to send more cars.

[krump]

looks good, and the ideas are great too

[Eriediamond]

Can't add to the excellent ideas already given, but do want to thank Antonio for his info on adding extensions with L brackets, GREAT idea I will use in the future. What great minds here on the forum. [(-D][(-D][tup][tup]

[AntonioFP45]

[swg][tup]

Thanks fellas!

Coldcrow, remember though to take your time and ask questions.

When you go to Home Depot or your preferred hardware store, take a picture of your layout with you. The steel "L" brackets and "triangle" brackets are in the Hardware section. For screws I would suggest an assortment of Phillips head #6 and #8 of various lengths.

Don't be shy and show one of the reps in the hardware section you're layout photos and what you're doing as he or she may give you some extra tips as they are experts.

Have fun! Keep us posted!

[egmurphy]

If I might I'd like to offer another small suggestion that might help, although it's not in direct response to your original question. It looks like you still have a number of small areas that you haven't gotten around to adding scenery to where the plywood grain shows. I think taking 15 minutes with a quart of paint (your favorite earth tone for the area you are modeling) and covering these bare areas with a quick coat of earth tone paint would help. You can put roads or ground cover or buildings over the paint at a future time when you've decided what you want, but in the short term it would help hide the plywood look. Keep up the good work, you're ahead of me.

Regards

Ed

[Anonymous]

I would add some water scenes, i stained by sheet of plywood so i would have the dirt look, if that helps any.

[AltonFan]

QUOTE: egmurphy sez:
I think taking 15 minutes with a quart of paint (your favorite earth tone for the area you are modeling) and covering these bare areas with a quick coat of earth tone paint would help. You can put roads or ground cover or buildings over the paint at a future time when you've decided what you want, but in the short term it would help hide the plywood look.

I have to second Ed's suggestion, especially if scenery is going to be a long time in development. A friend of mine did this to his layout, and it improved the appearance by several orders of magnatude. (A not unimportant consideration if the layout exists at the good pleasure of other family members.)