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Back room practice pad: Becoming a Layout

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  • Member since
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 9:38 AM

Those are some interesting videos.

Please keep updates coming.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 4:29 AM

Gday again...got some color in the concrete and started to lay down some road...

been thinking about fencing as well...Huh?

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, July 5, 2021 8:54 AM

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, July 5, 2021 8:53 AM

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, July 5, 2021 8:53 AM

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, July 5, 2021 8:52 AM

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, July 5, 2021 8:51 AM

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, July 5, 2021 8:51 AM

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, July 5, 2021 8:36 AM

G'day all...been a while...only just brushed the dust off the layout after a huge lull in time and mental stamina. 

I have started a Youtube thread if you wish to follow me...

Here is the first of many updates you can find on my channel...please forgive the rough footage as I am only a beginner with movies and an amateur modeler at best. 

Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLox-pXU1zyuAC0PZiagKFDUeM39aWgvlM

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 1:35 AM

My branch has just purchased a new loco to help with local goods haulage over the older load limited track.

Presenting the GMD-1 #1101...Purchased off Canadian National

 

Its a great model and a real nice running unit. Has quite some wieght in it. Rapido trains really did a good job when they knocked these out.

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Sunday, July 10, 2016 7:33 AM

Gday Greg...I have already layed the track for the basic switching module...this is the unit I have to move out to the shed...Its wired up and all...I am just going to lift the plywood top off the framework and fix it down onto wider framework. Smile

Thanks for throwing up some more to look at...The exsisting trackwork I have is based on the small layout below...

Once in the shed I will know how much more space I have. I think the turntable may be a bit overkill seeing as the branch I am basing the layout on is only 10 or so miles long and I wont need to turn any steam engines. Come to think of it though...there is a wye on the interchange end in Portland. Could make for some interesting modelling.

Cheers

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by gregc on Sunday, July 10, 2016 6:33 AM

MonkeyBucket
I am working on a cheap freelance HO, point to point layout in the man cave/my designated store room. It is a North American branch that is owned by Southern Pacific. Only servicing a few industries in this section of track I plan to get a couple of spurs and a run around for some basic operation.

after scanning thru the various posts, it looks like you haven't settled on a track plan.  You may find the follow plans helpfull as examples of small simple pt-to-pt layouts.

 

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Saturday, July 9, 2016 8:01 AM

While looking for inspiration for the oil company I came across a lil article on chain link fences...I might give it a go once I work out the site setout for the company.

http://rrmodelcraftsman.com/extraboard/cm_extra_chainlinkfence.php

 

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 5:02 AM

I have been learning to use the program a bit more today as it has been raining all day...It is revealing itself as quite a gem. I have included a 3% grade down the hill to staging...I wonder if the lil SW7 and GE44 will be able to handle the grade...

Below is more of my planning fun.

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 1:34 AM

So I found Anyrail6 and had a crack at plotting my exsisting track plan...

Here it is at the moment...the section on the left will be extended onto another module once the layout is fitted into the shed space I have cleared out. The wood trestle will feature on that part of the layout.

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Monday, June 27, 2016 8:24 AM

Well I have decided now that the layout will be based on the scenery and clients of the Mololla Brance and East Portland traction devision...as the layout cant be prototypical due to space I will be downsizing the companies but still trying to capture the scenery of the run down and overgrown old branchlines.

 The industries include grain, Timber and Steel from what I have been reading.

 RSG timber mill...

  This mill is known as the Willamette Feedmill and supplies chicken feed to the vast Willamette Egg Farms in the area.

  There also may be some old visitors that now serve the Oregon Pacific Railroad.

I am looking forward to putting some of the models I have been putting together on the layout...There may even be a gravel and sand client in the long run.

 

I am lucky enough to find a site that has a crew compiling info on the ex Southern pacific lines out of Portlands east and south.

This is the link to the website I have been getting a lot of my info from...

http://www.oregonpacificrr.com

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Saturday, June 25, 2016 7:26 AM

So I have been snooping around on the net for some local loco action on the northern end of the Southern pacific lines in Oregon...Found me some inspiration for my next module (once I have moved the lot out to the shed)

 

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 6:10 AM

So here is the spot I have cleared for the branchline layout...I have taken advice on board and decided to give the module an extra 4 inches at the back for blending and low relief buildings...

I am hoping to get some insulation into the walls and roof around the area as the summer heat gets the shed up to 60C or for the eastern continents...140F...I have a roof vent that needs intalling to try and evacuate the hot air. 

The move shall comence in a few weeks after a couple of family birthdees have been endured.

Layouts new home

 

 I was also wondering if anyone has any good input on arranging one of my Oil clients...I have been looking around on google images etc and checking out prototype photos. Is there any wisdom I could be missing that may make for a better company site setout. Below is the current location of the proposed kit...It is a walthers kit...some may recognise it. Remember that I will be adding 4 inches to the back of the module.

Cheers

Oil company

 

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Sunday, June 12, 2016 7:59 PM

Putting some insulation on the inside may be a good idea...I have a pile of 1200x1200 (4' x 4') marine ply left over from a job...May be able to get a bag or two of insulation material to line the roof in this particular area.

Looking forward to building a module to showcase the timber trestle bridge.

 

 

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by mobilman44 on Sunday, June 12, 2016 5:02 PM

Gotta say......... there is nothing like laying track on plywood and sometimes it more fun than after it gets scenery.  

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

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Posted by John Busby on Thursday, June 9, 2016 9:18 AM

Looking interesting good to see what's happening.

Let me know how the underlay goes once the track is ballasted.

How is the shed its in built if it is solidly built framed shed you could put in some steel batons and put insulation behind that and lining over the batons

The alternative would be to take the sheeting off and put up mesh and that insulated foil stuff

regards John

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Thursday, June 9, 2016 7:11 AM

G'day all...Yes I am still alive...lol...its been a long ride...2 kids now and a few flat bed loads of renos to the home to accommodate the growth. Took the lil ankle biters down to our local Model Railway Exibition last weekend and now I'm in the shed moving stuff around trying to find a home for the shelf layout. I think I have it sorted...now to move it all out of the house...Lightning

Will get some pics up when its done...Looks like I may have a lil more space out there...its winter wet and cool at the moment but I am a bit worried about the summer heat...may have to look into insulation methods. Geeked

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Sunday, July 14, 2013 7:34 AM

Cheers Bob,

Been dreaming up a C-section from ply that attaches underneath and wraps around the layout from the bottom .  This should accommodate  my extra space to get the rail off the backdrop and also provide fixing for backdrop and around the top for lighting.

Something like this... The black rectangle is the original module.  The red section is the add on which will allow the added width, a backdrop and maybe some lighting.

Cheers

Chris

 

 

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by bogp40 on Saturday, July 13, 2013 11:38 AM

MonkeyBucket

I was actually thinking about that last week.

Not so much to move the track as the radius on the outside is 34 inches. I can bring the layout block off the wall more so to get a little bit more scenery space (add a 6" x 67"  ply block section)  my shelves allow me another 6 inches of space. I may rearrange the shelve eventually and continue the layout around the wall at a later date but this is a good size to play around with for now.

Thanks

 

My first thought also, as Marlon pointed out. Shouldn't affect radius, just pull entire section (track) away from the wall. Now it appears that even an excessive pilot overhang will just about hit. One inch at least, more if you plan on any sort of small trees or other scenery materials. Don't know what you envision or are to use for backdrop. If not painting directly on the walls, any form of masonite, MDF even a foamcore can be attached directly to wall, velcro if you need to ever remove them will work fine.

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Saturday, July 13, 2013 5:41 AM

Thanks for the input Guys,

Yeah I got lost up in the red dust for a bit, they sent me back as soon as I could pee in the right direction. Fortunately I have found work in town and can come home every night to a Super Angry Crying Bang Headloving family.

This might be the slowest build you guys might ever see but it keeps me off the street. Laugh

I will try to tidy up the wiring, I feel I may need to set up some bus blocks for more tidy/liner cable flow.

A more suitable power source may be on the card once it all gets powered up but for now my little home job is good to go.  

Cheers

Chris

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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Posted by John Busby on Saturday, July 13, 2013 4:09 AM

Hi Monkeybucket

Pace an excellent choice of controller but you might want to consider the more traditional

transformer controller version.

I had a couple of hand holds blow up but the more traditional Pace controllers

have served me very well for very many years.

Keep your wiring tidy no rats nests and no coiled up wire, colour code and mark it with cable marking beads

EG 1PN 1PR 1PC  1 points normal  1 points reverse 1 points common

Coloured brown normal yellow reverse and common black colours repeated for all points for ease of recognition make other things other colours.

Auslec or other supplier should be able to supply the beads.

Make sure you wire point machines and other things that can blow to a chocolate block connector then on to the control panel so replacement is easy Jacar (spelling) or Auslec can supply the chocolate blocks

regards John

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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, July 13, 2013 3:54 AM

Gidday Chris, Good to see you back, wondered if the knee had become more of an issue, or whether you'd got lost in the "Great Red Dust". Either way you probably need a Beer.

Cheers, the Bear.

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by MonkeyBucket on Saturday, July 13, 2013 1:45 AM

Hi Guys n' Gals

Been a while since I have been on here. Between work and the sorting out the new family tourer I have been absolutely run off my feet.

Looks like my photoshop account has been updated so the first job will be getting all these pics back up on here so thew can be viewed.

Cheers

Chris

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

  • Member since
    August 2011
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  • 226 posts
Posted by MonkeyBucket on Friday, June 29, 2012 12:21 AM

Cheers... I have a rather decent radius for running BoBo units and SD EMDs which is the largest of the locos that with venture here. I do understand that moving the layout forward would be a better option. I am working on moving the shelves next to the layoyt so as to allow room for this and to extent the layout around the wall. Thumbs Up

I Hope to get some foam from the local insulation company bin. I worked with them for a short time in 97 and the local owner Mik lets me take sheet metal and styrafoam offcuts from the bins if its available.

they have all kinds of thicknesses from 10mm to 150mm. So handy but quite messy without the use of a vacuum when shaping it.

Thanks all for you opinions. Be sure that I am taking it all in. Geeked

Cheers...

Chris from down under...

We're all here because we're not all there...

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