New Layout 2021-24......Update, August 12, 2024

Great News ! It will be really cool to follow your progress!!

Have you ever thought about a layout ?

Congrats Peter. Looking forward to your build.

Bob

That's great Peter, I'll bet this will be a doozy!   Looking forward to the progress pictures.

WOW Peter, that's a wonderful wife! I hope she set aside some extra funds for all the new train items your going to need to fill such a big room! I cant wait to see the new layout build in progress!

@Putnam Division posted:

My current layout is about 10 years old....

It is 6x16' on 3 levels of Mianne Benchwork. The Top level is a 2x16' engine  facility.

You can expect regular updates.....I intend to finish this new layout!

Peter

“I intend to finish this new layout!” - I believe that phrase will be carved on all of our tombstones

I do have one question about your old upper level, Peter... does it connect to the main level or does it require the use of the flying five-fingered crane to move serviced engines onto the mainlines???

I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

if anyone deserves a bigger train room, it's certainly gotta be you.  Glad to hear it.

= walt

Looking forward to your updates Peter.

Breaking down your beautiful current layout has got to be heartbreaking but building a new one will be great fun.

What will happen in the old space? Will you be salvaging parts of the current layout? What did you learn and will do differently on the new layout?

Pete,

I am so pleased for you.   This is great news!!!   

Some unsolicited advice:

• Don't be in a hurry to "get trains running"
• Get it right the first time - do-overs are demoralizing

Best of luck.  I will watch this thread with great interest.

Again - congratulations on your retirement.  I hope this brings you much joy.

George

Awesome news Peter! Can't wait to see what you will create in your new space.

Dave

Peter, I have enjoyed watching trains run on your present layout, but am really looking forward to seeing what you build in the attic.  Now that you are retired, you should be able to move along at a very quick pace!  Oh!  I'm retired, and my layout progress is crawling along at about the same speed I was taking down Christmas lights and Nativity display this warm (35 degrees) afternoon. 

Just kidding, follow George's advice and don't get in a hurry!

Excellent, Peter! Nice size room you are getting. I'm jealous! I second (or is it third) George's advice. And be certain to leave room for visitors!

Chris

LVHR

@Apples55 posted:

“I intend to finish this new layout!” - I believe that phrase will be carved on all of our tombstones

I do have one question about your old upper level, Peter... does it connect to the main level or does it require the use of the flying five-fingered crane to move serviced engines onto the mainlines???

I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

......the flying 5 fingered crane......it was great conceptually......if, I did it again, I would plan on better lighting underneath......I used battery-operated LEDS, and they weren’t enough.....

Peter

@Lionelski posted:

Looking forward to your updates Peter.

Breaking down your beautiful current layout has got to be heartbreaking but building a new one will be great fun.

What will happen in the old space? Will you be salvaging parts of the current layout? What did you learn and will do differently on the new layout?

The old space will be basement living space.....and one wall will eventually be built-in shelves with a library ladder......I have a huge history book collection (separate from my collection of books on railroad history and model railroading).

The Mianne Benchwork will be reused and I will get with Tim for an expansion.

I believe that I will switch to all Ross track and switches. I am toying with a few plans.....

The big changes are that I will try to leave more room for viewing and have at least one O72 loop.

Peter

@G3750 posted:

Pete,

I am so pleased for you.   This is great news!!!   

Some unsolicited advice:

• Don't be in a hurry to "get trains running"
• Get it right the first time - do-overs are demoralizing

Best of luck.  I will watch this thread with great interest.

Again - congratulations on your retirement.  I hope this brings you much joy.

George

Agreed.......I’m not going to finalize a plan until I see the room......then I will make sure it doesn’t overpower the space......

I have no deadline for getting trains running since I will have the modular group layouts to run on......

I am re-reading Dennis Brennan's wonderful book from about 10 years ago. I am reading the new Jim Barrett book now. I will be reviewing certain OGR and TM videos, especially those that deal with urban cityscapes.

Congrats Peter, on both retirement and new layout space.  Good luck with obtaining your dream layout, whatever that may be.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Peter, I have enjoyed watching trains run on your present layout, but am really looking forward to seeing what you build in the attic.  Now that you are retired, you should be able to move along at a very quick pace!  Oh!  I'm retired, and my layout progress is crawling along at about the same speed I was taking down Christmas lights and Nativity display this warm (35 degrees) afternoon. 

Just kidding, follow George's advice and don't get in a hurry!

Mark.....I'm also going to have helpers from the Modular Group.....

Peter

Peter,

This is a tremendous opportunity. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

MELGAR

Let's look at the space.....the attic is approximately 30x40 at the 5' knee wall.

A stairwell cuts off a 6' cedar closet on the right end.

This leaves approximately a 30x30' space, plus the stairwell area. 10x20' is reserved for storage and the HVAC unit.

What have I been doing? We moved here 17 years ago......besides the train boxes, we have ben putting "stuff" up there ever since......plus, the stuff we brought over from the other house. My job this month is to move it out.

I rented a 10x20' storage unit to put everything in during construction. I have been moving train boxes down to the basement and am slowly packing trains...

The rest of the stuff: Legos, Rokenbok, American Girl Dolls, blocks, Beanie Babies, etc is being carted to storage along with multiple GoodWill trips.

I found some old friends

The storage area is 2 adjacent 10x10 units.....this is the kids stuff. The trains will be just next door.

This project has also showed me how "healthy" model railroading is as a hobby......since I retired, I am doing over 20K steps a day.......90% of them in the house, going up and down the stairs, carrying loads......

Once I clear it out, the contractor and I will go over the plans.....

Peter

Congratulations Peter.

This will be fun to watch.

J

With that much space you may be able to fit a nice version of the New York Central, New Haven, Amtrak and Norfolk & Western Railroads! Maybe Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac, too! Model railroads are great retirement projects.

MELGAR

@Putnam Division posted:

Mark.....I'm also going to have helpers from the Modular Group.....

Peter

With help from the Modular Group, you will be able to make great progress and bounce so many ideas off each other planning and while under construction!

What an attic!!!!!!  Tremendous!

Peter,

Congratulations on your retirement, after 41 years, well deserved.   Look forward to your new layout.  That’s the best fun, building the layout.

Craig

Oh what fun you will have! Can't wait to see your plan(s) and construction dailies. Congrats on your retirement.

Congrats, and much success and enjoyment with the layout.

Congratulations!!!.   Look forward to seeing you progress as you build the new layout.

its,"up up and away we goooooooooooooooooooooooo.retirement isn't what its cracked up to be,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it's BETTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratz

@terry hudon posted:

its,"up up and away we goooooooooooooooooooooooo.retirement isn't what its cracked up to be,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it's BETTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congratz

Yes indeed!!  You tell him Terry!

Peter, Congratulations on your retirement and new space! Like everyone else, I look forward to the new layout.

Andy

Peter,

Congratulations on retiring and on the new train room.

I retired 6 years ago and keep so busy I don't know how I ever had time to work! 

Looking forward to what you'll be doing with that space - what an opportunity!

When I originally saw the pics of the space, I was concerned about temperature extremes.  Reading further, I see that you've lived there for 17 years, so I'm sure you'll have that covered as part of the construction. 

@Putnam Division posted:

......the flying 5 fingered crane......it was great conceptually......if, I did it again, I would plan on better lighting underneath......I used battery-operated LEDS, and they weren’t enough.....

Peter

But you do get to do it again! Have a great time.

What a space! How nice to have an attic with some height. I have to walk around hunched over in mine as it's not even 6' at the ridge.

Hi Peter,  Your space is enviable, soon I will start a similar but much smaller project. Here is something to consider before you insulate, as I recently got a smaller space ready ready for a permanent layout.

I rough wired multiple locations for 2 circuit tracs, running 14-3 type nmb  (romex). I treated each Trac as a home run (single 14-3 cable between each Trac and J box)  I ran the Home Run to a hidden but accesible junction box that also had a 15Amp 14 Gauge 120VAC power circuit.  Using multiple and amiable Trac heads with LED spot and floods I will be able to do many different lighting scenes. The many different scenes can then be programed into Lutron Caseta switches with unlimited possibilities such as simulated dusk using your cell phone to control the out of sight Caseta switches.

I also installed  2each  4" flexible ducting from high points on the ceiling  to a Panasonic 300 cfm remote fan exhausting to the outside.

Before I retired I had installed a lot of like equipment for my customers.

Anyway good luck you appear to have the talent and the space, I wish I had the same.

kevin

@Fast Mail posted:

Hi Peter,  Your space is enviable, soon I will start a similar but much smaller project. Here is something to consider before you insulate, as I recently got a smaller space ready ready for a permanent layout.

I rough wired multiple locations for 2 circuit tracs, running 14-3 type nmb  (romex). I treated each Trac as a home run (single 14-3 cable between each Trac and J box)  I ran the Home Run to a hidden but accesible junction box that also had a 15Amp 14 Gauge 120VAC power circuit.  Using multiple and amiable Trac heads with LED spot and floods I will be able to do many different lighting scenes. The many different scenes can then be programed into Lutron Caseta switches with unlimited possibilities such as simulated dusk using your cell phone to control the out of sight Caseta switches.

I also installed  2each  4" flexible ducting from high points on the ceiling  to a Panasonic 300 cfm remote fan exhausting to the outside.

Before I retired I had installed a lot of like equipment for my customers.

Anyway good luck you appear to have the talent and the space, I wish I had the same.

kevin

Thank you....

Peter

Take down continues.....I am still mostly clearing out the attic and packing trains up.

I curtailed my weight training temporarily......I am doing plenty of lifting......

I'm averaging 18-22K steps (up and down the stairs) daily.....no need for my 3 mile walks right now!

Peter

Peter,

Congratulations on your retirement and your new train room! It should be a winner!

Anymore photos of your subway station before demolition?

Peter, hope you and your bride enjoy many wonderful days of retirement.

I too have my trainroom upstairs.  I think the most exercise I've gotten in years is in carrying things up and down, especially the lumber when building out the tables.

All the best!

More progress.....I am leaving the main layout level together to run trains. The upper level engine yard is coming down and the lower subway is disconnected. The attic continues to be emptied so that room construction can begin in February.

Peter

You need a bugler playing TAPS for this operation Peter.

Peter,

A wise move to keep part of the layout intact to run some trains. I hope to see your Boston & Albany 4-6-6T running soon on what's left of the old layout.

MELGAR

Don't know how this topic got missed by me? Must have been buried dang it. Looks great Peter. How is climate control in the attic? I know some homes in VA are, others aren't depending on a bunch of different things. Guessing if it wasn't, you'd get that fixed.

Peter, That is a good plan to keep the existing layout up for running trains until you get things going in the attic.  I also agree all that exercise up and down the stairs carrying boxes and then at the storage unit makes up for exercise elsewhere.  During the last 10 years I was working, I was in an office on the second floor.  In good weather I walked outside at lunchtime, but in the bad weather I walked up and down the stairs.  My legs were stronger during the winter and so was my breathing capacity.

It always comes apart quicker than it goes up...

Andy

Peter

I like your commitment to finishing your new layout

my layout will never be done by design  it’s fun to build,mostly

Consider under cabinet lighting for your under layout lighting needs

I used black and decker leds and am very happy with them

Are you finished with the plan?

Steven

@Putnam Division posted:

Take down continues.....I am still mostly clearing out the attic and packing trains up.

I curtailed my weight training temporarily......I am doing plenty of lifting......

I'm averaging 18-22K steps (up and down the stairs) daily.....no need for my 3 mile walks right now!

Peter

Tonight on Storage Wars...  Dave Hester hits it big when he find all of Peter's Trains packed away.

@MartyE posted:

Tonight on Storage Wars...  Dave Hester hits it big when he find all of Peter's Trains packed away.

LOL  😆

Congratulations Peter, I had a big laugh when the "stuff" belonging to the children was mentioned and you were putting it in its own storage unit.  How many of us still have tubs of things belonging to our children?  Anyone need baseball cards?

HI Peter, first a huge congratulations to you on your retirement.

Your new layout space offers a world of opportunities. I look forward to your planning and progress.

I had a layout in the attic space a long time ago in a galaxy far far away - during the build I don't think my legs could have gotten any stronger from all that climbing up and down with material.

I wish you all the best in this new chapter,

Paul

Coming along! Except for bookcases which I'll need help moving, the attic is cleared out (compare to earlier pics) and ready for a "sometime in February" construction start up.....

I will start working on the plan again, but I'm not going to commit myself to a final plan until I see what the room looks like.

Packing has been fun.....I came across a ton of things I had forgotten about that "came aboard for the ride", some of them from long ago.....

415 Diesel Fueling Station.....in pretty decent shape for something about 65 years old.....

A collection of buttons from previous Yorks......

One of these was mine as a kid and I acquired one with a collection I purchased....forgot all about them.....

.....I don't think I'll use this stuff.....it actually solidified.....

It's amazing what one accumulates over a lifetime in the hobby!

Peter

Nice solid grease haha

@Putnam Division posted:

Coming along! Except for bookcases which I'll need help moving, the attic is cleared out (compare to earlier pics) and ready for a "sometime in February" construction start up.....

I will start working on the plan again, but I'm not going to commit myself to a final plan until I see what the room looks like.

Packing has been fun.....I came across a ton of things I had forgotten about that "came aboard for the ride", some of them from long ago.....

It's amazing what one accumulates over a lifetime in the hobby!

Peter

Enviable space, Peter.

Peter,

What are you planning to do to the space before you start building the layout? I imagine  (actually, I know) it can get VERY hot in Virginia in the summer...

Chris

LVHR

Peter, it is a great space!!  I hope you have some young guys to haul lumber up two flights of stairs, or put a pulley outside a window.  

@lehighline posted:

Peter,

What are you planning to do to the space before you start building the layout? I imagine  (actually, I know) it can get VERY hot in Virginia in the summer...

Chris

LVHR

It's going to be done right.....HVAC unit is the major single expense.....

Peter

@Mark Boyce posted:

Peter, it is a great space!!  I hope you have some young guys to haul lumber up two flights of stairs, or put a pulley outside a window.  

Through the dormer windows by truck crane.....

Peter

@Putnam Division posted:

Through the dormer windows by truck crane.....

Peter

Excellent, Peter!  I knew you had it all figured out, I just didn't know the answer!

Haha that's a slick way to get it done!!

Looks like you have a lot of natural light to take advantage for your space.  Are you going to have wall space for train display shelves or do you like to keep them in boxes?  Might want to leave some space for a mini-fridge and a half bath-once it’s finished it might be hard to pry you out!  

Peter,

May I presume you have a contractor lined up to make the space hospital, layout and visitor friendly?

@lehighline posted:

Peter,

May I presume you have a contractor lined up to make the space hospital, layout and visitor friendly?

Yes......the house is 21 years old and we are nearing the end of a 3 year upgrade/refresh....when the house was built, the subfloor and kneewall were put in with the intent to finish. It was wired at the start.

Peter

Oops! I meant to type "hospitable"!

Chris

LVHR

Peter, Your attic looks huge, but I'm curious as what the vertical wooden structure (pole, shaft) is in the center. Will it hinder what otherwise appears to be a obstruction free area?

Steve

@Rescued Trains posted:

Peter, Your attic looks huge, but I'm curious as what the vertical wooden structure (pole, shaft) is in the center. Will it hinder what otherwise appears to be a obstruction free area?

Steve

Not an issue......the entire room is 30x30.....that post is about 10 ft out from the side which will be walled off for an approximately  10x30 area for storage and the HVAC unit. It leaves me an area a little larger than 20x30.

Peter

@NeophyteMRR posted:

Looks like you have a lot of natural light to take advantage for your space.  Are you going to have wall space for train display shelves or do you like to keep them in boxes?  Might want to leave some space for a mini-fridge and a half bath-once it’s finished it might be hard to pry you out!  

I'm planning on floor to ceiling shelving on 2 walls. It's no fun for me taking trains in and out of boxes.....when that happens, I find I change things out less frequently.....

Peter

@Putnam Division, please edit the title. or I'm losing my mind understanding the date references.

Moving right along Peter. I envy  that space for sure. One comment of what will be more I'm sure. Have you thought about sound proofing for the bench work? Besides tabletop, I would recommend something under the table legs as well. Vibration isolators will go a long way. Since you are on top of your living space the clickety clack may get to be an issue later on.

Bob

@Pingman posted:

@Putnam Division, please edit the title. or I'm losing my mind understanding the date references.

.....ooops!

Fixed...... and, thanks.....

Peter

@RSJB18 posted:

Moving right along Peter. I envy  that space for sure. One comment of what will be more I'm sure. Have you thought about sound proofing for the bench work? Besides tabletop, I would recommend something under the table legs as well. Vibration isolators will go a long way. Since you are on top of your living space the clickety clack may get to be an issue later on.

Bob

Great idea!

Thank you!

Peter

Great project.  Enjoy your retirement

I’m loving all of this. Good luck and the very best of wishes with this cool evolution project. Have fun! Thank you for sharing and best, W

Peter,

Looks like a great new spot for your trains!

Attic is still empty.......the contractor has been here and has sketched plans for the wall and HVAC equipment.

Materials are ordered.....next thing I hope to report is a video of a truck crane taking materials through a dormer window.

Have a great and safe weekend, folks.......hope to have something better to report, soon....

Peter

This is so cool!  An open space waiting to hold your dreams!

George

Do I see an expansion area across the hallway?

Congratulations Peter, this is a great area for a new train layout, with all the folks on the OGR Forum, any help you need is a click away. It’s going to be fun watching your progress on this fun adventure. Happy Railroading

@NJCJOE posted:

Do I see an expansion area across the hallway?

Not really.....that’s a cedar closet.....and not part of “the deal” .

Peter

Peter,

looking like this is going to be a great space peter.  Looking forward to seeing your progress!

rich

Finally, a little progress!

Now, we have to get it from here.....

....to here......

.....that comes tomorrow when the truck crane arrives!

Peter

Going to be a great room and layout! Looking forward to seeing the progress.

wow Peter, a lot of work for tomorrow! My wife would have me carry it up the stairs! LOL It is really going to be a wonderful train room!

That is a welcome sight, Peter!  

Will you be taking some photos of the lift??

Peter,  That's a really nice space.  Great idea w the HVAC.  Looking fwd to seeing the lift pics.  How's your wiring / power availability to the room. I'm assuming they'll be pulling in new wire for the hvac unit; if you don't have enough existing power available for the layout, you may want to have them pull in some train room dedicated additional power.  In our train room i ran 2 separate 12-2 circuits to power only the wall plugs and put each feed on a 20a heavy duty wall switch, so that when we leave the room we flip the switches and kill all power to the room / layout. A safety thing for young kids and old guys who forget stuff.     

Baby steps Peter! Trains will be running by Christmas.

@Putnam Division posted:

Finally, a little progress!

Now, we have to get it from here.....

....to here......

.....that comes tomorrow when the truck crane arrives!

Peter

Just chuck the 2x4s up to the window...What could go wrong?  LOL!

@BillYo414 posted:

Will you be taking some photos of the lift??

I stayed home today to take pictures and video......the truck with the drywall was supposed to be here at 1PM and it broke down  ......now it's planned for 7:30 AM Wednesday......I hope they're not late.....I have to head to the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds at 11AM to be one of the afternoon vaccinators.

@TomSuperO posted:

Peter,  That's a really nice space.  Great idea w the HVAC.  Looking fwd to seeing the lift pics.  How's your wiring / power availability to the room. I'm assuming they'll be pulling in new wire for the hvac unit; if you don't have enough existing power available for the layout, you may want to have them pull in some train room dedicated additional power.  In our train room i ran 2 separate 12-2 circuits to power only the wall plugs and put each feed on a 20a heavy duty wall switch, so that when we leave the room we flip the switches and kill all power to the room / layout. A safety thing for young kids and old guys who forget stuff.     

This has been part of a house renovation/refresh that started in early 2019. We're getting to the end. When we did the pantry and laundry rooms, we extended the wiring from the basement. We are lucky that when the house was built, they put in 400 amp service.

Once the framing is done, I'm meeting with the electrician to plan wall outlets and at least 2 floor outlets.

Peter

Nice. Sounds like you'll have plenty of feed and outlets.  Wow, tomorrow must be shot day. Me too tomorrow afternoon.   

Late to the thread. Congrats on both your retirement and new train room.  I live in the RVA area and noticed we finally have a good stretch of weather to get the material delivered.

I’ve been fighting the weather and the contractor on getting my deck rebuilt.  Contracted in August, but material delays pushed me back to bad time of year for weather.

Well......the truck crane was supposed to be here at 0730........it didn’t show......at 11 AM, I left to go to a Vaccine Clinic where I gave 67 shots......

Unfortunately, the truck came while I was gone and there isn’t a video. However, progress has been made!

This is exciting!

Peter

Peter, those 67 vaccines are far more important than watching a crane lift.  The material looks great in your attic!

Glad to hear about those 67 vaccines! Glad to see the progress too!

That's a lot of lumber. That should be a magnificent train room!

Too bad you're not closer Peter, I still can't schedule my vaccine, our county is running months behind everyone it seems!  I'll be getting my vaccine when most places are vaccinating high school kids!

Peter, Thank you for your service.

Steve

Peter, looks like you have everything needed to get started on a great train room layout! Thank you for taking the time to do the vaccines!

Progress!
The room is divided into a 10x30 storeroom and an irregular 20x30 train room.

An overview of the train room.....

Room for bookcases between the dormers......

Another view of the stairwell enters the room to the right.....

The storeroom......

The room from the other end......

I’m getting very excited......

Peter

Peter,

I have the popcorn popping! I can hear the announcer saying "We're getting ready to rumble".

Dave

Looking good Peter! You have a crew moving right along . Next thing you know you will be running trains! But then again you have to carry them up all those stairs!

Peter, wow... this layout area is awesome! I will be following this thread to see your progress.

Alex

@Putnam Division posted:

Progress!
The room is divided into a 10x30 storeroom and an irregular 20x30 train room.

An overview of the train room.....

Room for bookcases between the dormers......

Another view of the stairwell enters the room to the right.....

The storeroom......

The room from the other end......

I’m getting very excited......

Peter

You're a very smart man, Peter. I'm not -  I would have one big 30 by 60 train room if I had that much space. LOL.

I would love to have a layout half this size one day

That's looking great Peter, can't wait to see what you build in there!  Very smart having lots of storage, that's one area I'm lacking in here, I'm going to be filling the space under the layout, and I'm already halfway there.

Lookin great from my house. Picture updates are great!

Looking good, Peter.

It appears the ceiling is uninsulated - will you be adding any as part of the project ?

Looks great, Peter!  That looks like a lot more material than what I saw in the pile in your driveway! 

Time to party! Looking forward to seeing this come together.

Peter, congratulations on the beginnings of your new train room.  Looking forward to watching your progress!

Meeting with the electrical contractor tomorrow!

Peter

Yes indeed!  Now's the time to get all the wiring in the walls!  I think you are going to have to increase your service to what Clark Grizwald needed in Christmas Vacation!! 

@Putnam Division posted:

Meeting with the electrical contractor tomorrow!

Peter

"You want how many circuits in your ATTIC???"

@Putnam Division posted:

Meeting with the electrical contractor tomorrow!

Peter

Now it’s getting serious. In this case more is always better, 😉

Truthfully, unless  you are going really extreme, more than a couple dedicated circuits for a train layout is probably overkill.  Think about the actual power you'll be using, not how many devices you may have to power.

Peter you are really making progress. The fun is just beginning.

HVAC here today and tomorrow.....then the electrical contractor comes back Monday and Tuesday.....pictures later.....

Peter

HVAC is done!

The 10x30 storage area......

The view of the layout room from inside the storage room through the framing......

The view of the layout room from inside a dormer....

I am getting very excited.....I am starting to really take the layout plan seriously......my wife and I have been to the flooring place. The electrician arrives next week.  Then, it is time for drywall installation.   I'm thinking 4-6 weeks?

Peter

They didn't waste any time!  Looking good, Peter!!

That's the granddaddy of train rooms, looking really good!

A few pics from current progress.....the electricians have been here all week......

The flooring is picked out.

After the electricians finish, then comes drywall, then flooring and then painting. I suspect a May 1 finish......

Then the rest of the current layout comes down and dismantled with the Mianne parts going up to the attic.

I am talking to Tim at Mianne this week and I will figure out what I need and figure a delivery in June.

I have made a contact with Steve at Ross and he says a 3-6 week time for orders. I will aim for July.

Later I will post some track plans.......with explanations of what I am doing......and listen to suggestions for changes.

A lot of different angles to give you an idea of the fixed obstacles (doors, ceiling hatch) that I will have to work around.

I get more excited each day!

Have a great and safe weekend, folks.

Peter

Looks great Peter. I hope all of those hihats will be LED's- otherwise you are going to feel like you are under a blast furnace.
Your contractors are doing a great job. Very clean and neat work. We are all jealous for sure. Who has a house with an attic for the attic?
Looking forward to seeing the track plans.

Bob

Peter,

Things are moving along smoothly. Can't wait to see the track plan.

Dave

Peter things sure are coming along nicely! I am sure someone has asked this already but your are going to have it insulated correct?

Looking great, Peter! I'm just a tad jealous...

BTW, what are you doing for insulation?

Also, I see the cans for the top hats. Are you also going to use track lighting? May I presume everything will be LEDs?

Chris

LVHR

It looks great, Peter.  Neat work is one sign of quality work.  I’m with Bob, I hadn’t seen an attic above an attic, but looking at the exterior shows why.

I have had a crawl space under half the basement, and our older daughter and her husband have one now.  That’s what you get building houses on steap hillsides like we do here!

That looks awesome, Peter!

I am so excited for you.

Looks like you're taking care of the important business first, too.

That's crucial, because it's very difficult to put in the correct walls, HVAC, insulation, backdrop (don't ask me how I know ),  lights, etc. after you start building the layout.

You're doing great!  Just keep on keepin' on. 

George

Wow Peter, it has been way too long since my eyes got in here and on the forum in general. It's almost like I have been hibernating like most of my friends say I do during the winter months. With spring officially sprung today I guess it's safe for me to come out of my cave(den) and see what's going on in the world. I really need to pop out and say "hi" more often.

BTW, your work looks great. Soon that attic will have the right feel of climate that the trains will smile as they come up the stairs anxious to begin running. Of course they'll have to wait for all the necessary things like bench work, track laying, wiring, testing, and more testing before the really fun stuff begins. Main lines will be in before you know it, and then we'll see some NYC magic as well as all the other rail lines you enjoy.

P.S., I've got to work on my own small space.

So here goes.....I have some room constraints......2 doors, the stairwell and HVAC ceiling access.

The following is an older plan.....not one that I'm using.....but it maps out the room. You see where the dormers are. On the top, on the other side of the wall is the 10x30 storage room.

The walls on the top and the right will have floor to ceiling Glenn Snyder shelving....if the trains aren't easily available, they won't get run.

I need an area for a small couch and my desk. The aisle minimum is going to 3 feet. There are bookcases built into the space between the dormers. I want to have area to move around.

I will wait for the finished room to finalize everything.

Here are the latest plans that I am considering.....for background, please note that I prefer and model industrial/urban landscapes.

On both plans, I will use a Mianne Lift Gate to enter the layout from above into a 2x5 open area.

This is called 8L. It has 3 main lines with a wye and reversing loops.

A lot of track.....this is a revision, removing a part of the 3rd Main Line. This plan is called 10L

On both plans, underneath the main level, on the right will be the Subway.....2 loops covering a 6x7 area. A station will be visible like on my current layout.

The electricians are finishing up today......next will be drywall.......

Peter

Looks good, Peter!

I'm a little late here, but looks like a great space and you are making good progress getting it ready. I am sure you are excited too! Looking forward to following along, and good luck with the project.

Peter @Putnam Division, the progress looks great.  Are you planning to have a small dedicated work station area for tinkering, locomotive maintenance and small repairs?

My desk in the attic will function as a minor work station. However, my major work station will remain in the garage (and in the basement itself, when it’s real cold). All my tools would not fit in the attic.....so just a small toolbox up there.

In the summer months, I always move a work table outside.

Peter

Electrical is now complete (except for the final details).

Insulation is next.....then drywall....then trim.......then paint.......then flooring.....I am hoping for a May 1 finish.....

....bookcases.....

Peter

It looks like you have lots of light!  Everything looks great Peter!  

Looks great Peter.

A thought just popped into my head.

What are you going to do for display shelves? If you are planning shelves on the walls, have your carpenter install blocking between the studs. You will be thankful later when you don't have to go hunting for the beams to drive a screw.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Looks great Peter.

A thought just popped into my head.

What are you going to do for display shelves? If you are planning shelves on the walls, have your carpenter install blocking between the studs. You will be thankful later when you don't have to go hunting for the beams to drive a screw.

Bob

Great suggestion, Bob!  I always have trouble finding studs.  

Peter things are really starting to look like a room. Nice to see everything moving fast for you! Dont worry if you forget Bob's advice they make the thingy called a STUD FINDER! LOL

Looks great Peter!

Sooo many bar jokes there.

Amazing work!

times I have trouble getting out of my chair. so I Thank you for sharing. Living Vicariously through the magnificent journeys of friends that include others. thank you

Looking sweet Peter.

Late last week, we got insulation installed......

.....and, after an inspection on Monday, we are getting drywall!!!!

I continue to get excited!

Peter

Wow Peter!  It is starting to look like a train room!!  

Flying right along, looks great!

Shaping up nicely, Peter.

Peter

A suggestion for the high ceiling area above the new attic-based layout ...

I presume you'll add insulation and then cover the ceiling and walls drywall. Paint the ceiling dark blue, add some wispy clouds with glow-in-the-dark paint, and string white mini-Christmas lights in random patterns to simulate starlight. Bonus feature:  arrange some mini-lights in the Big Dipper configuration. Some stargazers will recognize it!

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394

lookin good

Very nice, Peter!

I was curious if you were going to go the spray foam route. Now we have the answer...

And I'll take Mike's comment about one step further: Find an astronomer to put some actual constellations on your dark ceiling with glow-in-the-dark paint. Then when you dim the lights for night running, voila! The glow-in-the-dark will not be obnoxious in full room light. Rust-Oleum makes it. Look in art supply stores.

Chris

LVHR

Excellent!!!!

George

Coming along nicely Peter!!!

It's going to be a great space Peter.  One question, do you know why some of the insulation dosen't have paper backing?

@coach joe posted:

It's going to be a great space Peter.  One question, do you know why some of the insulation dosen't have paper backing?

Because the vapor barrier is not required in those locations. It is probably already in place behind what was added. A double vapor barrier can trap moisture and cause mold growth, dry rot, all sorts of fun stuff!

@RSJB18 posted:

Because the vapor barrier is not required in those locations. It is probable already in place behind what was added. A double vapor barrier can trap moisture and cause mold growth, dry rot, all sorts of fun stuff!

All sorts of fun stuff??  LOL

Thanks Rob.

Dry wall is done. Trim carpentry next. Then painting. Then final electrical and HVAC adjustments. Then flooring.......

Trim materials getting delivered......

Basement layout deconstruction continues......I have decided that since I am a month and and half short of 68, no more subway......I will look into EL structures by BridgeBoss!

The view from "down under"......

Have a great and a safe day, folks!

Peter

Moving right along Peter, that's a great looking space you're creating!

Looks awesome Peter!

Really taking shape Peter.

I like the "El" idea. Seems appropriate for a guy who's screen name is Putman Division.

Bob

You have got to be excited over the progress being accomplished and the memories being formulated.  Keep at it!