"ALL IN"

Hi Darren,

I think I'm done playing around with a plan. I followed your design basically with the trestle section, a little closer. Decided not to have most of the lower loop hidden and will probably follow your lead with a trestle at the lower outside. I also realized I can get by with a 30” turntable rather than a 34” saving a little space. For the most part the plan is a guide for benchwork and I'll certainly adjust as I go along. All I need is the nerve to tear down my existing layout! Since I’m really in no hurry, I may build a study model before I proceed with demolition. 

Thanks again for the renewed inspiration!

Joe

"NO IMAGE"

I can see it.

Oh yes, I can click on it in the blue box on the bottom with my iPhone, but don't see it on the main area.

Is this intended to be open in the middle to walk through or just one big table.  If walk through, it looks a bit tight, that's why I ask!  Looks nice overall though 

Not sure why the image doesn't show up.

Yes it is walk through and a little tight. It would be a minimum of 18" but I'd like to get it to a minimum of 24"-30". I have a little room to play with to open up that area if I shift to the right. Right now I have a 12" wide walk through for 2' on my existing layout. It's tight and awkward but doable. I'd rather have a tight squeeze than a duck under!

I agree, I don't like duck unders either.  As long as you don't plan to have another person there trying to get by or a large person visiting, then a tight squeeze works

My current layout, an around the room with a center island with return loop is 15 years old, with no progress in 12 years, has 2 duck unders & I never thought it be a problem then. At 61 with back issues, its a problem now.

I'm 61, and my back is not bad  but my knees are are worse.  Though now that I think of it, my back hurts too, and I have trouble straightening up.  I guess you could say, I feel your pain!!  Too bad we don't have room to build something that has no difficult access at all.  

Yeah, an extra 3 feet, length & width would make a world of difference, but of course, I'd be designing something larger! I keep compromising just to keep the layout in the existing space. 

Funny, not sure whats worse, my back or knees!

Yes indeed!!

I've been diligently working on the layout and wanted to post some pics and hopefully (If it works) a link to the youtube video I made, I'm crossing my fingers!

I decided to make "to-do" list after "to-do" list, in order to keep myself organized and get things done, though they may be small details like flattening out the roundhouse roof, or making rock molds, or even cleaning up a bit around the layout, it is all adding up.

https://youtu.be/aH96vjD8r4Y

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

If neither of the links work, its titled "The Caruso Family O Scale Train Layout Part 2"

Darren

Hey Darren,

The layout is looking awesome. The rock molds look great! I've been looking forward to the update. It's really coming along. I watched the video 3 times taking in all the details. You have a nice space to work with having a number of nice viewing areas. Next to a having a nice size engine facility, a curved trestle adds a lot of drama and excitement. Like I said before, the long run really makes the layout seem larger. Once you have scenery hiding the hidden trackage the railroad will seem even larger.

Thanks for the pictures and the video, keep up the good work and enjoy! 

Joe

Darren, The layout is looking great!!  I really like the curved trestle and canyon!  The engine facility is shaping up great!!  Thank you for sharing!!

I cannot believe I missed this thread all these years! What a project.  The benchwork is great, the engine facility is great, the trackwork is great, . . . The long straight stretches can really show off some long trains.  Congrats!

Hey Darren,
Just saw your Xmas video of the layout. Looks like you've been busy with adding more rock & stone wall castings. Nice job video & editing by your son! Glad to see things are coming along and you all are enjoying the trains!!

Merry Xmas (belated) & Happy New Year,

Joe

Joe,

Thank you, I've been trying to work on it as much as possible leading up to Christmas.  Progress has been slowed due to the Holidays and work but I hope to be back at it in 2018.

Darren

Hey Darren,

Hope all is well. How's the layout coming?

I was wondering if you ever tried running your individual trains as a lashup keeping each a considerable distance apart but controlling as one. When I mentioned it a few months back I kept thinking about trying it myself. I  finally did last night, 4 trains about 5 feet apart. They eventually caught up to each other after a few laps. In theory it should work, but it's not like you can set it and forget it.

Joe

Darren,

   Looks great, hope you left an access to your tunnel track!

PCRR/Dave

Darren Caruso posted:

I've been diligently working on the layout and wanted to post some pics and hopefully (If it works) a link to the youtube video I made, I'm crossing my fingers!

I decided to make "to-do" list after "to-do" list, in order to keep myself organized and get things done, though they may be small details like flattening out the roundhouse roof, or making rock molds, or even cleaning up a bit around the layout, it is all adding up.

https://youtu.be/aH96vjD8r4Y

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

If neither of the links work, its titled "The Caruso Family O Scale Train Layout Part 2"

Darren

Darren, great pictures of your layout and wonderful video! Thanks for sharing. I was wondering how big your room is ? I really love how you made it so you can go from different levels! Wonderful job! Please keep posting!

Nice progress!

First, thank you all for the wonderful comments, unfortunately the layout progress has slowed to a crawl.  We are short three people at work, which means a lot of extra work!   Great for the bank account but not so much for free time, especially for the layout.  I have been planning somewhat of an expansion in order to create a more pleasing viewing and running experience.  It probably will not get started until spring time.

Joe - I haven't got to try the lash-up, barely got to run the trains at all, but I have made a few purchases that will enhance the layout.

Dave - There is actually an access panel under the layout, big enough that you can crawl into if needed.  There is a 2' x 8' space behind the wall which houses a water shut off.  When I finished the basement I decided to make it one straight section to make things easier on myself.

Mike - The train room area is roughly 28' long by 13-15' depending on where your standing.  The new plan is to make it an "L" shaped layout with a 28' x 28' dimension.  I'm in the beginning stages of working the plans out with SCARM.

Again, thank you all, I will post pictures once I have a plan that I'm satisfied with and I start demolition/remodel.

Darren

Darren,

Sorry to hear you're putting more hours into work than the layout, but like you said at least the bank account is benefiting. I guess the lack of free time has slowed you down enough to rethink the layout. With such a great layout already in the works, I hope it will be more of a renovation than a demolition. I know what ever you come up with is going to be awesome!

Best of luck. Looking forward to the next stage!

Joe

After deciding to part ways, somewhat, with my pool table (I dis-assembled it and have it stored away in our storage room), I'm "All in" on the layout, with literally no obstacles but the norm ($ and time), I got started.  I wish I could have started sooner, but the delays actually helped to solidify the ideas in my head.  It gave me time to accomplish my plans:  More pleasurable viewing space, easier access to almost all areas of the layout, room for everything I wanted to place on the layout, and lastly, an expanded yard area, with the capability to actually store trains.

I've been working on the layout, with the help of my wife (I know I am blessed, to say the least!) and I thought I would share some of the pictures I took to show you all the progress that has been made.  After looking at these pictures myself I can finally see the plans starting to come together.

Enjoy,

Darren

Wow, looks like you're off to a great new start! It's always better to have more room to fit in what you want & access as needed. I know it will be even more enjoyable all around. Looking forward to seeing the trains running.

Good luck & enjoy!

Joe

Very nice start.  Best wishes for your steady progress.

John Rowlen

Darren, I'm liking what I see!  That is a much better use of space than a pool table!   So you are coming off the around the walls area into a wider area with a long peninsula with an upper level way up high forming a view block for the other side!  Great!  Your L-girder looks well done, with ample holes for wiring, and a level upper level!  Are there going to be sceniced areas under part of the upper level, or will it be more of a mountain with trains up top?  You have a great wife and great kids as well!  The Penguins jersey tops off the room for sure!  I'm glad to see such great progress in my neighboring county!!!  I am really looking forward to seeing more progress as you get it done. 

I hope to be working on my layout after the leaves are all cleaned up, but wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't happen until right after Christmas!

Well done a large addition. I’m smelling an OGR magazine article.

Great adventure, Darren! I want to thank you for the chronicle of journey. This has been a fun train ride!

Wow!!! Hat's off to you! I would never be able to do that! Looking Awesome!!

Thank you all for the kind words!  I have until December 8th to work on the layout as much as I can, work will get crazy again from that date until January 2nd.  I need some additional materials before I can begin trackwork again, but I have enough other work to do, that I will not be slowed down.  

To give you some idea of what things will look like in the future:  The yard area will move to the upper peninsula with the "yard" extending down to the corner of the room.  The former yard area will now be the location of the city scene.  Below the new yard, to the right, near the pool sticks (They too are being put away) will be the location of the mine scene, and the area where I started work on the rock wall, you will see a section that is lower than the lower level track.  This area will house the power plant and office.  I am going to leave room on the upper level, in the corner, for an industrial section that would be comprised of building flats/shadow boxes, etc.

Mark - sorry, but the Penguins jersey and pictures also are coming down.  I am going to relocate them to another room in the house.  I want to put train related pictures in the room, and begin work on another recessed train shelf ( You can never have too much room to store the trains you "had" to buy, lol!)

Seacoast - If I ever get the layout to a point where I am considered for a OGR magazine article I would consider it an honor.

Darren

Darren, Good deal!  I'm glad you have another place for the Penguins pictures so that you can put railroad related pictures!  Your plans sound great!

Darren, that is one great addition! agree with everyone else! What a great wife and kids you have to help you along the trip! It sure looks like your going to have an amazing layout when your are done! But then again they are never really done! Keep up the great work and please keep posting!

Looks great nice job well done 

I thought I would post a few pictures showing some progress.  I underestimated the required materials and had to make a few runs to the depot, which delayed things a bit.  Almost done with the cork roadbed on the mainline, hoping to get started laying track this week!

I had a friend join me last night, thank goodness he's not camera shy, LOL!

Darren

Seacoast posted:

Well done a large addition. I’m smelling an OGR magazine article.

Any time Darren is ready. I'm easy to get hold of and am almost always here. Keep in mind that a layout--his or any other--does not have to be "finished" before an article can be prepared. Almost no layout is truly ever finished, so it's perfectly fine to submit photos of what has been accomplished or to write a how-to article describing some interesting approach used in building the layout or part of it.

Darren, Looks like great progress to me!  Very smooth looking roadbed for smooth track laying!  Mr. Cat found a happy perch to survey the goings-on!  Wait until a train is highballing his way though!!  

Allan, I think I like a layout article best when there is something sceniced and something still obviously under construction.  I know I like that when I visit a layout too.  Often I am caught looking under the table top to see how the builder did something.  Thinking towards sharing construction for Forum members is a first step for me.  I need to get my photographs in general in some kind of order just for showing here, much less an article.

Allen, wonderful suggestion to do an "in progress" article with the "bones" of the layout visible and progress described.

Excellent repurposing of the curved trestle!

The extension into the pool area is certainly working out.

You can turn the cues into Beverly Hillbillies' pot passing sticks for Thanksgiving dinner.

My kitty loved my layout, my cat was always on it or near the layout, I had an agreement with her, I gave her spots on the layout where she could sit and watch without being hit by the trains,  she liked to watch them, she liked electrics but not so much with the steamers or diesels.

You seem to be building a nice layout. good luck with it.

Darren, Wonderful work ! Things are coming right along! I am sure your friend has helped along the way! Keep up the great work!