The Final Run...Now On A Roll and Operating Once Again...(Updated 3/28/17)

Paul

Nice layout and photo. Enjoy the new "build", may everything work out exactly as planned.

Scotie

Good luck.  What has caused the change.  Got a new house, more room etc, ?

Dennis

Thanks Dennis...Never had any kind of permanent layout growing up, so two years ago what started with the purchase of a ping pong table that was on sale after Christmas...gave me that opportunity. Had Lionel trains going back to 1949 and amazingly still had some of those cars...even after a dozen moves through the years. I lost my wife, of 47 years, last July...it has been a game changer for me and the need to stay busy is ever present. During this past holiday season I took on a community service project and put together a train display that raised $1200 for our small town Christmas Light Fund...so stayed busy and did something as a benefit for the town. Now it's on to a larger more permanent layout...time to correct mistakes learned from my previous endeavor, mostly wiring, i.e., too much. Always thought a bus got you from here to there and had a picture of a dog on the side! The new layout will be all old school 027, with two separate but connecting mains...some of the switches will be operated by remote, but I thought I would keep the closer ones as manual just to give the layout more of a hands on approach. I can always wire those later if that doesn't work out. Anyway, I'm including a photo of the previous layout and the plan for the new one.

Best Wishes for your new layout project. Your previous layout looks great so you have some good experience and a flying start on your new project. It's a great hobby to keep yourself occupied with creative work.

Paul,

The old layout looked great. Can't wait to see the new one. I'm sure it will be a stunner.

Your posts are always great to read and view so keep them coming.

Mike

Very nice. 

Good luck, John

Thanks Paul, And looking forward to watching your new adventure unfold.

We were talking at the club about why a layout is never finished and is often torn down and restarted. A layout is not merely a platform for running/displaying trains, but it's more like a three-dimensional painting.

Here's why the painting analogy fits. You have a painting on the wall above the sofa. It matches the room and accents the furniture. This is great...until you decide to paint the room a different color and/or change out/re-arrange the furniture. That painting may not fit in. Changing the frame (like the scenery, etc.) doesn't work either, so the painting goes and is replaced by another painting, or multiple paintings around the room.

A layout is the same way. You start the blank canvas (benchwork) and paint it with your scenic elements, track and buildings. This is great...until your needs/tastes/skills/knowledge change (which always happens). Now the new situation is incompatible with the original painting. So you "repaint" by re-arranging buildings, applying new skills to the scenery, changing the track, etc. Sometimes, the painting (your layout) has to go and it's replaced with something more compatible with the new environment (your needs, tastes, skills and knowledge).

That photo is great and is a permanent record of the previous painting, so it's not lost even though the layout's gone. (I have photos of some layouts that have been gone for decades). Your new layout platform is a new blank canvas. Enjoy the art.

Congrats on the new build!

FWIW:  Have you thought about "laddering" your switches in the yard instead of having "S" curves between each switch?

AGHRMatt posted:

We were talking at the club about why a layout is never finished and is often torn down and restarted. A layout is not merely a platform for running/displaying trains, but it's more like a three-dimensional painting.

Here's why the painting analogy fits. You have a painting on the wall above the sofa. It matches the room and accents the furniture. This is great...until you decide to paint the room a different color and/or change out/re-arrange the furniture. That painting may not fit in. Changing the frame (like the scenery, etc.) doesn't work either, so the painting goes and is replaced by another painting, or multiple paintings around the room.

A layout is the same way. You start the blank canvas (benchwork) and paint it with your scenic elements, track and buildings. This is great...until your needs/tastes/skills/knowledge change (which always happens). Now the new situation is incompatible with the original painting. So you "repaint" by re-arranging buildings, applying new skills to the scenery, changing the track, etc. Sometimes, the painting (your layout) has to go and it's replaced with something more compatible with the new environment (your needs, tastes, skills and knowledge).

That photo is great and is a permanent record of the previous painting, so it's not lost even though the layout's gone. (I have photos of some layouts that have been gone for decades). Your new layout platform is a new blank canvas. Enjoy the art.

Sounds like Remy is back, here come the pink mountains and red cliffs.

Berkshire President posted:

Congrats on the new build!

FWIW:  Have you thought about "laddering" your switches in the yard instead of having "S" curves between each switch?

Actually that would be great, but I am using 5121 and 5122 027 switches and they can be impossible when trying to mix and match...especially in tight quarters. Kind of like trying to make those little scottie dog magnets be friends...but for now, I have a ton of those clunker type switches and that is what I will be using. At some point in the future, maybe I'll think about replacing them and go the Ross route? Thanks for your input...

Yes PDDMI, 

The last run on a layout is a sad day indeed.

But there is always a new and bigger layout in you future.

The next layout is always bigger and better!

Enjoy you new project.

Richard

Good luck.  Post pictures of your progress!

I filmed my last runs of my old layout before we moved. The day after filming I started taking it all down. Glad I filmed it. Turn the sound up and hit the HD button and enjoy. Don

scale rail posted:

I filmed my last runs of my old layout before we moved. The day after filming I started taking it all down. Glad I filmed it. Turn the sound up and hit the HD button and enjoy. Don

Scale Rail/Don, Excellent production piece that is filled with nostalgia, from the music and beyond...great record of once was, for sure...I'm sure you enjoy the opportunity to reminisce and visit often...Thanks for sharing.

Great Video Don, thanks for sharing.

Richard

Here it is, the night before the new layout begins and all is quiet on the western front...well, at least its quiet in the western part of my basement. As the photos show...an empty, clean space are awaiting an early dawn and all of the nearby shelves are filled with much anticipation! Tomorrow, if things go as planned..the new benchwork should fill this space and then 'let the games begin'!!! A bigger and better Marshall & South Central Michigan Railroad is about to come to life....but for now, I'll just have to say..."Good Night Mrs. Calabash, Wherever You Are"...

Paul,

     Good luck with your new layout, liked the old one a bunch, have fun building it!

PCRR/Dave

So much of the fun is building, creating the layout.  Enjoy the process.  

Paul, good luck with the new build, keep us posted on the progress!!

Thanks, Alex

Thought I would post a quick update...The benchwork is totally assembled and as you can see in the photos, it is fully moveable as a result of using multiple casters. I wasn't too sure how it would work...but I can easily move it from one side of my basement to the other with very little effort, so a complete success! The table is 24' across the back, 8' on left and 14' on the right. I am planning on mounting a backdrop on the wall behind the layout...that way if I need to do any work at the rear...I will have total access by just pulling the table out a couple of feet away from the wall, without needing to reach over or remove the backdrop. So right now...I'm kind of 'on a roll'!!!
Next will be paint for the decking and then on to laying some track. Heading to Menard's for some supplies and to pick up the Power Plant that I ordered last week...it has finally arrived and after all of the positive comments made by others, I'm anxious to see it up close and personal!
New photos are attached:

Wanted to give a one week update. The benchwork was finished, all of the track is in place following the SCARM plan and has been tested. Using SCARM was and is the way to go! Had a chance to run some trains using temporary wiring and surprisingly at a distance of more than 20 ft, with only one lockon, no power was lost at the other end with the LC+ locomotives. Will be running the bus lines and getting power wiring done this weekend. Started to place the buildings and operating accessories where I think they will probably end up permanently. I have also added the Menards Feed & Grain, Farm House and Barn to the Power Plant for additional interest. Plan to layout the road/highway system and get those painted soon too. Future plans include a backdrop...the one at the rear will be permanently mounted on the basement wall...with the layout being on rollers, when I need to access the rear portion for any reason, by pulling the layout away from the wall I won't have to climb or reach over the backdrop to make a repair. The side panels will be mounted and removeable for easy access for repairs on the ends if necessary. Then it will be time to tackle the landscape and other details. At this point in the construction...things have gone rather smoothly and as planned. I have included a few current photos here too.

Looking good, I love all the Menard's Buildings. Looks like its going to be a fun layout!

You got alot done in a short time. Looks great. Keep the progress coming!

Looks great Paul. Have fun!

PDDMI posted:

Wanted to give a one week update. The benchwork was finished, all of the track is in place following the SCARM plan and has been tested. Using SCARM was and is the way to go! Had a chance to run some trains using temporary wiring and surprisingly at a distance of more than 20 ft, with only one lockon, no power was lost at the other end with the LC+ locomotives. Will be running the bus lines and getting power wiring done this weekend. Started to place the buildings and operating accessories where I think they will probably end up permanently. I have also added the Menards Feed & Grain, Farm House and Barn to the Power Plant for additional interest. Plan to layout the road/highway system and get those painted soon too. Future plans include a backdrop...the one at the rear will be permanently mounted on the basement wall...with the layout being on rollers, when I need to access the rear portion for any reason, by pulling the layout away from the wall I won't have to climb or reach over the backdrop to make a repair. The side panels will be mounted and removeable for easy access for repairs on the ends if necessary. Then it will be time to tackle the landscape and other details. At this point in the construction...things have gone rather smoothly and as planned. I have included a few current photos here too.

Paul,

Who will finish their project first?  You or the construction crew in the bottom left of photo #2.

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

Looks great! Plenty of space to work with! This is what I like about 3-rail O-gauge on a flat table: it's easy to get set up and gives lots of flexibility to change things around if you want. The rolling table setup is practical and ingenious!

decoynh posted:

PDDMI posted:

Wanted to give a one week update. The benchwork was finished, all of the track is in place following the SCARM plan and has been tested. Using SCARM was and is the way to go! Had a chance to run some trains using temporary wiring and surprisingly at a distance of more than 20 ft, with only one lockon, no power was lost at the other end with the LC+ locomotives. Will be running the bus lines and getting power wiring done this weekend. Started to place the buildings and operating accessories where I think they will probably end up permanently. I have also added the Menards Feed & Grain, Farm House and Barn to the Power Plant for additional interest. Plan to layout the road/highway system and get those painted soon too. Future plans include a backdrop...the one at the rear will be permanently mounted on the basement wall...with the layout being on rollers, when I need to access the rear portion for any reason, by pulling the layout away from the wall I won't have to climb or reach over the backdrop to make a repair. The side panels will be mounted and removeable for easy access for repairs on the ends if necessary. Then it will be time to tackle the landscape and other details. At this point in the construction...things have gone rather smoothly and as planned. I have included a few current photos here too.

Paul,

Who will finish their project first?  You or the construction crew in the bottom left of photo #2.

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

Matt, I'm not a gambler, but I'm betting on me...those guys have been around for a couple of years now...and not much has happened...glad I'm not paying them by the hour!!! Just sayin...Paul

Ace posted:

Looks great! Plenty of space to work with! This is what I like about 3-rail O-gauge on a flat table: it's easy to get set up and gives lots of flexibility to change things around if you want. The rolling table setup is practical and ingenious!

Thanks Ace! Not sure if you noticed, but I did take advantage of your suggestion for the yard entry...

Thats not the only new thing on wheels around here...picked up this portable cart at Menards for less than $30. I added a kneeling pad as a backrest using velcro and a couple for a padded seat. The handle folds down for storage and it has a 350 lb capacity. I have started wiring...and this thing has been the 'cats meow'!!! Might have to add a rearview mirror next...?

Paul, your working so fast and so well. Nice job. You make us all look like slackers. Don in Maui

Thanks Don...thats one 'whale' (or is it two) of a compliment!!! Paul 

PDDMI posted:

decoynh posted:

PDDMI posted:

Wanted to give a one week update. The benchwork was finished, all of the track is in place following the SCARM plan and has been tested. Using SCARM was and is the way to go! Had a chance to run some trains using temporary wiring and surprisingly at a distance of more than 20 ft, with only one lockon, no power was lost at the other end with the LC+ locomotives. Will be running the bus lines and getting power wiring done this weekend. Started to place the buildings and operating accessories where I think they will probably end up permanently. I have also added the Menards Feed & Grain, Farm House and Barn to the Power Plant for additional interest. Plan to layout the road/highway system and get those painted soon too. Future plans include a backdrop...the one at the rear will be permanently mounted on the basement wall...with the layout being on rollers, when I need to access the rear portion for any reason, by pulling the layout away from the wall I won't have to climb or reach over the backdrop to make a repair. The side panels will be mounted and removeable for easy access for repairs on the ends if necessary. Then it will be time to tackle the landscape and other details. At this point in the construction...things have gone rather smoothly and as planned. I have included a few current photos here too.

Paul,

Who will finish their project first?  You or the construction crew in the bottom left of photo #2.

Good luck and enjoy the ride.

Matt, I'm not a gambler, but I'm betting on me...those guys have been around for a couple of years now...and not much has happened...glad I'm not paying them by the hour!!! Just sayin...Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the reply.  If it's still available, who is the manufacturer of the building under construction?

Matt,

That building is from Lionel...comes with a half dozen worker figures (not near the work ethics of the Amish crew that did my roof a few years ago), wheelbarrow, concrete mixer, stack of lumber, ladder and construction type lights are woven thru the rafters. I don't recall it being offered lately though Lionel...but I would think you should be able to find one thru one of the auction sites. Here is a photo, box detail and product number.

P.S. Today, managed to finish all of the power runs for track power and got 14 structures wired and lighted today, including this one! Tomorrow I hope to make a pull-out tray for the transformers, smoke bottles and misc...will pull-out for access to power up the transformers, then slide back under the bench and out of the way while running trains...but still be handy if needed.

Hi, I am about at the same stage of construction.  Track testing, starting to wire...  What are your plans for roadbed, ground finishes, ballast, backdrop....  I put a layer of homasote over the plywood and a quick cote of dirt colored paint, but I am wondering if I should worry about roadbed before track power.  Thanks, Kathryn

PDDMI posted:

Matt,

That building is from Lionel...comes with a half dozen worker figures (not near the work ethics of the Amish crew that did my roof a few years ago), wheelbarrow, concrete mixer, stack of lumber, ladder and construction type lights are woven thru the rafters. I don't recall it being offered lately though Lionel...but I would think you should be able to find one thru one of the auction sites. Here is a photo, box detail and product number.

P.S. Today, managed to finish all of the power runs for track power and got 14 structures wired and lighted today, including this one! Tomorrow I hope to make a pull-out tray for the transformers, smoke bottles and misc...will pull-out for access to power up the transformers, then slide back under the bench and out of the way while running trains...but still be handy if needed.

Thanks for the information, Paul.  You are making great progress.  I noticed that you have the Woodland Scenics theater.  I almost bought one from Charles Ro, but when I looked at it, I was disappointed by the lack of DETAIL.  I have 6 of their buildings and the DETAIL is why I chose them over others that are available.  I wish we had a Menards in our side of the country.  If you need a gas station, I highly recommend the WS Ethyl Gas Station.  Now that's the DETAIL that I'm talking about.

It's been quite awhile since I've posted an update on my new layout. But thats not to mean that there hasn't been some progress made!
Lots of buildings have been added...Menards, Lionel and Woodland Scenics, the most recent was Menards Sauerkraut Factory...and I converted it to a brewery...hate Sauerkraut!!! All of the buildings on the layout have also been re-signed with names reflecting actual local businesses here in town.
A bunch of operating accessories too...Sawmill, Oil Drum Loader, Operating Park Swing, Bob's Barber Shop, Barrel Loader/Unloader, Cattle Car/Loader, Milk Car/Platform and probably the most visual and entertaining is the Hot Air Balloon Ride.
I also built a pull out drawer that holds three (3) CW-80 transformers, five (5) bottles of Mega-Steam and a small tray for some smoke fluid filling pipettes. Used some drawer slide hardware...works great, pulls out when needed and then slides back out of the way when you are running trains.
Put down some of those high density foam pads...they interlock and are really great on your feet.
Since the initial plan, that I put together using Scarm...I will be adding in the next couple weeks, another section to the middle front (blue track) and an extension to the yard at the far right. However, the most recent addition was an elevated trolley line that runs just behind the downtown buildings and then includes a S-curve at the far right bringing it out in front of the Menards Power Plant and shows on the new Scarm layout plan as red track. (See attached) The loading ramps/stairs at each end came as a double track pedestrian crossover that I cut in half...worked out well, especially when populated with passengers.
I have also switched out eight (8) of the Lionel 042 switches that I initially used with Ross 042 switches...almost a 1 for 1 installation...but the footprints are minimally different and required some existing track adjustment. I actually have installed eight (8) manual throw operated switches, I'm enjoying the hands on operation when using those. Two (2) switches were Ross Ready and are operated remotely as they are not within reach.
My thoughts right now for the new addition at the middle front is to add a park area with Lionel animated accessories and the possibility of a pond??? Everybody likes and enjoys watching animated or operating accessories...young and old alike!
Having the whole layout on casters has worked out very well for me, as any work or changes that I wanted or needed to make to the rear portions were made easily by rolling it out and away from the back wall...being in my 70's...I need all the help I can get.
Also coming up is a decision as to whether to paint the background or use printed material? If I decide on the paint route, my idea was to contact the local high school art teacher and possibly join forces with her best art student...one proficient in painting clouds and landscapes...and then either making a donation to the students favorite charity, or purchase a predetermined amount of art supplies? I'm guessing a student would prefer the latter...but...details of that would need to be well thought through before they get finalized.

As a wrap I included a recently updated Scarm plan and a couple of short videos too.

Fantastic!

Peter

Great work!!