More construction - pictures included

[Anonymous]

Stopped by Lowes on Friday and picked up 3 sheets of plywood, had the fella cut them into 30x48 sections.

When I arrived home I started laying them out on the frame work:


This shows the plywood pretty much in place.  There is one section that needs to be cut into 30x24 sections and one on the layout has to be trimmed the same. Here you can also see the crossover between the two mainlines, the lower level reversing loop, and the two switches that will be used to transition into the yard (right side just above the blue switch boxes, and the second level transition spur (just to the right of the box os O-45 curves)


View from the other end of the layout:


Beginning of the yard taking shape:


Yard in place and the second level transition spur starting:


Close up of the yard:


Closeup of the far end with the RS-2 and some High-Cubes... 491 Yellowbelly makes an appearance:


Looking back toward the opening... the second level transition spur is missing a few sections of track! No trains heading out there.... yet.


Another overview:


Started messing around with second level transition area. Here you see two Lionel underarch bridges, the one in the foreground is where the first level to second level transition comes up, there is a 10 inch section right after the bridge, this will eventually be replaced by an O-45 rh switch that will cross another Lionel underarch bridge and lead to the underground passenger station.  The underarch bridge in the background is the begining of the river line.

[cnw1995]

Sure looks great! How exciting! Will you have pop-up access to the far end of the layout? Oh, maybe that's a photography thing and you can walk all around.

[traindaddy1]

Brent: I'm a tubular guy (for now) and may take the plunge into another system. What made you decide on Atlas track? As always, thanks. 

[Anonymous]

Sure looks great! How exciting! Will you have pop-up access to the far end of the layout? Oh, maybe that's a photography thing and you can walk all around.

Doug, There will pop-ups so I can get to the inner workings of the layout, and yes it is a walk-around too.

Brent: I'm a tubular guy (for now) and may take the plunge into another system. What made you decide on Atlas track? As always, thanks. 

Mostly I like the look as it looks like real track. I'm not going for the hi-rail look, or the toy look, but something inbetween. One thing that I like about the Atlas track is the outer rails do not share a power source so it makes creating isolated track very easy. It is definitely rigid track so you have to be very accurate in your layout planning (I used RR-Track), there is a little play (about 3/8 inch or so) but not much. Once it is secured together with the track clips it is as solid as FasTrack (but without the molded-in-place ballast). The ballasting was the other thing I like as I always wanted to do my own ballasting which the Atlas track allows for.

[thatboy37]

nice work you have going there. you really makr me miss my layout even more the more i look at yous and even everybody elses. keep up the great work as i will live through your layout. keep us posted on your progress.

[kpolak]

Looks Great Brent!  Keep those photos comming!

Kurt

[johnandjulie13]

Hello Brent:

Your layout looks great!  I am envious of the space you have.  I echo the previous request, can we see your computer rendering?  It looks like it is going to be quite extensive.  Keep posting pictures!

Regards,

John

[Anonymous]

DJ,
These are what I am working from. What is actually on the layout is slightly different. And may change again when I get home... been thinking about it more today.

This is level 1:


This is level 2:


This is the whole mess:


Level 2 is actually 2 levels itself.

[Wes Whitmore]

What are your plans for the city?  Those are some unusual building in there.  Is it basically a city block, with some park in the center?

Wes

[Anonymous]

Wes,
I honestly have no clue right now.  That area is about 1 - 2 years from actual construction so anything is possible!

[Wes Whitmore]

Fair enough.  The city is one of the things I really want to get working on, even though it's pretty complicated construction for me.  Integrating roads, sidewalks, and transition to "not-city" areas still leave me with a ton of questions.

Wes

[johnandjulie13]

Brent:

Quite impressive!  Are the two levels independent?  On your drawing with all of the levels together, their is a point to point line on the left side, is this a trolley?  A logging line?  How many trains will you be able to run at one time?

Regards,

John

[Jumijo]

 

Brent,

That is really shaping up! Can't wait to see more photos. Keep posting your progress.

Do you intend to use a sound deadening layer like Homasote? Or are you going to just use something like cork roadbed?  

Jim 

[Anonymous]

Brent:

Quite impressive!  Are the two levels independent?  On your drawing with all of the levels together, their is a point to point line on the left side, is this a trolley?  A logging line?  How many trains will you be able to run at one time?

Regards,

John

The two levels are independent, but you can move a train from one level to the other.

The point to point is for a coalmine train. The town will have a trolley line running on SuperStreets.

I will be able to run two to four trains on the lower level, most likely two at a time. Then one or two (shooting for two) on the second level, 1 on the point-to-point, and the trolley... for a total of 5 or 6 trains/trolleys.

[Anonymous]

Brent,

That is really shaping up! Can't wait to see more photos. Keep posting your progress.

Do you intend to use a sound deadening layer like Homasote? Or are you going to just use something like cork roadbed?  

Jim 

Thanks! Wanna take a trip and help?

I'm going to be using ceiling tiles between the plywood and foam roadbed. The tiles will give me the sound deadening and the foam roadbed will give me the 'lift' to create the proper look with the ballast. I also have some carpet padding from Susan's cousin that I am going to use in place of the foam roadbed in the tunnels as it was free and the foam roadbed is a bit expensive. I have to find the 'sheets' of foam roadbed to use under the switches and the yard.

Stopped at the LHS this evening to get some more supplies and showed the owner the pics... he was rather surprised. Said it is nice to see the progress because not many people come back and show him their progress.  I can't see just going in and spending all that money and letting him ponder what I'm doing.  He gave me some tips too.

[fifedog]

Wes,
I honestly have no clue right now.  That area is about 1 - 2 years from actual construction so anything is possible!

yeah, 1-2 years my butt....

[johnandjulie13]

Hello Brent:

Sorry to keep asking questions, but your layout is very intriguing.  How will you be using the ceiling tiles?  Will the entire layout be covered with them, or just the track right of way?  If it is going to be on the entire plywood base, how will they be secured?  How will you handle the spaces between the tiles? Caulk?  Are the tiles 2'x2'?

Regards,

John

[Anonymous]

Wes,
I honestly have no clue right now.  That area is about 1 - 2 years from actual construction so anything is possible!

yeah, 1-2 years my butt....

Probably closer to one year... I have to get the rest of the track for the second level, including the underground passenger station tracks, and with 12 switches in that mix it is definitely going to be a while.

[Anonymous]

Hello Brent:

Sorry to keep asking questions, but your layout is very intriguing.  How will you be using the ceiling tiles?  Will the entire layout be covered with them, or just the track right of way?  If it is going to be on the entire plywood base, how will they be secured?  How will you handle the spaces between the tiles? Caulk?  Are the tiles 2'x2'?

Regards,

John

John,
no problem, the more you ask the more it forces me to think things through! The ceiling tiles will be used in a conjuntion of full tiles (2x4) where I can use full tiles, under the mountains they will just be strips as wide as the track. I'm planning on using construction adheasive to secure the tiles and maybe a screw here and there, but mostly the adheasive will be adhearing the tiles the ply. I am attempting to make the sections as light as possible because this is intended to be movable in 12 sections. The space between the tiles will be filled with landscaping material, but I won't know for sure till I start working on that aspect.  Still a few months away from that because I have to get portions of the second level done so I know where the river is going to be... that is important because I have to cut two of the sections and drop that area below the current bench work... be patient it will all make sense once I get there...

[Anonymous]

A few mid-week update pictures:

Overview: Here you can see the yard layout and the corner has now been cut, I need to sand it smooth still. Also the transition from level 1 to level 2 can be seen more clearly, as can the pop-up areas.


Overview: This is looking back toward where I saw standing for the first pic. This is the other end of the transition track. I need to add a support brace under the subroadbed where the YellowBelly is sitting as the track sags ever so slightly in that area but it is enough to uncouple cars every now and again.


Lower Level Reversing Loop: This shows a bit closer how the gingerbread is working under the mountains. All the plywood will be covered in a layout of ceiling tile - this is the next step in the construction. Then between the ceiling tile and track will be foam roadbed. The track will be secured through the foam roadbed to the ceiling tile with track screws. The ceiling tile will be attached to the plywood using contact cement.


This weekend I'll be cutting the ceiling tiles and attaching them to the plywood. Cutting the corners on the end of the layout near the computer area, and then hopefully working on the curved ends. Have to get this step done so I can work on the second level.  The plywood base for the second level is going to be attached to the curved ends (plywood) and to risers attached to the 1x3 subframe. This will make it possible to send a train to the second level and reverse it to come back down to the first level. Then it will be on to cutting the subframe for the river.

[fifedog]

Really taking shape, B.  Make sure you use every inch of that incline to ascend that grade.

[johnandjulie13]

Hello Brent:

It looks great!  Keep it up and keep the pictures coming!  I am anxious to see how your layout looks with the ceiling tiles affixed to the plywood.

I will also be interested in seeing how your Atlas switches hold up.  My small layout also employs Atlas sectional track. While I really like the look and construction, the switches have been ...tempermental.  It has taken significant additional work (removing the black from the center rails, placing power feeders on all three sides of the switch and adjusting the linkage to ensure full movement) to get them working at a reasonable level.

Regards,

John 

[laz 57]

BRENT, really looking good.  Is the track on the plywood have any sound issues.  I used homeosote on top of 2x4s.  Seemed to deaden the sound.  Just though I let you know.  Looking great though.  Keep on keeping on.

laz57

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys!

Fife - the incline is just right. The Chessie F3s can pull that entire 15 car train up the grade, have to give her 100% power but she'll do it... won't be running trains that long so I think upgrading the other A unit to PS2 is definitely in the books.

John - I'm having problems with 2 switches, and yes I too will be dropping power on all three sides of each switch... that is going to be a bear.

Laz - The sound is 'tollerable' with the track sitting right on the plywood. I am going to be installing ceiling tiles this weekend between the track and ply, then putting foam roadbed under the track between the track and the ceiling tiles. The track will be secured to the ceiling tiles using track screws. I'll let you know how it sounds when that is all done...

[Anonymous]

Laz,
I installed some ceiling tiles this weekend as well as Foam roadbed and carpet padding roadbed. Here is what I have found:

1. Plywood - noise is a bit loud, but tollerable - you can hear the wheels running on the track, but also some 'hollow wood noise'.
2. Plywood with screws - don't bother - noise is about 1/2 again as loud
3. Ceiling tile reduces the noise a lot - no 'hollow wood noise'
4. Ceiling tile with foam roadbed OR carpet padding - even less noise
5. #4 with screws... sounds closer to a real railroad. Can hear the 'clickity click' of the wheels running over the joints - very nice.

I have to try and find more carpet padding because I ran out of what I was given and at $1.50/sq ft vs $13.95 per 3 sq ft of foam you just can't beat it for large area coverage. The stuff I am looking for is about the same thickness as the foam subroadbed. But the carpet padding is too stiff for curves, so I am planning on using the carpet padding for large areas and straights and the foam for curves. Also the carpet padding has a think rubber coating that is grey so it will blend nicely with the balast and can be painted. Pics tomorrow.

[johnandjulie13]

Laz,
I installed some ceiling tiles this weekend as well as Foam roadbed and carpet padding roadbed. Here is what I have found:

1. Plywood - noise is a bit loud, but tollerable - you can hear the wheels running on the track, but also some 'hollow wood noise'.
2. Plywood with screws - don't bother - noise is about 1/2 again as loud
3. Ceiling tile reduces the noise a lot - no 'hollow wood noise'
4. Ceiling tile with foam roadbed OR carpet padding - even less noise
5. #4 with screws... sounds closer to a real railroad. Can hear the 'clickity click' of the wheels running over the joints - very nice.

I have to try and find more carpet padding because I ran out of what I was given and at $1.50/sq ft vs $13.95 per 3 sq ft of foam you just can't beat it for large area coverage. The stuff I am looking for is about the same thickness as the foam subroadbed. But the carpet padding is too stiff for curves, so I am planning on using the carpet padding for large areas and straights and the foam for curves. Also the carpet padding has a think rubber coating that is grey so it will blend nicely with the balast and can be painted. Pics tomorrow.

Show us some pictures!  I can't wait to see how it looks.

Regards,

John

[Anonymous]

Stopped by Lowes on Friday and picked up 3 sheets of plywood, had the fella cut them into 30x48 sections.

When I arrived home I started laying them out on the frame work:


This shows the plywood pretty much in place.  There is one section that needs to be cut into 30x24 sections and one on the layout has to be trimmed the same. Here you can also see the crossover between the two mainlines, the lower level reversing loop, and the two switches that will be used to transition into the yard (right side just above the blue switch boxes, and the second level transition spur (just to the right of the box os O-45 curves)


View from the other end of the layout:


Beginning of the yard taking shape:


Yard in place and the second level transition spur starting:


Close up of the yard:


Closeup of the far end with the RS-2 and some High-Cubes... 491 Yellowbelly makes an appearance:


Looking back toward the opening... the second level transition spur is missing a few sections of track! No trains heading out there.... yet.


Another overview:


Started messing around with second level transition area. Here you see two Lionel underarch bridges, the one in the foreground is where the first level to second level transition comes up, there is a 10 inch section right after the bridge, this will eventually be replaced by an O-45 rh switch that will cross another Lionel underarch bridge and lead to the underground passenger station.  The underarch bridge in the background is the begining of the river line.

 

in the last pic here who makes the 2 silver bridges in the pic?  are those the 6-12770 lionel bridge?  "under arch bridge"? 

[Anonymous]

in the last pic here who makes the 2 silver bridges in the pic?  are those the 6-12770 lionel bridge?  "under arch bridge"? 

ozzy those are Lionel under arch bridges. I need one more to complete that scene... from the mock-up I did it looks really neat.

[Anonymous]

in the last pic here who makes the 2 silver bridges in the pic?  are those the 6-12770 lionel bridge?  "under arch bridge"? 

ozzy those are Lionel under arch bridges. I need one more to complete that scene... from the mock-up I did it looks really neat.

 

when did you get them? i did not think they was released yet??????   i was going to get some, but after seeing them in your pics,  i would have to put some tall blocks under them,,   as i want to run a train under them with lionel standard O husky stacks . i need 6" clearance to be safe with the stacks,  well 5 and 3/4 inch might work,  but it be close. im useing fast track,

 

you  have the makings of a great layout there tho,,, keep posting pics. 

[Anonymous]

Ozzy these are from about 5 - 7 years ago.

Lionel doesn't produce everything they make every year, in this case the under arch bridge hasn't been available since FasTrack was released.  My guess is they were trying to modify it in such a way that it could be used with FasTrack (I don't think the older version would work with FasTrack as I think FasTrack is too wide).