I always forget to post here, but I think I'm going to do it more often, as after reading a bunch of topics, it seems more in line with the era of stuff I'm running.
Anyway - quick back story for those who don't know me form the other forums or FB. I had a compact PW display style layout in a spare bedroom it was featured in CTT last year). Back in August, we found out we are expecting our 3rd. We had to shuffle some things around - the room the trains were in is now the playroom ( it's the only bedroom on the lower level of the house) and the upstairs playroom will become the new baby room. I had to find a spot for the trains! Being we live in Charlotte, our house doesn't have a basement ( as someone who is from up North, I still can't get used to that!), I decided ( w/ the wifey's blessing) to turn the garage into a comple finished room for the trains. After months of work & a few false starts, I was able to get the board up this weekend. I'm using the track plan on my previous PW display style layout, since it worked so well with a few minor tweaks, as I have a few extra feet to work with.
Thought I would start a thread to post some progress pics. A lot of these pics are just quickies w/ my cell phone. Once I get the layout up, I'll use my DSLR.
Here's a pic of my old layout - some of you may know it -
I had this 3x7 layout as a place to run trains during the construction. This eventually became the upper level on the new layout
Building the back wall/train closet - this should be completed by the weekend
Installed the backing wall panels & started layout construction
Had my little helper Lucia assisting me-
End result -
Started doing a little track planning last night -
Chris
Check out my train photography FB page - https://www.facebook.com/EasternRailsPhotography/
or Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/cesposito2035/
Looking good including the little angle who was helping you. Nice set up. what is your main layout size ? I'm getting ready to do 5' X 8' in the near future.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
It's 12 x 6.5 That little extension in the corner is 2 x 3
Looking good. Our last house had no basement because we were 350' from the river. So we never had a layout. Our new house has a full basement and a layout. I love it.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Was able to get a little bit of painting done last night -
Looks great! Please keep posting progress.
Jim
Chris,
Very nice. I remember when my daughter was that age and also my helper. I cherish those days.
Regards, Roy
I liked your pics till I saw your little helper. That precious gift will overshadow the trains every time.
S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Thanks guys. I don't think I would be this into it w/o my kids. They really make it fun.
Almost everyday, my son (he’s 2) comes & asks me to run trains when we get home. The last few days I tell him, I'm working on them & we have to wait. He goes 'ok I wait 5 minute' & then asks me - 'we run trains now
Got the rest of the board painted green last night -
Now let's finish that wall & floor today!
started adding some 'roadbed' last night -
Christopher2035 Thanks guys. I don't think I would be this into it w/o my kids. They really make it fun. Almost everyday, my son (he’s 2) comes & asks me to run trains when we get home. The last few days I tell him, I'm working on them & we have to wait. He goes 'ok I wait 5 minute' & then asks me - 'we run trains now
Agreed - I hadn't touched my train (which was my father's and his uncle's before me) for nearly 25 years since I tried to get my stepson with my late wife into it. He didn't take to it - it was competing unsuccessfully with a Nintendo. I almost sold it, figuring I wouldn't have an opportunity to use it again. Then I got remarried, Noah arrived, and things changed. He's almost 3 and loves it - always wanting to "go to the basement".
IT consultant by day, 3rd generation Lionel guy (raising a 3YO 4th generation Lionel Lil' Man) by night in the suburbs of the greatest city in the world - Chicago. Home of the ever-changing Illinois Concretus Ry.
I really liked your old layout, and this new one is looking as good as that one.love the green too!
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
Excellent job as always. Keep posting pictures, I will check back to see the progress.
The back wall & most of the side wall are finished. Still waiting on a door that I ordered to complete the side wall. Definitely has that retro look to match the trains, which is what I was going for. Also picked up a vintage couch. I added a few vintage framed Lionel print ads to hang on the walls.
Man-oh-man, if I knew you were going for the "retro" look I could have sold you my 1957 cape cod house with layout already completed...
Timing
Looks good.
Looking great, but is this still in the garage? Must say I really enjoyed your first PW layout.
Steve
Rescuedtrains Looking great, but is this still in the garage? Must say I really enjoyed your first PW layout. Steve
Yes & no. It was the garage but I had it turned into a finished room so it's no longer the garage :)
Here are a few better pics of the room so far. I had to order a door to complete the closet, so that’s the only thing holding me up from finishing the back wall. I tried to go as retro as possible so the whole room would have that late 50’s feel. Really compliments the trains!
Started working on the upper tunnel this week. - Should have it finished by this weekend
i am really enjoying your retro train room project. The couch and paneling really lock in the "look". Now you need some photos with you in the scene dressed in gray slacks, loafers, white dress shirt, narrow black tie, heavy black plastic frame spectacles, and a classic pipe clenched in your teeth. Just check one of those classic Lionel ads for details!
Nice!
That's not a bad idea! When it's finished, I may do something like that w/ my son & hang the photos in the room. I'm a big fan of Mad Men, so I love all the vintage styles :) I acyually bought about 7 vintage Lionel ads & hung them on the wall. This time around, the room was just as important as the layout - I wanted to have a space that would transport you back in time & the room helps to create the illusion.
Here's what I've been up to this week -
I picked up a 746 & all the cars to make set 2545W from 1959
My son Lorenzo racing his LC Polar Express w/ the 746
Finished off the upper level this weekend -
The door arrived, so I was able to install it & finish off the back wall. The room is pretty much done -
Next up this week is to work on the tunnel/mountain on the lower level
Started prepping for the lower mountain/tunnel.
Really really neat! I love the "toy" look. It is like in a time machine
Sturgeon-Phish Really really neat! I love the "toy" look. It is like in a time machine Jim Thank you Jim. Each time someone says something to that effect to me, I smile, b/c that means I'm on the right track in what I'm doing!
Thank you Jim. Each time someone says something to that effect to me, I smile, b/c that means I'm on the right track in what I'm doing!
Was able to get the plaster done & then painted it this weekend.
balidasThat's looking real nice!
Thank you :)
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