Is there any post war in that collection, or is it all modern?

That is an impressive collection and even nicer basement (especially in NYC). Is it a brownstone?

Good luck with the build and do keep us posted.

Bob

eddie g posted:

Is there any post war in that collection, or is it all modern?

I have most of the Lionel GG1s, FM Trainmasters and SF F3s made.  Not variations. One of each issue. And the occasional steamer.  No pre-war.  So yes, lots of post war.

RSJB18 posted:

That is an impressive collection and even nicer basement (especially in NYC). Is it a brownstone?

Good luck with the build and do keep us posted.

Bob

Thanks.  Saying NYC was technically correct but I'm in Staten Island.  Raised ranch with full basement. Fairly unusual house plan on SI but lots of other fully and semi detached houses with basements.

Nice space: If you have to be stuck inside, that's a nice place to be!

Chris Lord posted:

RSJB18 posted:

That is an impressive collection and even nicer basement (especially in NYC). Is it a brownstone?

Good luck with the build and do keep us posted.

Bob

Thanks.  Saying NYC was technically correct but I'm in Staten Island.  Raised ranch with full basement. Fairly unusual house plan on SI but lots of other fully and semi detached houses with basements.

I built many raised (high) ranches on LI with full basements. Makes for a big three level house. Lot's of stairs tho.

From the photos it looks as if you have a large collection of scale length engines and cars.  You also have a larger collection of traditional sized equipment.

I suggest that you try to use a minimum of O-72 curves throughout your track plan so that you can run scale length engines and cars.  Some of your mainline curves appear to be a bit smaller than O-72.

I know a person who runs a scale length Lionel Big Boy on O-63 but the overhang is awful.  He can't run the engine at all on his inner loop.  The bigger the curves the better.  

If you didn't have all those beautiful shelves full of trains, I would also suggest that you consider an around the wall layout.  Around the wall layouts generally give you more layout space for a given size room.  NH Joe

Chris, you need to go back to the drawing board and include a lower level subway to run those nice subway trains you have on the wall.  Maybe even an elevated line for that incredible Mets train.  I would kill for a basement like that here in Florida. You’re a lucky guy.

All those trains and one subway ruined with a mutts logo

New Haven Joe posted:

From the photos it looks as if you have a large collection of scale length engines and cars.  You also have a larger collection of traditional sized equipment.

I suggest that you try to use a minimum of O-72 curves throughout your track plan so that you can run scale length engines and cars.  Some of your mainline curves appear to be a bit smaller than O-72.

I know a person who runs a scale length Lionel Big Boy on O-63 but the overhang is awful.  He can't run the engine at all on his inner loop.  The bigger the curves the better.  

If you didn't have all those beautiful shelves full of trains, I would also suggest that you consider an around the wall layout.  Around the wall layouts generally give you more layout space for a given size room.  NH Joe

Thanks for the feedback.

The outside loop is O-72,  the middle is O-54 and the inner is O-31.   I wish I had room for more O-72 but I really want lots of building, lights, etc. on the layout.

Fortunately, I belong to the NJ Hi-Railers and we have LOTS of large runs and that's where I run my large steam.  I just bought a couple of sets of O Scale Haulers on sale and that will make it a lot easily to get stuff back and forth.  Also, members at the NJHR store trains and have display cabinets so I also have a good number of large items there.  

A round-the-wall layout would be good except it didn't make sense to me to have all those locked up in my storage unit!

bluelinec4 posted:

All those trains and one subway ruined with a mutts logo

Bah Humbug!

LETS GO METS!!!!!

😁😁😁😁😁

Looks like fun, Chris

Well,  I'm making progress.

1. I put together a mock up to check the table height
2. I decided I could cut my 40" legs down 3 inches.  I had about 6 inches of head room.
   1. I pulled out the levelers
   2. Drilled the center hole deeper
   3. Cut 3 inches off the legs
   4. Reinstalled the levelers
3. Started putting together the benchwork.
4. Should finish the benchwork legs tomorrow and then on to the plywood and homasote.

Off to a great start Chris. If your going to do it now would be the time! 👍

I dont know what I like better  The Super high tech measuring device or the heart shaped swing

So far, color me impressed, Chris.

Though I must comment, while the layout itself is still a work in progress, on the beautiful presentation of the display shelves and all the associated trains so neatly organized on them. It definitely lends a striking first impression!

Mikado 4501 posted:

So far, color me impressed, Chris.

Though I must comment, while the layout itself is still a work in progress, on the beautiful presentation of the display shelves and all the associated trains so neatly organized on them. It definitely lends a striking first impression!

I wholeheartedly agree. Chris that is an awesome train room. I wish mine looked half that good. 

WOW Chris...

Your collection of trains is awesome. I like what you are doing there. I also am planning on a complete rebuild once my new house is built. I will have a wide open basement measuring 30 X 62 with a bump out of 23 X 18.
I am only dreaming of what I am going to do with all that space.

I am also going to finish all the outer walls and the floor first. 

Keep us posted as you go along.

Brian

Chris, Nice start on the Mianne benchwork!  That is a great collection s well!  

Popcorn is in the microwave...

Dave

It's looking good so far!  Keep us posted so we can all live vicariously through the build.

-Greg

Gorgeous room and love the plan!

Peter

It's been a week or so since I posted my last update and I've made some good progress.  

I got all the Mianne Benchwork put together,  squared it off and leveled it.  I had a few days delay as I forgot to order the spiked furniture leg cups to protect the carpet (which held up the leveling) but fortunately they were something Amazon was delivering right away (go figure!)  So I have them in place and I'm in the middle of laying down the plywood and then the Homasote.

I'll post some more pics when that's complete.  

First is a walk around the benchwork video then some pictures during its installation and squaring it up.  

Here's some photos of it during installation.  Any distortion is due to me taking a panorama.

Chris, It looks great!!

Nice work Chris.

I've been making slow but steady progress on the layout benchwork.    Mianne is all installed.   The 3/4 inch plywood is down and the 1/2 inch Homasote is also down.  I just finished spackling the seams and tomorrow I'm going to paint it green.  

One thing I haven't decide on is the outside trim.  I'd love to find some 3 inch by 1/2 inch outside corner moulding.  I haven't been able to find anything like that.  I did find some Rapidfit Moulding at Lowe's that looks what I'd like but at $45 per 8ft I think it's a LITTLE too pricey.  

Anybody have a suggestion?

I also finished the inventory of my MTH Scaletrax and it looks like I have everything I need with A LOT left over.    Keep a eye out for a For Sale item soon!

Pictures.  Any distortion is due to it being a stitched together panorama.  

Oh and by the way.  This what I do when I'm not working on the layout.    A little backpacking to prepare for my Scout trip to Philmont in 2021. 

Nice progress Chris.  I used 1x6 boards for the edge trim. I have it about 3/4” above the table top to create a lip. It hangs well below the table frame to allow me to staple my skirt on the inside.

 I caulked the seam between the table top and the trim so material did not  leak through in scenery work.  

when done I painted it flat black.  

Looks nice Chris. I thought I had commented here before, I guess it got eaten by critters. Keep up the great work, can't wait to see more.

Why corner molding? Use chair rail, casing or similar and add a strip on top if you want. Alternately put a strip of 1 x 4 and then add a corner molding to the top. I don't think you will find what you are looking for in one piece.

Will posted:

Why corner molding? Use chair rail, casing or similar and add a strip on top if you want. Alternately put a strip of 1 x 4 and then add a corner molding to the top. I don't think you will find what you are looking for in one piece.

Why corner moulding?  Because I'm lazy!  I hoping to find a one piece solution but I'll probably go with two pieces as you suggested or a edge routed 1 x 6.  I have time.  I'm not going to attach it until the track is down.

Thanks

Chris Lord posted:

I've been making slow but steady progress on the layout benchwork.    Mianne is all installed.   The 3/4 inch plywood is down and the 1/2 inch Homasote is also down.  I just finished spackling the seams and tomorrow I'm going to paint it green.  

One thing I haven't decide on is the outside trim.  I'd love to find some 3 inch by 1/2 inch outside corner moulding.  I haven't been able to find anything like that.  I did find some Rapidfit Moulding at Lowe's that looks what I'd like but at $45 per 8ft I think it's a LITTLE too pricey.  

Anybody have a suggestion?

I also finished the inventory of my MTH Scaletrax and it looks like I have everything I need with A LOT left over.    Keep a eye out for a For Sale item soon!

Pictures.  Any distortion is due to it being a stitched together panorama.  

Oh and by the way.  This what I do when I'm not working on the layout.    A little backpacking to prepare for my Scout trip to Philmont in 2021. 

 

I would use some 3/4" x 4" or 6" popular or clear aspen.  Cut the notch out with a table saw and round off the top edge with a router which you could do either before or after install.  A lot cheaper than Lowe's and you could stain or paint to suit.

Who the heck is that old guy in the picture.  

  Great train room - and Mianne benchwork.

The crystal ball says" A great layout is in your future!"

bluelinec4 posted:

Who the heck is that old guy in the picture.  

You're supposed to be looking at the screen to read the forum, not a mirror!

Chris Lord posted:

bluelinec4 posted:

Who the heck is that old guy in the picture.  

You're supposed to be looking at the screen to read the forum, not a mirror!

Nice try Santa Claus but I have non glare screens

Looks great. Ben, you are a tough act.😁 

Nice that you and Chris are good friends. 

Your suppose to shave your face not your head. 

Jim D.

WOW- rough crowd.

Nice progress on the bench work Chris.