Toy train operating and collecting

I couldn't decide whether to post in my existing thread (thereby forcing new readers to read through the whole thread) or create a new thread, so I went with the latter with a link to the former:

Okay, gonna need some help on this project as it progresses.....

Well, I had five weekends in a row traveling back and forth between NJ and VA, so that kind of put a crimp in my plans for a while.  Now that I've gotten some time, I've been able to get the platforms completed.  Now on to skinning them.  Here's a picture of the overall layout:

I had three problems denoted in my original thread which I've resolved.  The first involved the near curve and the clearance for track passing under it:

The second involved bridging the crossing track - I'll be going with the truss bridge (around 26 inches) and building a couple of piers that will meld with the end of the viaduct sections to give an overall length of 30 inches:

The third involved running the viaduct over track at a 45 degree angle turning into a curve - I think I've resolved that here:

Here's a reverse view:

 Here's a couple close shots of the construction:

 And one more gratuitous shot of my little guy Tyler in the center of the layout:

Either way, it's all good.  Thanks for sharing your update with us.

 Like the workmanship!  Tyler's doing a  great job !  Looking forward to more pictures!

Spanky,

Great to have a buddy to share the love of model railroading with.

The layout looks great.

I would like to see the completed project.

Take Care,

Ralph

Nice looking project! I'd be interested in seeing the progress.

So I'm hoping to start skinning these platforms this weekend, but in the interim I've managed to find an arrangement where I can use the platforms as is without any bridges and run another train on them.  That got the lil' guys really excited to switch the trains around time and again.  Of course, since Tyler got his last Polar Express car we've had that running on the lower track.  I'm glad to see I made the platforms high enough so that even after I skin them the Disappearing Hobo will fit under them.  Here's a couple of shots:

Overall:

Closeup:

 DJ ... and there's some cars that are quite a bit higher than others also bedises the hobo car .... now's the time to check them out ... a small block of wood added now is 100 times easier now than later for height .... never know which car you may buy in the future .

Ole Timer:

 DJ ... and there's some cars that are quite a bit higher than others also bedises the hobo car .... now's the time to check them out ... a small block of wood added now is 100 times easier now than later for height .... never know which car you may buy in the future .

Way ahead of ya!  I actually have templates for my "problem" curve (***,I gotta post a picture of those!) and had Tyler hold them against the curve while I manually rolled the tallest cars under them.  That's why I have 7" clearance up to the bottom of the platform.  I'm also planning on constructing each base so that, if necessary, it would be easy to create a set of 1" or 2" stone "foundations" that each viaduct leg could stand on.  (I was considering if I might want to add the viaduct to my Xmas layout, and this seemed the most logical solution without having to drag that out and set it up.)

Spank,

From Tyler's smile one can see that he enjoys model railroading and is a great helper and pal.

Your layout project has excitement built right in with the elevation and especially those double 90o diamonds which are interesting and neat to have.

Enjoy!

Ralph

So I finally got a chance to move forward on this - bought a 4x8 sheet of masonite and managed to get it home in the back of my MIL's Ford Focus station wagon (with 2.5 feet sticking out the back!).  This past weekend I cut the blanks and was able to shape the skins for one 30" straight, the 40" straight, and the outside of one of the curves (the one that caused problem #1). I still have to do the inside for this curve, both sides for the back curve, and both sides for the extra 30" straight (which I will use when I want a standalone setup with no bridges).

Anyway, between playing volleyball for my company's team, playing whiffle ball and flying Tyler's new little remote control helicopter (god was he excited!) I was able to snap a couple of quick shots of the 40" straight.  Now the skins haven't been glued on yet - I just leaned them agains the platform to give ya an idea of how they will look.

I drew out the arches using a combination of free hand drawing and a set of french curves I was able to dredge up from my college years. (Note to self: post a picture of the templates.) I plan on gluing them to the sides once I buff down the platforms with my palm sander.

One interesting note is that I find I actually like the soft side of the masonite instead of the hard, display side because it really adds texture to the appearance.  I tried to snap a picture of the difference, but the camera blurred it - I'll have to try that again later.

fife, Brent, I'll be hitting you up for ideas for finishing the joints along the top, and attaching and finishing the underside of the arches.  It's going to be challenging cutting out the undersides for the curves - I'm actually cutting the curve to fit two dimensions instead of one.  Not quite sure how I'm gonna do that.

 Lookin good Spanky .... and agree keeping the soft side out .... that slick side also does'nt hold finishes as well ... the soft side gives things a good base also ... for materials to adhere to .

DJSpanky - I would use a heavy cardstock type material for the inside lining.  You have the advantage of turning your viaduct upside down, then shaping in the carstock, and tracing the lines onto same around the arches.  At this point, you are simply filling the "void" inside your arches.  When you overcoat your work with craft spraypaint, it'll all come together.