New layout progress (Some scenery)

Some more minor tweaks to the trackplan and a bit of thinking out loud. The whole reason I decided to put the RH lead off of a straight section was to offset the centerline of the whole RH/TT setup. I took out that little dog leg I had going there for a minute. Also put the x-over up between the reverse loop cutoffs, sort of where it was before. I wanted it closer to the RH lead but it didn't look right. I am hoping to fit a tower in the x-over cutoff set of switches.

I keep going back and forth but I think I should try to make the RH/TT peninsula happen. As I build the benchwork I will be able to see how things lay out better as far as clearances, access, and those dreaded duckunders.

Owen, I was just remarking to my pals yesterday who stopped over that I am actually impressed with my Ryobis for layout building/household use. I find the 18V stuff is OK as long as I can still get the batteries. The newer batteries seem better than the old. I definitely like the 5" circular saw too. Even the 14.4V stuff seems to be hanging tough with the newer batteries.

As always, thanks for the nice comments everyone...

I agree about the Ryobi's. I have the saw, too, and I love that little bugger. I don't need it often, but when I do it is a joy to have. I recently picked up a couple new batteries. I considered getting the new style batteries, but the cost is a bit steep and you need new chargers. I have 4 of the old chargers and a half dozen batteries so I am going to stick with that until I can't anymore. My layout has been on hold for a while. I have the main portion of the track laid, it is high-time I get motivated and start doing some scenery. Good luck with your projects and thanks for sharing.

So,  Where's the missile silo going???? 

Kurt

Uh, right next to....??

Anyway, here's some more benchwork progress. You can see the 6" drop from the front sections of the layout to the back. My theory is that when looking/photo'ing across the front of the layout and the RH/TT peninsula, the layout edges on the backside won't be as visible on low angles. I envision embankments and retaining walls as you look across in the background. I hope it works, there is a lot more cutting and tweaking as opposed to just building tabletops.

That's sweet!!!!

Kurt

Looks great Norm. Can't wait to see your progress. 

Andy

Norm,

Looking good!  I love the elevation change.

Dave

Looks great, and an excellent idea of lowering the back to eliminate seeing the front edge, especially for photography. If you move the Rh/TT back up to the top right corner of the layout, it will really restrict the lead going to the TT. I like the peninsula idea for the TT/RH especially because it has that really long lead for all those service structures. 

So happy to see your progress....I so enjoyed your previous layout can't wait for this one......

Loving the progress, the drop is a great idea.

The basic skeleton of the layout is now put together and I am starting to lay in the city section curves and yard. This is the basic bones of the layout that will support the trackwork (minus the TT/RH trackage). As the scenery progresses, I will bump out portions of the benchwork to support it.

The curves are O99 and O90. The inner curve is staggered back one inch to open up the spacing at the center of the curve. In this shot below you can see the raised subroadbed along the back of the layout. The benchwork is built on 16" centers for stiffness and support of the subroadbed.

Nice work Norm. I enjoy the pictures and updates.

NORM GREAT PROGRESS, YOU DOING THE BENCH WOK ALONE OR SO YOU HAVE HELP

THIS IS A GREAT START TO FINISH THREAD

Wow all that work and not a beer bottle in sight

Nice work Norm! Can't wait to visit.

Kurt

Looking good Norm.  Like that track plan.  I enjoyed your previous layout and looking forward to seeing updates to your latest creation.

LI, just me and my chop saw down here making a mess.

Kurt, a couple of these helped to get the yard started.

This is about it for this weekend...heading toward the junction. Now that track is going down I think I have gotten the sidings and spurs figured out. I found a nice spot outside the curves to fit a nice detailed industry at the front of the layout as you walk in.

Thanks for all the kind words!

Looking great Norm!

Norm,

Glad to see the progress!

Oberon...the family label.

Dave

Right next to the Lionel Atomic Reactor, of course.  You've got to defend that, right Norm?

Earlier in this thread you described yourself as a loop runner.  And I certainly remember those wonderful videos with the Pennsy big steam locomotives rolling through the big curves and industrial scenery (fantastic).  And the weathering clinic you gave at the Pittsburgh Model Railroad Jamboree a few years ago - a big inspiration to me. 

So I have a few dumb questions (please pardon them) regarding how you plan to operate this layout (they are some of the same questions I asked myself). 

Will trains travel in both directions and will your road be signaled for both?

Any thought to the twice around concept (or maybe thru switch alignment that's already possible)?

Any embedded directional flow of materials and products in the design?

Again, terrific!

George

Norm, Looking really good !

Ditto...it's looking very nice Norm. 

Norm has the area prepared, benchwork up, and track down, and it's entirely possibly he'll have the whole thing up and running before I get off my butt and stop procrastinating about getting boxes of "stuff" stored away under my layout so I'll have some space to move around in my layout room.

George I may reconsider that missile silo. I will install it right under that ridiculous piece of 5" duct that keeps staring at me right in the middle of where the city flats will be. I want to nuke that thing the more I look at it.

As for how the layout will run - pretty much in loop mode at this point. I just want to run some nice trains through some nice NE industrial scenery. I'm not sure my plan would support any type of operation, especially without the off-layout staging. The inner line would support bidirectional running and at some point I need to figure out the blocks and signal locations. This is a bit of a headache as I learned on the last layout. While not fully blocked and signaled, I worked with Terry at Custom Signals to get the x-over/junction to look as good and correct as possible. I'd like to avoid using the timed approach indications so I will plan on setting up full blocks all around both lines.

When you mention material and product flow do you mean like raw material input vs. finished product output for the industries served? If so, I've only thought about it superficially.

I did make a little more progress toward splicing in the first inner lopp reverse cutoff and x-over in the middle left of the plan. Also got another load of 1X4s and 5 sheets of 2 1/2" rigid foam for scenery making.

Norm, I think you are doing a spectacular job of maintaining discipline in the use of your real estate (unlike some of us ) and staying true to your initial concept. 

Yes, I was talking about raw materials vs finished products.  On my own layout, I have proceeded with that concept from the beginning.  However, we have yet to reach the stage where we attempt to make the concept into reality.  That may be a rude wake up call.

George

Norm, nice job on the new layout. This thread is very inspiring. After seeing what you're doing I feel like I can get started on my layout. I too like your new track plan better than the original one. Thanks for sharing.

I got the mains put in along the walls and got as far as coming back around the far bend. This was after splicing in the xover/cutoff and building out all the subroadbed along rear wall. I have run myself out of track and cork roadbed again. I suppose I will use the break in the tracklaying to reorganize and get the workshop further along.

Norm looks great, well its been 8 year but you guy's have inspire me to start building.

Norm,

Looking fabulous so far, it was great talking with you at York

Thanks,

Alex

Coming along nicely, my friend!  And it's truly great to see that your well known craftsmanship--and the progress you are making--is inspiring some others to get started on their own layouts.  

What track and roadbed are you using?

Looking good Norm.  Good to talk to you at York.

Dan

Alex, nice to meet you and Dina at York! Thanks for the kind words. Dan, Allan, thanks for the encouragement too. Dan, it would be nice to get D3R over here once I have power hooked up.

Sinclair, here's what I am using:

I was able to get more track and cork today to keep rolling - at this point I can see the closing of the loop...

Nice progress Norm! Can't wait to see more photos.

Cesar

Thanks.  The Atlas track keeps getting more and more appealing to me.

Looking good Norm. I can't wait to see what you end up with for the scenery.

Looking good, Norm.  Any plans for bridges and/or viaducts on that upper level?  I can visualize the Atlas-O Pratt Truss up there. 

Keep the progress pics a comin'.

Rick

Thanks guys. Rick, the 'upper level' is actually at the same track elevation as the rest of the layout. I won't have grades but will try to put in some bridges here and there as I work on the scenery.

Norm,

Try some flat black, it may allow you to deceive yourself it isn't there.  On the other hand, can the structural integrity withstand your relocating it above the beam?

Almost ready for some trains!

Looks good.

Dave

That is really taking shape nicely, and the track work is superb.  Keep the updates coming along with them photos.