I have stated a blog to document the progress on my American Flyer Layout that I am building. It is a 16' x 7' layout that I have built in four sections to take to a local Model Train show. Here's a link to the blog:
Brian's American Flyer Trains
Also, if anyone could help me figure out how to make an led come on when you push a button and make it turn off when you push the button again I would greatly appreciate it.
Brian
Brian,
Looks like a great start, can't wait to see more pictures.
Thanks for sharing.
George
aflyerBrian, Looks like a great start, can't wait to see more pictures. Thanks for sharing. George
Thanks, I have posted some more pictures of the mountains now. I now have the outline done.
Still a lot more to do.
Brian.....things are really moving along. Thank you for posting pictures of your progress. 16' X 7' is going to provide you with a lot of flexibility for both a lot of running room and space for accesories and scenery.
Jack.
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Your welcome for posting the pictures.
Here's what I have completed now:
Once I get the final bracing done I am going to finish the trackwork and then the wiring. I got a shipment of various parts today. Once I install them I'll post some pictures of the engines that they helped return to working order.
Brian....thanks for the link to your "construction" site. The framing, bracing, wire mesh, paper toweling, and the plaster coat may seem like overkill to some. But with your intent (portability), the structural integrity of the mountain won't be compromised. And any snafus can be easily fixed.
My father in law had called me (1,042 miles away) before we drove out to visit them in April. Asked if I had any interest in a layout one of his neighbors built in his basement, said it was impressive, figured if I was interested I could rent a trailer and tow it back to my place. Nope. Starting over is not my passion. The guy is moving with his wife to smaller digs, and the layout can't be moved out of his basement intact. Another masterpiece will bite the dust, and the guy will be starting over.
Portability, weight, and a modular approach is something I wish I had thought of with more serious intent many moons ago.
That looks incredible. Keep the pictures coming.
I did some more trackwork today, I now have most of it inlaid in the foam.
In the photo you can see they yard, it has all of the cars in it that will go to the various industries on the layout. I plan to make it so one person can make up trains in the yard while another delivers the cars.
Thanks for all of the comments and I have lots more pictures coming. I planned this with portability as a top priority and overdid almost everything. It's going to be interesting the first time that I take it to a train show. The club that I am part of has offered to help me though. It is not going to be easy because my train room is actually a loft in my pole barn. 13 feet up. I was able to take up the 4' x 7' sections up by myself, so going down shouldn't be too hard if there is a couple of people to help me. Once it is down it will be easy to transport. I have an enclosed trailer that the train layout will fit perfectly in. I am going to make something to hold the 4' x 7' sections on top of each other and there is plenty of room for everything else that I take too. Also, I am going to post some pictures of some engines that I recently worked on soon.
My loft with my railroad crossing sign and lights, the lights do work too. There is a stairway on the left leading up to the loft and in the left of the picture is the trailer.
I got some more track work done today and have marked out where I am going to put each industry.
Here is what goes where each number is and what cars are to be delivered there. 1. Oil Drum Loader, Two gondolas 2. 751 Log Loader, Two log cars 3. Electromagnetic Crane, Two gondolas 4. 785 Coal Loader, Two-Three coal cars 5. Oil Depot, Three tank cars 6. AC Gilbert Factory (like the one on the 2nd floor layout of the Gilbert Hall of Science) with Baggage Loader, Six Box cars 7. Talking Station
You can find some more info about what I have done on my blog:
For your LED-switch problem, use an alternate-action pushbutton switch. Radio shack sells several types, which they call "push-on-push-off".
Bob Nelson
It looks like you have great start. I will keep checking back to see your progress . This can go on for years. I know, I started 3 years ago. I did a cabinet top layout 5 feet by 16 feet. I needed the extra storage space. My blog is a work in progress, like my AF train layout. I'll do a link to your blog so you will get some more posts. That will give you something to do in your spare time.
Have a great week end, AZ-Flyer
http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand.”
AZ-Flyer@American Flyer Cabinet-top Layout (5'x16'): http://az-flyer.blogspot.com/
Here's the Track Plan of my layout:
Thanks for adding a link to my site, I'll be sure to add one to your blog on my blog once I get it all set up.
Here's a better track plan than that last one:
LilB - I like the flow of the twice around dogbone on the interior line. Lots of operation (something my layout lacks) built in, will give you years of enjoyment.
I like the way you have mapped out plenty of running room for operating yet managed space for "on the board" sidings, landscaping, and operating accessories. This plan is quite ambitious. I'll keep drooling.
Lil B: I'm following your thread with keen interest. It's GREAT to see someone build an American Flyer layout. It looks like a track plan that you can have a lot of fun with and you are off to a nice start. Keep posting those pics of your progress! OBTW: I have put a link to your blog in my blog - for people who like to stay current on such things. LOL
http://timmysamericanflyertrains.blogspot.com/
-Timboy
What a neat looking layout! Nice design.
Jim
Lookin good!
Well, I changed my mind on the foam. It was going to be too difficult to ballast the track and it was going to be very expensive too. So I decided to strip the foam off and put carpet down instead. So I scraped off all the foam and then planed off the liquid nails. If you are going to use liquid nails to hold down foam, use the name brand liquid nails, it held the foam better than the other one. I scraped everything off upstairs, then I took it apart and took it downstairs. The process was pretty quick and I was able to put it back together by myself. One I had it all together I finished scraping off the liquid nails. I then put the carpet on it and lined it up. Then I stapled it down and cut each seam. Next is cleaning and painting the track.
Lil B: That's great! I am actually envious of you! I was sorely tempted to do a "classic" American Flyer layout - the way it seems that you are headed. Nice post. Nice pic. Keep feeding us. American Flyer Guys are hungry - very hungry. LOL I just love the way you have off-handedly mentioned scraping off the unwanted stuff. Spoken like a true handyman who is focused. You are in the zone. I get that.
Timboy
As I remember this design has a rather extensive mountain segment. How do you plan to finish that part and integrate it with the carpeted section?
I have figured out what is wrong with my brain! On the left side nothing works right, and on the right side there is nothing left!
Here's the current status of the mountain:
It will just sit on top of the grass. I still have some work to do on it, like painting the tunnel portals and finish cutting the carpet on it. The board that is visible in front of the mountain will not be there I was going to use it a a brace but decided not to.
LilB: Okay. I REALLY want to see how this all turns out! Don't make me tear up my layout that I have been working on since May!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE quaint American Flyer layouts!
Lil B,
That is one dynamite layout !
Tempts me to tear out my current HO scale layout and expand my piddling little AF layout.
Where were you a few months ago when we complied an American Flyer Enthusiast List on this forum?
LOL
Rich
Alton Junction
I worked on the mountain some more today, I cut it apart and plastered the tunnel faces. My younger brother helped me by cleaning all of the track with a wire wheel on a drill press, so all of the track is very clean now. Now I've got to figure out how it goes back together.
More on my blog:
Currently all the track is where it should be. I had a couple pieces left over, but everything fit together fine so I guess they weren't needed. I also set the mountains up on the board, they are 55" to the top of the mountain from the floor. I set out all of the accessories to make sure that they fit and make adjustments. Next is to test all the switches and solder all the feeder wires.
Even though I am not a flyer guy, I gotta say....WOW! This is a truely neat layout...Please show us more!
I now have all of the feeders installed and most of the track nailed down.
Lil B: I think you have a GREAT start on a classic American Flyer layout! It is an incredible amount of running track and sidings on that expansive layout. Just wait till you have all your accessories and buildings put on!
Regards,
Today I finished building the rack that holds the layout for transport. It section of the layout will slide in. The control panels and legs will go on top.
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