Finally...some progress

[luvadj]

It's been a while since I reported any progress on the "Patio Express". I finally decided what I wanted to build on the patio, and I thought about the benchwork for the longest time. I came up with a neat solution out of angle iron and wood. Here's what it looks like:

Here you can see the stand's final placing. All I have to do is move the bench and pull the layout up to use it.

 

The piano hinge across the top will support and fold the layout when it's not in use.There's not much room to work in, but the job is getting done, never the less.

 

 

 

 

[ARTHILL]

That's cool. It would frustrate me to have to take everything off every time, but we do what we have to do.

[ClinchValleySD40]

Congratulations.   Looks like it's going to be fun.   Please keep us posted on your progress.

[luvadj]

That's cool. It would frustrate me to have to take everything off every time, but we do what we have to do.

It does bother me as well. I'm used to having things set up for the most part, but I'd be willing to compromise to be able to run my trains. Next week, I start on the layout itself. I'm making it out of 1" pink foam sided by masonite which will be screwed to the piano hinge with a gate handle of some sort to lift the layout to the "play" position. The legs will fold out from the bottom of the layout.

I can't wait to get the track down and be able to run trains again....seems like it's been forever....The link in my sig will take you to my web journal on the layout.

[luvadj]

Well, here's the latest on the layout....

 The table and legs are done. I lost the sheet on the freeway coming home . I collected the 3 pieces and foil taped them together on the frame.

 

The legs are mounted under the table with "L" brackets and when folded up, a EMT wall clamp holds them in place and keeps them from falling down again.

 

 

 

The feet are 1/4-20 bolts with nuts and can be adjusted for uneven flooring.

 

I've started elevation profiles out of what was left of the sheet of foam and so far, it looks like it's going to work well.

 

 

[luvadj]

And another couple of days off gives me time to work on the layout...I thought about the backdrop and what I'd put on it after repainting it (the little one decided to suprise me with her artwork...) I'm toying with the idea of using the leftover foam pieces as bas-relief mountains...

 At long last, I'm running trains again I do have some trucks and wheels to adjust, as I've discovered, but nothing too serious. 

 I need to finish the backdrop and then it's on to the scenery...

[loathar]

Are you sure your scenery is going to stick to that shiny silver surface??

[luvadj]

No Loathar, I'm not really sure....but if the Liquid nails will stick to it, I think I'll be alright. If nothing else, there aren't many areas that would have me peeling back the foil to attach plaster cloth to bare foam.

[luvadj]

Here's an update on the backdrop...I'm pretty much done with the bas reliefs, except for some more trees and some cloud painting.

 

[MisterBeasley]

Unless you're modelling a white square with a little red X in the middle of it, we can't see your pictures.

[luvadj]

Unless you're modelling a white square with a little red X in the middle of it, we can't see your pictures.

Can you not see them MisterBeasley? Would a different way of displaying them help you and anyone else that can't see them?

[Robby P.]

I can see the pictures, looks real good.

[luvadj]

 Here's an update...my first on the revamped forums   I've started the land contours and on the advice of a forum member, I've built up a mountain scene on the left hand side loop while leaving the right side open for a small town scene.

 

 

[luvadj]

 I've made good progress in the last two weeks, and I'm amazed at how far I've gone in just 3 months.

 

Now I'm even more anxious to run trains and take pictures.....

 

[Great Western Rwy fan]

That's looking Great!

[luvadj]

 And here's another update. I've been busy with work and preparing for the holidays, so there hasn't been much time for trains....that is, until yesterday. I got to do some groundcover and made some more pines (they have a ways to go before they're layout worthy, but I set a few out for photos).

I've decided to do a small farm and milk train pickup scene on the right hand side loop and I've already started laying out walls for the structures on balsa....that's another story for another time. In the meantime, here's the latest pic:

 

The top of the mountain is not a mistake...the 3 surveyors in the house voted for a snow capped peak 

[ns3010]

looks great. looks like its taking you much less time to do work than i am

[BIG JERR]

nice use of space , look forword to more ....Jerry