My “under the layout” salt mine. OR.....Show me what’s under your layout.

Nice scene. However, just a little FYI. Having worked in the salt industry, I can tell you that salt is never shipped in open hopper cars. It is always shipped in covered hoppers or boxcars to protect it from the elements. What building did you use in addition to the Menards salt plant? The other building looks right at home for an older mine.

Jeff

Really nice scene, JDFonz!  I have a multi track subway and eight track yard under mine -

Hi Jeff, I’m not really sure what the building is. I bought it used at a hobby store. It is actually an HO structure but I installed O gauge doors to repurpose it.  Just a note, I have many Morton closed hoppers, as well as Morton boxcars that the running train that runs through this area pulls. Your info. is well received though. I guess I’ll just say the open ore cars are for underground transport only. Sound ok? Thanks.

Joel

Nice Straphanger,  I always say anyone can build a layout, but the real talent is building a layout under the layout! 👍

@JDFonz posted:

Nice Straphanger,  I always say anyone can build a layout, but the real talent is building a layout under the layout! 👍

Exactly, JD - as you’ve done so well with your salt mine. I’m surprised more people don’t take advantage of that under layout space and do the same. When there’s no room to expand horizontally, building below is the only logical (and necessary) option.

Nice work on the mine scene JD. The only things under my layout are file cabinets and train storage. I claimed the air rights over the cabinets when the building permits were issued.

Next layout will have a subway. Growing up on Long Island and traveling to Manhattan for years, it's a requirement.

Bob

"Do you have anything “under your layout”? I built a salt mine under mine. Show me what you have."

Hi John,

No particular reason for the Salt Mine, aside from the fact that I did not have anymore room up top for the Menards structure. So after some contemplation, this is what I ended up with.

Joel

C’mon guys, what do you have under your layout?

Joel, great way to expand the layout and unique use of structures.

I put another layout under my upper layout.  Allowed me to expand my layout without taking up more of the basement, which my wife appreciated.

Nothing but the soon to be business end under ours......

This is where I hide all my power & control stuff. Of course, there are some boxes scattered around the layout for Lionel LCS functionality.  I even have room for expansion on the one panel...

JD - beautiful

Only thing under my layout is a village I called the 'spaghetti wireville"

I hear you Joe, my wiring is nowhere near as neat as gunrunnerjohns. But, it is not so bad that I can’t troubleshoot.   Jet, nice work on the under the layout winter scene.

joel

JDFonz, that salt mine complex is awesome, very artistic.

Having run out of "above grade" space, I too have contemplated modeling the underworld; and, I thought of modeling an underground cityscape, a small area however that could only be about 2' x 3'. The idea was motivated by Seattle's underground city, ostensibly buried during a late 19th century earthquake, and they built a new city on top. Kolchak's Night Strangler episode also inspired me, the scenes of the underground were eerie.

While not exactly under my layout, I am currently working on building a seashore scene under a long truss bridge...it's taken me all summer and am finally seeing it to completion.

@JDFonz, great idea!  I really love it.  I am thinking about making a coal mine under our layout as we've run out of horizontal room.  The biggest hit on our layout has always been a small coal area with some wooden bins and a 97 coal loader.  I'm not sure how I could connect the under ground area with the top though.  Maybe just have some space where loaders or what not could dig around...