Got some photo's up!

[canazar]

I just wanted to show it off (keep reading to see why) I finally got a link to "Webshots" set up and some pictures posted of my first layout.

This is my first attempt and I have learned alot while building it. More I did, the more I wanted to do. The first 2x4 went up in June of 2004, and went nuts. It is built in my garage which is 20x20. it is moslty foam construction. About 3 months ago I finally used the Scuplt-a-mold and had great luck with it. Mostly Woodland Scneics stuff.

As why I wanted to show it off....

As you may notice, things like track not being completly ballasted, or switches being wired up and such is for a reason. In less than a month, I will have to tear it all down as we are moveing. I have held off on doing alot of sceenry since I didnt want to waste it. No ballast on the track means I can pull it up and use it again, I guess I wanted to share with folks who could appricate it before I lost it.

Good news is though, when we move, my wonderful finacee all ready told me thatI can have either the 3rd bedroom or living room area (or what ever is bigger) for the lay out. So I get to build another, bigger, better and badder[:D]! with what I have learned building this one.

I hope you guys enjoy. Thanks for looking.[:)]

http://community.webshots.com/user/kanicsar

Best Regards
John Kanicsar

[simon1966]

Good for you! Great idea to preserve the work for posterity. Looks like a really successful effort. What would you do differnently based on the experience gained from this layout?

[TurboOne]

Layout look great John, I like the moutain, and the desert idea. How long have you been working on it? Also what grade % did you use for your upper track ?

Tim

[SP4449]

Very nicely done, John.

[Anonymous]

John,

Great Job!

Question? Is that in your Garage?

I love the mutli-tiered desert area. Never thought about going High to low back into the layout........MMMMMM.....

Chris

[SilverSpike]

Great layout John! I like the transitions from mountain to desert scenery and I noticed some graffiti on one of the grain hoppers! Details are a nice touch! Great to see the slideshow, enjoyed them!

Thanks,

Ryan

[ereimer]

looks great , it's a shame you have to tear it down .

your fiancee said you could have the living room area ? marry that woman right now !

[canazar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by simon1966

Good for you! Great idea to preserve the work for posterity. Looks like a really successful effort. What would you do differnently based on the experience gained from this layout?

Thank you Simon. Well for one, I want to get rid of the duckunder. I am 6'7" workin on a 4 ft table, short for me, but I kept it that since my 4 year old could still see ti with haveing to stack 2 milk crates [:)]

Also, since I have built this one, I have been exposed to one persons large layout that had alot operations on it. SO I want pack in atleast 2 yards, and alot fo industry locations. But, also have mainline runs. (Sometimes I just like ot veg and watch them go by) But I really got a kick outof operating and would like to build the new so 2 or maybe 3 guys canhave fun.

I mosly have theroies and directions since I dont know what i am going to get but I will keep you posted!

[canazar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TurboOne

Layout look great John, I like the moutain, and the desert idea. How long have you been working on it? Also what grade % did you use for your upper track ?

Tim

Tim, acutally, the upper is isloated from the lower. I wanted to put in a connection line but the grade was just much or would have been to steep. When I built it, my skills and what I had been exposed to were pretty limited. Ironically, about 2 months ago i was goign to tear out the back section and add it in, ( I fifgure dout how to do it) but I found out we were moveng so the upgrades were putt off.

The nice thing about the design though was when you sat down and got close to eye level, you got the impression you wer down on the feild of a "train stadium" Alll you saw was scenery and trains going. I was somethign I came up on a whim and it worked out pretty good. if folks ask, I will be more than happy[:)] to post some more pics if it. Or f there is anyting in particular you want too see, let me know.

Best Regards
John k

[gvdobler]

Great to see a child in the picture, he looks like he likes trains.

Did you build the display shelves in the background? I can't find any over 48."

Jon - Las Vegas

[twhite]

Nice job--REALLY nice job! You've given me one more incentive to get a website going--right now I'm still trying to figure out the digital camera. Took some photos last night, but they looked like Van Gogh nightmares. Can't wait to see what your second layout turns out like, I REALLY admire your first!
Tom[:D]

[canazar]

Jon, Tom..

First, the kid... Yup he is my "new"son. My fiancee's kiddo. He just turned 4 in that shot. That is actually how it all got started. When we first met we moved into together pretty quick and I was trying to figure out away for us to bond. I dug out my old trains from when I was kid and showed them to him. That was our first attempt at a layout in our old apartment. Once we moved we got a bigger place in May of 2004, I cut loose in the garage seen in the other photos. We spend alot of time together down there and also have tunred nto quite the railfanning family. We head hunting for real trains atleast 2-4 times a month.

The shelves are actually metal. I own a fabraction biz so metal for me was easy. I just cut 3 10' lengths and use all thread to stick togehter. You could do the same with wood. 1x3 or something, and use the all thread to secure them hang accordinly.

Thanks for the comments guys. [:)] Got me blushin over here.

Best Regards
John K

[Trainnut484]

John, great looking layout. Is the next layout going to be point to point or closed circle?

Take care,

Russell

[jdolan]

Nice layout ,you have really done alot in a short time. Can you save any of it when you move?
Jack

[canazar]

Jack, Russell...

The next one will be full loop style.. I wouldnt mind a PTP style layout, but there are times when I sit there and just chill out, drink a cold one, and watch the train cruise through the scenes. Allthough, I do plan on haveing alot of industry sidings for good operations with atleast 2 yards on either sides.

As far as keeping it? Nah, I am goign to let go. (with the exception of maybe some of the Scuplta Mold rocks, might keep some of those. I will be able to salavage all trees, buildings and such. Also, 100% of the track and switches, even close to 75% of the cork. I even built this one in such away on the bench work that I will be able to salvage all the wood.
I knew from the get go that this would not come with me once I moved. So, saying good bye will be easy. In fact, I have learned so much from one, I am looking foward to building a new one.

UPDATE: On the next place. WORST case scenario, I get half the garage. So I would have a minimum 10x20 room. Oh my brain is running.

Best Regards..

John k

P.S. if anyone lives in AZ and woudl like to come by, let me know. Company is always good!

[Favrefan04]

Just wanted to say that I am very impressed, and that I only hope that my first layout turns out half as well as yours did. When you get started on they new layout make sure you take plenty of pics so we can all see your progress.

[Anonymous]

Great job! I know you're looking forward to working on your new layout. You've gained valuable experience which will benefit you tremendously. My layout is almost completed and I'm already thinking of expanding. I don't believe you can ever have one big enough. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Very nice! To bad you have to tear it down. Do you use EZ track or Atlas True Track?

[AggroJones]

Current layout: I like it!

In regards to the space for your new layout : In your worst case senario, you still win!

[grayfox1119]

John, very, very nice....you are very talented !!! That little boy will really enjoy working with you, what a great dad you are going to be!!! It also sounds like you have a wonderful future wife, take good care of her. I have been married 45 years this May, it does work John!!! And, she loves trains too!!

[canazar]

Wow, thanks guys. You have all said some great things. Gray Fox, I truly appricate those comments.

In regards to the track, it is all Code 100 Atlas Flex track. with regular Atlas switches. I have the trak nailed down to regular cork that I sprayed with a coat of gray primer. Works great. The cork is then secured with a thin layer of Liquid Nails. I have all ready had to pull good amount of track and cork when i redid thingsor added a siding, and it was quite easy.

I have never seen anyone mention painting cork, (it is MidWest prod.) but I think it worked great. Plus, I was able to find a color of Woodland Scenic that matched quite well. hence the ballasting on the sides of the cork. Didnt want to the track itself becuaseI knew I would have to pull it up, and that would just get messy.

Best Regards
John Kanicsar

[ClinchValleySD40]

Excellent, nice work. Sign me up for an ops session. Keep the pics coming.

[canazar]

QUOTE: Originally posted by clinchvalley

Excellent, nice work. Sign me up for an ops session. Keep the pics coming.

Wow Clinch... THATS a layout room.[:D] Man, I would love to do something like that. If we end getting a home hat we are going to keep (for more than a coupel of years, I want tbuild something like that. Justhas impresse shcok factor all over it. Love the flowing lines. That is something I found that I really liked. Instead of square cornered, long flowing benchwrok that woudllallow nice looking trains running. Are you in Arizona?

[Anonymous]

John;
Very nice layout. I commend you for posting it to give all the rest of us ideas, and encouragement. I think your new son will enjoy many nights with you in the train room.
Keep us posted.
Good luck with the new family.
Ken

[canazar]

Ken,
My pleasure, hope the ideas help. I kow that I have gotten alot from others. And thanks for the kinds words..

Best Regards.
John k

[CBQ_Guy]

Way to go, John.

And I'm pleased to hear that your future Mrs. is being so supportive by allowing you to have a space for the layout in your new home. For many, this support makes all the difference between having a layout, or none or a mediocre at best one, at all.

[canazar]

Thanks Paul. Yes, she is very supportive and I am very lucky. Of course as she says, shes likes the hobby becuase it lets "her two boys play together. And keeps her Big Boy out of trouble."

I think we have chatted before on the Yahoo HO Modeler's board.
Im "John the 6'7" Guy" on that. Good to see you overhere too. Take care.
John k

[twhite]

question for you, John--by the way, didn't tell you how much I liked the shot of the cab-forward AND your weathering shot--really good! Anyway--question--is the through truss on your upper level to the right of the yard a Central Valley kit, or a Walthers? it's a handsome looking bridge, either way. Can't wait to see what you do with half the garage when you get settled. And I think it's SO cool that you've got the kids involved! Cheers to you!
Tom

[canazar]

Thanks Tom!. The coolest experince with the whole train thing was the first nite I brought them home. Granted, i ony had like 3 engines and about 20 cars fo rolloing stock. all TYCO or old Bachman. His eyes lit up so much. With an hour I had this old sectional track layout on the floor andI knew I just created two monsters...

That bridge is the Walther's version. I think it is about 18" or 20" long. I was impressed with it and really like it. Comes in a dark gray color. I bleive I got at my LHS for like 25 bucks maybe??

I think I have ,mentioed it before to you, (I remember seeing your website with your pictures... Your layout is Amazing! I love all the eleavation and mountains. And the scenery is excellent.

Best Regards
John K