Iron-Bridge-Rails (The I.B.R.) (Update #10))

Welcome!!!  It l(.)(.)ks like you have a pretty darned nice space for the trains.  Are you using any track/layout planning software?  The two (2) most common are SCARM and AnyRail... both are relatively easy to learn and are free up two about 50 or so sections of track/turnouts and around 39.00 to purchase.  They are well worth the time/money spent and they will save a lot of headaches down the road.

OH!  T-Bone... the moderators may want this thread to go into the Track Planning/Layout Design forum ...it's a better fit there. 

Welcome to the forum!  You're not too far away from me (Harleysville) and several other forum members.   You're off to a great start with your layout and I look forward to hearing more about your progress.

-Greg

Welcome, and, great looking layout plan!

Peter

With 8' wide tables, you will have to have walking access on all sides (though you may already know that, just can't tell from picture and diagram).  Also, be sure to leave plenty of room to access any other home infrastructure (plumbing, electric, etc.) that might be anywhere near your layout.  Finally, incorporating 4 different levels sounds like fun, but watch your grades (<4% is preferred), watch your grade transitions (at start and end of each grade), and watch how this may affect the scenery and size of curves you are thinking about.

Chuck

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

Welcome!!!  It l(.)(.)ks like you have a pretty darned nice space for the trains.  Are you using any track/layout planning software?  The two (2) most common are SCARM and AnyRail... both are relatively easy to learn and are free up two about 50 or so sections of track/turnouts and around 39.00 to purchase.  They are well worth the time/money spent and they will save a lot of headaches down the road.

Thanks for the information in reference to the software. I downloaded SCARM last night and started playing around with it, going to take me some time to get used to it but it is surly a invaluable tool to have!

T-Bone - I’ve examined your diagram but without the ‘grades’ I can’t tell whether you’ve incorporated ‘Horseshoe Curve’ into your layout.  Just kidding of course.  Welcome to the Forum!

PS - I wish I had the space you have available for a layout. 😉

@PRR1950 posted:

With 8' wide tables, you will have to have walking access on all sides (though you may already know that, just can't tell from picture and diagram).  Also, be sure to leave plenty of room to access any other home infrastructure (plumbing, electric, etc.) that might be anywhere near your layout.  Finally, incorporating 4 different levels sounds like fun, but watch your grades (<4% is preferred), watch your grade transitions (at start and end of each grade), and watch how this may affect the scenery and size of curves you are thinking about.

Chuck

The 23ft section is against a wall along with the 8.5ft wide section that is 10ft long (so both sides there), so I am actually going to cut an opening in the wall between the layout and the laundry area so I can access that portion...ugh. I've marked out in red where I will be cutting access points through walls and that section of the layout itself. I wish I was afforded the opportunity to walk all the way around but I'll take what I have and work on it to make it successful. I appreciate the information about the grades as I honestly wasn't sure what to set them at, so thank you.

Welcome to the posting side of the forum. You wrote that you had been lurking for some time, and it's great to see that you are now fully participating to take advantage of the wealth of knowledge available here.

So I have finally cleared out the space as I put in he diagram! I will be laying out on the floor sections of track to map out the placement of the benchwork this week and I'll take pictures for comments and suggestions. Thank you for the warm welcome!

@T-Bone1214 posted:

The 23ft section is against a wall along with the 8.5ft wide section that is 10ft long (so both sides there), so I am actually going to cut an opening in the wall between the layout and the laundry area so I can access that portion...ugh. I've marked out in red where I will be cutting access points through walls and that section of the layout itself. I wish I was afforded the opportunity to walk all the way around but I'll take what I have and work on it to make it successful. I appreciate the information about the grades as I honestly wasn't sure what to set them at, so thank you.

Rather than cut access holes through walls, you also have the option to cut access hatches in the layout, itself.

There are many creative ways to do this (do a search on the Forum) so that they are not visible to the casual observer and it may be less destructive.

@Richie C. posted:

Rather than cut access holes through walls, you also have the option to cut access hatches in the layout, itself.

There are many creative ways to do this (do a search on the Forum) so that they are not visible to the casual observer and it may be less destructive.

Thanks Richie! I was able to search around and found some very clever ideas!

Welcome.  I'm glad you decided to post something about your planned layout!

So it begins! Setting some track down to map out the placement of the benchwork. I started late last night moving boxes down to the basement and placing some track where the roundhouse portion of the layout will be, approx. 82 degree on the outside loop and hand bent following its curvature on the inside loop (approx. 75/78 degree). Did this so when I get the full scale bug Ill be able to run the really big engines without any issues.

Looks like a great start!  That's a tidy sum on track.  Good deal.  I did the same thing even though I had a track plan drawn in SCARM.  Three dimensional vilsual works best for me.

Looking good T-Bone. Nice load of track.

Bob

@Mark Boyce posted:

Looks like a great start!  That's a tidy sum on track.  Good deal.  I did the same thing even though I had a track plan drawn in SCARM.  Three dimensional vilsual works best for me.

Yup. I need to physically see and put my hands on it to make sure the plans are right...lol

T-Bone,

Sure looks like a plan that will work. One can't have enough access points and you are addressing them in first class order. I used the same materials list for track and turnouts. The layout (9' by 14') is 10 years old now (sheeesh!) and thankfully never had a problem with any of that. My access points were not done well and my 71 year old back lets me know! But we have been able to get it done. Welcome to the posting side. 8-) Look forward to seeing your progress.

Jim K

Getting things done slowly on the layout along with adding TMCC and Rail Sounds to a few engines I have. I'm thinking things will pick up once summer is over.

Quick update.

We (Wife and I) started playing around with the backdrop cloud configurations the other day plotting out and testing different techniques while adding and removing. The clouds here are just the base with no shading added in yet so this doesn't represent the final configuration as everything is always subject to change. I think I am going to paint the celling black since I don't believe it looks good white and I didn't want to paint it blue thinking it was too much. I'm thinking that by painting it black it will really make the sky scenery pop and your eyes will focus on the layout not be distracted by the white celling. Thinking back I should have rounded off the corners of the wall but I'm now planning on having mountains/hills in each corner to help it blend.

I really appreciate the feedback that I am receiving so please continue to comment, make suggestions or just say T.. what are you thinking...lol.

How did you all do your clouds? Share some pics and process if you can. Thanks!

The clouds look great. Perhaps darkening the bottoms a bit more would add some more depth when viewed straight on.

@Ron H posted:

The clouds look great. Perhaps darkening the bottoms a bit more would add some more depth when viewed straight on.

Thanks @Ron H You are correct more shading below is needed. So I went through what we had setup so far and ended up covering all but 4 clouds that we thought were good to go. I'll be working on this tonight adding more clouds back in and possibly in the future adding some hills.

I think your clouds look great, as do Ron's.  I agree Ron's shading really enhances the look.  Me?  I haven't painted clouds.

Hello all! Just me back from... well to sum it up quickly. Last year had a bought with cancer, later in the fall I had to have my 2nd hip replacement.. yup coming up on 52 this July and I have about as much metal in me as Evel Knievel did (God Bless the Marine Corps).

But that is neither here nor there!! I'm so excited to be back at building this layout!

Of course as I recovered... laying on my ***... physical therapy... I bought... well.. probably... the entire Alphabet RxR... it actually,  for one of the first time as a Veteran relaxed my mind, body and soul.

I will have pictures and hopefully soon videos of the build.

So here are some pics.

If you don't know where your electrical wires run or know how to figure it out... call a guy.

Almost forgot to mention. I am not an individual to keep secrets. If you are interested in any of my layout projects please feel free to let me know and I'll be more than happy to help you out!

Welcome to the Forum. There are lots of good people here. Bill Park

T-Bone, I am glad you are on the mend!  Thank you for your service!!!

T-bone,

Ditto to what Mark said. I look forward to seeing more of your progress.

Dave

Hello all! Wanted to give a build update and sorry for not posting as I go. I'm getting close to laying down the roadbed and track! It's all a one man show so things sometimes move slowly...LOL. I framed out all the benchwork, drilled holes for the electrical wire and added the under frame supports. I started to secure the plywood sheets down last night so I'm happy about that! Here are some pics of the progress in action.

Really Great work you're doing!  Thanks for posting your progress.

T-bone1214,

From what I can see you are doing everything in a systematic and organized way. Stay the course and I'm sure you will be very happy in the future. I am really enjoying your progress. Keep us posted.

Dave

SteveH and Dave. Thanks for the words of encouragement! Sometimes I find myself scratching my head and thinking "What the heck am I doing? Is this too much to figure out?" Nice to get the thumbs up from others that have gone through this early stage in the process.

Whenever something may at the time may seem a bit overwhelming, I, like others have mentioned, will work on something else for a while.  An idea for a solution to the issue will come to me later, either way progress continues.  Enjoy the journey.

T-Bone, looks like you have though it out and are executing it well!  I’ll look forward to seeing more progress as you are able.  Steve is right about stopping when things don’t seem to be going right, and doing something else.  I was probably near the top of the list he was thinking of.  😄

https://ogrforum.com/...0#176131613832803070

Thanks Mark! I'll be posting more frequently. I actually just walked away from the build to go outside and work on my new chicken, duck and goose enclosure. 16'x48'. Another ongoing project but I'm taking Steve's advice😉

Tinkering around today with the  mockup of the lift section for the layout. 12v DC actuator with control box and wireless fobs. The hinges will be recessed and hidden.

T-Bone1214, Looking good!  Control box and wireless fobs!!!  You are taking the actuator lift-up to the next level!  Yes, I could use wireless fobs for my two actuators!  It is fine when I am in the inner operating area, since the toggle switches are right there.  However, when I’m in the entry aisle, I have to reach over.  I have visions of getting my arm caught in between the two moving bridges!!  😮🤦‍♂️  Please share your method with us.

Mark,

Sorry for the delay but I actually found a better method for controlling our actuators. After your post I started thinking about a few options for you and then... I found it. So I even ordered one. Take a look and let me know what you think.

Control the actuator from your phone and it's not much at all, under ($20.00) If you have a Amazon echo or the Google thingy you can control it with voice commands. (Bridge up or Bridge down) but I would assume you should have limit switches with the voice function so the motor stops when it should.

NOTE:  EBAY LINK REMOVED PER OGR TOS.