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Lacon and Peoria (LP) IAIS / TZPR 3 rail layout

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member

This is not a prototypical layout and is more or less freelance.  It is being imagined and inspired by local landmarks and regional.  It is a mix of IAIS and TZPR lines that are local to me.  I will be switching a small refinery and a local grain elevator.  I didn't want to overcrowd the layout so I am keeping it very minimal.  I will eventually be adding ballast and a background.   

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This will be my 3rd (and hopefully final) attempt at building a layout.  The first was a nice size 6x12 solid square layout that really wasn't well planned out from the first place....  so I tore it all down.  The second was a 6x12 with a small bridge connecting to a 4x8 table and again I want happy with the bulk mass and design of that table so I ripped it down.  After MONTHS of planning and reading this forum I have come to a basic "wall" design that I am happy with!  It has a good footprint for what I want to do with a layout and I can say that I can actually go into the basement and take a breath and say "Yes!' this is what Im happy with!..  I call this the Iowa City layout because I am going to base it off of the Iowa Interstate small rail yard that is in Iowa City.  I live in Lacon Illinois and have watched Iowa Interstate and Norfolk Southern's run up and down the tracks near my house.  So here is the beginning of my layout that will have a small yard with engine shed and should be the footstep to my dream design.  Any questions just ask and I will answer!  Thanks!

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M MoonmanOGR Forum Member

Hi dcam88,

That looks like a good start!

 

What radius curves does that shape allow or will you be using?

 

Have you considered hinging the front section or putting in a lift up\out or drop-down for center access?

 

Did you make the height low for children?

 

Sorry about all the questions. You have my design mode activated.

H HOPPYOGR Forum Member

A great beginning.  Just two questions, as I plan a similar design that will butt up

against two room corners:  How wide is that portion of your bench-top that runs

along the wall?  And, if you stand at a corner, how far an arm's reach to the corner

where the walls meet?  Good luck with your build.  It's all fun!

 

     Hoppy

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Moonman:

Hi dcam88,

That looks like a good start!

 

What radius curves does that shape allow or will you be using?

 

Have you considered hinging the front section or putting in a lift up\out or drop-down for center access?

 

Did you make the height low for children?

 

Sorry about all the questions. You have my design mode activated.

 

Im not quite sure on the curve because I plan on getting Gargraves 37 flex so I guess I will find out!  I have fastrack with a 72 curve that fits right now.  And the table height is 32 inches high which my 5 and 8 year old can manage pretty well right now.  As far as a gate or access point for getting to the middle of the layout for right now I just climb under it until I break a leg and cant do so anymore.  And sont be sorry about the questions because I welcome them because it helps with my building process and ideas!

 

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by HOPPY:

A great beginning.  Just two questions, as I plan a similar design that will butt up

against two room corners:  How wide is that portion of your bench-top that runs

along the wall?  And, if you stand at a corner, how far an arm's reach to the corner

where the walls meet?  Good luck with your build.  It's all fun!

 

     Hoppy

 

 

I have pretty long arms but the reach to the corners is exactly 4ft and the reach from wall to front edge is 3ft.  I think this works out pretty well because I can fit some good scenery in there and also doesn't take up a bunch of space.

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member

Ive got a pile of trains and accessories building up so a trip to Menards and I will get storage racks and containers. 

 

I have decided on a base ground color on being a earthy brown and tan so im good in that department but my next quagmire is do I stick with my fastrack that I currently have or go with Gargraves and Ross switches?!!  Im pretty sure I will go with the second option.

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M MoonmanOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by dcam88:

Ive got a pile of trains and accessories building up so a trip to Menards and I will get storage racks and containers. 

 

I have decided on a base ground color on being a earthy brown and tan so im good in that department but my next quagmire is do I stick with my fastrack that I currently have or go with Gargraves and Ross switches?!!  Im pretty sure I will go with the second option.

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IMG_1276

It looks like your are ready to build!

 

Good planning allowing for 072. The GG & Ross combo will require more time and effort to install. Not to mention the additional purchase. However, it will allow you to fit in some sidings and an inside route that the sectional pieces will not.

 

I think the GG would permit you to fit what you envision.

 

It doesn't seem to me that this will be your last layout change, so leave the ballast loose. Then you can reuse a lot of the track on your the next change.

 

Have fun and keep the littles involved when you can.  Keep us updated.

 

Here's what I am currently having fun rebuilding

Last edited by Moonman
dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member

Been awhile but making some good progress on the layout and will post pictures soon.  In other good news I just purchased an Santa Fe F-3 TMCC AA units brand new from a truck driver at my work for $400.00 sealed in packaging...  He had them locked in his safe since he purchased them in 2005.  Stoked!  Will post pics of that also.

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
Moonman posted:

DCAM88,

Thanks for the update. Good to hear from you. Well, the question that doesn't get asked is "how long will it take?". You have made good progress in a couple years.

The answer is that it takes however long it takes.

Do you get help from the family?

 

Help from the family is the kids checking on the layout and the wife complaining about the money well spent!   That $20 signal could have bought us a package of toilet paper!   Ha

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
Rusty Traque posted:

A word of caution:  The older you get, the older crawling under the benchwork to get in the center becomes.

I have a layout with a similar installation, except with a lift out section (even that was better idea 30 years ago then than it is now...)

Rusty

I have updated that a few months ago.  I will post with my drop bridge.   

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
Rusty Traque posted:

A word of caution:  The older you get, the older crawling under the benchwork to get in the center becomes.

I have a layout with a similar installation, except with a lift out section (even that was better idea 30 years ago then than it is now...)

Rusty

A pic of bridge in progress.  image

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dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
CGWforever posted:

Cool! I have every IAIS engines powered and dummy also all rolling stocks that MTH made. I used them on my Central Division layout (C&NW in Iowa). Here are some pictures to share with you. 3DCFB096-EAC9-4B66-9770-4053755928134D56DB14-15A5-4C5C-A0CB-25A94A4ACB194C931AB9-A1C3-445E-BD74-5EE9E8178106

Now that is some nice motive power!  Do you live in the midwest?  I have trouble finding anything IAIS for sale anymore.  Thanks for sharing .   You should check out my other thread about modern engine sheds because I am building a custom Bluffs Yard maintenance facility.  

C CGWforeverOGR Forum Member

I grew up in small town in Iowa near Marshalltown, also lived in Bluffs for 20 years then moved to Minnesota where I live now.

I have 12’ x 32’ layout with around the wall type.

Yes, very hard to find IAIS stuffs. MTH made boxcar, tank, coil, stack cars and caboose. Glad I preordered them . 

Please send me the link for Bluffs engine shed. Thanks! 

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
CGWforever posted:

I grew up in small town in Iowa near Marshalltown, also lived in Bluffs for 20 years then moved to Minnesota where I live now.

I have 12’ x 32’ layout with around the wall type.

Yes, very hard to find IAIS stuffs. MTH made boxcar, tank, coil, stack cars and caboose. Glad I preordered them . 

Please send me the link for Bluffs engine shed. Thanks! 

The shed is on this forum under the main o scale thread... sorry I don’t know how to share that.  You should make a thread of your layout also!

dcam88dcam88OGR Forum Member
Rescued Trains posted:

Just now found this thread. Wow, great progress and quality work. Your boys are older now, are they taking part in the progress? Keep up the excellent work.

Steve

Much older now and very involved with the placement of structures and setup... and a lot of questions are asked daily by them also.   

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