Everything is looking good and a very professional finish; some day I hope to have more space so I can attempt something close to that order of magnitude. Cheers.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Golly , I don't know what to say except thank you. I hope the hobby rewards you as much as it does I.
Alan
Freelancing the LK&O Railroad
Just came across your site in the past couple of days; needless to say I've barely made a dent in reading it - but I had to come in and comment. What a spectacular layout build-up; I'm not sure I've ever seen a so well-documented planning and construction of a large home layout.
I'll admit I'm biased; your concept of proto-lancing unconnected, but personally significant, railroad elements really hits home with me. I've been trying to figure out how to (believably) do the same in my modeling, with elements of the RDG, PRR, and B&O - if I can do it half as well as you seem to have, I'll be happy.
Tip of the hat to your trackplan too, I really like the meandering single mainline connecting major vignettes/elements, without a hint of spaghetti-bowl. And yet, you've managed to incorporate continuous running and (huge!) staging potential through a very clever partial lower level. I've always sworn off multi-level designs, but reading your planning experiences and looking at the result has me re-evaluating, big time.
Don't know thatt I'll ever have the chance to attempt a pike quite at the scale you're working on, but I'm definitely learning a lot just reading your experiences. Thanks for sharing!
Fascia panels all roughed in. Control panels next.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/fascia-upper-deck-part-ii/
Layout fascia installation has begun.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/fascia-upper-deck-part-i/
1.9kW - one would think I am running GG1s or something!
http://www.lkorailroad.com/know-your-own-power/
A little modification to bring down the heat a bit.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/big-honkin-resistors/
Well worth the wait Alan! Nice video too!
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
First train run on the LK&O. Quite the moment for me.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/first-train-to-traverse-the-upper-deck/
No more noisy power supply fans going on and off. Now just a low whir that I can live with.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/peace-and-quiet/
Module 13 installed and the beginnings of the Potomac River alongside.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/riverbed-for-the-potomac/
Finished module 13. That is the last module on the upper deck.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/module-13/
Oops, ran out of occupancy detectors while building module 13. Makin' more.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/module-13-delayed/
One more piece of the puzzle completed.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/connector-8/
Yet another module completed. I'm very close to having all of the track laid on the upper deck.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/module-12/
Another module finished. My first adventure with superelevated track. Get this - a #8 curved turnout as part of a 40" curve easement into a superelevation easement. Brought back memories from high school geometry class! Made my head hurt.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/module-11/
Always nice to pop in and see your progress.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
The coal mine track module is finished and in place.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/module-10/
I read through your link with some interest since I just finished building two new turnout control panels for my layout. As usual incredible attention to detail!
I built very similar frames, with the graphics printed and sandwiched between a clear plastic sheet and the backing board like you are planning. Mine turned out pretty nice and I am enjoying the functionality compared to the "temporary" panels that I used since I first put power on some of the tracks. But I used 5mm bi-color LEDs, hobby ply for the backing boards instead of PCB, and ended up with the typical rat's nest of wires behind... looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.
Really enjoy following along with your progress, I just wish you were a step ahead of me instead of behind!
Huntington Junction - Freelance based on the B&O and C&O in coal country before the merger... doing it my way. Now working on phase 3. - Walt
For photos and more: http://www.wkhobbies.com/model-railroad/
During a momentary pause in module building I had the opportunity to design my fascia control panels. I am going to build the prototype to make sure all works as expected before creating artwork for every panel.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/fascia-panel-prototype/
A spot for a coal loadout.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/welcome-to-maryland/
Thank you for the compliment Bob.
I have all the pieces cut to make 100 of the switchstands although I have assembled only 12. Just enough to temporarily install in the yard to make sure I liked how they look and work, which I do BTW. Those have since been removed and stored. I did not assemble more because there is so much layout construction to go before time to install switchstands. I didn't want 100 of them sitting around waiting. Too much risk of damage. They are fragile little creatures.
Noteworthy: the original actuating arm was constructed of 0.010" strip styrene. I discovered that warpage occurred over time. Using brass strip as a replacement.
Alan,
Re;reading some of your posts and comments reminded me of how we built things when I worked at a professional model shop in New York. We (I was in the engineering/design department) would design, draw, check, make changes to the drawings and then issue them to the shop. The shop consisted of many excellent model builders and craftsman and they would build our projects that looked like yours; and that is a well earned compliment. You certainly do show/exhibit excellent design/planning and fabrication skills that are without a doubt the finest in the model railroading hobby. Keep posting your progress so we can all admire your workmanship. Can't wait to see how you do your model structures and settings.
PS: How many of your turnout switch stands (LED) have you built so far? I made 34 of them; although not as 'finished' as yours.
Happy New Year! Built the Lapeer module over the holidays.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/module-9/
A bit more progress...
http://www.lkorailroad.com/round-the-bend/
You make me blush. Thank you NP
I don't want to repeat every response on this thread. I looked at your site. All I have to say is: OH MY GOD. Craftsmanship and I am sure it reflects who you are and your design and everything you do.
Ok fine I will say more: Steve Jobs quoted his father a number of times: just because no one will see it does not mean it should be shoddy ... You are a personification of that principle.
I am building a 23' X 16' double deck layout (check the Francisquito Valley build thread ... Oh no never mind, don't!) with my two preschoolers right now. It is my second layout, third if you count a short lived 4x8. You make me feel inadequate, but in a good way.
Wow!
NP
The rubber shops switching tracks and ABB interchange tracks are complete.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/connectors-5-6/
More progress. Another module finished.
http://www.lkorailroad.com/module-6/
Im still following along. Will be interesting to see what you do for the river construction.