ON30 Layout - (4-17-14)

Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it.  Don't give up the 3rail the combination of the larger o scale stuff and the on30 small size really shows off the differences.  I model mostly 2rail o scale but if I was starting over I would be in 3rail.  I love TMCC/ DCS over anything DCC.  I have built a few 3rail layouts for my customers and I used Atlas track and either MTH or Lionel depending on what the customer already had.  In fact I wired one layout for both and had NO problems.  Can't say the same for DCC.  Even the PROCESS of running a train is so much easier.  So don't give up the 3rail just yet!   Russ

The way this hobby should be enjoyed!  Keep up the good work!

The craftsmanship here is really impressive. And the overall planning involved. You've got some great pics here that are doing a nice job of capturing the magnitude of the project. I love the pocket hole joinery for the track supports. Did you have any joints in an inclining or declining transition and if so how do the joints hold up under the stress of bending into and incline or decline? Are the screws bending? Using longer or stronger screws? Tearing out? Are you gluing the joints in addition to the screws? I've never built anything like this but i have worked with Kreg stuff many times.

We have been mostly working on getting the rolling stock to actually ROLL!   But I did manage to cut out another section house and do a quickie glue up.  Just a few more section houses to go and then on to the other structures.  I apologize for the low res pix, but thet are from my cell.  Russ

Some layout progress pix.  Making our way around the main level.  Thanks for looking in, Russ

First up is coming from Chama into Lobato siding.

Next up is leaving Lobato Siding and heading out across Lobato Trestle.

Next up is the turnouts leading into Cresco on the left, up Helix Two on the right, and the Helix Two reverse loop in the middle.

Not much going on with the layout but did manage to lay out the garden tracks for the roundhouse area.  The bottom pix shows the floor layout for the engine repair facility.  Also did a little more erperimentation using led light strips for layout lighting.  Very pleased with the results.  I will get some pix and repost.  Haing fun!  Russ

Seems like months since I posted anything - Oh wait it has been!    Anyhow, nothing earth shattering, just got to play with the lazer a little and cut out the first of three windmills for the project.  Winters coming and we will be back to railroading indoors!  Russ

Looking good, Russ!

OK you've all seen that scene in the horror movies where the suspects enter the old haunted house and the cob webs and dust is everywhere right? Well today was my buddy and I's re-entrance into ON30 Land for the season and well the layout room kinda had that horror movie feeling. It was good to be back and we will be running by the weekend so all is not a complete horror story! We have already fixed one turnout and figured out how to control a couple of remote turnouts. Should have a couple of pix next week, Hurray! We're back to fun stuff! Russ

OK, it's good to be back at it!  Here is the latest project, the Gramps oil dock at Chama on the narrow gauge.  Russ

Masterpiece Russ!   Keep up the excellent job. I really love your work.

Thank you Patrick, I just wish we were making as much progress as I see you accomplish!    I really enjoy your posts on a magnificent railroad.  the videos are such fun!  I wish I lived a little closer so I could enjoy it in person.  We hope to get to some scenery this build season, we will see.  Right now it's clean up time to get ready to lay more track up helix two.  Three of the reverse loops are running so trains are running.  Thanks again.  Russ

Fabulous track plan, a great room for this layout and masterful benchwork.

I want to follow this thread !! Great work Russ !!

Eliot

Russ

Excellent, I dont think I've seen  a better or bigger On30 layout. Kepp the progress photos coming as you have peeked everyones interest

Steve

Finally some progress!  We had a great couple of days this week and actually running.   Got the track around the back of the roundhouse installed.  Got some of the DC power bus installed and the track that is running now is all jumpered into the installed bus.  Actually ran trains for an hour or two!  Great fun. Thanks for looking in!  Russ

Train running through Chama:

Chama twin bridges:

Backside of Chama Roundhouse:

Start of laying out 19 garden tracks and 5 in house tracks:

Black rectangle on right will be a two track machine shop:

It's hard to tell from the pics, but the tracks around the turn table seem much longer than the width of the turntable?  It there a specific reason for that?  It would seem those tracks only need to be moderately longer than the width of the turntable.

Not criticizing, just wondering since I will be setting up a turntable too and don't want to make any mistakes.

Looks fantastic.  Very motivating!

Ron

Ron. good question so I will try an answer it based on my assumptions (yes I know 'that' word).  The angle to get into the roundhouse (10 degrees) 'usually sets the degree of angle for all the tracks.  If you look at the set back of the roundhouse in relationship to the turntable you will see that the length of the garden tracks are equal to the length of setback plus the depth of the roundhouse.  It is somewhat exaggerated by the fact that the clearances for the roundhouse are for O scale narrow gauge but the track is itself is HO track gauge.  The engines are actually very small and so are the cars setting on those tracks so that also adds to the illusion of long tracks.  Hope this answers your question.  Thanks for looking in.  Russ

Can't quite tell from the pics, but if it isn't already, paint the wall above the shelving in a sky blue, then add sponged in clouds and trees....you can always paint over it if you don't like it.....just my 2 cents.

BTW- if you were even reasonably close I'd love to come over and help...and run my 2-6-6-2 or Goose with sound!

Russ, Outstanding work you're doing with this ON30 layout.

Russ, 

Thanks for the explanation and education.  I like the overhead shot you included.  I never thought about putting 2 engines on the same TT track.

Ron

"I never thought about putting 2 engines on the same TT track."  Requires extra wireing OR TMCC or DCS to allow two powered engines on same track. 

Bob, tell the wife SHE needs to go see Crater Lake (we are 30 miles away!).  Backdrop printing will start in a month or two.  Lets see double deck and 75 feet of visible walls is 150 feet of wall, OUCH!

Thanks for the kind comments George.  Russ

OK so yesterday we put in the last feeder wire on the main level at 1:50, grabbed a controller and ran the first trains.  We shut down at 8:00, only issues were all cockpit errors, no track issues.  It takes 11 minutes to do the main level loops.  Ran three trains, rolling meets, just a lot of fun!  Pretty Cool!  Thanks for all of the encouragement from you folks, it keeps us going.  Russ

If you really want to know just how bad your track work is, shoot an on-board video!    So with that as an intro, please review and critique the YouTube video.  The camera was a little shaky so that didn't help but . . . .   Thanks, Russ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...amp;feature=youtu.be

Finally some more progress on the layout.  The last of the track at Cresco is installed.  A little more work and we can start testing.  Russ

Entrance to Cresco on the left:

The Cresco section house, it is located on the backside of the run around:

The view of Cresco as you enter the room from the main entrance:

Quite a layout.

Spence - love the shot with all the bridges, that's pretty cool!

Bob - we have temporarily banned the goose from the layout - seems every time we fire it up we STOP working on the layout!  It sure is fun!   

Appreciate the comments - keep em' coming!    Russ

I wish I had your discipline you have. I have a 22x36 space I am preping for my O 3rail layout.....but it's a much larger space in On30....which I model too. But I like my heavy mainline railroading too much.

Nice work.

Dave if it was my railroad and I was starting over from scratch I would be in 3 rail in a heart beat!  My personal modeling is 2 rail o scale.  The on30 layout is at my buddies house and I've fallen in love with on30!  He and I are having a ball building this thing.  We are both very active in live steam so this is just for the bad weather months here, but it is still coming along slowly.  We have the main level running which is good.  We need a break to play every once in awhile!    Thanks for the comments.  Russ

This is awesome.  When you get the opportunity could you please video so everything could kind of been seen at once?  I'd like to see a live perspective.  Thank you.

John - go back 4 or 5 posts and you'll see the video link. Thanks for the comments, they are appreciated.   Russ

Everything you've done looks great Russ!

"Everything you've done looks great"  I could say the same for you!   I love your long sweeping curves.  It will make for great train watching!  Thanks.  Russ

The turntable area is great!  Wow it chews up the real estate doesn't it!

Russ:

I really enjoyed the video.  Thanks!  

John - 8 foot by 8 foot! YEP!    Russ

"how do you reach the "center" to fix something when it goes wrong?"   At this point in time I don't know!   So far we have not installed the turntable or the tracks so I think when that process is done I will be able to give you a better answer.  Right now the thinking is we should be able to reach one end of the distressed engine from the outside.  If its in the roundhouse the roof is removable.  If it goes in the pit then . . . . . .   I'll be in touch!   Russ

John - we have one of those overhead creepers, but had not thought about leaving it in the train room AFTER the layout is sceniced and running.  I really feel that the turntable should not be that big of an issue.  Lots of folks have em' and they all seem to survive somehow.  It's not like the track is parallel to that 4 foot reach, the ends of the locos are still pointed back towards the outside.  I think with structures, locos, scenery, etc, the overhead creeper might cause more havoc than what it would help!    I will keep the group posted as to what we find out, planning is fun but reality is also VERY interesting.  Russ

Russ:  I'm very interested to see your future construction.  That turntable area will be spectacular.  Keep up the great work!