Sunday Scenic Showcase February 16, 2024

Beautiful, Alan!

The walls are starting to rise here……

Have a great and safe week, everyone!

Peter

Getting started on the upper level section on the back of my layout. I found an old Lionel girder bridge that I bought a while back and took the girder plates off to use for this project. I needed a 3rd plate to span the length so that was acquired from DaBay. The plan was to cut and splice the 3 plates together as one.

After doing a mock up I recalled that I also had a Lionel signal tower and a 153IR under the layout. Now I don't need the extra bridge......

I'll be building this as a diorama on a piece of 1/4 luan that I can remove if necessary to reach the tracks below.

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Getting started on the upper level section on the back of my layout. I found an old Lionel girder bridge that I bought a while back and took the girder plates off to use for this project. I needed a 3rd plate to span the length so that was acquired from DaBay. The plan was to cut and splice the 3 plates together as one.

After doing a mock up I recalled that I also had a Lionel signal tower and a 153IR under the layout. Now I don't need the extra bridge......

I'll be building this as a diorama on a piece of 1/4 luan that I can remove if necessary to reach the tracks below.

Bob

Bob, now that’s an easy fix with excellent results. It actually looks better with the signal tower and controller.

Gene

I had to go up into the attic in my train room and on my way down the ladder I realized I was getting a drone's eye view of one end of the layout. I thought it was a different perspective so here's a drone's view of the town on one end of my layout.

Ken

@Genemed posted:

Bob, now that’s an easy fix with excellent results. It actually looks better with the signal tower and controller.

Gene

Thanks Gene. I was planning to put some poles and lights up too. Have to see how they would look.

@RSJB18 posted:

Getting started on the upper level section on the back of my layout. I found an old Lionel girder bridge that I bought a while back and took the girder plates off to use for this project. I needed a 3rd plate to span the length so that was acquired from DaBay. The plan was to cut and splice the 3 plates together as one.

After doing a mock up I recalled that I also had a Lionel signal tower and a 153IR under the layout. Now I don't need the extra bridge......

I'll be building this as a diorama on a piece of 1/4 luan that I can remove if necessary to reach the tracks below.

Bob

Bob, You've got a good project going there. I don't know if you're aware of these fiber board like girder plates that are about 30" long. They come in grey. I think they would be lighter for your use on a diorama. If you're interested I'll take a pic of a piece of scrap. To give you a better idea of what they're like.

@pennsyfan posted:

Bob, You've got a good project going there. I don't know if you're aware of these fiber board like girder plates that are about 30" long. They come in grey. I think they would be lighter for your use on a diorama. If you're interested I'll take a pic of a piece of scrap. To give you a better idea of what they're like.

I looked at those Bob. Found the guys site when searching for options. Since I had the bridge sitting around I figured I could make it work. The plastic plates don't weigh much at all.

Thanks

Knickerbocker Transfer

After watching a zillion times Norm Charbonneau and Chris's Trains You Tube videos on the construction of their Altoona Model Works diesel service building I decided it was time to start my own. Unfortunately I do not have pictures of the actual structure progress yet as there is considerable prep time in sub assemblies and casting clean up.

I did however get the shop floor and outdoor service pad completed.

The shop itself is 32" long with a side building extension. I added an additional 32" outside service pad. My layout is nothing more then a glorified switching shelf layout that wraps around the basement walls. The width varies from 24" to as little as 12". Some deeper alcoves are created as it maneuvers around immovable basement objects. The odd shape of the service pad is a result of isle width restrictions. Large builds like this are treated as separate "modules " in the workshop during construction and wiring. This one is ready to be placed into the layout.

Making progress on the first of some large Factory Warehouse Shallow relief buildings.   This one is 30 inches wide (120 scale ft.) x  18 inches tall (72 scale feet)....   It's built on Clear Scratch Resistant PolyCarbonate.  The protective sheet is still installed on the back side, hence the white windows.   Finally finished, fabricating the external galvanized ductwork.  Plan to start painting and weathering the ductwork as well as the roll up freight doors, then we can go vertical.

Chris a

I like it. I need alot of these for next section of layout build. Where did you get the windows?

Potato house in Aroostook County.

Wow you all are so talented doing amazing projects! I am in envy of all the wonderful work I just got done reading about!

Congratulations to you all for work well done!

@Thirdrail600v posted:

Knickerbocker Transfer

After watching a zillion times Norm Charbonneau and Chris's Trains You Tube videos on the construction of their Altoona Model Works diesel service building I decided it was time to start my own. Unfortunately I do not have pictures of the actual structure progress yet as there is considerable prep time in sub assemblies and casting clean up.

I did however get the shop floor and outdoor service pad completed.

Wow this looks huge. Didn't realize that engine house was so large. Nice work on the shop floor. Keep us posted on the building. Would love to see more of your layout. Sounds like it might be what I am contemplating if I'm fortunate enough to ever build another one.

Dave

Making progress on the first of some large Factory Warehouse Shallow relief buildings.   This one is 30 inches wide (120 scale ft.) x  18 inches tall (72 scale feet)....   It's built on Clear Scratch Resistant PolyCarbonate.  The protective sheet is still installed on the back side, hence the white windows.   Finally finished, fabricating the external galvanized ductwork.  Plan to start painting and weathering the ductwork as well as the roll up freight doors, then we can go vertical.

Very nice work Chris! I really appreciate the progress shots and descriptions on these.

Dave

To luvindemtrains

Thanks Dave. The shop is 32" long. I had Altoona Model Works supply a 2nd 32" service pad without inspection pits for fuel stands and sanding tower so that's why it looks so long. Not shown is a secound module that mates with this one. It has the yard lead and storage tracks for the locomotives. With the two modules the entire facility is 12' long.

As stated this is a shelf layout so overall shots are tough to get without getting alot of basement junk in the way. Close ups though are no problem. In an effort to not clogg up this thread I can PM you some of the shots I do have.

Bob

@Thirdrail600v posted:

Knickerbocker Transfer

After watching a zillion times Norm Charbonneau and Chris's Trains You Tube videos on the construction of their Altoona Model Works diesel service building I decided it was time to start my own. Unfortunately I do not have pictures of the actual structure progress yet as there is considerable prep time in sub assemblies and casting clean up.

I did however get the shop floor and outdoor service pad completed.

The shop itself is 32" long with a side building extension. I added an additional 32" outside service pad. My layout is nothing more then a glorified switching shelf layout that wraps around the basement walls. The width varies from 24" to as little as 12". Some deeper alcoves are created as it maneuvers around immovable basement objects. The odd shape of the service pad is a result of isle width restrictions. Large builds like this are treated as separate "modules " in the workshop during construction and wiring. This one is ready to be placed into the layout.

Looks great, and I think a switching layout can provide the most action.  How much space did you leave for flangeways in the areas where you put concrete between the rails?  I'm trying to figure out how much space to leave as I have measured my cars and found the spacing between wheels to vary slightly.

Look forward to seeing this module in place on your shelf layout...