Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

My new attic layout, second try!

6199 views
30 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
My new attic layout, second try!
Posted by toptrain on Monday, June 21, 2010 4:45 PM

**My large basement layout has been history for almost two years. I moved up to the attic with my layout. first with a 16' X 2' switching layout. I cut a 4X8X3/8" down the middle long ways. I have 3 small shelf units and a small 3 draw something or other that I used to support it. I layed the 2 2x8s atop some 1x6" boards to hold it together. It was kind of a test to see how it would be. It wasn't! It operated Ok but I missed the contineous running. That was the history of the attic till now.
**I have completely done away with the old except for the 1X6s. Building all new tables to support this new layout. I actually kept the idea of the 2x8s and added to it. I'll will have two parrallel main lines. I will put some small spurs off into the corrners.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Monday, June 21, 2010 4:58 PM

Holy roundhouses! Looks like you're well on your way. Keep the photo's coming as you progress. This is the place to ask the questions for any help or advice. And Sign - Welcome

 

                                                                  Brent

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 7:56 AM

Here is where i was on this day. 10-2-09. Four of the tables were built and in place. I still have 1 more to build. The old 2X8s were layed ontop of their new tables. I'll be going with a open center area 2 1/2 ' wide and 7' long. Their will be a lift out section to allow entrance to the center area. At this point I striped off all the track from the old 2X8s and put them in the basement.

 10-04-09
** Here is a photo on this date I had all the tables framed and put together.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:07 AM

10 11 09
Today Track work for main lines is done. No wireing has been done yet. here is a view with the removial section in place

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:14 AM

other photos 

Here I was thinking about a small 3 stall round house and turntable. I then brought out the Heljen round houses and turntable. check my mesurements and it became Heljan time.  

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Shacklefords,Va
  • 36 posts
Posted by 4Steam on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 12:53 PM

Very Nice Start

Im in the process of gathering materials and supplies to build my layout

Where  did you find your roundhouses i would love to have a 8 stall house like yours.

Cant wait to see more progress

What are the overall dimensions?

 

Train Hoarder
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Tuesday, June 22, 2010 4:25 PM

 This is a E-bay auction number for a 3 stall addition kit by Heljan  390182460077 You can see what they look like. They have been made for over 30 years. Made bt Heljan, sold by heljan, Con-Cor & Walters. This link may not be any good after the auction is complete. I am not auctioning this. I just went and found it for you.

  frank

here is a full 3 stall kit  310208102948

the 2 if complete will make a 6 stall roundhouse

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: On the Banks of the Great Choptank
  • 2,916 posts
Posted by wm3798 on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 5:48 PM

 Good progress thus far.  I'm working in my attic too.  How's the climate control up there for you!

I leave a window unit A/C running most of the time at a low setting to at least control the humidity.

Lee

Route of the Alpha Jets  www.wmrywesternlines.net

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Shacklefords,Va
  • 36 posts
Posted by 4Steam on Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:49 AM

Thank you for the link

What are the overall dimensions on your layout?

 

Train Hoarder
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:51 AM

Layout is 6.5'X 13.5'.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Thursday, June 24, 2010 9:57 AM

The part of my layout along the attic wall. 2 mainlines, 4 track yard. and service area.

original

 New coal tower area

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Shacklefords,Va
  • 36 posts
Posted by 4Steam on Thursday, June 24, 2010 10:21 AM

How big is the center opening ?

Im jealous of your locomotive collection Big Smile

I plan to run assorted locos on my layout also actually plan to run a track plan very similar to yours.

Train Hoarder
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:29 PM

The center opening is 2.5' X 7' .

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Thursday, June 24, 2010 12:33 PM

 This size would work better if it was in the middle of a open floor space, and the boards widened a foot. Even as it is it work ok.

  frank

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: upstate NY
  • 9,236 posts
Posted by galaxy on Thursday, June 24, 2010 1:15 PM

wm3798

 I leave a window unit A/C running most of the time at a low setting to at least control the humidity.

Lee

Even with a low running A/C unit, if your attic is particularly humid, you may just have to install a dehumidifier up there to further control the humidity. We run A/c units in our trailer home {almost amounting to liken that of central A/C} that do help to keep SOME humidity down, but the dehumidifier can still draw out a full bucket of moisture a day-especially on humid or rainy days when the A/c's can't pull out as much..

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Thursday, June 24, 2010 1:26 PM

naa. I take off my shirt and do whatever I have to. I have 2 cieling fans and a tower fan going.

   frank

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Thursday, June 24, 2010 4:14 PM

 

a view of the layout

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Thursday, June 24, 2010 4:17 PM

My coaling tower.

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Shacklefords,Va
  • 36 posts
Posted by 4Steam on Friday, June 25, 2010 7:34 AM

is that scratchbuilt or a kit?

 

Train Hoarder
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Friday, June 25, 2010 10:36 PM

The coal tower was kitbashed. Built using parts from 3 Bachmann coaling towers and some various plastic sheeting and structial shapes.

  frank

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Saturday, June 26, 2010 8:28 PM

A look down at the layout first the roundhouse. Then everything else.

   frank

 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: On the Banks of the Great Choptank
  • 2,916 posts
Posted by wm3798 on Saturday, June 26, 2010 11:12 PM

 I don't have a big moisture issue up there, just good old Delmarva summer mugginess.  The A/C unit keeps it from getting overwhelming up there, and maintains a moderate temperature (maybe 80 or 85 degrees) so when I go up to work, it doesn't take long to cool down.

It's more for my benefit than the layout's!Big Smile

Route of the Alpha Jets  www.wmrywesternlines.net

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Shacklefords,Va
  • 36 posts
Posted by 4Steam on Monday, June 28, 2010 2:59 PM

Looking good im getting ready to start on my layout at the end of july Cant Wait!!!

Train Hoarder
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 7:20 AM

Jonathan ; Come July take a lot of pictures and post your layout for us to see. I am looking foward to it.

      frank

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Shacklefords,Va
  • 36 posts
Posted by 4Steam on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 7:32 AM

Will do this will be my first time building a layout from scratch and i know its going to be a slow  process but as long as i have fun with it thats all that matters.

 Do you have any plans for any kind of scenery or do you plan to do anything else with your layout ?

Train Hoarder
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: Shacklefords,Va
  • 36 posts
Posted by 4Steam on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 7:36 AM

How much space does your roundhouses and turntable take up?

Thats really close to the set up i want to do on mine but im unsure exactly how much real estate i need to set aside

 

Train Hoarder
  • Member since
    June 2010
  • 104 posts
Posted by toptrain on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 9:00 AM

Well I am 8 years late and I completed that attic layout and used it till 5 month age when I stripped the track to have space to build my first depot on the Hudson. Then when dne with that I took the layout tables apart and took apart the framing. It was done to replace the rug in the space. Now my attic is more useable. I even have a window. Now for another layout. 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 10:07 AM

I have joined the forum since your first posts.

.

I also build layouts, learn, then tear them down and start over.

.

Hopefully my next layout will be my last.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 10:36 AM

Wow, self necro topic!

Welcome back after 9 years.  Pictures?

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    July 2002
  • From: Jersey City
  • 1,925 posts
Posted by steemtrayn on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 11:58 AM

riogrande5761

Wow, self necro topic!

Welcome back after 9 years.  Pictures?

 

This reminds me of a joke.

The monks in a monastery were sworn to silence. But three of the monks made a secret pact. Once a year, one of them could say one sentence.

At breakfast, the monk who had not spoken for three years looked up from his bowl and said, "I hate oatmeal!" And that was his sentence for the next three years.

After one year of total silence, the second monk replied, "Well, I happen to like oatmeal." And that was his sentence for the next three years.

After another year passed, the third monk slammed his mug on the table and said, "I'm sick and tired of this constant bickering about oatmeal!"

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!