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Hello all, I hope this is the right place to post this, I wanted to share photos of my hi-rail layout.  This is my first layout of this type, my previous one was built when I was a teenager this is going to be my last.  I have spent the last 10 years slowly building it and dreaming of what I wanted it to look like and how I wanted it to operate. It is about 80% complete, there are still little details I will always be adding, but for the major part it is almost there.  There is a working turntable, classification yard, a station complex and industries with sidings (Scrap yard with Gantry Crane, Brewery, Cabinet Factory, and lumber mill).  I used Atlas track for the visible sections and tubular for the hidden.  The layout is a dogbone style, and has an interconnection track hidden to connect the lower section to the upper main line. MTH DSC is used to control the layout. There is only one piece of the layout I can not find a spot for and will have to omit is a large coal breaker with sidings for cars.

 

 

I am modeling the spring of 1961, the Erie and the DL&W have been merged since the past September, and the variety of paint schemes is still evident on the line.  The a new one stall engine house has been erected on the grounds where the roundhouse stood, it was destroyed by fire years ago and a portion is still standing, (In Scranton where I live the roundhouse did burn in the early part of the 20th century and many engines were destroyed, the railroad did leave and use the sections for a time until a new roundhouse was constructed.) The D&H and NYO&W still make stops to the yard  and have trackage rights from time to time, A DL&W Camelback has been preserved and is used on special occasions, but sadly there is no money to restore #565 (which rests in Steamtown in Scranton ) it needs an upgrade to this new PS2 drive system and is on the back burner but it is saved from the torch. 

 

I am always learning so please if there are any tips, suggestions please pass it along..

 

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Last edited by bbsfdl60
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Very cool pictures, nice-looking layout.  If you don't mind my asking, in the second photo...what's that retaining wall made out of?  And in the last photo...did you attach all those threes and shrubs to a flat, horizontal surfce first and then "glue or fix" that to the painted backdrop?  Or did you apply them directly to the vertical surface?

 

- Mike

Originally Posted by mike.caruso:

Very cool pictures, nice-looking layout.  If you don't mind my asking, in the second photo...what's that retaining wall made out of?  And in the last photo...did you attach all those threes and shrubs to a flat, horizontal surfce first and then "glue or fix" that to the painted backdrop?  Or did you apply them directly to the vertical surface?

 

- Mike

Mike,  the retaining wall is very simple.. sheet rock, balsa wood for the vertical supports and a piece of quarter round moulding to hide the top edge of the rock.  I painted it a concrete color.  the wall hides the two hidden tracks.  I will attach photos of what it was like before.  I got my inspiration from my the Lackawanna, in Scranton they raised the mainline so that it crossed over the two main arteries in town.  the result was a concrete retaining walls that was filled and still stands and is used today. 

and for the backdrop, I will attach photos it will be easier to see.  the trees are pillow stuffing, ripped and rolled into balls, then black spray paint and woodland scenic to give them life.  I attached wire screen to the wall and anchored it to the layout on a pretty steep angle.  then spackling compound and details made the rock face,  then lots and lots of hot glue to attach the trees to the screen. 

Thank you all for the compliments,

 

Cape, to answer why it hasn't been scene is easy, I just joined the forum and the layout itself is just at the point were I am ready to show it, and also I wasn't sure anyone wanted to see.  This forum has lots of posts with peoples layouts so I figured what the heck...

 

I have a few more to show, they are of the lumber mill, the scrap yard and my favorite , the fire scene

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Originally Posted by Strogey:

Looks GREAT! I also realy enjoy the roundhouse scene. Something that has never been done as far as I know, or at least that I have seen! Don't forget about the Sunday Scenic Showcase as well!

Thanks, I am Career Firefighter in Scranton and keeper of history, the roundhouse in Scranton burned in the 20's and in our collection are shots of the burned out remains of engines, the story tells of railroad workers pulling out engines while the fire raged and firefighters battled.  So it fit you know...

Originally Posted by audi:

Looks great, I am an EL fan as well. Particularly like your description of the engine that needs restoration but funds are unavailable. Life is the same in any scale I suppose. Fred

Thanks Alan, I try to think too much into the design of the layout, hence the corny descriptions.  That way they fit into the artistic and "historical" view of the layout.  I am a full fledged train geek.

Originally Posted by Mike R:
Wow! Great layout!

Keep the pictures coming! Please try and post some more info about the layout, ie... Size, track plan, control system,etc.

Thanks for posting all the pictures. Keep'em coming!

Mike R
 
 
Thanks Mike, the construction is 2x4's built framed like a wall.  plywood and particle board for the large sections.  For the track frame, 2x2's and plywood.  I used Atlas O for the sections that are seen and tubular for the hidden sections.  The yard tracks are gargraves.  All switches are Atlas.  The control is MTH DCS.  Power is a MTH z-4000 for the double main line, a Lionel KW powers the lower branch line and the yard.  I used 16 gauge speaker wire for the track feeds. (every 10')   (Still having minor DCS issues, after I get Barry's book I hope it opens my eyes to the solution.  )
The overall shape is a dogbone, the size is 25' x 17'x 23'.   At each end of the dogbone it is 8'x7'  and 8'x14'  the rest of the layout is 4' away from the wall.  I will try to draw up a track plan .. never did one before. 
Originally Posted by FOXCHASERR:

What did you use to make your trees along the wall and top of slopes?

 

I used pillow stuffing, torn and rolled into balls then I used black spray paint, woodlawn scenic ground foam cover.  I used coffee cans, filled with a small amount of material.  toss it in the can then set to dry.  I saved the "waste" foam and used them on the layout in carious spots.  Waste not

bbsfdl60,

 

I just found this thread. Nice work! I saw that wall and said, I know where it's from!

 I'm going to presume that since you live in Scranton, that you get down to the ATMA train meets in November and February at the Allentown Fairgrounds. If you do come to the next one, be sure to swing by the HiRail layout on the west side of the hall and introduce yourself! There are a couple of us that know a bit about the the E-L and Scranton in general, and we would love to talk with you.

 

Chris

LVHR

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