After about a year of gathering information from you all and finally finding enough space, I am beginning construction of my layout along with my father. I want to share my progress with you guys because I am always looking for ideas and maybe someone could gain something from my methods and mistakes.
The layout will be built in two rooms: a 16 x 25 family room and an 11 x 12 storage room. There will be 2 main lines that have reverse loops on each end. One loop will elevate over the other at each end. There will be a passenger terminal at one end and an idustrial yard at another end.
The layout will begin on a 4x8 table in the family room and will travel around the wall on a 17 inch wide shelf, pass through a wall, and reverse on another 4x8 in the storage room. The distance between both tables is 55 feet.
Minimum radius on the main lines will be 0-54. I will try to use 0-72 when I can.
I dont have an exact track plan drawn up nor do I have photos yet. Within the next few days I will have both for those interested. Look forward to everyones input and support!
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PostwarMan07 wrote: The layout will begin on a 4x8 table in the family room and will travel around the wall on a 17 inch wide shelf, pass through a wall, and reverse on another 4x8 in the storage room. The distance between both tables is 55 feet.
Hello PostwarMan07:
55' mainline? Wow, that will be impressive! Keep us updated on your progress. I can't wait to see it in action.
Regards,
John
Sounds a little like my layout; built on a shelf reversing loops crossing over and through a wall. I have a station running through a yard and then out to a rural area. But instead of running through a wall it passes under a stairwell trunk, all in all about 46 feet in length.
Main point, is, I have a lot of fun running trains on this system. Pictures of construction and progress (to-date) can be seen on Sunday photo Fun threads in January and February.
Prairietype
Hello John!
Looking forward to your layout photo's & progress. With that type of room you could probably shoehorn in a loop of Standard Gauge Track & Train! Take Care.
Prairietype, I love your layout and that terminal is Awesome. At this point I wouldnt be able to do work that good, but thankfully Ill have some time to sharpen my skills before we start construction on the passenger terminal.
Torpedo, About 7 years ago I almost sold off my whole collection so I could start collecting Lionel standard gauge. Well, when I figured out my collection wouldnt sell for what it was worth to me, I stayed with O gauge and settled for postwar instead. Right now I dont think I can fit a loop of Standard gauge, but would like to buy a set or two along with some postwar flyer in the near future.
Anyways... I did get started on the layout. Here are some pics:
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Heres an overview of the 14 foot section we built so far. The track spacing is 4 inches on the straight areas and the 0-72 "S" curve. There is more space between the 0-54 curves at the far end of the section.
The passing siding will use 0-31 because I will only be running 2 short trains or one big train on that loop. The other loop will be for mostly long trains pulled by 2353s and switching assignments running logs from the 364 lumber loader in this picture to a 164 log loader at the other end of the layout.
At the far end, there will be a mountain/tunnel so the trains are not always in view. At the end of the section we will build a bridge to span the gap that is made by the sliding glass doors. There will be another tunnel where this section begins to separate this scene from a coal tipple scene that will be built farther down the line.
Here is a photo of the "benchwork". Its really just 1x1x17" wood screwed to an 8" shelf. Then we put 3/8" plywood and 1/2" homasote over that. After all wiring and trackwork is done, we will add molding to hide the benchwork.
We needed to use the 1x1x17" sections for support of the 9" over-hang and to allow us to run wires under where the orrigional shelf is.
There are holes drilled into the support beams to allow us to run bus wires along the shelf.
THANKS!
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
RockIsland52 wrote:Chief, you're not on the cruise ship any more. There is no catered 1 AM brunch at home. Go to sleep. Jack
I reclinerized too long. Now for all who do not know the word reclinerize, it is a special CTT word to describe going to sleep in your recliner while watching TV or reading a book/magazine. Then waking up and finding it past midnight and youo missed the whole movie on TV. Now I'm off to bed, Jack as soon as I post the POT.
Chief, Im going to see if I can pull off having a loop of 0-72 because I do love big boys! Id like to run 20+ car trains regularly and having 0-72 rather than 0-54 would help a lot.
reclinerized.... sounds like a word George W. would make up. Ive nocternally reclinerized and have woken up at 3 pm wondering where the hell the day went
Today I had to take off some of the homasote at the end near where I took the picture yesterday. The reason is because I noticed that the plywood was warped. the end of the table bends almost a 1/2 inch at the very end. I am putting weights on the wood overnight and if it doesnt straighten out, Ill replace the section.
Unfortunately, I wont be able to have a full loop of 0-72 because I cant fit the 6 foot wide turn in the tables at each end, nor can I fit them in the corner I have done so far. I think Ill be able to fit 054s 4.5 foot turn by extending the tables by 1 foot. That will be a tight fit though.
Sounds like were getting 6 inches tomorrow so Ill be around the house most of the day. Ill try to find a track plan program and put together a basic plan for you guys.
PostwarMan07: I have a section that looks remarkably like the area you have approaching the signal bridge. I have the bridge wired so that whatever train appoaching green activates the red on the other track. And it's pretty cool.
PostwarMan07 wrote: Prairietype, I love your layout and that terminal is Awesome. At this point I wouldnt be able to do work that good, but thankfully Ill have some time to sharpen my skills before we start construction on the passenger terminal.Torpedo, About 7 years ago I almost sold off my whole collection so I could start collecting Lionel standard gauge. Well, when I figured out my collection wouldnt sell for what it was worth to me, I stayed with O gauge and settled for postwar instead. Right now I dont think I can fit a loop of Standard gauge, but would like to buy a set or two along with some postwar flyer in the near future.Anyways... I did get started on the layout. Here are some pics:" border="0" />Heres an overview of the 14 foot section we built so far. The track spacing is 4 inches on the straight areas and the 0-72 "S" curve. There is more space between the 0-54 curves at the far end of the section.The passing siding will use 0-31 because I will only be running 2 short trains or one big train on that loop. The other loop will be for mostly long trains pulled by 2353s and switching assignments running logs from the 364 lumber loader in this picture to a 164 log loader at the other end of the layout.At the far end, there will be a mountain/tunnel so the trains are not always in view. At the end of the section we will build a bridge to span the gap that is made by the sliding glass doors. There will be another tunnel where this section begins to separate this scene from a coal tipple scene that will be built farther down the line." border="0" />Here is a photo of the "benchwork". Its really just 1x1x17" wood screwed to an 8" shelf. Then we put 3/8" plywood and 1/2" homasote over that. After all wiring and trackwork is done, we will add molding to hide the benchwork.We needed to use the 1x1x17" sections for support of the 9" over-hang and to allow us to run wires under where the orrigional shelf is.There are holes drilled into the support beams to allow us to run bus wires along the shelf.THANKS!
PostwarMan07 wrote:prairietype, do you mean that the sidings signal is activated red when a train on the main line crosses the signal near the switch?
Two pressure plate 153c's contactors. If you were to put one just ahead of that little black steamer, and when it runs over it the green light showing on the other track will turn red, and vice versa with another pressure plate 153c. It can be done with 145c's as well.
Thanks Chief! Although I cant get the 0-72 in, the 0-54 makes the layout look so much nicer than the 0-31/0-27 Ive used in the past.
Got a lot done in the last 2 days...
First, the warped piece of wood did not straighten out so I replaced it with a better section. Had to cut a new section of homasote as well because it bent along with the plywood that it was fastened to.
Also had some sections that were bending 1/4 inch lower than level. This made the outside siding lean enough to make me worry about my heavy, non magnetraction engines falling. To solve this problem I used playing cards to raise these areas up and fastened the cards in. The result isnt very pretty, but is level...and thats the important part because the sides will be covered in molding later on. I used playing cards because it allows me to add cards until Im happy with how level the area is.
After that issue was solved, I moved on to spacing the tracks and screwing them down. Straight sections were 3 3/4" to 4 1/4" and curves and areas aproaching curves were atleast 4" apart. Before moving on I tested all of my engines for clearance. The tightest area was coming from the siding over the 022 switch. Heres the clearence with my widest and longest engines:
I am using insulated sections for the signal bridge. On the middle track I extended the non derail feature by insulating the outside rail so fast trains will give the switch a chance to throw fully. I am using this section to activate that signal as well. WILL THIS CAUSE ANY TROUBLE?
The final thing was running wires for accessories, soldering the track feeds, and soldering insulated tracks. I have 5 blocks in this area. the outer loop has two separated at the 450 signal bridge. The inner loop has one approaching the 022, the siding, and the main line next to the siding. Feeder wires are added every 4 feet.
All wires are marked and color coded. Red wires are hot and black are common.
White tape: signals and lights
Red tape: Insulated track
Yellow Tape: track feeder
Green tape: operating accessories
Blue tape: Switches and UCS
Didnt get much done when it comes to construction today, but did get some pictures taken and planning done.
This is the storage room that will be used as a reversing loop, city, and yard area. Right now its loaded with trains and other stuff that needs to be moved pretty soon so we can start bench work in there.
Heres the area between the storage room and the layout that is started. There will be factories, a coal tipple scene, and a few sidings/operating accessories if they fit in.
The layout will then cross this sliding glass door via a large 2 track bridge to the other reversing loops. Not sure what kind of bridge to use/make... maybe a model of the hellgate bridge?
Finally, this area will be the reversing loops. There will be an industral area with a coal loader, log loader, and oil derrick.
I layed out some track and played around with some ideas for the upper level of this reverse loop area...
I wanted a corssover involved but it might just make things too odd looking and complicated. Its still up in the air. The area on top that is missing track representswhere a mountain will be with a 494 rotary beacon on top. The small section missing in the middle represents an insuated track for the 153 block signal. Any suggestions for alternative track plans in a 5 x 9 area???
PostwarMan07 wrote: Didnt get much done when it comes to construction today, but did get some pictures taken and planning done." border="0" />
Hello PostwarMan07
Looking good. Keep posting your progress. Is that a RockBand stand I see in the background? Maybe that's why not as much construction is being accomplished.
hahaha yea thats rockband in the picture. Im not as into it as my two brothers who play it constantly. The reason for the slow progress is lack of supplies. Ran out of straight tubular track and wood. Going to the hardware store tomorrow to grab some homasote, plywood, and some wire. Maybe Ill get to the hobby shop as well for track but thats a good 45 minutes away.
BTW, your layout is looking great. I like the idea of having hills on the layout. Adds realism and can help separate different scenes. great pics on SPF...keep us posted as well!
Got lumber yesterday, but didnt get anything done until today. Put up 1x1x17 wood, 3/8 plywood, and 1/2 homasote along the rest of the long wall.
We also decided to add a small siding where the coal tipple scene will be to allow for storage of some coal hoppers (obviously postwar maroon LV hoppers...)
The switch is specially cut to allow for tighter track space. We were given a few of these special 022s and I honestly wouldnt had cut them if we didnt already have them. Also had to cut an 0-31 curve so it would allow for a straight siding.
Need to get more track tomorrow along with some other small items from the LHS.
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Thanks Brutus. Im more about running trains than switching and if it was just me building the layout that would be the case. My father is more into realistic operation. Im into toy trains...hes a model railroader. I think this will result in a great mix of both worlds. After just talking over some of the industries we can have, Im becoming very interested in switching as well.
PostwarMan07 wrote: Thanks Brutus. Im more about running trains than switching and if it was just me building the layout that would be the case. My father is more into realistic operation. Im into toy trains...hes a model railroader. I think this will result in a great mix of both worlds. After just talking over some of the industries we can have, Im becoming very interested in switching as well.
How many trains will you be running simultaneously? Progress looks good, keep posting.
PostwarMan07 wrote: So a total of 5 trains that can be run at once by up to 3 operators.
Five trains. That is NICE!
John W.,
When one is working alone building from scratch, problems and setbacks can make progress seem slow and frustrating. I like the "Two Heads Are Better Than One" approach, and it is especially great you can hammer out this project with your father. Each can pick the other one up and help brainstorm. "John, you wiener, stop whining and start redoing X....and by the way, that 072 is invading my (fill in landscaping concept) space." Response: "Dad, you talked about an Appalachian mountain concept, but we don't need the whole freakin mountain range."
Thanks for the photos. Looks like you're going to have some serious running footage. Can't wait for the next set of pictures
Jack
John, I may be able to get 2 more in as well. I want a bumper line for a #50 gang car that Im thinking about getting sometime soon. Also a smaller loop on the lower level of the 5x9 reverse loop area in the living room...not sure if Im going to do that yet.
Jack, thanks. My dad helped with making the current track plan better. He suggested adding another 10 inches to the short siding for hoppers. I agreed and its a much more functional siding now. Also gave me the idea of adding a branch line that goes directly to the yard in the other room so trains can be dropped of and sent out while others are still running.
Heres what Ive done in the last few days...
Got more track and finished the 25 foot long section of wall. As I said above we added 10 inches to the siding for hoppers and added an 022 switch to allow for a branch beyond the passing siding that will travel through the wall with the 2 mains, but go directly to the yard in the storage room.
Still have to cut special sections for both sides of the 022 and figure out how I am going to extend the auto non derail feature to allow 2 trains to pass eachother in oposite directions on the same loop safely. CAN I REPLACE THE INSULATED PIN ON THE CURVED SECTIONS OF THE 022s WITH A REGULAR PIN? WILL THIS EXTEND THE NON DERAIL FEATURE TO ACTIVATE BOTH SWITCHES AT ONCE WHEN EITHER 022 HAS A TRAIN OVER IT?
The closest track is the branch line. Curves here are 0-72 for the mainlines and 0-54 for the branch. Im trying to fit in 0-72 whenever I can. The shelf will narrow to 12 inches behind the couch so nobody hits their head when sitting down.
Now we'll begin sodering feeders and figuring out how to handle the non derail feature...
need your help with wiring a busy area where the branch for a yard, a passing siding, and the main line all meet up. Also want to wire a 153 block signal to one of the 022s to indicate switch direction.
heres a really bad chart I threw together on paint of this area:
black lines represent regular track
blue lines represent insulated track sections
red lines represent wires
all tracks/accessories/switches will share a common
I want the insulated track to activate the top 022 switch to turn while also turning the signal red. The bottom 022 will stay in the curved position unless I switch it myself to allow for two trains to keep passing eachother on the same loop.
Will this wire diagram work?
Can I hook up the hot, side terminal on the 022s to 20 volts while hooking up the 153 to 14 volts with this diagram?
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