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2 x 8 layout contest rules and guidelines

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2 x 8 layout contest rules and guidelines
Posted by SpaceMouse on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 6:30 PM

Welcome to the third layout contest.

Size: 24" x 96" 

somewhere in or about a small agricultural town

no era limitations or location limits (in other words, it can be any time or place a railroad existed)

HO scale  is specified, but N-scale can used if it is scaled down to 13" x 52"

Grade and curve radius must be appropriate to your equipment

Although it should stand on it's own merit, your plan should be considered part of a larger layout. However, yard leads, yard tracks, interchange tracks, ends of wyes, etc. cannot extend off the 2 x 8 area.

The mainline, either double or single can connect to either side of the layout. Likewise, an interchange track can extend off any side of the layout, but any "interchange operations" must take place within the 2 x 8 boundaries. Likewise, any runaround needed for operation should be represented on the layout.

It should be assumed that there is adequate traffic and staging to justify the operations of the 2 x 8 space.

Submissions should be made to me via email and in .jpg format. Ideally the width should be 800 pixels. If you email me to ask for my email address please include your email address in the request so that I don't have to log onto trains.com to send it to you.

Along with your submission, please included a detailed description of your theme and operational plan to be included the layout diagram.

Failure to follow the rules results in disqualification and loss of appropriate bragging rights.

Contest deadline Feb. 20, 2008 midnight.

Good luck ladies and gentlemen.

 

 

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 10:32 PM

.

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, January 31, 2008 2:53 PM
Just to let you know, if you didn't see the rules let me know on this thread so I can bump it back to the top so you'll it it.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by chadw on Friday, February 1, 2008 6:36 PM

 SpaceMouse wrote:
Just to let you know, if you didn't see the rules let me know on this thread so I can bump it back to the top so you'll it it.
Confused [%-)]

What does that mean?!

Did you get my entry?  This question is also in the E-mail with the entry, but are multiple entries allowed?

CHAD Modeling the B&O Landenberg Branch 1935-1945 Wilmington & Western Railroad
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Posted by exPalaceDog on Friday, February 1, 2008 7:36 PM
 chadw wrote:

 SpaceMouse wrote:
Just to let you know, if you didn't see the rules let me know on this thread so I can bump it back to the top so you'll it it.
Confused [%-)]

What does that mean?!

When someone adds a post to the end of a thread, or edits an existing post in a thread, the thread is moved to the top of the first page for the forum. When the main purpose of a post is simply to move the thread to the top, it is called a "bump".

Have fun

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Posted by chadw on Friday, February 1, 2008 7:41 PM

 SpaceMouse wrote:
Just to let you know, if you didn't see the rules let me know on this thread so I can bump it back to the top so you'll it it.

I highlighted what I was confused over.  That wasn't really the point of the post anyway, it was more to ask if multiple entries were allowed.

CHAD Modeling the B&O Landenberg Branch 1935-1945 Wilmington & Western Railroad
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Posted by C&O Fan on Friday, February 1, 2008 7:47 PM
 chadw wrote:

 SpaceMouse wrote:
Just to let you know, if you didn't see the rules let me know on this thread so I can bump it back to the top so you'll it it.

I highlighted what I was confused over.  That wasn't really the point of the post anyway, it was more to ask if multiple entries were allowed.

Mouse speak

It It = Get It

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Friday, February 1, 2008 8:24 PM

Multiple entries were allowed in previous contests so I see no reason why they can't be allowed her.

1000 pardons for my typo.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by C&O Fan on Sunday, February 3, 2008 7:05 AM
 SpaceMouse wrote:

Snip

1000 pardons for my typo.

Forgiven

Bump

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by jfallon on Sunday, February 3, 2008 9:55 AM

Hey Spacemouse, can I use my existing layout? The east end consists of two 4 foot by 2 1/2 foot modules, take away the front 6" and there is a 2' by 8' switching layout.

 

 

 

 There are currently three businesses served, but the engine house and the 18" radius curve into staging can be used as additional customers. There is a run-around track, although you have to be creative in its use as the tail spur (stopping at 8') only has room for the locomotive. The remaining main line serves as an interchange track.

 I'll see if I can get some photos without the buildings in the way.

If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.

http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Sunday, February 3, 2008 3:14 PM
Sure, but just submit the plans and not the photos. Be sure to include a write-up of the theme and why you did it like you did.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by jfallon on Sunday, February 3, 2008 5:00 PM
What plans!?! Laugh [(-D]  I drew them on paper the old fashioned way, don't like messing around with computer programs. I may be able to scan them in if the scanner takes my threats seriously.

If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.

http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/

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Posted by C&O Fan on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 8:40 AM
Bump

TerryinTexas

See my Web Site Here

http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/

 

 

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Posted by marknewton on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 5:38 PM
 jfallon wrote:
What plans!?! Laugh [(-D]  I drew them on paper the old fashioned way, don't like messing around with computer programs. I may be able to scan them in if the scanner takes my threats seriously.

Me too - partly because I've not come across any track-planning software that runs well on a Mac, but mainly because I feel sketching with pencil and paper allows me a bit more creativity at the "ideas & thinking" stage. Having roughed out what I want on paper, I scan the sketch and import it into a very old and creaky version of FreeHand, and pretty it up from there.

Cheers,

Mark.
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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, February 7, 2008 5:16 PM
Up from the briny depths.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by steinjr on Friday, February 8, 2008 3:19 PM
 SpaceMouse wrote:

Submissions should be made to me via email and in .jpg format. Ideally the width should be 800 pixels. If you email me to ask for my email address please include your email address in the request so that I don't have to log onto trains.com to send it to you.

 Mmm - I think I emailed you to ask what email address to use, but I don't think I got an answer ?

 Oh well - I'll try to send you another email through the web site and ask again, with my email address in the body of the email (since the forum web email hides the senders email address).

 And - bump, btw :-)

 Smile,
 Stein

 

 

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Posted by exPalaceDog on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 11:06 AM

Bump to move this back to page one where people can find it. The 20th is sneaking up!

Have fun

 

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Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, February 14, 2008 10:48 AM
I'm not going to let let the cat out of the bag and tell you how many people have submitted drawings. I will also say that the ones submitted are nice. I'll also say that as of right now, all entries are garanteed at least 3rd Place.  

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

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Posted by chadw on Friday, February 15, 2008 10:03 AM

Nudge...

Only 5 days left!

CHAD Modeling the B&O Landenberg Branch 1935-1945 Wilmington & Western Railroad
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Posted by steinjr on Friday, February 15, 2008 10:23 AM
 chadw wrote:

Nudge...

Only 5 days left!

 I don't care either way about the voting part, but I am really looking forward to seeing what designs people have come up with for a 2x8 small agricultural town.

 Grin,
 Stein

 

 

 

 

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Posted by wheeler on Sunday, February 17, 2008 5:31 AM

Do they have to be in "XtrkCad"?

I'm going crazy trying to figgure it out, and I'm just wasting time with that thing. I do want it legible.  and all to see that my stuff all fits correctly in the required space if someone would actually chose to build it (my entry)

 

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Posted by steinjr on Sunday, February 17, 2008 7:56 AM
 wheeler wrote:

Do they have to be in "XtrkCad"?

I'm going crazy trying to figgure it out, and I'm just wasting time with that thing. I do want it legible.  and all to see that my stuff all fits correctly in the required space if someone would actually chose to build it (my entry)

 Nah, no demands about using any particular program, as far as I know. It just needs to be a picture or sketch that is readable. Could be handdrawn and scanned or photographed, if that is clear enough.

 Grin,
 Stein

 

 

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Sunday, February 17, 2008 6:39 PM
 chadw wrote:
Only 5 days left!
Will it never end!
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Posted by chadw on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:59 PM

 Texas Zepher wrote:
Will it never end!

Last Day! Only 86400 seconds 'til time's up!

Edit: I forgot about time zones!  Last day for east coasters.

Also Bump

CHAD Modeling the B&O Landenberg Branch 1935-1945 Wilmington & Western Railroad
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Posted by steinjr on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 11:10 PM
 chadw wrote:

 Texas Zepher wrote:
Will it never end!

Last Day! Only 86400 seconds 'til time's up!

Edit: I forgot about time zones!  Last day for east coasters.

Also Bump

 LOL Smile [:)] Already 6:10 am on the 20th over here in Norway.

 Btw, Chad - those cars you had weathered in the Weekend Forum thread - very impressive!

 Smile,
 Stein

 

 

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Turkey award claimed
Posted by exPalaceDog on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:24 PM

The Old Dog had planned to enter this turkey;

 

However, at the last minute the Old Dawg realized that the plan has major access problems! It would be difficult to see the positions of the turnouts for the industries and to couple/uncouple the cars with the station at the front of the module.

But the Old Hound thinks it might have one "good" concept in this disaster.

Goal 05 - Provide a module that could represent different industries during different operation sessions by using generic industrial buildings.

That might be an interesting concept.

Have fun

 

 

 

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Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 5:12 PM

Dog, can't have Turkey without something to stuff it with: Big Smile [:D]

I was going to enter this, but it really doesnt meet the intent of the contest, as its really just a full-on HOn30 layout that just happens to have an HO mainline running thru it.

Banged Head [banghead]Blush [:I]Dunce [D)]Whistling [:-^]

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by wheeler on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 10:50 PM
Hoping chip got my entry...
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Posted by Texas Zepher on Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:23 AM
That was way too long a "design" time for a 2x8 in HO.  I'm surprised everyone didn't do 5 or 10 entries - but I guess they would all be really similar.   Only so much wiggle room.
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Posted by steinjr on Thursday, February 21, 2008 10:09 AM

 Texas Zepher wrote:
That was way too long a "design" time for a 2x8 in HO.  I'm surprised everyone didn't do 5 or 10 entries - but I guess they would all be really similar.   Only so much wiggle room.

 Depends a bit, I guess - I designed three proposals (one in collaboration with ICRR1964) and submitted two of them (joint proposal and another one just by me) to Spacemouse.

 I have also seen one submission from another forum regular I exchange emails with from time to time.  Four proposals, four fairly different designs . Or rather - at least three fairly different designs - the one I didn't submit had quite a bit in common with one of the ones I did submit.

  Guess it is time for vsmith to start the SpaceMouse watch again, eh ? Nothing like traditions. Just keep it clean, guys :-)

 Smile,
 Stein

 

 

 

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