It's hard to find words to put with this massive undertaking!  Trust me, you won't be nearly as impressed by my tiny 22 x 12 space for my layout.   There are very few club layouts that rival this effort in size, never mind home layouts.  I've seen a lot of home layouts, and none have even come close to this monster!

35 pages here on OGR dedicated to one layout is impressive and the chronology of what goes into something of this magnitude is admirable.  Thank you Elliot for sharing.

Excellent, amazing work!!!

WOW!!!

There are no words to describe the amount of time, energy and resources you have put into creating your layout.  Gust an EXCELLENT job!!

constantly impressed by this layout! an inspiration every time i see an update to this thread. awesome work!

Great job, Elliot!  Since I am at about the same stage on my scenery, I can appreciate the scope of the task.  My little layout isn't nearly the size of yours, but it certainly is an exciting phase of layout construction.  I added my first trees yesterday and it really makes things pop.

As always your reports are very inspirational, thanks for doing them.

Art

gunrunnerjohn posted:

It's hard to find words to put with this massive undertaking!  Trust me, you won't be nearly as impressed by my tiny 22 x 12 space for my layout.   There are very few club layouts that rival this effort in size, never mind home layouts.  I've seen a lot of home layouts, and none have even come close to this monster!

John, just wondering if you already have a layout plan for your new room?

Elliot, Excellent work! What do you use for ballast? The fascia came out perfect. Your layout when finished should be a museum. I am always wowed at your work each month- you get much more done then I could do in a year. I only have seen layout of your type with helix's etc. and multi decks in HO and N scale. You should be given KUDOS for thinking outside the box your a true pioneer in O 3 rail realistic operations IMO. I hope OGR does a blu-ray dvd, book, article or two on your layout as its more then news worthy!

Elliot, January has been quite a month indeed!  You do have a lot to show for your 5 years!  Patrick's painting and your scenery base sure does make the layout look great!  I like your power wiring considerations!  That is a precarious spot you are in on the floor.  I say that because I always aggravate my bad knee or bad ankle getting up from the floor!  Though I think you are younger than my 61 years, so you may have no trouble!   

On to the hobo camp.  While we don';t see them on contemporary railroads, I can see why your friend likes that image of the railroad.  You did well in humoring him.  I have learned to take anyone's suggestions into consideration in my layout building.  My preference is to build like the prototype was in the steam-diesel transition era, but I believe it pays big dividends to let my wife's or daughters's additions to the layout stay!  

I am glad to see a firm foundation under the power station.  Reminds me of Jesus' parable of the house built on the rock standing up to the storm, whereas the house built on the sand fell during the storm.  I would have bumped your station with my elbow if I had been on site.  Having worked in power stations a lot in the first half of my 42 and counting year electronics career, I have to have one, though I have decided it will be a flat or painted on the backdrop. 

You weren't kidding about the ballast collection a ways back!!  Wow!!  And I'll bet you will need more!!  

Scenic Express!!!  Yay!!!!  Now you have really progressed for sure!!

Lastly, thank you sooooooo much for documenting your layout build here for us!!!  I always learn something and really enjoy it!!

paul 2 posted:

Elliot, fantastic start to 2018 and end of January report showed tremendous progress. Taking the time to do everything right shows up in these pics. You should announce classes for speed layout building and scenery when yours is done. I'll sign up. When everything is all done the pics of the finished layout are going to be truly awesome. Thanks for this journey so far.............Paul

I would sign up too!!  It would defiantly be worth the roughly 900-mile trip!!  I would be going right past you Paul, so I could pick you up on the way!!!  If you didn't mind riding in my 15-year old jalopy!!  

I think I'd have to consider flying if I came out, it's more than 1200 miles.  That's a tall order in one day, at least for me!

mike g. posted:

John, just wondering if you already have a layout plan for your new room?

Not yet Mike, I first want to get some really accurate measurements to see exactly what room I will have for the benchwork.

Elliot, I wished I lived closer, truly.  I would love to be a part of this magnificent journey.  It's truly a pleasure seeing the monthly updates.

Although, if I lived near, it might make my wife and kids jealous of lost time so............

Dude, this is just utterly incredible!

More great progress last month! It looks like things are really starting to come together now! That has to be a good feeling!!

If I attempted such electrical work, I would end up electrocuting myself.

Much better way to wire a layout is the way I did it:

LOL

Arnold

PS: Seriously, Elliot, it looks like you have done a masterful job. Soon you will be simultaneously running 17 trains again.

What an amazing response from the "usual suspects" as well as some lesser heard from folks. Thank you all so much!!!

I want to give a special shout out to one of the forum's newest members. You'll understand in a minute why he's so special to me. You may never see him, he may just lurk. But the fact that he took the time to join the forum and put a like on the update post, literally brought me to tears (of joy). He goes by the screen name Big_Boy_4005_Jr. Have you figured it out? That's my son.

Brio and Thomas, Duplo and Lego and some Lionel too. He never didn't like trains, he just never liked them as much as I do. That's a tall order! I'm his dad, I can hope. I would love nothing more to share this hobby with him, teach him a wide variety of skills. Skills that many of us here feel are lost in the younger generation.

Conrailfan - Well it sounds like a number of things I've said have stuck with you. It's not really that important that you understand all of it, unless you want to try some of it yourself. In that case, ask me questions. I always answer them. Just ask Chester7 (Chad).

Roman - Sorry it's only one night a month. You can get the short version more often over on What did you do on your layout today?

Chad - Thank you, and yes I have. I haven't missed a day of work since October 9th, and over that period I'm averaging around 30 hours a week.

Pat - I'm really glad I waited until all the big construction and track was done. It's quite refreshing to switch gears and translate all the images in my head and the photos into reality.

Paul - I got some of my speed building from watching you work. I also used to build architectural models for a living in my younger days. Just wait til I start building structures. I use 1/8" plexiglass and skin over it.

Bob - Those hobos are going to be tucked away in that corner, under a bridge and behind some trees. You'll still be able to see them, but you'll really have to look hard.

John - Your space is decent sized, I'm anxious to see what you do with it. Some may be envious of the space I have, don't be. This is not all it's cracked up to be. That's why the nightmare is in the title. People are better living vicariously through my project. People ask me what I do for a living, and I give them a card and direct them to my Youtube channel. The pay is way in the red, but the fun is through the roof.

Matt - You're welcome, my pleasure. At some point, it will be ready for the magazine. Maybe they can even do a digital special issue or something. There's enough material.

NYC 428 - Thanks, this is about the tenth year of actual construction, though it was started fifteen years ago. I wasted five years in the middle.

Atanz - Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it. That's one of the reasons I do this. Updates are posted on the last day of every month, just before midnight central.

Art - Thanks, your layout is looking great. There's a chance we could be coming out your way in September. I'll let you know when we figure out the schedule. I have to see the progress in person.

George - The ballast is roofing granules from a quarry near here. I was lucky to get the stuff, they don't normally sell the stuff to the public. The fascia is not as perfect as you might think, and the plaster cloth has been rather drippy. I plan to go back and clean everything up. You're correct in your observation, that what I'm doing is very unusual for 3 rail. Actually Bob Bartizek has a 3 rail layout where he does realistic operation.

Mark - You have 5 years on me, but I have my share of aches and pains. Some of this stuff really makes my back hurt. Fortunately, a lot of the lower level can be done from my rolling office chair. I get more than my fair share of cuts and scrapes, especially on my legs. I have to be really careful.

Texassp - I do wish I lived closer to the geographic center of the train world. I would love to have more visitors or even helpers. And then I'm going to need operators.

Stephen - Thanks, with a hobby like this, a person shouldn't need another one.

RTR12 - It really is a good feeling after all these years. Soon as I get all the holes filled, I can paint the rails, and finish ballasting. Thing is, there's so much track, that's half the scenery.

Arnold - Thanks, on this one it isn't about the quantity of trains running, it's about running with a purpose. Hauling things from point A to B. I only have 9 cab-1's, but I am looking at the new Bluetooth stuff so some people could use their phones to run trains.

you certainly are a busy man! the progress is astounding and was nice to see you had some help from patrick.  so I noticed photo of division street and an area wide open behind it what are your scenic thoughts for that area?

I assume you have gotten medical issues to where all is managable again and feeling better as it appears you have as to the monthly progress reports are showing.

that's fantastic about your son maybe its the start of something bigger to come. 

as a side note if you get time to watch train's online a new one in flagstaff,az is up from virtual railways they have east and west facing camera's with sound trains galore.

run a train or two for us and just setback and enjoy your master piece.

Elliot, I totally understand your excitement and joy about seeing your son's interest in your layout.  That is a very cool development and I hope his interest continues to grow and mature.  I feel so fortunate that my son likes trains as much or more than I do.  I also have some grand sons with varying interest and I am very happy about that too.  I have learned that in order to truly experience the fun this hobby provides that you have to be able to share it with family and friends.  This forum facilitates that for any one that isn't lucky enough to have a lot of train lovers living in close proximity.

Art  

Wow  I dont know how I never saw this thread but that is one awesome layout   

Elliot- great to read that your son has joined the forum. Nothing wrong with lurking around

Not only do you produce all of this amazing work but the fact that you can take the time to thank each and every one of us is testament to your dedication to the hobby. You are truly one of a kind. If NY was closer to Minnesota I'd be there in a heartbeat.

Bob

bluelinec4 posted:

Wow  I dont know how I never saw this thread but that is one awesome layout   

Wow Ben, I don't know how you missed it either.  However, I know the feeling.  There are some threads that have been on here for years, updated quite regularly, that I have missed for a long time too.  Welcome to the Elliot Monster Layout Build group!  It is a fantastic journey!! 

Elliot, I may not reply every month to your posts here or on what did I do on my lay-out today but yours and that one plus a few others I keep up with. Have fallen behind since about Thanksgiving and playing catchup, Just got there on the two mentioned.

Glad to hear your son has joined your ranks, does he live near? I would guess not I don't remember him helping, or maybe I have for gotten.

Will be out here watching. Enjoy the updates.

Redball342

Wow! 

Thanks guys, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. Busy weekend.

My son seems to be a common theme in this batch of posts, so let me tell you a bit more about his situation. He went to UND and graduated in December of 2016. His final semester, he met a freshman, and decided to stay in Grand Forks. Unfortunately, they recently broke up. Too bad, because we really liked her, and even thought she was the one. Anyway, now he's stuck with the lease, which he just resigned. If he can find someone to take it over, he can come back sooner. It will be a scary leap into the unknown, but I feel that his job prospects will be better down here. BTW, he's a geography major, a subject near and dear to my heart.

Ray - That's a good question. Gonna have to make it look like Lowertown. C&NW freight house, depot concourse and a photo backdrop of the river facing skyline all come to mind. No trains will stop there. CHS Field too modern. I'll have to check out those cameras. I spent the better part of an hour standing on the platform watching when we were there. Great spot!

Art - You are so right about sharing! I've been doing that almost all my life. It has taken on many forms over the years. This is just the latest.

Ben - Welcome aboard! This topic is easy to miss, because it only comes up at the beginning at the beginning of each month, then it typically goes away for 25 days. Comments made mid month usually don't get a reply from me, unless I catch them right away. When that happens I usually give the post a like, and not a full reply. I believe in forum etiquette, and try not to bump this, until the next update.

Bob - Thanks. I was pretty tired the other night, and didn't think I was going to catch everyone, but I made it. I feel I owe everyone a reply, since they took the time to comment.

Redball - Thanks, it has been a few months since you last posted here. No problem. I expect that everyone here has a life beyond trains. I hope I'm the only one who violates that assertion. Trains are my life. But maybe that's part of the reason people are so interested in what I'm doing. It's also the secret to the pace of my progress.

Pennsy484 - Sometimes a simple WOW says it all. Glad to have you aboard!

Message to all: Just because I say something to a particular individual, doesn't mean that it's some private message. Feel free to read all of their posts and my replies. Your secret questions may be answered.

Elliot; Thanks again for the updates. What a layout!!

Please watch your sugar levels. I have the same problem and I know how it can catch you unprepared.

Thanks again,

Jay

You're welcome Jay, and thanks for reminding me to take my insulin. I was about to head downstairs without it. Got it now. Off to work.

Hi Eillot

This should be noticed as the 8 wonder of the world, It is absolutely outstanding. The size, the amount of man hours, is just amazing, I tip my hat to you !!!!!

Alex

Elliot, I’m speechless. The volume and quality of your work and your friends work is amazing. Seeing the layout with scenery is going to be impressive, no doubt!!!!

Elliot,

You sir are amazing!      I love your updates.     Hope your medical issues have improved.    Some day i hope to see your wonderful layout.

Well it was a short month in terms of the number of days, but it wasn't short on progress. Patrick came over twice, and we almost finished filling in the holes in the lower deck benchwork. We'll be wrapping that project up in March. The other major projects that I worked on were rail painting and ballasting. There were also some minor projects that had my attention.

I took a lot of pictures again this month, but I'm going to try organizing them in a different way for you. I did some work in all four aisles of the layout, so that's how you'll see them, by section within each aisle. Here we go:

AISLE 1

Hastings

I started to apply plaster cloth over the foam riverbanks.

Planning out the girder viaduct on the near track.

Still lots of open benchwork here.

The riverbed is now in place.

I filled in between the fascia and the track.

I cut away the roadbed for the viaduct.

I bought some Chooch bridge piers from Scenic Express, but they were way too tall, so I cut them down and made a couple new tops.

I took some cardboard and filled in the east bank of the river.

I took apart an old trestle bridge and reused the materials to make the new viaduct. I had to order more materials the other day, and hope to have this done in March.

Cottage Grove

The rail is painted. This is kind of a before shot.

I ballasted and glued the two curves at the end of the peninsula.

Patrick installs supports for the OSB.

The supports are all in between the tracks.

OSB is in place, but wait, there's more!

I'm installing more cardboard.

Then I covered it with plaster cloth, and ballasted the lower track.

I filled in behind the upper track.

I added the 6" piece of OSB along the front track, and ballasted almost down to St Croix.

Patrick and I got the rest of the riverbed in place.

Patrick finishes the OSB at Chemolite. The opening is an access and will be covered by a building.

More cardboard embankments.

44th Avenue

I painted the Northtown bowl tracks.

I ballasted and glued the mains all the way down the straightaway and around half the curve at the far end.

The switches are ballasted...

and glued.

AISLE 2

Newport

I continued to put down plaster cloth.

Patrick and I filled in the corner behind the curve.

Plaster cloth complete at Newport.

A little more ballast work over at Pig's Eye.

Glued.

35th Avenue

The yard is painted.

Shoreham

More rail paint

This section is done.

AISLE 3

Dayton's Bluff

Patrick and I filled in the benchwork, leaving an access hole.

The rail is painted.

Most of the ballast is down and half of it is glued.

I filled in this little sliver, so I can ballast here.

Western Avenue

I carved the roadbed in this section.

This is the last section of benchwork that still has to be filled in. We got part of it done before we had to stop for the day.

I painted the track in this area.

I need to move these cars before Patrick comes back on the 10th. My plan is to finish Northtown and move them there. Then I can paint here.

Park Junction

More paint.

Midway

I started fastening down the pavement between the tracks at the intermodal facility.

I carved some more roadbed here. Still a ways to go.

Then painted the rail here. I still need to get on the ladder and do the two tracks in the back.

AISLE 4

Hiawatha

More ballasting, I'm about a third of the way done in this section.

Painting, ballasting and roadbed carving will continue until complete. Painting is getting close. Carving may be done in March. Ballasting will be going on for a while.

Yesterday, I got the phone call I've been working for. My guy on the layout tour committee for the National Narrow Gauge Convention. He'll be coming out in a couple weeks to take pictures and get information. I've been working toward this goal for three years now. The convention is just six months away. When the pictures are done, I'll really have to get busy to get it looking good and running again.

Thanks for the update. It is enjoyable to follow your progress.  I appreciate the "filled in between track and wall" type comments. I've done a lot of that kind of thing and it takes longer than you'd think and at the end doesn't look like much, but it's like move the ball forward little by little. I get it.  

WoW really lookin good Elliot eh  

Simply amazing!

You've accomplished an amazing amount of work this month. It's fun to follow your progress. We're all rooting for you to be a hit at the convention. Thanks again for sharing.

Man Elliot as usual, amazing. 

Elliot, that was the best report yet because you have tackled all the hard monotonous stuff and got to the final phases of bringing the layout to life. I have enjoyed watching this evolve over past few years. Looking forward to videos of the trains running through the scenery..............Paul

WOW Elliot, for being a short month you and Patrick just busted ***! Things are moving along so nice, I just am amazed with all the work you have done and how you just keep going! Kinda like the Engizer Bunny! LOL

Keep up the great work! Also keep your health up there also!

Another great update Elliot. You guys make a great team.

Bob

Elliot every time I feel tired and out of energy on my layout, you post another update and it gets me going again.  I don't have half the size layout or a fraction of the medical issues that you do, so what's my problem?

Seriously you do a great job of motivating me and I love seeing your progress.  

Two quick questions:  I see you are using Masonite for your grade crossings.  How did you determine the correct size gap to leave for the wheel flanges?  And what are gluing it to the track with?

Art

Looking good!  I always enjoy reading your updates.

Nice Elliot!!!!!

I just have to go back over all the pictures every once and a while to absorb the depth and detail of this build.

It never ceases to amaze me.

Larry