I continue to get a kick out of this thing every time I see it.
I have a new Instagram if folks want to follow my progress there:
https://www.instagram.com/derryinho/
I am also converting my two 'Duck-Unders' to 'Lift-Outs' since I am tired of both bending over and whacking my head on them. The double track one was always designed as a lift-out - I just never cut the track for it. The single track one near the door should be an easy conversion. It will be nice to be able to just walk in.
I'm thinking of making the single track one a drop-down - hinged so it can just drop down like a table leaf. The double one is designed with pins and butterfly nuts to just pull up and out.
OK, here is my updated layout:
This layout allows me to run two trains concurrently on Tracks A & B with my dual controller, and an optional double loop Track C.
Track B:
Here are the recent track changes. I am running DC, and want some flexibility to run two trains concurrently as well as some variety in continous run loops.
Not sure what happened, but I can't get access to my original Aralai account here, so I created this new account. I can't seem to add an avatar or Bio, but I will be posting with this account now. Made some track simplification changes which I will post soon. I know it has been a long time!!!
You have similar benchwork to mine and I used a brad nailer to attach my facia, much nicer finish.
Working on the Derry Greyhound Terminal which was 100% based on the actual Bangor Greyhound Terminal:
My Build Thread: https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/185298.aspx
Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephenkingsmaine
Started to do my Fascia:
All awesome ideas. I do have Tracker Brothers which will have the baseball field in back. I am actually planning to build a scale model of the Standpipe. I visited it in 2015 and took lots of photos inside and out. Love the Pet Sematary idea and the Worumbo Mill. Not sure I have room for the Ironworks, but maybe some remnants! The layout covers several time periods with elements from the 1970's & 1980's for the most part.
Where's the Kitchener Ironworks going to go, and is it going to be 'functional' as rebuilt, too? You'll want signs of River hydro mill industry too, with that kind of fall through town...
Tracker Bros. goes right behind the depot: they might have crossdock from a team track or even one of those intermodal ramps...
Is this pre- or post-'85? (From what I see in an earlier photograph, I sure hope the former! ) You need a Standpipe, perhaps just as part of the backdrop... or the memorial on its site.
Where is the path up to the pet cemetery? [Note to Kalmbach for 'stage three' attention... why do we have a Cujo emoticon but no Church?]
Thanks Bill. It's good to be back.
Here's a little running test after I did some scenery and cleanup:
https://www.youtube.com/7XJ03_yziCg
AralaiI'm still here! Is it normal to take 10 years to build a layout?
Even though it is taking a long time, it is still more of a layout than some of us have! Great to see some progress. I love the concept and need to brush up on my King for some of the locations! Have fun.
I'm still here! Is it normal to take 10 years to build a layout?
Back at it. My 5 year old grandson helped me to paint some scenery this week.
I have simplified things a bit - removed a few roads and structures. I will be building a scale model of the Derry aka Bangor Standpipe soon.
Here are some photos of things as they stand today:
Starting from the Derry Yard:
You can see my duckunder track coming in from the left that allows me to run all the way around my U-shaped layout. It is a bit crowded right now, but most of the rolling stock won't be there.
Moving right out of the yard, you can see 29 Neibolt Street, a trestle over the river and Witcham Street:
Moving further right around the 'U' you can see Tracker Brothers, The Barrens, the Paul Bunyan statue and the Aladdin Theater, as well as Christine on the bridge where the Canal starts.
And further to the right is Center Street, with the Falcon Bar & Greyhound Station with the Canal behind.
This week was mostly painting a base coat to cover up the foam and wood. The scenery here will be mostly rock face on the vertical parts and ground cover and trees etc on the top. I used drywall paste on the right and Sculptamold on the left - you can see how the Sculptamold looks much better in terms of texture, so I'll be adding a thin layer of Sculptamold on the right to match.
Depending on how it looks, the plan is to use carving plaster to make the rock face and paint it to try to make it look real. This is where I would appreciate advce and feedback, since I haven't done this kind of scenery before, so any tips for painting, carving etc would be appreciated.
It's nice to be back into it. Hopefully this time it won't stall
Hi Aralai,
Good to see you back at it!
I'm going to send you a PM.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Now that I have locked down my track, the fun starts with scenery:
mbinsewi Nice progress! I was given one of those buildings, only mine is a Walthers "Built Ups", already assembled in the box, painted different, and is supposed to be a yard office. Mike.
Nice progress! I was given one of those buildings, only mine is a Walthers "Built Ups", already assembled in the box, painted different, and is supposed to be a yard office.
Mike.
Thanks Mike. I'm getting motivated again after a long hiatus!
My You Tube
Built the new Tracker Brothers Trucking building from a Walthers Cornerstone kit.
This building is more like the description in 'IT' of a single storey brick building.
It will of course have the required old baseball field in the back with a chain link fence.
I'm getting real close to starting the ground cover and scenery that will start to pull things together.
If there is a good thing about being so slow to finish a layout, it is that you start to see ways to improve long before you have done a lot of scenery.
I made some changes this weekend, taking out my Cement Factory completely, including a siding. I really don't need it and it makes things less crowded and busy, plus give me a nice visible spot to put 29 Neibolt Street:
I also moved my 'Lakeville Warehousing' which was my 'Tracker Brothers' to the Derry Yard. I like it a lot better there and it is a great view block for my outside long continuous track:
I now have a big open space where it used to be, but it is nice to be less crowded and with some scenic features, I think it will look better. I took out a few extra little sidings I didn't need too.
Sometimes less is more. I am much more satisfied with my track (love the dual tracks) and feeling better about the density of buildings.
Wow. It's been almost 2 years since I posted and almost 10 years since I started my layout!
Getting back to it finally. I really wanted to be able to run two trains continously in different directions, as I love to watch them pass each other.
My original plan had a simple oval double track, but it morphed into a long continuous run and I never built the second continous track.
I am still old school, running a dual DC controller, so I made a few changes to create a second continuous track to run a second train.
Excuse the rough layout image - I just needed to see how it would work:
The yellow track is my long continuous track and the red one is the new short oval continuous track. It required a crossover that pushed the incline limits a bit, but it works.
Stephen's Kings Derry in HO Scale - Crossover from Delta-Kestrel Pictures on Vimeo.
Stephen King’s Derry Maine in HO Scale - Running 2 Trains from Delta-Kestrel Pictures on Vimeo.
I love watching them pass each other...
New blog post up: http://kingsderry.blogspot.com/2017/03/aladdin-theater.html
This weekend: Mounting the signs on the Theater and scenery sculpting!
Worked on the weekend to build my version of the Aladdin Theater in Derry. Walthers Rivoli Theater Kit.
Photos as promised! It feels great to get back to my layout!
I got my runaround/staging track laid and tested last night.
The hole through the wall is where the staging/runaround track goes. It will be hidden by my Theater (to be built - base in place) along with some trees/shrubs. The idea is that the tracks from the bridge disappear behind the theater, and you can't see the curving tracks that enter the Warehouse.
This is the other side which runs on an elevated track behind my new furnace. This was taken before the track was finished and tested. I plan to install guardrails to avoid expensive derailments!
Track curves around over the edge of the water heater, just enough space between the gas line and the blower motor - tested with my long cars!
Track then crosses across the doorway (duck-under) and connects back up to my layout. I will be putting a valance/guardrail on the elevated track so it will be hidden from view, as well as the curve by the light switch - hidden by a structure or other element so the track looks like it just reappears after the curve, roughly where the Budd car is sitting in the shot below:
This allows me to use the space behind the furnace for staging, or as a long continuous run that means the train basically loops twice around the layout before repeating.
Some actual progress! I have completed the plywood "bridge" to carry the new staging/continuous run track round the back of my new furnace. Foam track bed and track started to be laid.
Pictures to follow!
Wow. 6 years later and I'm finally getting back to Derry.
Working on installing my staging / circuit track. Old furnace and water heater has been replaced with new ones, opening up space for my track as well as meaning that disruption should be minimal for the foreseeable future.
Center Street is looking better - bought a nice building at the Brampton Model Railway Show this past year:
Witcham Street:
Redore Just a suggestion, some flat black area where the Langoliers are tidying things up...Just sayin.... Good work.
Just a suggestion, some flat black area where the Langoliers are tidying things up...Just sayin....
Good work.
Nice idea!
Aralai - good to see you back here in the forum. I am glad you will continue your work on this layout! Hope to see more ...