Well, I guess that's the way all of the real railroads started, lay track, run train, lay more track, run train farther,....
Since I like to do the carpentry work, the bench work would proceed rapidly. No promises that I would fall back, and get some track down...
I like the new name to the thread.
Mike.
My You Tube
If only I weren;t a touch (ha!) ADD... Even on my previous layout which was much smaller, I only built about 1/4 of the benchwork before I started putting down track and getting trains running. Then I added another 8 foot section, put track on that, until I got all the way around, then I filled in some of the sidings and things (most of the time, I put the turnout in place when laying the main, but didn;t finish the roadbed or track for the siding).
It's just the way I work. Probably not the most ideal, because once a train can run, I run trains as much as extend the layout. Ormaybe I will shove somethign off the free end which will prompt me to keep up with the benchwork. I did that 2 layouts ago, just a small 8x12 donut but I started running trains on that before I had all 4 sections of benchwork built. After shoving 3 cars to the floor, I finished the benchwork. Good thing is, they were Kato covered hopper kits, they use some odd engineering plastic, so all that happened is I turned them back into kits. ANd lost a couple of Kadee knuckle springs.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If I was to build again, and have this space, finished and ready, I would do the bench work, all around, so when I started laying track, my 1st goal would be to get a continous main line, running. And then proceed from there.
BigDaddy I'd probably start on the North wall unless those are going to be code 70 too. I haven't built a lot of layouts, but one thing I do know. We need a better title to make this thread standout from all the other layout build threads that will come along. I was going to suggest Randy's Layout Build but there was a guy a couple years ago who put his name in every thread he started and that seemed strange. How about: Reading East Penn Layout Build ?
I'd probably start on the North wall unless those are going to be code 70 too.
I haven't built a lot of layouts, but one thing I do know. We need a better title to make this thread standout from all the other layout build threads that will come along.
I was going to suggest Randy's Layout Build but there was a guy a couple years ago who put his name in every thread he started and that seemed strange. How about:
Reading East Penn Layout Build ?
Well, something - while I'm not changing my public domain anme, any resemblence of any part of my layout to the actual East Penn Branch of the Reading is purely coincidental. So I'm not sure that's an accurate title to use either.
I got it, editing after I post this.
The most un-fun part will probably be a 2 level moveable section in front of the furnace and water heater, but I do kind of need the benchwork to either side to be there as anchor points for the moveable part.
The good news is, it has to be moveable but not in the sense of a swing gate that is used every time you need to walk in and out of th elayout room. More like, furnace broke, they are coming tomorrow to mput in a new one. I had been thinking of hinging it and having it on heavy duty casters to just swing away, but in truth it doesn't have to do that. I just need to be able to do something liek slide back the rail joiners at either end (2 tracks in on the lower level and 3 tracks out on the lower level, since the AD track starts there, probably just a simple 2 main tracks on the upper deck), unplug some electrical connections, and then lift and move it. It will be narrow and completely freestanding, so I don't anticipate much weight.
My best advice to start witht he part you know you will enjoy the least.
Your enthusiasm will probably never be as high as when you start the project, so I know I am more likely to get the un-fun part complete if I do it first.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Since my basement refinishign is all done, it's time to start building a layout. Finally - after 6 years in the house and no layout, not even a small module.
For a refresher - here's the plan for the first level (layout will be double decked. I wish I didn't have to, but I can't get long enough runs for even modest train lengths. It might seem like a lot of space, but ignoring the excluded area around the furnace and water heater, and pretending the new wall wasn;t there, the overall space is about 26x20, with a little extra along the front side of th ehouse, which is the bottom of all plans) as it stands so far. Opposite the yard is going to be a town, small city really, and there will be industries and even some street trackage(though not the mains). I haven't planned that out yet.
First on the agenda is where to start. I was thinling about starting in the new area formed by the added wall, the town and yard space. Except I'm really waiting for the Peco Code 70 turnouts because I want to use the smaller rail for the yard and sidings. Code 83 on the main. I have a large stock of Peco Code 83 flex, and some turnouts of all sizes - some 8's, some 6's, and a couple of 5's. I could just do the main, and wait on the rest.
Or I could start just past the furnace, as the turnouts off the main would be code 83, and the code 70 flex is available now. Couldn't put in the branch just yet.
Or I could just forget the idea of using the smaller rail, since Peco did say these Code 70 US turnouts were going to be available last year, and still nothing.
Where would you start? My plan is to go get some wood this weekend, although I'm not sure when I will be able to pick up some of the good playwood, they are only open weekdays and close before I get finished at work.