Good morning fellow MRR's. It's going to be a good day on the AJ&L(trying out the new name). I finally got off the fence about my transfer yard and layed some more track. Last night I layed it out, fitted pieces and glued the track directly to the foam. I was debating on putting those tracks on roadbed, but since I don't have an elevated mainline I wanted the transfer yard to be lower. So after reviewing some pics I got from all the WPF's, I decided to lay the track right on the "ground", ballast and scenery should fill in the rest to finish the illusion. Hopefully that's all dry this morning and I can start doing the wiring for the switches and my blocks. So far I have eight blocks, once I add the transfer yard I'll be up to 12 and I still need to break my loco yard in two and block the elevation line. Can't wait to play in that yard!!!
Part two of today will be to start my elevation track. The reason I'm so excited about this part is because I've REALLY been wrestling with how to do it and whether to use a back drop and blah, blah, blah. This for me is the worast part of this hobby. "TRYING TO MAKE A DECESION, AND STICK WITH IT!!! So I figured I'm just going to create a facisa board on the edge of the table to see how it works in and if it will give me scenery options. This took a while to decide on too. Ugh!!!
Anyhow, if anyone is interested in my ramblings I'll be posting some pics of this later today. I usually take a break after 2-3 hours straight. I hope everyone has a good train day also. Let's get excited, let's see some progress, c'mon, take those pics!!!!!!
Later.
Sounds like you are off to a good start today. I also am excited about the day! I already have two hours into my layout today and will probably work until late tonight! How do you add pictures to a post?
NKP68 wrote: Sounds like you are off to a good start today. I also am excited about the day! I already have two hours into my layout today and will probably work until late tonight! How do you add pictures to a post?
Go to
http://photobucket.com/
open a free account
upload your photos
copy the IMG tag under the photo you want to show {the last tag under the photo}
Paste the IMG tag in the body of your post
Click on Preview to test your work
If it's ok then click on Post
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Below are some of pictures of my N-Scale Smokerise Valley Nickel Plate Road RR. I began this layout approx 2 months ago. It is 17' x 14' and is progressing nicely!
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh13/NKP68/SMK-2.jpg[/IMG]
Very impressive. My next layout is going to be around the wall. This platform stuff isn't quite as good as I'd lilke it. Keep the progress pics coming and good luck.
Sorry folks, I left my camera cable at work and I don't have a card reader for that type of card to get my pics off the camera. But never fear, I'll post them to this thread as soon as I get to work on Monday.
I did however get half the work done that I wanted, and with only one catastrophe. My glued had dried over night and the track was solid. I first hooked up the switches and got them going and that's when the accident happened. AS I was trying to fish a switch wire down through the foam and homesote it started getting jammed and when I pulled it out in frustration I pulled a lttle too hard and broke the swtich motor. It's ok though, it was an older switch that was just going to hold place util I could get a better one. I guess that's going to happen sooner than I tought. Once the switches were in and working I did the feeder wiring to the four blocks for the transfer yard. This went pretty well and I only burned myself with the soldering iron once. Reaching Blindly+ Hot iron= PAIN All the blocks wired up nicely and we had loco's in the yard. IT has limited usage for now until I get that switch changed out but it's progress.
Well I think that's enough building for today. Now it's time to move some freight. I have to get some 1/4 plywood to start the facia for the elevation. That should be cool, I've never gotten to build something like this yet. Have a good one everyone.
Well here it is, a few pics of the transfer yard I put in this weekend. At first I was happy with it but not REALLY happy. I think I'm going to take out the switching in the middle and just run two or three leads, I also have two extra blocks I really don't need at this time. Simplify Mannnnnn!!! Oh yeah, BTW, my next layout will NOT have those gawdy giant switch machines. I didn't think they'd be that bad, but I was wrong. That's one of the reasons why I only have three leads in my yard instead of 4. I believe this will be pulled and redone.
But, here is is:
AltoonaRailroader wrote:Well here it is, a few pics of the transfer yard I put in this weekend. At first I was happy with it but not REALLY happy. I think I'm going to take out the switching in the middle and just run two or three leads, I also have two extra blocks I really don't need at this time. Simplify Mannnnnn!!! Oh yeah, BTW, my next layout will NOT have those gawdy giant switch machines. I didn't think they'd be that bad, but I was wrong. That's one of the reasons why I only have three leads in my yard instead of 4. I believe this will be pulled and redone. But, here is is:
Good job on the yard. May i suggest replacing the switch machines with Caboose industry's turnout throws? I've done that with success on LL power-loc track.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot Visit my blog! http://becomingawarriorpoet.blogspot.com
Hey Ozark, thanks for the comments. I was just looking at this this morning after someoen elses post about their yard and I have to make some re-arrangements. First I didn't get all four ladders I wanted and the engine house on the other side of the main has just been in the way since conception. So I think this weekend is going to be a re-work weekend. And the only reason I'm really doing that is because even though that yard is not quite what I wanted it to be, I've had a lot more fun with it being there. I thought about the ground throws too and I may still go in that direction. We'll see after my re-config this weekend.
AltoonaRailroader wrote:Hey Ozark, thanks for the comments. I was just looking at this this morning after someoen elses post about their yard and I have to make some re-arrangements. First I didn't get all four ladders I wanted and the engine house on the other side of the main has just been in the way since conception. So I think this weekend is going to be a re-work weekend. And the only reason I'm really doing that is because even though that yard is not quite what I wanted it to be, I've had a lot more fun with it being there. I thought about the ground throws too and I may still go in that direction. We'll see after my re-config this weekend.
Looking forward to hearing about the re-work. Good luck!
OzarkBelt wrote: AltoonaRailroader wrote: Hey Ozark, thanks for the comments. I was just looking at this this morning after someoen elses post about their yard and I have to make some re-arrangements. First I didn't get all four ladders I wanted and the engine house on the other side of the main has just been in the way since conception. So I think this weekend is going to be a re-work weekend. And the only reason I'm really doing that is because even though that yard is not quite what I wanted it to be, I've had a lot more fun with it being there. I thought about the ground throws too and I may still go in that direction. We'll see after my re-config this weekend. Looking forward to hearing about the re-work. Good luck!
AltoonaRailroader wrote: Hey Ozark, thanks for the comments. I was just looking at this this morning after someoen elses post about their yard and I have to make some re-arrangements. First I didn't get all four ladders I wanted and the engine house on the other side of the main has just been in the way since conception. So I think this weekend is going to be a re-work weekend. And the only reason I'm really doing that is because even though that yard is not quite what I wanted it to be, I've had a lot more fun with it being there. I thought about the ground throws too and I may still go in that direction. We'll see after my re-config this weekend.
Ok, I did it. Last night I went home and tore the yard out completely and took out the engine house. Some sacrafices had to be made. But like I mentioned above, even having that little yard completely changed the way I can operate and move frieght from the main line to the yard to the industries. So, with that being said I ripped all out last night and repainted where the yard tracks were. And since I've taken out the engine house that freed up one more switch for that yard. I may need to go buy a fourth, I'll know more once I get the existing switches cut down and installed. Realistate is becoming scarce. I'll post pics of the redesign after tomorrow.
You seem very excited and that is great; it keeps me motivated as well. I like your energy on this and what you're doing is great in that you're having fun at it.
One thing about the switch machines, if you still want to go remote and you don't want to spend the money on Toroise (et. al., mfg.) switch machines, Atlas makes an under-the-table switch machine which is not too pricey. I have used them before but I don't know about their reliability or how long they will last. Yes, those switch machines that come with those turnouts are clunky, at best
E-L man tom wrote: You seem very excited and that is great; it keeps me motivated as well. I like your energy on this and what you're doing is great in that you're having fun at it.One thing about the switch machines, if you still want to go remote and you don't want to spend the money on Toroise (et. al., mfg.) switch machines, Atlas makes an under-the-table switch machine which is not too pricey. I have used them before but I don't know about their reliability or how long they will last. Yes, those switch machines that come with those turnouts are clunky, at best
Thanks Tom, I get down the basement every chance I get. I too saw those Atlas under the table machines, but I don't know how they'd reach through 3/4 Homosote and 1.5 inches of foam board? I think if do anything, at least for the yard, it will be to get some ground throws, that will at least make some room for the road that needs to pass there. Have a good one, I'm glad I could help motivate someone like someone has motivated me on these boards.