A blank slate to work with!!!

In addition to those solid suggestions,above, regarding lighting, I would advise:
1. Sheath the walls w/something.
2. Make the platform/layout bigger. (You will, eventually, do so; you might as well go whole-hog for it right up front, if feasible, IMHO, Timothy.)

Here is (most of) where we started:


My wife envisioned a typical 4x8 sheet of plywood layout when she "OK'd" my first layout; however, I ordered twenty such sheets and a ton of 2x4's for the very first effort.

...and here is where we went, eventually. It was she who suggested, a year or two later, knocking down walls, moving a cellar-to-garage door, and adding 20'x5' to the overall 300+ sq ft. layout. Pictured on the right of this first photo is the first "finished" section of the added layout space.


..and here are a few shots of rest of that added space...




...and here's the control panel for it all:


We asked ourselves what was more important, a layout or having a cellar w/ room for storage? We voted unanimously for a layout. Yet, I must confess,we did find ourselves occasionally strapped for storage space. Then, we realized we had all that space under the layout, so we are happy as can be.
Helpful? (I hope.)
Frank

Frank, that is a fantastic layout.

And I don't mean the size, but the detailing and the right mix of scenery and trains.

Fantastic layout and pictures, Frank. Curious about the first picture. Is the high building with the fire escapes scratch built, or whose kit was it or kitbashed from?

Jerrman

quote:

Originally posted by Vulcan:
Frank, ...the detailing and the right mix of scenery and trains.

Vulcan, I hadn't thought of this aspect previously. You're the first to mention it. It certainly wasn't planned. When I started, I found myself wondering, "How much can a grown man watch a train go in a circle (no matter how convoluted)?" So, as much as I liked buying trains and laying track, I found it equally enjoyable and important to craft a miniature world for them to traverse. I discovered I wanted to experience something besides just trains on my layout. I was "ready for more." Making a layout is a very personal expression, IMO.

Thank You, also, Vulcan, for such generous approval of what my layout has become.
Frank

quote:

Originally posted by Jerrman:
...Frank. Curious about the first picture. Is the high building with the fire escapes scratch built, or who's kit was it or kitbashed from?
Jerrman

Thank You, Jerrman.
Regarding that tall building, serendipity built it. That is, while attending a train show in a church basement in Connecticut, quite a few years ago, a vendor who had seen my first layout in OGR Runs 163 & 168, insisted I buy a box he had that was full of wall pieces he had collected; he asserted he was pretty sure they were made by Yorke, and that I'd surely find a use for them eventually. Subsequent to that purchase, a friend told me he had a few such pieces which when added to what I had gotten in Conn. would add up to a nice building. He said he'd craft it for me and surprise me w/ his success at it.


What you see was, then, weathered and affixed w/ signs by me. Perhaps a year afterward, I found the firescape (handmade of brass) on a fella's table at York, but I wasn't sure if it were the right dimensions for the tall building. That didn't matter, however. I obeyed a philosophy toward getting stuff for the layout which dictated that I had to have it, regardless of possible usefulness, and bought it, hoping for the best. It fit perfectly.


Serendipity.

Frank

Serendipity works really well sometimes. That time it really did. Reminds me more of some of those older Magnuson structures, rather than Yorke but either way it's a beauty. Some of the other buildings I think I recognize as Downtown Deco. Are others Ameritowne but weathered well?

Jerrman

Timothy,
Beside the light issues, is coming fine!
a question, for what is the hollow center?
I have a small layout too full of details and fun.
Looking forward for more pictures.
Andre.

quote:

Then, we realized we had all that space under the layout, so we are happy as can be.

but sooner or later you might run out of room under the layout.i sure did.i dont have no place at all to store train items anymore,whether under the layout,wall etc etc.

as to the original post....by all means more light.do a little investigation if you are going to use fluorescent lighting as not all fluorescent bulbs/tubes are the same in regards to the light they put out.

try not and be in a big hurry.think things out first and by all means look to this forum for help.

have fun

thop.........

quote:

Originally posted by Timothy Earll:
Hello all I recently just started my lionel legacy layout. Let me know what you think i should do

LOL! Well you have to start some place... I remember when I started my 'Layout' it was couple of loops of 027 on the basement floor!

Tim,
I would look at refinishing the basement first, keep what you have up so you can still run trains though... keep up the good work and update us with some pics in the future!

quote:

Originally posted by J Daddy:
.... I remember when I started my 'Layout' it was couple of loops of 027 on the basement floor!...

Exactly - me too!
Frank

quote:

Originally posted by Jerrman:
Serendipity works really well sometimes. That time it really did. Reminds me more of some of those older Magnuson structures, rather than Yorke but either way it's a beauty. Some of the other buildings I think I recognize as Downtown Deco. Are others Ameritowne but weathered well?

Jerrman

Frank (Moonson), wasn't sure you saw this post earlier. Curious about some of your other city buildings. Thanks.

Jerrman

quote:

Originally posted by Jerrman:

quote:

Originally posted by Jerrman:
... Reminds me more of some of those older Magnuson structures, rather than Yorke but either way it's a beauty. Some of the other buildings I think I recognize as Downtown Deco. Are others Ameritowne but weathered well?

Jerrman

Frank (Moonson), wasn't sure you saw this post earlier. Curious about some of your other city buildings. Thanks.

Jerrman

Thanks for the reminder, Jerrman. I've been busy hosting dinner parties, here at Moon Township, for several days and forgot to scroll back up the line to where I had wanted to respond to both your messages. I've been exhausted and just made replies to a few threads here-n-there on OGR when I took a break after the festivities.

You may be right about the Magnuson factor because as I said, the vendor asserted he was pretty sure they were Yorke sections, if I recall correctly; it was more than a decade ago when I made the purchase. You're correct about the presence of Downtown Deco and Ameritown buildings in the neighborhood, heavily weathered, for sure, and some other manufacturers are present, too. Several kits and "built-ups" were "bashed" around a bit, too...





Timothy, This array of structures is contained in one relatively small section of my layout, in an approx. 8'x3'area. When you are ready to craft a setting for your trains, a whole lot can be done in the space you have made available for yourself. You don't need big(a relative term, certainly) necessarily; you may simply want impact.
Frank

You have a real talent for setting scenes, Frank. One more question if you don't mind. I see you have a lot of awnings on your buildings. What materials do you use for them? I like the effect they give to the city.

Jerrman

First: Overhead lighting from both LED lighting strips and compact flourescent light bulbs.

Second: scenic Backdrops or scenic Backgrounds of the sky and distant terrain.

Andrew

quote:

Originally posted by Jerrman:
.... One more question if you don't mind. I see you have a lot of awnings on your buildings. What materials do you use for them? I like the effect they give to the city. Jerrman

I sure don't mind the questions, Jerrman. It's a pleasure to share. I also much appreciate the approval.
The awnings are made of a wire framework with masking-tape (not the blue type for temporary house painting) as the "canvas/fabric" which is painted w/ acrylics or leftover interior housepaint. However, I am considering changing to "Gorilla Glue" brand duct-tape because the masking-tape becomes brittle and too dry, over time (I've discovered,) giving the awnings a low tolerance for being touched.
Frank

quote:

Originally posted by Moonson:

I sure don't mind the questions, Jerrman. It's a pleasure to share. I also much appreciate the approval.

Frank

And I (we, I'm sure) appreciate the great tips. Many thanks.

Jerrman

Timothy,

The best suggestions have already been stated - lighting and the walls. Not that big a cost in the overall scope but the effect of doing both will greatly enhance everything you do on the layout.

While I can still do the walls on mine, the lighting is a bit tougher and boy I sure wish I had addressed it in the beginning. Good lighting with dimming capability is a must.

Thanks,
Ed