Thanks, but I think Tom has the Fascias "R" Us franchise locked up, this is his design, I just held the tools. 
It is taking shape nicely now, the finished fascia really lets you visualize the edge curves better.
I have had some communication asking me "Why do I go to this amount of effort?" For a "Reply all" response:
My answer is that this approach literally gets one to work out of the lock step box of tangent lines and angular corners which I find boring, toward the shapes of an artist's pallet.
After all, our RRs are comprised of an abundance of curves and various bulbous topographical shapes. My thought is to develop a interesting and cohesive package presentation.
My background in aviation sheet metal manufacturing and designing fiberglass race boat molds schooled me in purposeful soft lines.
John and I just want others to see how basic and straightforward it is to create a fun project. Again, this is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.
Let's be clear, the one beggar knew where the bread was, I just got directed to it. It has been a lot of fun to see this take shape and how well it's turning out! I just have to be careful not to screw it all up! 
gunrunnerjohn posted:It's certainly not the smoothest paint job, but it's only a background color and sealing for the Homasote. I don't intend for the layout to be brown, so I'll just cover it up with scenery.
I also added handles to the lift-out do it's easy to deal with. I do have to get the proper paint to paint the metal J-channel a similar color, that's not urgent right now.
Hi John,
I plan to put handles on my lift-outs as well. My question is if there is no one around where will you put it when you lift it out? Will it have structures on it or be part of the land form? Enlighten me.
Dave
gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, here's what it looks like without clamps and wood holding it in place.
Bravo, John and Tom!!!! The bench work is beautiful!
John, it'll be a shame to mess up all that beautiful cabinetry with a bunch of track and scenery 
Lew
luvindemtrains posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:I also added handles to the lift-out do it's easy to deal with. I do have to get the proper paint to paint the metal J-channel a similar color, that's not urgent right now.
Hi John,
I plan to put handles on my lift-outs as well. My question is if there is no one around where will you put it when you lift it out? Will it have structures on it or be part of the land form? Enlighten me.
Dave
The plan is to simply rotate it 45 degrees, turn it somewhat vertical, and lower it through the hole and set it aside. There won't be any track on it, and any scenery will be firmly attached and low profile.
Randy Harrison posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, here's what it looks like without clamps and wood holding it in place.
Bravo, John and Tom!!!! The bench work is beautiful!
Thanks, it's certainly taking shape. Seeing the fascia the way it's intended to look really makes a difference!
geysergazer posted:John, it'll be a shame to mess up all that beautiful cabinetry with a bunch of track and scenery
Well, I could move chairs in and make it a giant dining table, but I think I'll go the original planned direction. 
Ingeniero No1 made this access panel in his layout. Tom might remember it. I think he approved.
Ted, we looked at Alex's design, but in the greater scheme of things, it's not that difficult to simply drop the panel through. It's also dirt simple and easy to execute.
The lift up like Alex built a short while ago and like John Allen did fifty five years ago is neat after a fashion.
However the supporting staff acts like a tree growing just inside a turntable wall. You can not turn completely around. It becomes somewhat restrictive, impractical. Unless there was extensive delicate untouchable coverings on the lift out. However, John is not going there.
Tom Tee posted:However, John is not going there.
For sure. Anything on the lift-out will be low-profile to allow easy removal and replacement. It'll also be light so it's easy to handle.
John, I just got finished getting up to speed on your wonderful work! You and Tom are making magic come to life! I really enjoyed reading everything you and Tom have posted about your build! Its just Amazing what you 2 have done making your layout table look like a high class furniture! I wish I would have been able to see this before I started my build, but then again I would still be at the starting faze! LOL
I really cant wait to see what's next! But John If you don't mind I would like to point out something. I kind of did this with Paul 2 from the forum. Kinda for a laugh and to let you know that I am really looking at what you 2 have going on!
It looks like you might want to take a minute after you have your morning coffee and run the Vacuum!
Excuse us Mike, but in a man's RR cave that is called weathering!
mike g. posted:I really cant wait to see what's next! But John If you don't mind I would like to point out something. I kind of did this with Paul 2 from the forum. Kinda for a laugh and to let you know that I am really looking at what you 2 have going on!
It looks like you might want to take a minute after you have your morning coffee and run the Vacuum!
Mike, the vacuum is certainly going to be used. I couldn't see doing a major cleanup when I was just going to trash it in the next day or two. Now that we have the basic benchwork mostly finished, I'll be doing a clean-up. Note that I've already picked up all the drop cloths that were covering the carpet in preparation for that exact step. If you think the carpet is bad, you should see the corner where the table saw is currently sitting!
Tom Tee posted:Excuse us Mike, but in a man's RR cave that is called weathering!
Attachments
LOL You guys are great! I hope you know I am playing. I would write more, but I have to go take care of my own weathering! LOL
As you approach the table saw you would feel as though you are walking uphill. Not sure how John will approach that pile. I usually save my saw dust to mix in with the gypsum.
To a mild extent the plans are lost on the floor somewhere and we are just making it up as we go along or so it could seem. I think the only remaining original feature is...............the carpet.
Well, most of the Mianne benchwork is still down there, It just got "enhanced" a bunch.
The corner with the table saw does need work, but I want to get that Homasote off the floor first...
Guys, your effort looks very organic and free form. I like the idea of not having very many long straight (boring) runs.Nice!
Chris
LVHR
We won't have any straight sides or straight runs. However, I do want a long run, so the folded dogbone should give me around 120 or so, enough for a decent run.
Hey John. Been away for a few days. Where did you go? You on vacation. Looked all over for this thread. Buried deep. Lol. Just wanted to see if you got any further.
No, just took a break to catch up on other work. 
I hear that. Me to I've been working round the clock for the last week so I haven't been on. Well cant wait for your next update. Most interesting thread in a long time.
I'm regrouping, catching my breath, and prepping some stuff for the track laying step. I was really letting other things slide for a time, have to get back to those before I can move ahead. It's also giving me a little time to think and make sure I haven't missed considering something going forward.
gunrunnerjohn posted:I'm regrouping, catching my breath, and prepping some stuff for the track laying step. I was really letting other things slide for a time, have to get back to those before I can move ahead. It's also giving me a little time to think and make sure I haven't missed considering something going forward.
So. gunrunner, still taking a breather from working on your layout? Does that mean you'll now be accepting new customers for engine upgrades, conversions, and repairs?
Actually, I'm holding off any major new repairs/upgrades, I'm still catching up. I'm currently engaged in sorting all the boxes that were in the back of the area, that's a significant undertaking. I need to do that to make some room to continue the layout build, next is the inclines for the grades and elevated sections and laying track. I'm also trying to finalize the track plan, I have deviated quite a bit from where I was originally. I blame Tom for that, after doing all the neat curves and extensions to the benchwork, lots of new possibilities are popping up.
It looking great! Hopefully first blood has yet to be spillt!
-Greg
Well, I confess, I needed a test track for a couple of repairs that I just couldn't test on the bench rollers. I looked behind me, and there was this huge table...
I can say, Fastrack is noisy even on a layer of Homasote, I'm glad I'm going with Ross & Gargraves!
Attachments
Is this a good first test of the test loop?
Attachments
It looks very promising. Have fun with the design and construction.
Sincerely, John Rowlen
John, you're just hot-doggin it.
John, I love the non-linear bench work and fascia, its really looking good.
Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to having real track on this and being able to put together some real consists.
A little track music like that should make you smile John
I'm eager to get a real track setup down, that's next on the list!
Wow, things are moving along really great, just a question, are you going to add cork roadbed under your track? The reason I asked is on my layout we used homasote, added the cork roadbed, screwed the Atlas O, Ross track only into the homasote, no noisy vibrations, just curious. Your work is fantastic. Happy Railroading
I'm using the foam roadbed, but if we have issues getting it laid, I have no problem to switching to cork. My plan is indeed to just fasten to the Homasote in hopes of keeping everything nice and quiet.
I would think the foam roadbed would work fine as I was not aware it existed back in 2000 when I started my layout. I look forward to your progress. Thank You
I use cork and fasten it with atlas track nails along the edge. Makes it much easier to replace when I want to change a tiresome route.
Hey John, how about a video of the very first engine to run on your new bench work several weeks ago?
