My New Build Thread...

You are making great progress!  Looks good!

Your layout is coming along nicely. The overhead floods seem to cover the tables well.

Yes Dan, the floods were a good move, they fit the bill perfectly.  I have them on a dimmer also for late evening runs. Jim, it's funny to me you think I run a neat workspace, I'm really like the Tazmanian Devil in there and it's a mess to me.  lol.  Let's see what I get done today and over this week.   I took off the whole week of Thanksgiving so I have the next 8 days off.  Of course, there is supposed to be other things happening around the house too!  

Just read through your thread Hp..... very nice work. Looks like it's going to be a great layout.

I like the old ball-peen hammer you are using too. Looks like it's been around for a while.

Bob

It’s reallY taken shape now! Looks great.

Bob, that's awesome you spotted the hammer.   Perfect for tapping the little things.  Yes, it was dad's and is all of at least 50 years old.  One of my favorite little tools to use.

Looking great so far, I'm enjoying watching this come together.

Thanks, Alex

Had my first successful test run today.  Woohoo!

Congratulations!

A little more building going on over the last 2 weeks.   The pics are mostly to chronicle the progress and I'm trying to show detail so that others may learn from my good and "stupid" ideas.   It's my first build so not all of it is first rate, but I'm trying.   The whole tabletops are covered with homasote and I'm using woodland scenics inclines for the grade.   The areas where you see a one foot gap are for later scenery ideas that have yet to come to me.   I used 3/4" multi ply 4 feet long by 12" wide for the two areas you see the crossover switches.  I've always heard it's important to keep those switches level and on plane if there is a slight incline.   I'm confident this way will work well.   The end side of the layout you can also see where I intend to put a bridge from Trainwerx in Dallas.  I'm still at loss to how I am going to scenery this layout, so that's going to be a whole other learning curve.  I also haven't started wiring underneath.  Just a few feeders to test it, I still need to do the real work.   Soon I hope.   That's all for now.

HP, Thank You for all the pics of your progress. I've been following your build. It looks GREAT. I too am about to begin a new layout approx same size, but i'm a good 6-8 mo behind you.  Electrical and Drywall done. This xmas  drop ceiling, track lighting, vinyl floor, entry door.  Hopefully spring - backdrops and begin table construction - L-girder w cookie cutter w homasote.  I like your leg levelers. I have the T-nuts, deciding on which foot to use. I love your backdrops.  I've been considering model RR backdrops.  Can you elaborate on yours - material type, mounting method, any issues.

Thank You. Keep up the good work.   

The layout is looking great!!

Nice work HP. Good progress so far. Keep it up.

Andy

Looks great, congrats on the 1st powered test run!  What type of stuff do you plan on running on your layout? 

Thanks, it's coming along.  My biggest challenge is figuring out the wiring, but that's coming along slowly also.  Back in May 2021, I inherited about a dozen locos and 60/70 postwar cars, so I've been researching, planning and building ever since.   I also have a few locos and cars from 1982.   Finally I ordered a couple new locos from the latest catalog, still waiting on delivery there!   My layout is all 072 and 082 so I hope to run some of the larger scale offerings.

Spent a few hours today glueing together my new "B54" bridge from Trainworks in Dallas.   It's about 40" long and was an easy build from their kit.   Seems to be very strong, I'm excited to have it on the layout.   First pic shows the spot it's going, second is the bridge itself.   I plan to use fake stone wall wrap around the columns, and to paint the rest.  I figure grey rockface columns with one color paint for the bridge and a contrasting color for the Lionel letters.   just need to figure out the color scheme.   Advice appreciated.

The bridge is very handsome.  I do not have a good suggestion for painting.  It sounds like you want it to look mostly concrete, but need to emphasize the lettering with a color.