Rebuilding layout progress 2-26-24 final phase

Nice work Gene, the scene is coming together quickly. Looks great.

Andy

Final progress:  
I finished the barn scene. Added lots of trees and more lichen.
The last part to finish will be a special scene on top of the tunnel when I decide what to put there. I also cleaned the track today. Here’s some pics to enjoy.

Gene

Gene, You really have out done yourself! Your layout is looking so amazing! I will have to keep your detail in mind when I get to that point!

@Genemed

Great track configuration! Lots of possibilities.

@mike g. posted:

Gene, You really have out done yourself! Your layout is looking so amazing! I will have to keep your detail in mind when I get to that point!

Thank you Mike. There are times I wish I had the extraordinary finesse of some forum members with their over the top ideas and fine detailing. Being extremely OCD, I have a problem scaling down realistic details because in my eyes it’s not neat! Edging between asphalt, gravel, and grass has to be perfect, which isn’t realistic to some modelers. When I glued this shovel to the post it wasn’t plumb. When my girlfriend came down to see the progress I told her I was going to fix it and she said “it looks fine, it’s not always perfect”.

Gene

Lol your girlfriend was correct! At my place it probably would have been on the ground or the tractor!

Both great looking scenes!

@pennsyfan posted:

@Genemed

Great track configuration! Lots of possibilities.

Thanks Bob, the original design was created by Ken H. and I added the 060 outer loop with power blocked sidings. For a 6x16, there’s lots of action.  

Gene

@Genemed

“Edging between asphalt, gravel, and grass has to be perfect,”

Gene, you just reminded me of a scene from my youth. This lady down the block sat on her lawn and cut the grass with a pair of scissors!

🤪

@pennsyfan posted:

@Genemed

“Edging between asphalt, gravel, and grass has to be perfect,”

Gene, you just reminded me of a scene from my youth. This lady down the block sat on her lawn and cut the grass with a pair of scissors!

🤪

Bob, rather than start a new post, how can I reply using the @ and name like you did and I’ve seen others do multiple times within a reply?  

@Genemed first of all, your layout really looks great.  Ken really packs in a lot of running possibilities into all his designs!  You did it well.  I’m somewhat the way you say you are, I like my scenery to be just so.

as for typing in the link, just start with the @ symbill, you will see it is dark, then type the first letter and you will see a pop up appear with suggestions.  Keep typing until you see the name you want, then click on it, and it should appear like yours did above

Gene like Mark said. I was busy buying a damsel in distress

@Mark Boyce posted:

@Genemed first of all, your layout really looks great.  Ken really packs in a lot of running possibilities into all his designs!  You did it well.  I’m somewhat the way you say you are, I like my scenery to be just so.

as for typing in the link, just start with the @ symbill, you will see it is dark, then type the first letter and you will see a pop up appear with suggestions.  Keep typing until you see the name you want, then click on it, and it should appear like yours did above

Easy enough, I’ll try that. Thank you

test:  

@pennsyfan I believe I got it!

@Genemed posted:

Easy enough, I’ll try that. Thank you

test:  

@pennsyfan I believe I got it!

👍🏻👍🏻

You’re welcome!

Nice work Gene, the layout looks great. As far as neatness and symmetry goes, it’s your layout. Make it look the way you want.

Andy

@Genemed, Great looking layout! We could enjoy more of it if you turn your phone horizontally to take your pictures.

@Steamfan77 posted:

Nice work Gene, the layout looks great. As far as neatness and symmetry goes, it’s your layout. Make it look the way you want.

Andy

Thanks Andy, I’m happy with it.

@John H posted:

@Genemed, Great looking layout! We could enjoy more of it if you turn your phone horizontally to take your pictures.

Good point John, I’ll try that in upcoming pics.    

Started another project. I’m adding another connected loop and framing for the background. I will need to make a hinged access on the curved section joining the existing track. I’ve referenced a few posts but haven’t seen any with a single curve section hinged. I made a template of the connecting section to help with the angles before cutting. Here’s some pics on the progress so far.

Gene

I love it, very neat and I like the connector going to the back wall!

Where the Fastrack will be resting directly on wood, you might want to consider adding some roadbed to soften the noise.

There is a seller on the 'bay who sells 1/4" thick foam roadbed specifically wide enough for Fastrack in lengths that can be cut to size.

@Richie C. posted:

Where the Fastrack will be resting directly on wood, you might want to consider adding some roadbed to soften the noise.

There is a seller on the 'bay who sells 1/4" thick foam roadbed specifically wide enough for Fastrack in lengths that can be cut to size.

Richie, that was also a worthy suggestion when I began the layout. The existing track is screwed down on 1/2” plywood without any sound deadening. It works fine for me. I’ve noticed when running trains at higher speeds the loudness obviously is more noticeable. I run my trains at this speed or less in the video. I don’t mind the distinct sound of the truck wheels at the track joints, I find it kind of pleasing.

Thanks, Gene

Gene, nice run!  The outside loop is a great idea!  Your backdrop framing puts mine to shame!  👍🏻

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gene, nice run!  The outside loop is a great idea!  Your backdrop framing puts mine to shame!  👍🏻

Thanks Mark, my original plan was just to make the backdrop frame. Having the space, I figured it would be nice to have the outer loop extended. On the left of the plan I will eventually add  more sidings for a yard. My dilemma will be somehow making the return loop to the existing track hinged. That would be my only access to the back.

Gene great looking change up and I love the video of your trains! What speed it that?

Also as for your single lane going to the outer wall you could just hinge it at the wall and let it drop down against the wall.

@mike g. posted:

Gene great looking change up and I love the video of your trains! What speed it that?

Also as for your single lane going to the outer wall you could just hinge it at the wall and let it drop down against the wall.

Thanks Mike, I have no idea what speed I run. Being a latecomer, I missed the availability of a base/cab 2. Until my base 3 comes in I run with the app and universal remote. I’m going to work on the back wall first then I’ll reach out for some advice on the hinge section.

Gene

An update on the shelf loop. All built and painted. Just have to install the hinged section with the table pins.

Gene

I like the added loop Gene.

Since you only have a single track that you need to lift, why not just make a lift out section? Much easier to build than a hinged section. Don't forget the block sections to kill power to the tracks when the lift out is open.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

I like the added loop Gene.

Since you only have a single track that you need to lift, why not just make a lift out section? Much easier to build than a hinged section. Don't forget the block sections to kill power to the tracks when the lift out is open.

Bob

Thanks Bob, I thought about a lift out but felt it would be a nuisance for the amount of times I would need to access the back. I tested the hinged section before painting, it actually works well. I referenced the idea from @mike g. but had it lift up instead of dropping down.(thanks Mike)

Gene

WOW Gene things are moving right along! Sure is looking good! I can't wait to see it done, I hope you can post a video of a run around! Your more then welcome about the hinged idea.

It all looks really nice, Gene!

@mike g. posted:

WOW Gene things are moving right along! Sure is looking good! I can't wait to see it done, I hope you can post a video of a run around! You’re more than welcome about the hinged idea.

I will definitely post a video. I never thought about putting the hinges on the wall side. Thanks again Mike.

Gene

Here’s a couple videos of the outer loop in action. All works well especially the hinged section.

Gene

Gene that looks great and so smooth! Outstanding job!

@mike g. posted:

Gene that looks great and so smooth! Outstanding job!

Thanks Mike, I needed to use a couple shims to get the rails perfectly even. I’m pleased with the smooth transition. Once I decide on a background, I’ll lay down the ground cover.

Gene

Gene, the line along the wall and the lift up is great!  Are you going to put something up to catch a derailment from hitting the floor.  I get asked that and I have tracks pretty close to the layout edge.  However, I run trains slow.

Nice addition Gene, looks good and works even better, well done.

Andy

@Mark Boyce posted:

Gene, the line along the wall and the lift up is great!  Are you going to put something up to catch a derailment from hitting the floor.  I get asked that and I have tracks pretty close to the layout edge.  However, I run trains slow.

Thanks Mark. Like you, I run my trains on the slow side. Shouldn’t be a problem as long as I maintain that.

Gene

@Steamfan77 posted:

Nice addition Gene, looks good and works even better, well done.

Andy

Thank you Andy. I couldn’t find any lift out like that in my research. A fellow forum member gave me the idea.

Gene

Update:  
Started ground cover on the curved lift out section.
Added 2 trays of trees throughout the layout I bought from the Amherst train show last Friday.

Gene

Gene, you sure got that looking like a nice right of way.