TRACK PLAN ADDED 6/6/15 THE VL BIG BOY GOES FOR A LONG RIDE !!!///VIDEO !!!

Thanks for posting Alex.  That's one great looking locomotive!

It's coming along nicely, and it's good to know I can bring my BB and run it.

Will you be posting a track plan eventually?

Alex, great video of the VL Bigboy love the smoke and the whistle. I have the JLC BB but after seeing the VL BB I want it now, layout looks great cant wait to see it finished. 

Nice Alex! Looking forward to your progress as you post. Love that double crossover. Nice smooth trackwork.

WOW,WOW,WOW great video and great engine. Thanks for posting. 

Looking good, you work fast.  Also great that you are documenting the build from start to finish.  Wish i had done the same when I built mine. 

Keep the videos coming! 

Hi Guys,

Bob, thanks very much.

GRJ, You're welcomed to bring your BB and run it.

Spence, the track plan keeps changing, I will post a final plan soon.

Joe, thanks. The VL BB to me is a must have. The sound is so powerful it was rumbling the train room.

Brian, thanks buddy.

Steve, Thanks.

Luis, thanks. I'm enjoying every minute, but there's a long way to go.

Thanks,

Alex

Alex,

Don't for get the some Signals  

Nice Layout.

Thanks, John 

Well first, congrats.

That BB sounds awesome. It looks like it's almost going to hit something with that big swinging boiler!

Nice continuous run Alex, what's the width and length of the layout?

The BB flew over that X over, good to know one can do that with no derailing!

Alex - Really looking good!  Enjoying the progress reports.

Art

Incredible.  

You have a nice size layout for stretching the legs on the BB.  I can't wait to see it pulling a bunch of PFE reefers as you progress on the layout build.

Beautiful track work, by the way.  Your hard work is paying off!

Alex, I am VERY impressed with all that you've accomplished so far in such a short period of time.  I know by the time you get it finished with the scenery and all; it'll be an over the top layout!

If Gunny brings his, I bring mine and a few others show up with their Big Boys, not only will the sound reverberate throughout the house, the foundation might just be in jeopardy and I know the neighbors will complain that someone's got a steam excursion running the rails in your back yard.

I too would like to see your track plan so I can borrow a few ideas about reversing. Please post it fairly soon for us.  BTW, did I see that plywood sag ever so slightly as that big, beautiful locomotive ambled around your basement?  

Outstanding Alex, simply outstanding my friend!!!

Best,

Dave

The BB is great and the track work very smooth. Thanks for the video. Sorry I don't think we will make it up for your open house this year as we will be on vacation in Fla.

Beautiful Alex!  Can't wait to see it all in person. 

Spectacular!

Peter

Alex,

Kudos to John. Working in the wye kept the industrial siding and completed the reversing feature. They are disguised well.

Looks like you've spent some serious wiring time under the layout.

Moving along nicely!

What's next? The harbor or the TT?

Alex,

Looks great, gotta love the Big Boy, what a engine. Going through the double cross over looks amazing. Did you try parking that passenger train in the curves of the outside loop and running the Big Boy on the inside loop? We have issues running Kevin's BB on the inside track and having 18" passenger cars on the outside. The BB overhang plus the passenger car over hang results in a side swipe. Since our ballast is done we yield to what train if in the curve first but sine you have not ballasted yet there is time to adjust If needed. 

JohnB

Alex

looks great and the legacy sounds are incredible. (Since I bought that G5 from you in August I've Picked up a few more Lionel Steamers and really enjoying them)

Gender Question - If the engine is called a big BOY, why did you refer to as HER 1st journey?

Steve

ALEX,

  Nice video and layout.  It sure is going to be nice after you are all done.  Lots o play time there, ENJOY!!!!

Thanks to all for the kind comments and input !!!!!

John, there definitely will be signals in the future.

Joe, she does have a huge overhang, but I put trains on every curve and it clears with no issues.

Sam, the layout is (if this make's sense) a U shaped dog bone, it's 22 wide across the back, and 16 long on each side.

Art, Thanks very much.

86TA355SR, It's a ton of hard work lol, between the layout and all the model building and train repairs, I'm exhausted. But I love it!!!!!

Dave, we will be posting the revised track plan here I hope today.

Redball, thanks. Hope to see you at the next open house.

Chris, looking forward to seeing you at the open house.

Peter, thanks buddy.

Carl, thanks.

JohnB, I parked trains on every curve on the inner loop and outer loop and had the BB pass by. There wasn't a single issue. Needless to say I'm thrilled!!!!

Steve, Legacy steamers are simply fantastic, ya gotta love em!!!!. As for the gender question, I have to agree with you, I should have said (he)

Laz, thanks.

Thanks,

Alex

Here is the track plan for Alex's layout as it currently stands. It continues to evolve nicely as track installation progresses.

John

Nice plan, it allows for reverse in both direction and also have two separate main lines, exactly what I will be doing on mine but it will not be a dog  bone, just 8' by 16' rectangle, if I am lucky...Good work Alex...

EDIT: can you reverse directly from the outside line? I can't see it.

Thanks for the vid - you really captured the sound of this amazing model.   Awesome - and a great time to be into O gauge.

I like your track plan, and what you have built so far looks great.

Ross turnouts and double crossover?

That BB looks good Alex.  Sounds good too!  I love the track plan.

Thanks for posting up a video.