02-04-2010, 06:30 PM
Thanks Steve. I'm really looking forward to seeing your layout develop. It looks super already!
Hi Matt, how have you been? Really long time! Hope you are well, have you had time to work on a layout?
Thanks TrainNut, I benefit from the input I get here at the Gauge. I continue to plod along with the area in general, and post occasional updates in that thread.
Tetters, I originally planned on handlaying all visable trackage. I first used Atlas code 100 for the entire lower level, to get running. Then I replaced one scene with hand laid after which I decided to build the second level. I guess that goes back to what I mentioned before about running till I tired of circles. So the throat for the yard area for the upper level, site of the first few pics, was hand laid (important because I wanted a flow of rail you really can't get with commercial turnouts) on a roughly 2x8" sheet of plywood, with a laminate of luan. I thought I could spike into the luan. It turned out 50% of my spikes bent so I had to predrill spike holes. I felt that I must be nuts. Of course, upon completion of the yard I had to run trains up and down the helix and connect with trains on the lower level, so until I tired of that, construction stopped. When I resumed, I started using code 70 flex track for the straighter runs between turnouts, and then the Micro Eng turnouts if I could use a #6. I used Central Valley turnout kits at the end of the Garfield branch and really like them. I bought a box of the Central Valley tie strips to replace some of the Atlas code 100 on the bottom level, if I ever get to it! All a very long way to say perhaps 33% of my visable trackage is hand laid.
Now, I got interrupted a few times trying to complete the original post, so here is the rest. #588 crosses the Passaic River to reach the runaround track at the end of the branch. Sorry I didn't take some time to dust off the river!
Here a car of steel rod is being delivered to Quinn Ball Bearing. You remember seeing their loading dock earlier. The branch travels a scale 3/4 mile to reach the same spot it left near the end of the branch. But Garfield and the yard are not connected directly. Since there is no scenery here yet, I can point out the expandable foam beneath the track on the ramp. I sprayed expandable foam and kept the top level using a piece of wood with wax paper attached. Then I was able to install the homabed roadbed, glue ties down and lay rail. The curve the train is on is 15" radius, and on a 4% grade.
A quick look down the future street.
Hi Matt, how have you been? Really long time! Hope you are well, have you had time to work on a layout?
Thanks TrainNut, I benefit from the input I get here at the Gauge. I continue to plod along with the area in general, and post occasional updates in that thread.
Tetters, I originally planned on handlaying all visable trackage. I first used Atlas code 100 for the entire lower level, to get running. Then I replaced one scene with hand laid after which I decided to build the second level. I guess that goes back to what I mentioned before about running till I tired of circles. So the throat for the yard area for the upper level, site of the first few pics, was hand laid (important because I wanted a flow of rail you really can't get with commercial turnouts) on a roughly 2x8" sheet of plywood, with a laminate of luan. I thought I could spike into the luan. It turned out 50% of my spikes bent so I had to predrill spike holes. I felt that I must be nuts. Of course, upon completion of the yard I had to run trains up and down the helix and connect with trains on the lower level, so until I tired of that, construction stopped. When I resumed, I started using code 70 flex track for the straighter runs between turnouts, and then the Micro Eng turnouts if I could use a #6. I used Central Valley turnout kits at the end of the Garfield branch and really like them. I bought a box of the Central Valley tie strips to replace some of the Atlas code 100 on the bottom level, if I ever get to it! All a very long way to say perhaps 33% of my visable trackage is hand laid.
Now, I got interrupted a few times trying to complete the original post, so here is the rest. #588 crosses the Passaic River to reach the runaround track at the end of the branch. Sorry I didn't take some time to dust off the river!
Here a car of steel rod is being delivered to Quinn Ball Bearing. You remember seeing their loading dock earlier. The branch travels a scale 3/4 mile to reach the same spot it left near the end of the branch. But Garfield and the yard are not connected directly. Since there is no scenery here yet, I can point out the expandable foam beneath the track on the ramp. I sprayed expandable foam and kept the top level using a piece of wood with wax paper attached. Then I was able to install the homabed roadbed, glue ties down and lay rail. The curve the train is on is 15" radius, and on a 4% grade.
A quick look down the future street.