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Well, after tearing down the old layout and finally deciding on a track plan I was satisfied with, the new layout construction has begun.  I started on Halloween night and here's where I'm at so far.

 

The layout is constructed with 2 x 4's because that is what I had from my old layout, and it will be covered with 3/4" plywood, also from the old layout.  It is L-Girder with pre-drilled holes for the wiring.  I'm still deciding what to do with the walls, since this room was never designed to be the train room I have a lot of work ahead of me, but that's what is fun about this hobby.

 

As for a track plan, I am using a hybrid of some plans that members Ace and Stewart designed for me using SCARM.  I am going to be using Gargraves track with Ross Custom switches, minimum 0-72 on the mainline, down to 0-63 around the roundhouse, and one smaller track with 0-54, but this track will be raised and include the city.

 

I know how much I enjoy seeing other peoples layouts in progress so I will do my best to keep the post updated with photos that hopefully will either assist, help or inspire others with their layouts.  I'm excited about the possibility of having the trains at least running by Christmas for the boys (All three of them)

 

Darren

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Images (6)
  • Craigslist 10-31-13 002: Laying out the framework
  • Craigslist 10-31-13 004: Yep, Hot Wheels tracks for the boys
  • Craigslist 10-31-13 008: Framework up!
  • Craigslist 10-31-13 010: Framework almost complete
  • Circus 039: L-Girder Benchwork Completed
  • Circus 040: Finished with the 2 x 4 framework and girder installation!
Last edited by Darren Caruso
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Hey, I am also in western Pa too.  Nice room size Darren.  I been down my basement checking my room size also.  Nice pictures of you starting your new layout.

I am interested in your track plans and not sure how to view them. What does Ace and Stewart track plans mean?  Is the a way for me to see your track plans you going to use.

 

Andy 

Andy, I had started a new topic in this section of the forum titled "Asking for a little assistance"  members, Ace & Stewart, both helped with the SCARM track planning software by designing layouts that fit into my available space, if you look at my profile you can find that older topic and see the layouts throughout the postings.

 

Darren

I made some progress this week, I secured down the Homasote, and before the debate starts, I secured it down with drywall screws.  Mainly because I know me and glue, in addition to ease and timeliness.  This is the first time I have ever used Homasote so I will give the forum my 2 cents once I run a train or two over it.

 

Not building related but I did update my TIU this week also, another thing I had never done before.

 

Now I have to do some research on painting the Homasote, thinking of going with a flat black.

 

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Darren,

This is the first I have seen your thread.

 

This looks serious!  I like your walk-in design, and you have a great space to work with.  Your wife must be very forgiving letting you build a layout on that nice carpet.

 

I see you have some DCS components there, and are using GarGraves with Ross switches.  I am thinking of doing the same when I start my next layout.  I have to reacquire some space.  One daughter is getting married next month, but the other one is the one who has all the stuff.  ;-)  I have a DCS but have not had much time to learn it this summer.

 

I saw you live in Western Pennsylvania, Beaver no less.  I live in Butler as my signature shows!  We lived next door to a Caruso family many years ago.  He had some nice postwar trains he setup at Christmas.  

 

I am looking forward to seeing your progress.  Many thanks for posting!

Thanks for all the kind words, I have been doing my best to keep the post as up to date as possible, this is my time of year to work on the layout so hopefully there will be many more posts and trains running soon enough.

 

Mark,

I have learned over the years that there are a lot of Caruso's out there, most of my family grew up in the southwest portion of the state.  This is my first layout with the Gargraves/Ross combination, so it will be a learning process as the layout progresses, but I enjoy learning new things.  And YES, I am very fortunate to have a supporting spouse and space to build a layout.

 

Gary,

I had used the foam roadbed in the past but I like the cork a lot more.  I can't wait to run the trains with the Homasote/Cork Roadbed combination.  I am hoping for a much reduced noise level.

 

Darren

 

Originally Posted by HJKSR:

I am starting to build a new layout using my old postwar 027 track. I would like to have parallel tracks. I am using 42" curves on the outside, but how do I make an inside parallel track conform to the outside 42"? Do I some how use 27" curves and a few 1/2 straights. Any ideas. This is not fast track.

Hi HJKSR,

It appears that the 027 track is sized based on the outside rail diameter. To have a symmetrical inside line on a curve of 042 with 027 on the inside, you would start with an 8" center rail to center spacing. This is by design of the track. To tighten that up to 4.5" to 6", you would have to put a small cut piece at 90º in the center of the curve.

 

Start a new post with your area or table dimensions if you want some assistance. Don't want to de-rail Darren's thread.

 

diagram attached.

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  • HJKSR 042 027 curves
Last edited by Moonman

Darren, nice work on the layout.

 

The homosote cork combination will definitely be a quiet layout.

 

the homosote will suck up the first coat of paint, so put down anything cheap. Then the second coat will give you what you need. I tried primer the first time. It was a waste of good primer, it sucked up so much. Latex is fine.

 

I can't tell from the pics, but there is a lumpy side and a fine grid side. I dind't pay attention and put the lumpy side up. Good thing it was only a 4 x 8 then.

 

Keeps the posts coming. Looks to be a fun layout!

Originally Posted by Darren Caruso:

Thanks for all the kind words, I have been doing my best to keep the post as up to date as possible, this is my time of year to work on the layout so hopefully there will be many more posts and trains running soon enough.

 

Mark,

I have learned over the years that there are a lot of Caruso's out there, most of my family grew up in the southwest portion of the state.  This is my first layout with the Gargraves/Ross combination, so it will be a learning process as the layout progresses, but I enjoy learning new things.  And YES, I am very fortunate to have a supporting spouse and space to build a layout.

 

Gary,

I had used the foam roadbed in the past but I like the cork a lot more.  I can't wait to run the trains with the Homasote/Cork Roadbed combination.  I am hoping for a much reduced noise level.

 

Darren

 

Darren,

Yes, and there are a few Boyces in Western Pennsylvania too.  ;-)

I have some GarGraves and some FlexTrak.  Separate ovals.  I don't know which way I will go on the new layout.

 

Have fun on your layout!

I finally feel like I have a model railroad in progress and not just another benchwork project that ends up getting tore down and rebuilt. 

 

I made some changes to the layout already, added a yard, moved the Roundhouse/Turntable "Future location".  Did some planning with sidings and structure location, which helped give me a better image of how the layout will look when completed.  I marked switch locations and started experimenting with laying Gargraves track.  I think I watched the Gargraves video three times and looked at every YouTube video out there, in addition to reading up on bending the flextrack as much as I could. 

 

As you can see I made my own bending jig with templates for the larger radius curves, the dogbone curves mainly use sectional curve track.

 

I hope to have the track completed sometime in October, I will post pictures when I get it done.

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I have progressed to the point where we finally ran an engine around the layout.

 

A lot of time was put into laying all the track, and there is still more to do but the current budget says I have to wait.  Being that this was my first bout with Gargraves track, and with using flextrack of any brand, I must commend this forum for its invaluable wealth of resources.  I was able to do A LOT of research before embarking on this track project and with a little planning, having the correct tools, and a little patience, seeing that train run around the track sure brought a smile to my face, and my oldest son, the other two were already in bed.

 

I am having a few issues with wiring the stainless Gargraves track, but I will ask about that in another forum and see what I can find out.

 

Here are a few photos of the train layout, and you may notice a few changes I made and the addition of the future Roundhouse/Turntable area.

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Let me just say, "WOW, WOW, WOW"  I ran the three types of engines I have, note I'm classifying the steam into what I call large and small, and all you can hear after running them is the clickity clack of the wheels running over the rails.  

 

So "YES" I am recommending some sort of sound barrier if you are planning on building a layout.  I chose Homasote and it was well worth the money, just cut it outside, this stuff is messy and itchy!  There is no comparison vs running w/o a sound barrier.  I've constructed various layouts throughout the years, with 1/2 ' plywood, OSB board, etc. and I've had cork/foam roadbeds, hands down this is the quietest yet. 

 

I plan on using the rest of the month to work on wiring, so once I get something "solid" in place I will post what I did.  My oldest is already chomping at the bits to make a "youtube" video, so when he does I will post that as well.

 

Darren

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