Sharing a video of my layout

Very nice, great job!

WOW that is a cool layout.   Do you have loops at both ends with anti derailing switches on them like on the lower level loop?   Im considering that for another level of my layout.  Your engine facility is awesome! 

Jim

Looking good.

Karl

That is WONDERFUL!!  Great job.

You can get a very nice run on your railroad.  I tip my hat to you.

That is terrific.  Well done and keep going.

Looks familiar, Jeff. That was a great track plan. As I recall you could run the route in the video, or 3 separate trains at once.

Are you making a come back in O gauge?

What a GREAT LAYOUT!

Looks great!    What a nice layout you have.

Well done.  Track plan anywhere?

Thank you all.

#CarsNTrains: there are two connected reversing loops on the inner upper "loop", then a loop around that, and the bottom loop.  Scaletrax switches which are passively non-derailing via the springs in the switch motors. 

Jim M: yes I am back into my layout after a long hiatus!  

Mallard: sorry the RR track file is on a long gone laptop somewhere!  But it is very specific to the room anyway.  

Pennsy484- great layout. The track plan keeps you guessing on where the train is going next.

great scenery too !

Great layout! I love the many layers. You can do so much and you can't tell where the train is going next. I like the rockwork, too. All the buildings look very realistic and I like the trestle. Can't wait to see the final product - should only be another week or two, right? lol

pennsy484 posted:

Mallard: sorry the RR track file is on a long gone laptop somewhere!  But it is very specific to the room anyway.  

Was especially interested in seeing some detail of the transition between levels - appears to be very smooth without the need for a helix.  Wondering how it fits together.  Any hints, or maybe a subsequent video?

Very well done, and interesting to watch. Keep us informed of your progress.

And thank you for sharing!

Alex

Awesome Jeff ! That layout is really taking shape.

I thought I knew where that train was going to appear next, but I was wrong every time LOL!

I wish my layout was that interesting , good thing my main RR is the Water Level Route.

I'll be looking forward to your future progess.

Very nice layout. Well done!

Mallard: I am handy, but not a carpenter or tradesman, so I found that making the "benchwork" to fit the RR track plan was pretty tough.  Splitting the grades was key for my layout.  So for example if I needed 7 inches of height difference one track goes up 3.5 inches and the other goes down 3.5 inches, which keeps the grade percentages below around 4% for me.  Another tip is that its important to ease into and out of the grades, which will actually cause a steeper grade in the middle of the grade but quick transitions at the ends tend to cause derails.  Where I cheated on that is where I had track problems.  

Beautiful!

Great scenery, cool layout. I kinda figured out the plan but if you have one be good to see. Hope my layout looks this good.......share your rock techniques???? thx

Really, interesting and elegant layout!  Are you able to run more than one engine?

Good evening, I watched your video twice and great track plan !!!!

Looking at the area the layout is setup in, and the area does not appear to be that large.

You proved you can do a lot of railroading in a medium size space.

Great job there Pennsy 484 !!!!!

Jeff, Nice layout and great video! Thanks for sharing and please post more as you go along!

I agree with Marks, the layout doesn't look to be very large but it takes creativity and vision to create what you have. You have achieved the illusion of having a larger layout and your layout has character. I can't wait to see more scenery work completed. You truly have a great thing going. Thanks for posting!

AMCDave, I used some preformed plastic rock sheets for a lot of the rock walls.  I think I got them from scenic express at York years several years ago.  They were maybe 3 feet by 18 inches or so. Pic of pieces belowb  Also carved foam sheets carved spackling, carved plaster, shaped CelluClay, plaster castings.  I haven't nailed a technique  just whatever seemssto suit the situation ir what i have on hand.  Still trying to get the paint right.  

Brewman, thank you.  I can run 3 trains on 3 loops.

Mark, the room is 13' x 15'.  Not big for 072 minimum.  Couldn't have done this plan without rrtrack software.  Tight fit to walls and between tracks!

Thank you all for the nice comments.  It's nice to share with people who understand. 

Thai's a great use of 13 x 15 space. You may have done better than I have in my 24 x 36!!

I used 072 on my layout for the outer loop and 060 on the inner loop on my around the room layout. 17x11 room with one end having an adjacent rooms closet bumping into it in one corner taking away a 3x4 area.  Made a HUGE difference over the 048 max outer loop on my first 6x12 table layout!  I went around the room because I like a little walking around room lol 

Jim 

Nice job on the layout. I like your backdrop, too. Did you paint the mountains? 

Tom 

Very nice scenery and great track plan.  I like it a lot keep up the good work!!

Despite reach issues and the duck under, that is one unique layout.  It disguises the reversing loop and incorporates a long mainline in a relatively small space.  Wow, the engineering involved in getting all the grades to connect appears very complex and a feat in itself.  Again, in a relatively small space, it incorporates many design elements that provide all sorts of viewing interest.  Wow, great job on the layout and the video.   

Very well done track plan and layout, an award winning track plan I'd say. The Premier H10 model is an excellent engine - I have the PRR and PRSL myself, great runners.

Looks awesome Jeff   I have a question  Did Pennsy actually have any 4-8-4's

Great video, GREAT lay-out, keep updates coming.

Pretty Cool!

Ben! I hope all is well. I still remember that you were the first person I spoke to at York and you were very welcoming and helpful. I also attended a Trainstock a few years back!   You guys are an assea ti the hobho!  Despite the fact that PRR had so many types of locomotives, they did not have any 484 (unless you consider the GG1 a 484). Makes for a unique moniker (at least I thought so before I found out the GG1 thing lol). 

Tom MNCW, thank you. I am painting the backdrops. It's just the "basics" acrylic in mixtures of hunter green/light green/black. The one on the right is done, but the others just have the dark base coat down and I will finish the contours once I get the scenery somewhat set so I can visualize what the mountains might look behind. Pic below, I just do a base of green/back, then brush-tap contours with green, or light green or a green/yellow mix.  

Tom MNCW, thank you. I am painting the backdrops. It's just the "basics" acrylic in mixtures of hunter green/light green/black. The one on the right is done, but the others just have the dark base coat down and I will finish the contours once I get the scenery somewhat set so I can visualize what the mountains might look behind. Pic below, I just do a base of green/back, then brush-tap contours with green, or light green or a green/yellow mix.  

Bob, thank you for the encouraging comments. I couldn't do around the room because one corner has an outside door on one wall and door to other room on the other, and a jutting piece of foundation wall between. There are several removable sections that enable access to all the track. I originally envisioned a lift bridge, but I didn't like the way it looked. Then I added the lower level which was a later addition, and replaced the bridge with a wider bench work because I wanted more space for scenery. It's now a crawl under. Not ideal, but one of many compromises!