With a track height of 40 inches, is this to be a sit down layout?
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Some good points on too much attention to one layout. Therefore I will treat both of them as the new layout and build both at the same time.
As far as operating this, thinking about it more. I will probably run trains from main layout to steel mill. ie loading coal trains, ore from Colorado mines, then deliver them to the mill.
I will add a runaround track, thanks for that.
This will mainly be standup layout, but at times will sit and relax and enjoy that too. The reason why I lowered the track height from 42 to 40 is because of the long reaches in some spots.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
I think it's a great idea to think about what the expansion will look like when designing a layout. That way, you can plan and build your connecting tracks on your first layout, without starting the second layout right away... I don't know if you have a lot of time (and money) in your hands, but that first layout will take a lot of time and resources to build. So why not start with the first layout, and do the second layout later? There are many unfinished layouts (and frustrated modelers) out there...
About the second layout, I agree that you should aim for both an independent and linked operation between rooms. It doesn't have to be a loop in layout two, but you should plan for some sort of switching operations that doesn't require you to change rooms. Think of all the obstacles you have to go through to go from one room to another, including a duck-under... It won't be fun to operate a train going from one room to another if there are many hoops to go through. Unless you don't care much for operations, which is totally OK too.
Simon
Yes I agree, its going to take a lot of time and money. But my goal is finish benchwork (main layout) within 2 weeks. And get at least the two mainlines track down so I could run some trains as soon as possible another 2 weeks for that.
For operating the two. I will try to minimize runs going from one room to another, like one per session.
Also I just thought of this idea during lunch. Both Coors and the Power Plant have ongoing contruction projects and they need lots of steel deliveries. And Coors can send beer to the steel mill. Becuase what is better than an ice cold beer after working in a blast furnace all day!
MotleyBecuase what is better than an ice cold beer after working in a blast furnace all day!
The problem is that most employers do not permit alcohol on the premises. Meaning no beer at work, and the police don't like beer consumption in cars.
Dave
davidmurray Motley Becuase what is better than an ice cold beer after working in a blast furnace all day! The problem is that most employers do not permit alcohol on the premises. Meaning no beer at work, and the police don't like beer consumption in cars. Dave
Motley Becuase what is better than an ice cold beer after working in a blast furnace all day!
Ok I added some more tracks for coal hoppers, and a runaround track.
That's why some call it proto-lancing. His model Rr, his rules.
It's thirsty work after all.
Welcome back Michael! It is always good to see someone returning to the hobby after being away and the excitement of having another layout - just as good as the first layout
And, as always, a lot of good help for the others on the forum.
Best modeling and keep the updates coming.
Tom
Makin progress. Have about half of the benchwork done now.
Picked up this sweet looking SD70Ace #1943 Athearn Genesis.
Been working on some structers. These will be for the power plant.
I have an update on the steel mill track plan. I found out that the blast furnace dump coal/ore track is actually elevated. So I created a new track there to be elevated by around 3".
Also I found out that I can actually use the rolling mill building as a BOF. Because there is no BOF Walthers structure.
Added an area for a scrap yard.
Here's an update on the steel mill trackplan. I found out that the blast furnace has two elevated tracks, so I added those.
And for the BOF, I will be using the rolling mill structure, becuase Walthers doesn't have any BOF's.
Added a scrap yard too.
Another update. I think this will be the final version. Ok so I had to move the coke oven and quench tower to the top side. Because where I had it I wouldn't be able to reach the tracks over those structures.
I can't see the pictures from your posts on September 16 and 17. All I see are "do not enter" signs...
I'm beginning to realize that Windows 10 and sound decoders have a lot in common. There are so many things you have to change in order to get them to work the way you want.
Still workin on benchwork, but I'm getting close, possibly next week will be finished.
I made some changes on the main layout trackplan. I have room for a 3 stall roundhouse. And I added a small passenger station on the left.
I'm on the last section of the benchwork. Yaaaaah finally!
But I ran out of wood, ooops. Now I need to get more before I finish. I will be getting the foam down tomorrow.
Uhh, just so your aware I cannot see your picture, only a “Do Not Enter” kind of sign. If you could fix this I would like it very much!
Regards, Isaac
I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!
BNSF UP and others modeler I can't see the pictures from your posts on September 16 and 17. All I see are "do not enter" signs...
riogrande5761 BNSF UP and others modeler I can't see the pictures from your posts on September 16 and 17. All I see are "do not enter" signs... Sum Ting Wong
BNSF UP and others modeler
They are links to Google photos. I use google photos for other things, maybe that's why I can see them in chrome, and some of them in Firefox.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Motleyhis will mainly be standup layout, but at times will sit and relax and enjoy that too. The reason why I lowered the track height from 42 to 40 is because of the long reaches in some spots.
.
I am a proponent of lower layouts. As we grow older, there is always the possibility that standing can become difficult. It is easier to stand at a lower layout than sit at a taller one.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 Motley his will mainly be standup layout, but at times will sit and relax and enjoy that too. The reason why I lowered the track height from 42 to 40 is because of the long reaches in some spots. . I am a proponent of lower layouts. As we grow older, there is always the possibility that standing can become difficult. It is easier to stand at a lower layout than sit at a taller one. . -Kevin .
Motley his will mainly be standup layout, but at times will sit and relax and enjoy that too. The reason why I lowered the track height from 42 to 40 is because of the long reaches in some spots.
I'm considering keeping my new layout lower, and providing chairs. My aisles are plenty wide......and my scenes will be 3' to 4' deep in most places.
Sheldon
Ok I have no idea whats up with Google photos. I just signed up for flicker. (screw google).
Can you guys see this now?
Shows up fine for me. I use Google Chrome.
- Douglas
On my current 2nd layout, I don't have a duckunder and love it. Being able to walk with hands full and not worry about crashing into anything is invaluable. I can't imagine getting older and having to crawl down to the layout. Many prob won't bother ducking under either. Again, if that's fine with you; it's your layout!
Doughless Shows up fine for me. I use Google Chrome.
Ya probably most people stil use internet exploder.
Douglas, Hey I got a question for ya. Can I paint the foam with latex paint first, will it affect the latex caulk from sticking to the cork roadbed?
Motley Doughless Shows up fine for me. I use Google Chrome. Ya probably most people stil use internet exploder. Douglas, Hey I got a question for ya. Can I paint the foam with latex paint first, will it affect the latex caulk from sticking to the cork roadbed?
I'm not the guy to ask, since I've never used foam. I hear that paint sticks to foam fine, but I'd use a flat finish.
I think ultimate adhesion by anything you stick to a painted surface is only as strong as the adhesion that exists between the paint and the surface. In this case, the critical bond is the paint to foam.
That won't affect how well the caulk sticks to the roadbed, which I don't think is your real question.
The paint to foam bond might be a good enough bond for laying caulked roadbed onto the painted foam, but I think most would suggest to lay the caulked roadbed straight onto the foam, then paint around it at some point.
Doughless Motley Doughless Shows up fine for me. I use Google Chrome. Douglas, Hey I got a question for ya. Can I paint the foam with latex paint first, will it affect the latex caulk from sticking to the cork roadbed? I'm not the guy to ask, since I've never used foam. I hear that paint sticks to foam fine, but I'd use a flat finish. I think ultimate adhesion by anything you stick to a painted surface is only as strong as the adhesion that exists between the paint and the surface. In this case, the critical bond is the paint to foam. That won't affect how well the caulk sticks to the roadbed, which I don't think is your real question. The paint to foam bond might be a good enough bond for laying caulked roadbed onto the painted foam, but I think most would suggest to lay the caulked roadbed straight onto the foam, then paint around it at some point.
Motley
Doughless Shows up fine for me. I use Google Chrome. Douglas, Hey I got a question for ya. Can I paint the foam with latex paint first, will it affect the latex caulk from sticking to the cork roadbed? I'm not the guy to ask, since I've never used foam. I hear that paint sticks to foam fine, but I'd use a flat finish.
Well I FINALLY finished the benchwork. Took a bit too long, I wasn't putting a whole lot of time into it. Could have finished a couple weeks ago.
Nevertheless. I am happy benchwork is over, its a lot of hard work. lol
Foam will be down in the next couple of days, then I can get some trackwork done!! My goal is to have the two mainlines completed in 2 weeks. I wanna runs some trains already!
I made sure to give myself plenty of room to duck under the entrance here.
Nice progress. Now you'll be able to see the trackplan come into reality, and will probably make adjustments once you start laying things out.