The design finally begins.......

Looks like you have some drywall work to do, ceiling and walls??  are you finishing the space first and then the layout?  good luck planning!  thats the best part, the benchwork!

 

Chris

Interesting, Is that "5" litter boxes I see on the floor ?

 

Your CATS are going to love you and the new LAYOUT.

Robert

My wife and I are designing a slideout tray system (Molded plastic) for the litter boxes with a vent system to the outside.  The cats are not much for tabletops with moving objects. But yes we have 4 cats and as they eventually leave us we have decided to whittle it down to 2.

Mike, what size space do you have for this project?  Your givens and druthers list.

basement divided by staircase   will post actual room design later.

 

basement 30 x 19

each room 13 x 19

 

layout concept is main level, Hi-line and storage below all connected.

33" turntable and Korber roundhouse with Steam service area

Stub end station based upon a scaled down version of the Reading Terminal in Philly

 

 

Layout

• Philadelphia region
• Era.... Late steam to diesel. / electric
• Midlantic railroads
• Purpose of railroad
• Coal from reading and areas served by other railroads to various industries. Not everyone could use the hard anthracite from the
• reading area. (C&O from west Virginia )
• Deliver produce / milk from Berks Bucks Chester Lancaster south jersey Delaware
• Passenger service local and long distance points north south east west.

• General freight from all railroads

Features

• Passenger main station based upon reading terminal (micro size)
• Commuter stations
• Engine terminal for steam / diesel roundhouse / turntable
• Coal tipple for loading
• Electric plant for city / trolley system deliver coal siding
• Coal / grain dealer to receive deliveries siding
• Farm siding
• Below grade staging area.
• Small yard
• Reversing loop

Considerations

• Track system
• Cantennary
• Benchwork
• Layout height
• Around the room vs. Island
• Lighting

Hi Mike,

 

  Looks and sounds like this is going to be a beautiful layout. Looking forward to see the layout plan and progress photo's.

 

Alex

I am anticipating 5-7 years till completion

Exciting times ahead for sure!  Have fun!!!

 

David

that is a serious layout!  almost the time it takes restore an old car! happy designing!

Main room is lower side.  Hi-line will extend to other side

You have a good sized space. It will be interesting to see what sized track plan your designer comes up with.

I'm sure uou will be be pleased by what Dave and Ted can do it that space. Building it is as much fun as running trains if not more.  Nothing wrong with taking your time.

So we weathered Sandy and the basement is bone dry with 51% humidity.  Sump pump ran every 5 minutes for 15 seconds.  Backup battery for it is next to be installed.  Replace the windows with glassblock, Blue 1x2's on the walls and 3/8" greenboard on the walls.  Lots of new NEC regulations were implemented this week. So we need to look at all of the new types of outlets and circuits and all of the wire that we need to rip out and replace.  Oh well one step at a time, and lots to do while Dave and Ted work on the design.

Mike

You might look into a power inverter and hook it up to two or three marine  batteries.

The other option is to purchase a portable generator.

 

Very happy to hear you survived Sandy with little problems

Good idea or the type that works off of the household water pressure.  That way you never have to worry if the batteries are charged or not.

 

Having my basement profesionally "water proofed" was the best money I ever spent.  After the rain we go from Sandy, in the past it was nothing to have 6 plus inches of water down there, this time?  Not a DROP, nothing...... (sump pump got a work out though)

 

RW