The Union Pacific Elmwood Route

The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - Printable Version

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The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-13-2009

Hi Folks,

Been quite a while since I've posted here. Lot's has happened since my last post in August, but to sum it up both my wife and I lost our jobs in Houston, so we decided to move back home to New Orleans (which we did Oct. 31). I luckily managed to get a new job after 2 weeks, and then we were able to lease a new home shortly after wards where the wife offered me full use of the tiny, single-car garage.

So fast forward a few weeks and here I am! New city, new job, new house, and now a new layout.

So here I'll be posting progress on this new layout that is based on the Model Railroad project layout, The Salt Lake Route shown in the Jan 2010 issue.

I've already posted a few things to my blog, so the first couple posts will be "catch-up" posts.

Also, here's a look at the removal of the Elmwood Subdivision layout from my Texas home: <a class="postlink" href="http://vimeo.com/6346558">http://vimeo.com/6346558</a>

Glad to be back!

Originally Posted December 1, 2009.
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Last night I started doodling around with a track plan for the new layout. I discovered that I can take my existing benchwork modules and arrange them to fit this exact plan. So another "Yippie!" for this plan. I mainly started working on trying determine the needed radius on the track. I have most everything situated excepted for the right section, and the upper industry spur (near the orange car shop). But so far it's coming along nicely I think.

I've also been thinking about the layout's location. I do like the valley side with the tunnels, but would like it to be a little more green. I couldn't really move it to a real southern location because it's pretty flat here with no tunnels, and keeping the tunnels might be a requirement as they act as a good scene divider on that side of the layout. The same goes for the industry side; something a little more urban/just-outside-of-town scene, rather than a rocky desert scene.

So I'm going to toss on my Freelance hat and call the layout the Union Pacific Elmwood Route and use some of the old layout info for it's background.
Here's a look at what the plan looks like so far:

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-13-2009

Originally posted December 2, 2009.
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Here's what I've done so far on the track plan:

[Image: Garage2120209.png]

The general feel is similiar to the original Salt Lake route in the magazine, but I was pretty much guessing on what radius curves were being used at spots.

Overall, I think it's a good plan. I have two spots on the industry side to do light switching and a double track main for continuous running for railfanning the layout.

Right now I have a few choices I could use for the main industry on the right side. My top choice though is the Superior Paper mill buildings I already have. I'll have to draw up all the buildings and see how they fit.

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-13-2009

Originally Posted December 4, 2009.
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Here's the latest plan. Still kinda playing with the spur lines to the car shop and superior paper.

I think I'm might move the switch to the the car shop sw to the left more. Looks kinda odd having the turnout wayyyy over on the right. I could even move the superior paper switch over to the right some and get rid of the crossover, though I think it could add nice visual element to the area.

Also thinking of maybe moving one of the crossovers on the mainline up to just after the bridge, to just add some visual elements there.

Also gonna clean up the backdrop so there's not so many little bends in it.

[Image: Garage120309.png]

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-13-2009

Originally Posted December 6, 2009.
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Tonight I unpacked all my benchwork, assembled the modules and laid out where the benchwork will go. So glad that the modules I already have will fit the size exactly.

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-13-2009

(Post are now current. This is from last night)

Been working on the benchwork here and there the last few days.

First I picked up some caster wheels from Lowe's. Siever's legs come with a hole drilled on the bottom for their little adjustable foot things. I had to drill this hole a little wider and deeper for the 2 wheels. They've been working great so far. I still need to add angle bracing to each leg just for a little extra support, though they work great as is.

I then decided I would go ahead and pre-wire the 16 DCC bus lines that'll connect to the BDL168 occupancy detector board, along with a primary Rail A/B bus. I've got 8 run so far. Might be a little overkill to run all 16 wires the length of the layout, but I figure easier to do it now than later under the layout. I also labeled each wire after each cross beam so there's no guessing as to which wire is what.

I also installed a little shelf for the DCS100 to sit on. It's zip tied in place so it isn't going anywhere.

And lastly, I installed additional bracing to support the wire panel.

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - Herc Driver - 12-13-2009

Outstanding bench work. Really nice and clean wiring layout.

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - tetters - 12-14-2009

As bad as it is to see the old layout come down after all that work, I must say, the time lapse video was really neat to watch.

Congrats on the move and its good to hear all is going well. Looking forward to seeing you progress on this project. It will be neat to see how you adapt the MRR mags trackplan and design to your own taste.

Thumbsup

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - Russ Bellinis - 12-14-2009

Welcome back. Your post makes me wonder how many others here on the Gauge are out of work. Glad you found a new job and new place with space for a layout. Looking good so far.

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - faraway - 12-14-2009

Your bench work is great but the wiring cabinet is outstanding. That is at professional level. Very impressive!

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - Steamtrains - 12-14-2009

Good to have you back on the "active" roster... 2285_

It's a shame what you have gone through, but things like that often turn out for the better...Let's hope this is the case...
Nothing like getting right down to business....I'm sure this new layout will more than make up for the previous one. I know many of us will look forward to seeing your progress and share of the outstanding work we've seen you do... Thumbsup

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-14-2009

Steamtrains Wrote:Good to have you back on the "active" roster...

Thanks for all the comments yall.

Steamtrains Wrote:It's a shame what you have gone through, but things like that often turn out for the better...Let's hope this is the case...

I'd say. We're glad to be back home near family and friends. We really started to miss it here. The wife is still looking for a job after 5 months of being unemployed, but I'm sure something perfect will come along one day for her.

Steamtrains Wrote:Nothing like getting right down to business....I'm sure this new layout will more than make up for the previous one. I know many of us will look forward to seeing your progress and share of the outstanding work we've seen you do...

Yeah, I know. I was itching to get back into railroading after everything that's happened. Luckily with the existing benchwork and materials I have, I haven't had to purchase a lot to get things going. Just some wiring bits here and there, but most of the major stuff I already have.

With the plan being a small, kinda simple plan, hopefully for once (after 4 layouts!) I can have a fully completed mainline in a few weeks and actually run a train all the way around! Icon_lol

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-22-2009

Tonight I finished up what you could call Phase 1. That is, all of the under-layout DCC bus wiring is installed, and the wire panel installed, wired to the busses, and powered.

The next step will be to work on getting the benchwork top installed and the center divider backdrop.

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - tetters - 12-23-2009

The way you run your wiring is so damn impressive. Very neat and professional.

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - nolatron - 12-27-2009

The other day I was in the garage when I looked at the layout and thought, "Hmm... that 4' wide section looks longer than it does on the plans." And sure enough, it is. Stupid me only made it 2' long rather than 4' long.

So... that means I've got some extra space to fill. I thought I'd toss in some kind of mainline junction here running off the layout. Might be useful as a little staging track or something.

Here's the plan I'm playing around with now.

Today I finished up the benchwork by adding the bench-top. I first installed several risers on the outside edge of the layout. These risers will let me contour the terrain down a few inches on the scenic side. Once I get track down and see where turnouts will go, I'll add some more risers in the middle for additional support.

Then it was time for the top. I used 1/2 birch bought in 2x4 sheets cut as needed. I was able reuse everything from the old layout again, along with 1 new purchased piece.

Not shown is some changes to the legs. I decided to remove the wheels and make the layout stationary. The layout was a little heavy for the wheels on these thing legs. So those got pulled off, and I then I added 2 additional legs on each side where there was a module joint.

Next up I'll be printing out the latest track in full 1:1 size to layout and plot the backdrop (and then track).

Re: The Union Pacific Elmwood Route - ocalicreek - 12-27-2009

Why is the top up on risers? Why not just down on the framing? On the plan it seems like you only have one section to be cut out for a river...the rest seems to be flat. Is there a reason I'm not seeing?

Galen