It is time to try and show what progress I am making at home on my layout. A bit about the layout...it is not modeled after any particular road, totally freelance. I was able to air-condition my garage..it gets hot in North Fort Myers, FL. So here goes with some pictures and descriptions. The layout board is 5 1/2' x 11' and I have it hung on chain from the ceiling.

In being able to tilt the board, I can work easily on the top or underneath (I use a secretarial task chair to roll about)

The layout will use DCC so the main buss wires went in.

When I started laying track, I knew one of the best decisions I made was to use the foam inclines. They were a snap to use. One thing that worked well, the inclines come in 2' lengths. By gluing the ends together, I used acrylic caulk, it was much easier to make the curves I needed working with an 8' long section than trying to butt each 2' section together as I moved forward.

This was my first trestle....sort of a different design....but it fit the limited area I had.

More progress. One thing especially nice about the foam inclines was the fact that a dual track fit perfectly on the width of the incline.

There is a gorge that will end up with three parallel trestles. Each one is curved and scratchbuilt. I used a JV Models trestle kit template for the bents.

The second of three trestles is installed.

Continueing on.....

The third trestle is installed.
As I think I said earlier, there is not much of my layout that is not elevated. There are three elevations and I hope to get a picture of one area that will have a train exiting a tunnel, with two trains passing overhead on two different elevations.
One of the tracks on the top level exiting the three trestle gorge area enters a station and industry area. This is shown here.


My next priority is to start building structures so I can begin to place them and work on the scenery.
As I said, it is a totally freelanced layout.....doesn't have a name yet. But I am sure something will develop.

Clever use of garage space! Do you have a way of stabilizing the layout as it hangs on chains when you are running trains? Your trestles are beautiful!!
Ralph

Precisely my thoughts....

Did you make those trestles yourself...Or are they pre-built..?? They look gorgeous....

Keep those pictures coming as work progresses...I need to steal your ideas, fair and square....

Love the trestles!

It will be really neat to see trains winding their way up and down and across all those trestles and inclines. Looking forward to further updates.

Really neat design and as others have written...wonderful trestles!

I'd vote to add legs to the layout board for a firm foundation when you're building and running trains. Using those metal beams was a great idea...no real fear of warpage in the hot and humid FL summer.

I envy the long and interesting runs you'll have with that layout design...that's a lot of track running through some what will no doubt be some great scenery.

Thanks for the comments and compliments. To try and answer a few of the questions:
The framing was made from 2’ aluminum angle. It definitely won’t warp which is necessary in our climate. I will consider legs (stabilizers) when it is all completed if that day arrives. Right now, I raise and lower the layout and tilt it depending on what I am working on, either topside, or underneath with the wiring. When I do run trains, mostly for test purposes, the layout hangs still; it takes a bump to get is moving but settles back down pretty quick.

I bought two JV Models Trestle kits for N Scale # 1014 Timber Trestle bridge and # 1016 Curved Trestle bridge. The kits provided me with a template for the bents and lots of wood…..all of which had to be cut and stained. I did have to visit my LHS to purchase more wood for the number of trestles I built. After that, the trestles were all freelance and scratch built. Once I had the bent pattern it was just a matter of building them to flow with the gorge; the center bents were all the same length, but those climbing the gorge varied. Each of the curved trestles was different depending on how much foam I cut out. I also used Micro Engineering Bridge Flex Track (code 70) for the track on the bridge. Getting the curve to each trestle was different and the most challenging. Individual cardboard templates were used and then the ME Flex track was curved to match. Fortunately, the ME track was fairly stiff and once it was bent, it didn’t try to slip back to its original straight shape.

One suggestion: obviously there was a lot of gluing involved in the trestles. I used “Canopy” glue and I would recommend it for any wood gluing. It dries clear and can be painted. It tends to get tacky much quicker that the other white glues but is still workable for 20 plus minutes. After that, I tried not to make any adjustments. I have also used it on laser cut wood kits….and it is really easy to use. Another good thing…it is NOT water soluble so you don’t have to worry about it coming apart if you get water on it or touch up some joints with an acrylic paint.

One goal I had was to avoid as much “dead straight” mainline as I could; I just wanted to get as many flowing curves as possible. Using the foam inclines was really really really a snap. Give it great consideration if you are considering any inclines in a future layout or expansion – and they are not expensive. With the inclines it allowed me to make the curves and go up and over tracks. And the degree of incline is accurate; I can’t imagine having to cut blocks of wood to get as accurate an incline as I got with the foam. I am hoping it will end up providing some good scenic possibilities. I used acrylic caulk to attach the inclines to the board; acrylic caulk to attach the roadbed to the inclines, and then 50-50 white glue and water to attach the track to the roadbed.

As I mentioned in the original post, the next priority it to build structures…lots of structures. As they come online, I will keep adding pictures and your comments are greatly appreciated.

One other priority is the building of four sound box cars. I hope to start a new post with pictures as that progresses…..it looks to be a very economical and effective way to add sound to N Scale…especially diesel locomotives.
Dwight77

Nice work dwight. I'll echo the comments on the trestles. They look great.

Your hanging arrangement is a good solution for those with a space issue. Looking forward to more progress photos.

Dwight,
Looking at all the trestle work ----- you were really "bent" on crossing those gorges !

Yeah, I know, but that's just me. You're off to a great start with that layout, it's going to be fun watching it grow.

Outstanding work...and I'll echo the compliments on the trestles - I've never seen an arrangement like that anywhere before, and it's great!

Very nice, never seen a layout hung from chains like that before. Just goes to show how resourceful modelrailroaders are!

Super Nice looking layout so far. And like all the others I love the trestles. I think you are going to have a very nice layout you can be proud of. Keep up the good work. and Keep the pic's coming.