OK here's what's been accomplished since the mid-week photos:1. Ceiling tiles in place on the entire length of the layout's right side. Only the first 2 feet has been tiled, there are three sections that get 2 more feet of tile, two of which (the two closest to you in the picture) require some cut-outs which take time to get right.2. Susan's cousin had some extra 'non-slip' carpet padding that he used under his area rugs and was kind enough to donate to the cause. This stuff is awesome! It is the same thickness as the foam roadbed I am using (Scenic Express?) but costs 1/3 the price and is easy to install in large areas:3. Area where the carpet padding mates with the foam roadbed. The foam is flexible enough to 'curve' under the curves:4. Mock-up of the bridge area. You can see the gallon of contact cement that I am using to bond the ceiling tiles to the plywood. You have to make certain that both surfaces are clean and dry for the contact cement to work... oh and it STINKS! Good thing the oder only lasted about 12 hours.5. This shot gives you a perspective of how high the bridge is. That is 7 inches from the top of the lower level ceiling tile to the top of the Arch-Under bridge (the boxcar was a christmas gift from another of Susan's cousins... and a tribute to Laz):6. Same shot as #5 but with some C&O streamlined passenger cars in the foreground:
Hello Brent:
Very nice. I am glad to hear that the ceiling tiles are giving you the sound deadening that you were looking for. It is a creative use of that material.
Regards,
John
thatboy37 wrote: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.
Reggie: Miss you too....How about them GIANTS?
I noticed it has been a while since I posted progress pics...This pic shows a close up of the rounded corner (pre skinning)This pic shows an overview of the layout as of this morning. The styrofoam will eventually be the hill under the town. You can make out the second level mockup in this distance.Closer view of the second level mockupThis pic shows the second level reverse loopThe reverse loop from the other side. The second track in this pic will be the return to the other side of the layout. I am missing two switches that will enable me to complete this side of the second level, then I'll need two more switches to get me started up to the next level of level 2. There will also be an underground station on this level as well.When I was organizing things the other night I found my AMC/ARC Gantry Crane, so of course I had to see what it would look like in the yard.
Brent,
I am amazed at how much progress you are making. And it all looks great. Be careful of those fumes from the contact cement!
Oh, can I have that gantry crane?
Jim
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Your layout looks great! I agree with Jumijo, you seem to be really rolling along. If you keep this pace up, you will have a finished layout before I do.
Okay I seen some real nice items you have but haven't seen the B&O passenger cars that go with the shark's lol.
Looking real nice brent I may be wrong but you room there looks bigger than my whole place I'm jealous lol
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Brent, when do you sleep? Love this thread you have started with your layout construction, especially the pics with commentary.
I understand that because of excess and undesireable operating noise it may be preferable to avoid laying track directly on wood. The choice is some sound deadening material between the board and track. You are using some non-slip carpet padding. Does this cause problems down the line with landscaping adherence? I realize that the correct glue and technique go a long way. But I was reading in other threads and looking at great pics of gravel roads, the weathered asphalt effect, ballasting, and that "perfect" dirt yard.
Does one's choice of sound deadening material mitigate landscape adherence issues?
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
You might have to use toupe glue to glue the ballast down to the rug padding! Call Cy Sperling and ask for the 5 gallon drum.
Seriously, I'm impressed with the progress you've made in such a short time. Keep the updates flowing.
Here are some more updated pics...
Me working on the second level mockup (RTC - that is one of the B&O Passenger cars in tunnel behind me):
Just about done with the second level reverse loop mockup. There are two switches missing here, one goes just to the left of the upright on the far left corner (where the two tracks meet, but are not joined), and the other goes just above the tunnel portal just below the passenger car:
Overview of the entire layout - the arch-under bridge is back in place, the #38 water tower in the distance (there will be a small depot to the right of the tower), where the gantry crane is located in the yard, and where I hope to put my burning switch tower. I also have the shelf installed for the C&O Allegheny and the display shelves are mocked up, these are going to be redone because the plywood was so warped:
Couple shots of the three sister bridges:
Looking across the tracks and down the valley:
Soon there will be a tunnel portal blocking the unsitely view:
Up close view of the bridge abutments: Not sure what to do with the abutments... need recommendations please. I was thinking that I could make piers out of some 5 quarter stock then paint them concrete color and weather them, behind the bridge I was going to install some 1/2 stock and paint concrete as well... thoughts?
lionroar88 wrote: Not sure what to do with the abutments... need recommendations please. I was thinking that I could make piers out of some 5 quarter stock then paint them concrete color and weather them, behind the bridge I was going to install some 1/2 stock and paint concrete as well... thoughts?
Not sure what to do with the abutments... need recommendations please. I was thinking that I could make piers out of some 5 quarter stock then paint them concrete color and weather them, behind the bridge I was going to install some 1/2 stock and paint concrete as well... thoughts?
Great progress!
The bridges look like they are spanning a gourge. How about ramping up the sides with rock formations to meet the bases of the bridges?
Kurt
Great progress, Brent. You are really flying!
I just slapped my 2 bridges down with no regard for realism. I can't help but chuckle when someone notices and says that they aren't realistic! I couldn't care less! They were good enough to get published in a magazine!
Jumijo wrote: Great progress, Brent. You are really flying!I just slapped my 2 bridges down with no regard for realism. I can't help but chuckle when someone notices and says that they aren't realistic! I couldn't care less! They were good enough to get published in a magazine! Jim
lionroar88 wrote:
It looks like you are really moving! I love seeing all of those trains on the layout. Sorry to hear that you are being held up by a lack of switches. Speaking of switches (turnouts), I am still having some issues with my Atlas switches and my Dad (an old Navy electrician) came up with a great solution without me having to take out the switches and perform some soldering.
Keep posting pics!
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
You may want to refer to some photos on the Western Pacific for inspiration, especially around the Keddie Wye area. Also, pictures from Pittsburgh and all their bridges help me from time to time. If you just need a little span, use a simple under deck girder to bridge that gap.
Well...Here's a 10-minute sketch...Hope it makes sense.
kpolak wrote: Well...Here's a 10-minute sketch...Hope it makes sense.
lionroar88 wrote:btw - when are you coming to Bal'more to visit Fife and me?
btw - when are you coming to Bal'more to visit Fife and me?
How's April sound?! My wife's cousin and I are are heading to York. He got a good deal on a room at a Holiday Inn Express somewhere close by the meet. Gonna be fun!
Jimmy
Jumijo wrote: lionroar88 wrote:btw - when are you coming to Bal'more to visit Fife and me? How's April sound?! My wife's cousin and I are are heading to York. He got a good deal on a room at a Holiday Inn Express somewhere close by the meet. Gonna be fun!Jimmy
Might be able to save you some $$$. I am probably at the same hotel and have two double beds and sofa bed. Executive suite with microwave and frig. Wife is more than likely NOT going. You are welcome to share the room. You and Mary's Cousin can flip to see who gets the sofa bed. My room is free as using some of my over 100,000 points with Holiday Inn. Let me know.
ChiefEagles wrote: Jumijo wrote: lionroar88 wrote:btw - when are you coming to Bal'more to visit Fife and me? How's April sound?! My wife's cousin and I are are heading to York. He got a good deal on a room at a Holiday Inn Express somewhere close by the meet. Gonna be fun!Jimmy Might be able to save you some $$$. I am probably at the same hotel and have two double beds and sofa bed. Executive suite with microwave and frig. Wife is more than likely NOT going. You are welcome to share the room. You and Mary's Cousin can flip to see who gets the sofa bed. My room is free as using some of my over 100,000 points with Holiday Inn. Let me know.
HUMM, No answer.
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