SP&S Bend Oregon Layout

[mountaingoatgreg]

At the new location in Lewiston, I have a shed in my yard that will serve as storage shed, work shop and a place to house a layout. Although I probably could pack a lot of switching in the area my plan will be to use this a test bed for Free-mo modules. Since the space will be a multipurpose space I have to make compromises to best utilize the small area.

The lower level will have a small work bench and a station for my airbrush. I do not plan on using it as my primary work area, but I figure it is always nice to have a place to finish projects. It also seems that you never have enough flat surfaces when it comes to model railroading.

The second level will be the layout. I would not consider it a traditional layout as its main purpose will be to test out Free-mo modules. The majority of the layout will be a shelf style layout that will be anchored to the wall. Along the back wall a 10' section will be left open to allow for modules to be placed in the layout and tested.




There will be a lift out section in front of the door also the two windows in the front of the building will most likely be covered over on the inside.

The scenery will be modest and based around the area near Bend Oregon. I do plan on painting backdrops based on photos of the area around Bend to set the scene. I may fill in the larger corner areas with a few permanent structures, but we will see.

The top level will be for storage and I plan for it to be suspended from the ceiling in order to keep as much space between the layout and the upper shelving. This should allow for more work space and ease of access to the layout.

Here are a couple of renderings of what I have planned.

[BOK]

Well thought plan, Greg. It looks like you are well on the way to another great layout particularly with your artistic skills as a painter.

Maybe room for Lucas to run some trains with Dad too?

Barry

[mountaingoatgreg]

Thanks Barry

One of the main reasons for the simple design was to allow the kids to have a place to run trains. I also think it will keep me focused by keeping it about getting trains running instead of building a complicated switching layout. Here is the first set of modules I plan to plug into the space once it is ready.

[mountaingoatgreg]

[MountainMan]

Interesting concept. Obviously, your "layout" design serves your primary purpose quite well.

[mountaingoatgreg]

Mountainman. Yeah the plan is not that interesting by itself but I think it will work well for what I have planned. Since it should be easy to build once I get the room ready the permanent part should be able to get running in a couple of weekends.

[mountaingoatgreg]

I spent some time looking around my "Train Shed" this weekend trying to find some things I packed away. I was able to move some boxes around and review my plan in my head. I am really anxious to start things, but there is already way to much to do around the house to get involved with playing in the "shed." I do plan on getting the top shelving in place mainly as a way to make more room to work on the rest of the project. I know I will have some time at the end of December and plan to take care of it then.

Like most of my projects I plan to document my progress, or lack of progress. So to start here is the exterior of the "train shed"



As you can see it needs a little "updating" to the exterior including cleaning the roof, adjusting the trim, fixing the landscaping, removing the shutters and planters. We also plan on painting the main house this summer and I will make sure there is enough extra paint to match the shed to the house.