hon30critter ATLANTIC CENTRAL here is photo of the development drawing. Not sure if this is anything people can understand. Hi Sheldon, The overall plan is quite understandable. It looks like a great layout! I'm really looking forward to being able to watch it come to fruition. Cheers!! Dave
ATLANTIC CENTRAL here is photo of the development drawing. Not sure if this is anything people can understand.
Hi Sheldon,
The overall plan is quite understandable. It looks like a great layout! I'm really looking forward to being able to watch it come to fruition.
Cheers!!
Dave
Thank you Dave, glad you could make some sense of it.
Better drawings on the way.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRALhere is photo of the development drawing. Not sure if this is anything people can understand.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
That is a nice long mainline run.
It looks like you have made excellent use of the space.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
mbinsewi ATLANTIC CENTRAL PS - still having some operational problems posting today, unable to add quotes? I think there is a "sticky" in the general topics forum that says there will be problems on the 17th. I'm also waiting to see your plan, Sheldon. I've been anticipating it for a while. Mike.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL PS - still having some operational problems posting today, unable to add quotes?
I think there is a "sticky" in the general topics forum that says there will be problems on the 17th.
I'm also waiting to see your plan, Sheldon. I've been anticipating it for a while.
Mike.
Thanks Mike, here is photo of the development drawing. Not sure if this is anything people can understand.
Better drawings are in the works.
ATLANTIC CENTRALPS - still having some operational problems posting today, unable to add quotes?
My You Tube
Neptune48 ATLANTIC CENTRAL ...I can't speak to the "average" size of the "average" layout. But here in the Mid Atlantic, where even modest homes often come with a nearly "free" 1200 to 1800 sq ft space called a basement, many unfinished, I have seen a lot of layouts that "fill" at least most of that space. I cannot speak to the situation in other areas of the country....... My current layout space for the last 20 years has been a bonus room above my detached garage/workshop, about 1,000 sq ft on the second floor, heated and cooled. Sheldon, A basement is a luxury one can ill afford in Phoenix. The ground is called "caliche clay." According to Stephen Reynolds of Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, “Caliche is a layer-like accumulation of calcium carbonate that is deposited as part of the formation of soil in arid regions.” Think in terms of naturally existing concrete. Trying to dig a basement out of this stuff would probably add 50% to the total cost of the house, so almost everyone here has concrete slab foundations. If I had that kind of money I'd lease one of the many vacant commercial spaces nearby. That leaves us with little space to negotiate from our spouses. That left me with room for a 3'–9" x 5'–10" free-standing layout design. That, in turn, moves me to N scale, leaving the larger HO collection in plastic storage bins, presumably waiting for the estate sale someday. But I have not seen snow since the last time I visited my in-laws in Massachusetts. On this December 18 the high temperature today will be 65°F and the low tonight 42°F. Nor have I experienced any tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes like the one that drove us out of L.A. in 1994. We make do with what we have, I guess. Regards,Bruce
ATLANTIC CENTRAL ...I can't speak to the "average" size of the "average" layout. But here in the Mid Atlantic, where even modest homes often come with a nearly "free" 1200 to 1800 sq ft space called a basement, many unfinished, I have seen a lot of layouts that "fill" at least most of that space. I cannot speak to the situation in other areas of the country....... My current layout space for the last 20 years has been a bonus room above my detached garage/workshop, about 1,000 sq ft on the second floor, heated and cooled.
...I can't speak to the "average" size of the "average" layout. But here in the Mid Atlantic, where even modest homes often come with a nearly "free" 1200 to 1800 sq ft space called a basement, many unfinished, I have seen a lot of layouts that "fill" at least most of that space.
I cannot speak to the situation in other areas of the country.......
My current layout space for the last 20 years has been a bonus room above my detached garage/workshop, about 1,000 sq ft on the second floor, heated and cooled.
Sheldon,
A basement is a luxury one can ill afford in Phoenix. The ground is called "caliche clay." According to Stephen Reynolds of Arizona State University's School of Earth and Space Exploration, “Caliche is a layer-like accumulation of calcium carbonate that is deposited as part of the formation of soil in arid regions.” Think in terms of naturally existing concrete.
Trying to dig a basement out of this stuff would probably add 50% to the total cost of the house, so almost everyone here has concrete slab foundations. If I had that kind of money I'd lease one of the many vacant commercial spaces nearby.
That leaves us with little space to negotiate from our spouses. That left me with room for a 3'–9" x 5'–10" free-standing layout design. That, in turn, moves me to N scale, leaving the larger HO collection in plastic storage bins, presumably waiting for the estate sale someday.
But I have not seen snow since the last time I visited my in-laws in Massachusetts. On this December 18 the high temperature today will be 65°F and the low tonight 42°F. Nor have I experienced any tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes like the one that drove us out of L.A. in 1994.
We make do with what we have, I guess.
Regards,Bruce
Bruce, being in the construction field myself, I am well aware how climate and geography effect housing construction and features.
Here in the Mid Atlantic, foundations must be below the 30" 100 year frost depth, so 36" deep foundations are required. Once you have dug a 3' deep hole, and cleared out at least a 2' deep crawl space, it does not cost much more to make the hole 8' deep and add 5' of height to the walls.
And new codes require even crawl spaces to have concrete "rat slab" floors, and insulated walls, so the extra cost of a basement has gotten even smaller in the last 15-20 years.
It maybe adds 10%, more like 5% in most cases, to housing costs here.
The other beauties of basements:
It already has a roof you were going to build anyway.
It is in the 55 degree earth, so the heating and cooling load of using it as living space is very economical.
They don't usually have many pesky windows to get in the way of layout design.
I admit, I am a die hard Easterner, you could not drag me to Phoenix, or LA, or Texas.
I like the green scenery in summer, I like the change in the seasons, I like the fall colors.
People talk about LA, but here where we are, I can be at the ocean in two hours or in the mountains in two hours as well.
My last layout was not in a basement. It was in the second floor of a detached garage workshop I designed and built. But there is a fun irony in that my retirement home has more layout space than my "dream home" from when I was 40.
richhotrain Looking forward to seeing a full set of plans, Sheldon. You are going to need to start a layout build thread. Rich
Looking forward to seeing a full set of plans, Sheldon. You are going to need to start a layout build thread.
Rich
Yes, I would love to get it posted for everyone to see. Working on several ways that might happen. Stay tuned.....
SeeYou190 That was a much longer answer than I anticipated. I was wondering if you had settled on a basic layout shape for your new space. It took me a while to decide what it was best for me to do in my 11 by 22 space I have available. -Kevin
That was a much longer answer than I anticipated.
I was wondering if you had settled on a basic layout shape for your new space. It took me a while to decide what it was best for me to do in my 11 by 22 space I have available.
Kevin,
I will make a simple drawing of the space, and the layout shape, maybe even with a simple layout of the mainline, and see if I can post it in a day or two.
The basement is L shaped, with the longest dimensions being 42'x38'.
The simple description is that the layout goes around the walls and has two peninsulas, but the total shape is controlled by the "L" of the room, a fireplace foundation and a small area for utilities, boiler, water heater, well tank, etc.
Looks like it might be a quiet weekend, I will see what I can do.
Alton Junction
The layout plan is complete, but not redrawn in a scale and format that would allow it to be legibly scanned and published. I'm working on that.
The drawing is 1/2" scale, pencil on mylar, full of notes and such and fills a 24x36 sheet. Basically a development drawing, but accurate enough that I could build it from that.
I am working on a three part larger scale version that will scan and publish better. While I have the ability, I dislike CAD or other drafting software, and I can't even imagine trying to draw this track plan on any of those trackplanning software packages. Those things make me nuts.
I am in the middle of my home improvements, moving a bathroom and building a walk-in closet where the bathroom was. The closet is done. The bathroom is roughed in but also requires reworking and replacing most of the 56 year old plumbing in the basement, made some progress on that today.
The plumbing project also includes adding a work sink to the model train shop area in the basement, and moving some sloppy plumbing from a later addition that would limit benchwork in one corner.
As soon as the plumbing is in place, about 1/3 of the basement will be ready for ceiling/lighting, workshop area setup, and benchwork.
Next home improvement project is bookshelves in my office to get the train library (at least most of it) out of the layout space.
Some of the other personal and business issues that had my time tied up are also now getting worked out.
I really wanted to have the track plan published by now, but drafting time has been limited by higher priorities.
PS - still having some operational problems posting today, unable to add quotes?
ATLANTIC CENTRALI am bumping this to the top in rsponse to an inquiry about my new layout plans.
How is the track plan coming along?
I guarantee you it is at least 100% better than mine is!
Thanks, Sheldon.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I am bumping this to the top in rsponse to an inquiry about my new layout plans.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain Great thread, Sheldon! A classic, for sure. Rich Thanks, now if I can just sell the excess real estate, and get past the global disaster, I will go hide in the basement and build the layout. Remember, I'm a carpenter, benchwork is a breeze......... Sheldon If I lived closer, and owned an N95 mask, I would drive over and help you with the benchwork. Rich can supply the mask...... As of this morning we only have 34 confirmed cases in the whole county, but, to be fair, there are only three small towns and not a building over four stories in the whole county either..... Sheldon
richhotrain ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain Great thread, Sheldon! A classic, for sure. Rich Thanks, now if I can just sell the excess real estate, and get past the global disaster, I will go hide in the basement and build the layout. Remember, I'm a carpenter, benchwork is a breeze......... Sheldon If I lived closer, and owned an N95 mask, I would drive over and help you with the benchwork. Rich can supply the mask......
ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain Great thread, Sheldon! A classic, for sure. Rich Thanks, now if I can just sell the excess real estate, and get past the global disaster, I will go hide in the basement and build the layout. Remember, I'm a carpenter, benchwork is a breeze......... Sheldon
richhotrain Great thread, Sheldon! A classic, for sure. Rich
Great thread, Sheldon!
A classic, for sure.
Thanks, now if I can just sell the excess real estate, and get past the global disaster, I will go hide in the basement and build the layout.
Remember, I'm a carpenter, benchwork is a breeze.........
If I lived closer, and owned an N95 mask, I would drive over and help you with the benchwork.
Rich can supply the mask......
As of this morning we only have 34 confirmed cases in the whole county, but, to be fair, there are only three small towns and not a building over four stories in the whole county either.....
Hi Atlantic Central
Yes I use the terms need and necessary this is purely in the context of a model railroad or planning one that has some sembelance of being a model railroad these do depend completely on what you are building.
IMHO There are certain things you need for it to be a model railroad instead of a train set thats a debate for another day.
I also tend to think like a railway employee when designing a layout after over thirty years as a railway employee now retired so no great surprise there.
You would be very suprised at the numbers of railway and ex railway people who are in the hobby.
While a model railroad may not be necassary a hobby of some sort is.
The anecdotal evidence is that those with a hobby are generally better off from a physical health and mental health point of view and tend to live a better quality of life and recover from lifes curved balls better than those that don't have a hobby.
I don't subscribe to the Empire vs Small argument I am trying to point out the conciderations for both are exactly the same only the size changes.
Mine is tiny it keeps me having fun and if I had wanted to I could have built something a lot bigger would it be better probably not I don't need room for large trains two or three cars and a caboose or combine is pretty representaive of the line , I do have the space even a plan for a short extension that reflects exactly the kind of railroad I am trying to portray this last point is the one that makes all model railroaders equal regardless of layout size
One day I might even build a layout that has a one scale mile of railroad all that would mean is a load more scenery to build as station and siding size would not need to change for anything other than asthetic reasons train size would not change.
I would just have to buy an extra box or two of flex track and more wood to cover the distance.
I like The very rural quaint offbeat feel many Shortlines and UK Light Railways had
regards John
richhotrain ATLANTIC CENTRAL richhotrain Great thread, Sheldon! A classic, for sure. Rich Thanks, now if I can just sell the excess real estate, and get past the global disaster, I will go hide in the basement and build the layout. Remember, I'm a carpenter, benchwork is a breeze......... Sheldon If I lived closer, and owned an N95 mask, I would drive over and help you with the benchwork. Rich
I can supply the mask......
John Busby Hi all Here are my thoughts it doesn't matter if you only have 4'6" square to play with or are able to build a scale 15 mile long main line empire. But the larger the layout the more bechwork you have to build and the longer it takes to get trains running. I personally see geting trains running is important. The larger the layout gets the more simplicity has to come into the design. Do I really need all those point motors does the whole layout need full signaling can I use train order or staff and ticket operations instead or for part of the layout Do I need all those blocks. Can simpler stations be used Railroad definition of station not model definition. Is all that complex track work really nessasary can it be done with simpler track formations. These descisions need to be made for cost and maintainance reasons along with seriouse how much time do I have avalable for this cost benefit is a bigger factor than you would think. The benefit side being the level of enjoyment the hobby gives you and train running time. I for one don't want to be spending massive time on maintainance and little time playing trains, its suposed to be the other way round. Size doesn't matter unless you have built something so big or so small it ceases to be fun for the owner. Before anyone says no one has a layout as small as 4'6' square mine is and for me creating a Light Railway the closest thing in the US is I belive a short line. This can be done in a small space and is quite chalenging and enjoyable and scenic thats the hard bit regards John
Hi all
Here are my thoughts it doesn't matter if you only have 4'6" square to play with or are able to build a scale 15 mile long main line empire.
But the larger the layout the more bechwork you have to build and the longer it takes to get trains running.
I personally see geting trains running is important.
The larger the layout gets the more simplicity has to come into the design.
Do I really need all those point motors does the whole layout need full signaling can I use train order or staff and ticket operations instead or for part of the layout
Do I need all those blocks.
Can simpler stations be used Railroad definition of station not model definition.
Is all that complex track work really nessasary can it be done with simpler track formations.
These descisions need to be made for cost and maintainance reasons along with seriouse how much time do I have avalable for this cost benefit is a bigger factor than you would think.
The benefit side being the level of enjoyment the hobby gives you and train running time.
I for one don't want to be spending massive time on maintainance and little time playing trains, its suposed to be the other way round.
Size doesn't matter unless you have built something so big or so small it ceases to be fun for the owner.
Before anyone says no one has a layout as small as 4'6' square mine is and for me creating a Light Railway the closest thing in the US is I belive a short line.
This can be done in a small space and is quite chalenging and enjoyable and scenic thats the hard bit
John,
I started this thread over a year ago fully acknowledging that size is not the measure of quality and that large layouts are not for everybody.
Large layouts can, and likely should be, built in phases, so trains can be running as soon as practical.
You used the terms "need" and "necessary".......nothing about a model train is "necessary".
But, if it does not fulfill the builders dreams and goals to at least some degree, what is the point? I have no interest in a short line or switching layout, at least not as my only operational option.
I am 62, I have been at this since age 10. By age 14 I was working in a hobby shop and a member of a well known club. By age 19 I was managing a train department in a hobby shop.
I have built a few layouts, last one filled 1000 sq ft room. I have helped others build some big layouts, some of which I designed for them.
I have a set of goals, if I cannot at least get close to those goals, I should stop now and sell it all.
I have said hundreds of times on this forum, everyone should enjoy this hobby however it suits them best. I take no issue with those who choose differently from me.
You also mentioned maintenance. In my 50 year experiance, including at the club, who's layout is now over 60 years old, well built layouts do not require tons of maintenance, no matter their size.
My layout will have about 70 Tortoise machines controling about 120 mainline and staging yard turnouts/crossovers. The remaining 40 or so turnouts in yards and industrial areas will be manual ground throws near enough to the layout edge. For two reasons - reducing cost and complexity, and because those turnouts would be manually thrown in real life.
Complex trackage - well yes, my layout will be a double track mainline representing a successful Class I line in the mid 1950's. There will be some slip switches, crossovers, double track diverging routes.........
BUT, I am only modeling one yard, one engine terminal, one medium sized passenger terminal (and a few small stations), etc. I am not trying to model both ends of some large system.
I would rather do it once and do it convincingly, and then just model a few scale miles either side of that small city.
My goals are long trains, large realistic curves, deep believable scenery that include more than just railroad related elements, and lots of big time railroad action.
My layout plan will allow good display running, single operator operation, or enjoyment for a crew of 10 or 12. This high level of operational options and flexiblity was also a design requirement.
Signals - again, this will be a model of big time railroading, it would be incomplete without signals.
I have the modeling knowledge, experiance, space and resources to accomplish this. And as I ease into retirement I expect to have the time.
ROBERT PETRICK Hey Marc- Have you started a layout build thread and/or posted a track plan? Robert
Hey Marc-
Have you started a layout build thread and/or posted a track plan?
Robert
Not yet, this is also one thing I need to do.
One of these days a blog will be open about this layout construction and I will share most of the stuff.
About he plan since the plan is hand drawn for now and I use a 1/1 scale do on a roll of paper;
I will try to take pictures of it and share them.
I
LINK to SNSR Blog
John Busby Hi all Here are my thoughts it doesn't matter if you only have 4'6" square to play with or are able to build a scale 15 mile long main line empire. But the larger the layout the more bechwork you have to build and the longer it takes to get trains running. I personally see geting trains running is important. The larger the layout gets the more simplicity has to come into the design. Do I really need all those point motors does the whole layout need full signaling can I use train order or staff and ticket operations instead or for part of the layout Do I need all those blocks. Can simpler stations be used Railroad definition of station not model definition. Is all that complex track work really nessasary can it be done with simpler track formations. These descisions need to be made for cost and maintainance reasons along with seriouse how much time do I have avalable for this cost benefit is a bigger factor than you would think. The benefit side being the level of enjoyment the hobby gives you and train running time. I for one don't want to be spending massive time on maintainance and little time playing trains, its suposed to be the other way round. Size doesn't matter unless you have built something so big or so small it ceases to be fun for the owner. Before anyone says no has a layout as small as 4'6' square mine is and for me creating a Light Railway the closest thing in the US is I belive a short line. This can be done in a small space and is quite chalenging and enjoyable and scenic thats the hard bit regards John
Before anyone says no has a layout as small as 4'6' square mine is and for me creating a Light Railway the closest thing in the US is I belive a short line.
Hi john
I completely agree with you, anyone make a choice, they are pros and cons about each approach.
Yours is small mine is huge, this has no matter.
Course I agree a big layout need some different approach and must be well envisioned including all the requirements he includes.
For me building this empire is really a challenge, this is a dream which comes true after 45 years; I never had done a small plan but only big ones; it's necessary to express me.
You don't need to have a complex trackwork because you build a big layout; for the most my design is a simple double track main line going along the wall ( walk around design) which go trough small villages with just a depot and one or two local spurs or just a siding; just a few industry along the line like mines.
Yes I have a few more complex trackwork in yards, three are designed a big one and two small one.
Yes I hope to run train quickly, so the first goal is to completely finish my main line, even some local turnouts will not be placed, I will come later to put them in place and these local tracks, but this way train could run.
Because of a long time design reflection, I hope to have planified for the most the construction of the layout, this include electrical stuff like block design and signaling.
But my approach about this is the KIS method, I will use only techniques which where hard tested from a while; not a lot of electronics in any case.
About maintenance, yes I'm extremely concerned about track maintenance and dust, somewhere they are brothers in one enemy.
About dust I will not cut any piece of wood in the train room, each piece of wood will be painted before or blowed as a minimum, no plaster use for scenery and no any dust work in the train room; vacuum used everytime and with good filters.
Track will receive after painting and ballasting a "No OX" treatment, I use it for years and the last time I refurbished the treatment it was in 2017; it's probably the more durable treatment we can use; he go over 18 months easily.
Anyway, not in use and even during construction the layout will be covered to protect him.
And in fact even if you are ready to build a small 4x8 all these rules could be applied for a better future of your layout.
Main line construction is probably using a two years period, including powering the track but I speak around 600 feet of track.
BIG PROJECT
Basicaly this thread speak about big or not big layout project.
I don't ask to debate about big or small project and all this involve about chance to have place to do it, time, ressources and all the all times debated things about it, with pros and cons and finaly with never really argumented answers.
A few of us know I have moved from Europe to Quebec.
Here I have the chance to have a very big room to place a N scale layout; this old wood workshop which is in a parallelogram form, is around 27' by 46' something huge is'nt it; there are severals adjacent rooms around this workshop; some will be used for the train purpose.
Well even I'm sixty I will build and extend my N scale layout to load the whole workshop.
Emphasis plan is around 650' of mainline as a minimum in N scale.
This is in fact a old live project; unfortunately I have wait a long time to make my dream true, you know live is not a quiet river.
But I have never lost the hope this could happen one day.
So during all this time I have buy and acquired numerous models, cars, locomotives, structures, enough to be active during the next coming 100 years !
Course this is a joke ( not really....)
Because now my time is counted somewhere I hope to have a nearly finished layout in the 15 years coming.
Many will say, that's a quick time for such a project; I'm may be presumptuous, but because of a professional background I have planified a lot of things, my track plan and the surrounding scenery is studied in a way to take not too much time to be build.
Because of this professional background, I prepare a lot of work in advance, many jig to build the grid benchwork structure, a metallic structure to support the layout, a planified electrical layout for the layout itself but also for the power of the room and all other things are already planified, remember I wait for this time since 40 years !
I have an old booklet full of remarks, sketches, mensurations and study about construction, a thinking book full of 45 years of patience.
I will use vertical scenery for the most, very impressive way to go, and quick to be build and usuable since I model a fictitious line in Virginia, many coal fields along the line; this kind of scenery is featured in MR with the Howard Zane layout.
I will also follow his use of Red Rosin paper, fast, easy, cheap ....and no dust.
Backdrop will ask no big construction since I will use suspended vynil backdrop, not often used in USA but with a good background in Europe, no joint, no filling, just hang it and paint it. ( not so simple of course but quick in the building)
No scene deeper than 2', so I limit the volume of scenery; most of the line is double track.
And yes big curves minimum is 16" in industrial spur but main is 18" as minimum some over 24" and this is N scale.
All the track is draw in place with the yardstick method to have very flowing track arrangement.
Industrial and yard will use #6 and #8 turnouts and the main exclusively #8 with some bigger one.
Track is ME wea code 55, Turnouts are Fastrack ( already an hundred build in stock)crossing Atlas and Peco; some Peco special turnouts like double slip will used in conjonction with the rest; switch machine are Hankscraft display motor and some Tortoise already put under my Port Allen.
This layout will include my Port Allen existing layout and the structure of Corinnesburgh the principal tow on the line, but with a new track plan and the replacement of the Peco code 55 track I used there.
Since I have acquired a lot of cars and locomotives during all these years; my fleet is already big but some models are missing for my emphasis of my Maclau Line.
I will use big steam power, I have a huge collection of Proto 2000 Y3 class in N scale, first and second run; I still wait for the arriving one day of a Y6 ( a better one than the old Rivarossi) and a class A, the well know Mercedes of steam locomotives; none of them are offered until now in N scale, I also have some Bachmann H6 locomotives; some of them are still in their boxes, never touched a rail; there is also a lot of smalller steam power but all are from the new generation which appeared after 2005 in N scale and replaced the old fashionned fleet of Rivarossi - Atlas steam power.
I'm missing some Proto 2000 0-8-0 switcher; I hope Atlas which has acquired the Walthers Life Like line, will propose a run in the next future.
I just acquired three BLI N scale mikado; they run as great as the old Kato Mikado, but they are better detailed.
Most of the cars are MT, Atlas, Intermountain and a few others, all are already body mount MT couplers, 33" metallic wheels; MT is the only coupler allowed on my layout; cars are all 33' and 40' cars, no bigger one; they are models of period I model.
Since I model during the 1930 - 1943 period a very few first generation diesel power exist on the layout, like S2 power, but none big diesel power of that time will come on the layout.
Yes a huge project but feasable and a power booster for my ongoing life today.
TOMORROW REPORT ( work started the 13 march 2020).
- Room is already cleaned ( tons of wood dust) and the suspended ceiling is alredy dissasembled for cleaning.
- New light of the room is planned and a new electrical layout for the room, with separate power for room lighting, layout lighting and layout power with a general protection is on the way
- Paint for the walls and ceiling is already on hand; I will use a low pressure airbrush to paint quickly all the room; I will paint the concrete floor too.
- Some works need a contractor and because of this very sad passing phase, works will be delayed probably and done later in the year.
- A first jig for the metallic frame which will support the layout and backdrop is under ongoing construction.
- My model workshop is on the way too, the walls are painted and lighting and power sockets are on the way
- I now use a second room to my general workshop, but I need really to rearrange it since a lot of the structural work for the benchwork will be done here to avoid dust work in the layout room, but now is a real trash room and I really want to have a better workshop.
A lot of work of course, but the sad time we all live now allows me to have a lot of free time which somewhere shortened the time needed to finish all of these before construction works; I'm further than I envisionned at this date.
Anyway, layout construction like benchwork, placement of Port allen which is still in his box, are scheduled late in this year, may be not before 2021 because a lot need to be done before and the time we all live now has somewhere an influence of my presumed timing; the contractor work is one of them.
I have done something a lot like you have with purposeful purchases to get prepared for a big layout project.
After building the 1:1 cardboard model of the future/final STRATTON AND GILLETTE railroad, I know exactly how much material I will need to build the layout.
With the arrival of my order from MB Klein last week, I think I have carefully collected nearly everything I need that could be predicted.
I have:
All the track and turnouts I need. 50+ Shinohara/Walthers solid frog (DC) code 83 turnouts, 6 Shinohara code 70 turnouts, 40 pieces of Atlas code 83 flex. 4 pieces of Shinohara code 83 flex, 3 pieces of Precision Scale code 70 flex, 5 pieces of Micro Engineering code 55 flex, and a 27 gallon tote full of Kato Unitrack for the hidden trackage. I also have 8 packs each of Atlas 9" code 83 straight and Atlas 24 inch radius code 83 track.
48 Tortoise switch machines.
Over 300 toggle switches and over 200 assorted junction blocks, barrier bars, & bus strips.
300' 10ga, 1,200' 14ga, 500' 22ga copper stranded wire in suitable colors. 60' heat shrink tubing. 3 pounds of solder. Well over 3,000 wire terminal ends. Too many miscellaneous electrical devices to list.
12 Troller Transpak 2.5 and 3 Troller Trackers. 4 Tech II 1500s. 1 Kato power pack.
14 Edsal Industrial steel legs.
8 Branchline Laserkits.
18 stall Walthers roundhouse and machine shop.
All the DPM and similar buildings I need for downtown.
About a half-dozen craftsman kits salvaged from local layouts.
Two Bowser turntables.
8 bridges (2 are brass).
About 50 automobiles and 10 trucks.
6 sheets of homasote. 6 sheets of 2" foam. 2 sheets of 3/8" hollow core paper board. 6 pieces of 14ga steel sheet.
Two 27 gallon totes full of scenic supplies. 4 gallons of white glue. 2 bottles of Kodak Photo-Flo.
Tunnel portals, cork roadbed, backdrops, bridge abutments, trees, figures, paint, and plenty of other supplies.
All I need to buy is plaster cloth, plywood, lumber, hydrocal, hardware, and some electrical components.
The point of all this careful purchasing was so that when construction begins, nothing can stop me.
I am very proud of how well this layout build has been planned out and prepared for.
9 months from now, and one year late: 01/JAN/2021, construction should be rolling right along.
Well, a few weeks have come and gone, and the virus has turned my world upside down, but I am still plugging a long at the track plan when I can.........
Hopefully bumping this will answer some questions, or prompt new questions from those reading Kevin's latest thread......
ATLANTIC CENTRALHope to post my plan here in a few weeks - we will see.
Looking forward to seeing it.
My plan is 90% an idea and 10% a real plan.