Wow!!! So much progress. Looking good and it must be good to have trains running around again.
Cheers...
Chris from down under...
We're all here because we're not all there...
Gidday, Yeah 18" radius curves are definitely limiting but great to see you're still managing to do the most important thing in model railroading. Having Fun !!
Cheers,the Bear.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
So, this weekends plans didnt go the way I thought.. but I got to spend sometime today working on my layout. I am happy to say that I pretty much have most of track down and my track plan figured out.
First off, was to complete the yard. I had to really squeeze some things as I have a serious room issue so I found myself scratching for every 1/4 inch of room. I needed the biggest yard I could... without over whelming the layout. I also needed a nice tail track and a run around to allow for more switching operations.
The back side of the tail track will lead to a spur that will handle 2 industries that will have between 2-3 cars per location. They are two feed mills/agriculture supply houses. Feed, machinery, seed and chemicals for tank cars will allow for lots of possibilities for flexible operation. I was inspired by some locations around here in Arizona. Occasional flat car, box car, tank cars and grain cars are great for these locations.
I also figured out my industrial district. I was able to get a couple of goals out of this. I have 4 industries that will allow up 6-7 cars, mostly boxcars. The second track, between the main and the industry spur will act as a switching storage line or even function as a passing siding when I get a couple of trains running. Both ends are accessible which will allow for left to right, or right to left operation. Also allows me coming in from one side, or the other.
If you notice in the back corner, I have a retaining wall. Its just propped up but I think instead of squeezing some building back there, I am going to go with a mountain in the corner. Allow for some more trees, add to the depth and for more scenery.
Happy to report, the trains have been running most of the weekend and so far, track work and power seems great.
Thanks for looking and the comments. Happy rails!
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
I like to think I am running on Notch 8 Well, as promised, I have been flying and my first goal has been accomplished. Trains are running.
Starting last night when I got home from work and through the night and hitting it this morning, I completed the main line and installed the turn-outs needed for future spurs for industries. For the first time in 2.5 years, I have watch my trains run. Overall, the mainline has an average of 18-19 inch radius. My 2 axle and 3 axle units work no problem While it is a stretch, and not the best, my BLI Cab-forward runs the tracks fine. Only engines in my roster that dont, are my BLI Hudsons. I have two shorts small bends that migth exceed the 18" mark, not much, but enough to lift the drivers off, ever so slightly. Im bummed about that but it is what it is. Due to space restrictions there isnt much I can do. Even with not being able to run those, I am still thrilled.
In the middle of it last night...
Here is the west end with main line included..
And the east end. The in the middle of the loop will be there yard is located.
With the main being completed and trains able to run, I admit, I will be slowing down now. I am going easy as I am working on the rest of the track plan. I am sure things will change as I make up mind on scenery, structures I want to use and location of industries. I still have some more work to do in adding some extra supports for the base and need to finish the fascia around the exposed foam. But those are all projects for later. I have been spending too much time pulling stuff out of boxes, blowing out the cobwebs and watching them run. High Ball!
The roadbed looks realistic already! Great job.
Lone Geep
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I think you have some momentum behind you, John. It's mostly all figured out, and you are moving the speedo needle past 45 mph. Looks good so far.
Crandell
Here is another update... First thing, throw down some paint. The white out, blizzard does not work in Arizona.
Also, here is my trick for the foam and one of the reasons I love it so. All of my trees, poles and any other object that stands up gets a pin, stuck in the bottom of it.
How I do it? Cut the head off of the pin. Using needles nose pliers I hold the pin over a candle and count to 10, then push it up into the plastic and hold till it cools. Then, stick the tree or telephone pole where ever I want. I have found no glue required.
With my mind up regarding a previous thread about road bed, I am very happy I went and picked up the new cork. Something I learned on my old and original Kiva Valley was to take the cork, give it a light coat of gray primer, sprinkle some speckle or texture paint...and bingo... decent looking road bed. The reason I wont ballast is that at some point...could be 6 months or who knows, I will be pulling this up. Just not worth the time, mess and waste of ballasting. So, I have to go for the "fake look". But, it does the job ok. The cork in its original form is just above it.
Next update will be track laying.
Thanks for looking.
Howdy all,
With much joy, I begin my new "build thread" . [;D] Updated pictures at the end of the thread
As some of you know, I have taken down my 11.5 by 2' long switching layout. I admit, the switching was nice, but I just didnt enjoy it as much as I wanted. Too many times I came home from work and too tired to stand there and run them back and forth.... I needed a continuous loop so I could just fire up the DCC and watch them run.
The Challenge? I still have the same 11.5 long layout, but I figured I could get away with 2 loops at the end for the return so its a ... um.. dog bone shape, shelf layout. Thats it!
My apartment is small and space is a premium so I will have to live with a 18.5-19 inch radiius. It is what it is but its enough to make it work.
The plan will include a yard for switching, train building, and still put in several industries as I do enjoy my own little operating sessions. Also, since I am in an apartment, for who knows how short or long, the layout will once again be built, shall we say fast food style. Minimum bench work, no ballasted tracks. The main base will be 2" thick white foam. A trick I have been using for years. Great stuff.
So, to get this thread started, here it is below. One sheet of 4x8 and one sheet 2x8 foam. The 4x8 laying on my futon sure does make the room look little!
Here is some 1x2 angle trim. I glue this to the bottom of the foam to hold all the sections together and help give it some rigidity. (As a added bonus, in the frame you will see what looks like maps? Those are railroad sponsored system maps from the Penssy RR from 1952 and 1956. They are in PRR frames and came from my uncle, who died before I was born, but bestowed his railroad passion into my Mom, who passed it to me)
And followed up with them glued together, and the "dog bone" sections cut and assembled, after a long day of waiting for glue to dry.. I was able to pick it up and place on top of the shelves which work as the main platform of bench work.
This was all done in one day, this past Monday. I still need to add some shelf brackets for the middle and figure out some support under the loop bulges as they do hang out far and it flexes more than I like.