20x8 Train Layout Build - 24 Feb 21 Update: New Switch Tower, and things are looking Up!

Could you please explain a bit more about the smart lighting?   I get the 3 bulbs, but there must be some interesting wiring and a bluetooth interface somewhere?   Thanks -Ken

With Philips there's a "bridge" that you plug into your router.  And an app you download to your phone or tablet.  Plug in your smart lights, follow the instructions to add them to the app, and you're able to control the color, timing, intensity, etc.  Some Philips lights give you the full color spectrum.  Others are  what they call more minimal  "ambient lighting," which are various degrees of white/yellow/amber hues.  Not as much fun maybe but much cheaper.

Very cool Dustin, the color range seams endless, I think its going to work well as you said for night running. But will be great for pictures also!

frizzinbee posted:

Thanks, Mike!

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It was a rainy day here in VA, so we made a little more progress on the layout.  The background has now been primed white.  ...and, wow, getting a lighter color on there really brightened the room back up!  Hoping to do the actual background painting soon.

While the primer dried, I also started fixing-up some of the buildings and whatnot.  I got the Menards burned engine house what it needed most: a tender.  Also planning to replace the stickers on the front and back with better looking signage.

Started working on the coaling tower - got it re-assembled and started doing some re-wiring

The building in the back I got at York this past fall...  starting to do some repair work in it, the will add some greater details.

And here's a Trainworx "LCCA" bridge I picked-up on ebay recently.  I'm covering over the LCCA part & adding my own signage... though not sure what I will go for quite yet.   Maybe a PRR Keystone or some kind of crest.

Excellent layout you got going! Could you tell me about the silver/gray truss bridge? Maker,model,specs anything ?  I am looking for one like that for my layout build,thanks.

rtr12 posted:

I like the lights! That's a really good idea. Looks real nice and I bet it is a lot better in person. How's the crew and supervisor? All well I hope.

Crew and supervisor are good, thanks!   Supervisor still spends most of her time napping, but makes a beeline for the train table whenever we are down there.

TheHeat posted:

frizzinbee posted:

 

Excellent layout you got going! Could you tell me about the silver/gray truss bridge? Maker,model,specs anything ?  I am looking for one like that for my layout build,thanks.

Sure thing!  That silver truss bridge came from ebay; there's a seller on there that makes and sells large bridges of several designs.   If you search "model 1910 bridge" it should come up - there's an HO and an O scale version.   It ships unassembled, but goes together quickly with rivets (you'll need to buy a rivet tool).  Basic specs are:

Bridge, Model 1910'.   Length: 5 Feet (60.69") approx. x Width: 5" x  Height: 12.69"  (at highest point, mid section tower)

Material: Metal (Aluminum)

Assembly: Rivets required

Weight: 8 lbs. 

-Dustin

frizzinbee posted:

TheHeat posted:

frizzinbee posted:

 

Excellent layout you got going! Could you tell me about the silver/gray truss bridge? Maker,model,specs anything ?  I am looking for one like that for my layout build,thanks.

Sure thing!  That silver truss bridge came from ebay; there's a seller on there that makes and sells large bridges of several designs.   If you search "model 1910 bridge" it should come up - there's an HO and an O scale version.   It ships unassembled, but goes together quickly with rivets (you'll need to buy a rivet tool).  Basic specs are:

Bridge, Model 1910'.   Length: 5 Feet (60.69") approx. x Width: 5" x  Height: 12.69"  (at highest point, mid section tower)

Material: Metal (Aluminum)

Assembly: Rivets required

Weight: 8 lbs. 

-Dustin

Wow...thanks for the quick response...and keep up the good work....you got talent kid!

Thanks, THEHEAT!

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Quick update on progress so far:  Over the weekend, we removed the unfinished mountains from the layout and began the process of painting them.

First step was to grab the heat gun and give the rocks a little bit more of a rounded/weathered look.   This also helped to remove some of the burrs, created more undulations of the surface, and hardened the foam.   It's pretty quick work (especially as compared to cutting and carving):

Next, we brushed on some greens and grays as a base color (more of the oops paint from the hardware store), then sprayed in black to get all the cracks and crevices with a nice dark color.   My thinking is that the black will add depth when this is all done, and the the other dark base colors will allow for less than perfect application of the more detailed paint over the rock surface (sort of Bob Ross-esque).

Anyway, doesn't look too shabby so far.   We'll see how the next phase comes out...  hopefully we'll have no mistakes, and just happy accidents

Those mountains look really good already!  The heat gun outside does make quick work of it!!!  Yes, happy Accidents!

No wonder his layout is coming out so nice.....he has all those little assistants!   Lol

WOW! That looks great! you sure have some talented helpers! You sure have to like the oop's paint! so with the heat gun you just keep heating it till you get the shape you want?

mike g. posted:

 so with the heat gun you just keep heating it till you get the shape you want?

Pretty much.  I did all the basic cuts with a steak knife, bow saw, and a heated knife.   The heat gun helped to make things more rounded....  and it'll melt all the way through if you let it.

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I think I've got the mountains painted about right.  We put several colors over the base color (spray paint), and we now have some nice gray and brown mountains.   They are not done yet....  still need some vegetation, detailing, and wiring... but they are looking pretty good IMO.

I also (finally!) got around to cutting hardboard into 6" strips, then fitting those strips to the table edge to make a solid border.  The border was attached via a brad nailer, and I cut holes as required for power switches.   The border needs some work to dress up the corners, plus some filling on joints, and a coat of paint (color TBD) but overall I'm pleased with how the cheap/simple approach came out.

Here are some pictures of the latest status.  In the first pic, you can see the dressing/girders added to the sides of both curved bridges.   I will dress-up the piers, too, but this is a dramatic improvement already.   Here, I just bent the wood and nail-gunned them into place.

Here's the edge/border in place (but unfinished).   Still need to build the holders for the switches.

...and here's a test fit of one of the two mountains.   Wanted to make sure the tunnel portals I added are aligned properly before I detail and wire-up the lights.

This stub on the edge of the layout is for future expansion.   I'll likely have a line running directly to a future work bench.

The mountain detail turned out well!  

Something that looks cool for the fascia is to make look, like steel, perhaps rusted, and use wooden screw hole plug button as rivet head detail. (just glued on)

Whatever happened with the various actuator rocker switches?

Dustin, thinks are sure looking good in your world! I like the boarder, how did you make it look wood grain on the bridges?

The mountain is just great! I love the shear wall look, every thing turned out wonderful!

Moonman posted:

The mountain detail turned out well!  

Something that looks cool for the fascia is to make look, like steel, perhaps rusted, and use wooden screw hole plug button as rivet head detail. (just glued on)

Whatever happened with the various actuator rocker switches?

The rocker switches are still there.  Actually, if you look in the second photo above you can see where I cut a hole in the fascia for some of them.   One of my next steps is to build mounting boxes for the switches, which will then mount on the fascia.   I plan to mount them vertically so they don't stick out too much.  

I actually have the wooden hole plugs on order and was planning to go with the "steel and rivets" look for the fascia.   Guess great mind thinks alike!

mike g. posted:

Dustin, thinks are sure looking good in your world! I like the boarder, how did you make it look wood grain on the bridges?

The mountain is just great! I love the shear wall look, every thing turned out wonderful!

Thanks, Mike!   The border along the top of the curved bridges is a different material...  I actually just used thin strips of wood for that, bending them in to place with clamps and securing with a nail gun.  The plan is to eventually add some additional details and paint... final color TBD, but those bridges will have a nice art deco look when complete.

Looks like things going along very well and it all looks really nice too! 

Things are really shaping up nicely, Dustin!  I like the mountains.

Dustin, love how you have the kids involved at various phases of the project so far, really excellent!

Bruce

Thanks again, guys, for the compliments 

Here's the latest on the train table and related projects...

First, I think this is my best option for painting the table border to look like metal.  Spray paint is, of course, out of the question since it has to be painted installed so I can have the joints blended together.   This stuff is expensive, though, so I'm making sure there are no other options first:

One of the things taking time away from the train project is the build-out of a built-in desk/bookcase and some storage boxes to go with it.  Figured I'd go ahead and get the boxes built ahead of time.  I spent a good chunk of last Saturday building these boxes, which will have to be stained and poly'd eventually.  Also note the toilet that snuck into frame...  we're doing a bathroom update, too.

Here are the pieces that are to be additional support for the layout trim and "riveted joints".   I have my "rivets" (wood screw plugs).   My plan is to use a drill press and clamp to precisely drill the holes to install the plugs in each plate.   Drill press should arrive this weekend, so this part is on hold.

Drilled a hole through the mountain in prep for wiring.   I'll need power on the top side of this mountain for a Korber radio tower.   Since my bit did not reach all the way through, I used the leg from a lawn flamingo as a leader so I knew where to drill through from the other side & meet in the middleL

While we were sawing and assembling, we also built a large frame for a train print.   Michaels wanted a small fortune for a custom frame, so I ordered an acrylic sheet and built my own frame.  As a bonus, the extra acrilc sheet is now on-hand for use in layout windows:

Here's the frame complete and hung.  My daughter was a big help in getting the picture in there nice and straight, then putting the backing in the frame:

...and finally, I spackled the curved bridge and the layout border.   Will sand soon and (hopefully) prime this border for paint:

Looking very nice Dustin! You sure have been busy doing a lot of wood work! What are you going to store in the boxes? Also I hope your bathroom remodel goes as smooth as your layout is going! you and the kids keep up the great work!

mike g. posted:

Looking very nice Dustin! You sure have been busy doing a lot of wood work! What are you going to store in the boxes? Also I hope your bathroom remodel goes as smooth as your layout is going! you and the kids keep up the great work!

Thanks, Mike!   Your layout is coming along quite well, also.   I imagine you'll catch-up and pass me in progress before too long  

The boxes are going to go on a set of built-in bookcases, eventually -  Plan is for them to hold misc office supplies, books, etc & keep the shelves looking tidy.   We stained the boxes with an antique-ish aqua blue today; once they are all done we'll adorn the front of each with an old license plate to add a little interest.

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As far as more train layout specific work, I made a strong push to finish up the mountains today.   Final work included wiring them up (tunnel portal lights and a campfire on the smaller one, pre-wire for a future structure on the other), as well as some more paint/foliage details.  As you can see in the pics below, I dry-brushed on some white to highlight the high points and add some realism - highly recommend doing that, I think it makes a big difference.  I also added some basic green ground cover to some of the flat surfaces on the walls, which adds another touch of realism and texture.

Here are the two mountains:

Here's a close-up of the campfire scene.   I made the fire pit for a previous layout, with the intention of re-using it in the future.  The fire itself is a 3 led system that lights-up and flickers quite realistically.

Looking great Dustin! Sounds like a wonderful idea with the boxes, and the mountain is just fabulous ! One thought though, with the white dry brushing, isn't it a little cold for a guy without a shirt? LOL

Thanks, Mike!

Made some more incremental progress on the layout, this time in working on the layout border and the double curved truss bridge!

First-up was some work on the border, wherein I made the faux "rivet plates" that will appear to hold it together.   Here's a mock-up where I was testing "rivet" placement (the rivets being wooden screw hole covers):

I used a drill press to get the holes for the rivets as precise as I could & cut several sets at a time.   With ~34 of these plates, efficiency was important...

I also went ahead and placed the mountains on the layout (permanently, this time) so I had more work space in the garage.  Each mountain is pre-wired for power.  Note in the below that we also did some ballasting of the track under the mountains - kids had fun with that

Here's the installation of the plates drilled out above.  Plan is to glue them on, prime, paint, then glue on rivets:

You can see here where I also filled/sealed/sanded the actual joints in the border:

"Rivets" prepared for spray painting.   This folding clothes rack is perfect for quick paint jobs:

Here I'm switching over to the curved girder bridge, where I'm going for an art deco look.   Here are the decorative pieces, cut and sanded:

Bridge décor pieces painted:

Here's the girder bridge itself fully sanded and taped:

...and now primed

...and went ahead and primed the border too:

...and here's the bridge painted it's final color (Behr toasty marshmallow):

,,,and here are the decorative pieces going on:

...and here is the end result - a clean, art deco, double curved girder bridge!

...oh, and here's the license plate boxes mentioned previously... they came out pretty nice as well.

...Next up is painting the final color and faux finish on the train table border!

Nice work Dustin! The rivets are going to be a nice touch! The bridge turned out looking Great! I am thinking I am going to have to do some digging around here and send you some plates from Arizona and Washington! LOL

Thanks for the compliments, Mike!   I am really pleased with how that bridge came out.  I wanted something a little different that the average trestle or girder, plus I plan to add more art deco elements to the layout as I go.   

Continuing in the theme of inch-by-inch progress, I've now completed install of the "rivets" and built/installed the mounting boxes to hold each of the rocker switches.

Here are a few shots of the layout trim/fascia, completed with rivets:

...and here is the back side of the switch boxes before painting:

...and the front side:

...and here's a single switch installed:

Here's what it looks like inside, and a couple more shots of the final products:

Next up, I think I need to complete more rock detail, ballast more track, and get buildings wired into place.

Nice job on the cable stayed bridge. Definitely different. 

WOW Dustin, those sure turned out looking great! Its nice to see your moving right along! Keep it up!

Really spectacular! What fun!

Peter

Looks great. Excellent craftsmanship!

Slick with the switches!

Alright...  been a while since I updated this, but I have been making progress here and there.  I'm closing in on the final stretch of "layout building" and am getting ready for much more detail work and scenic-ing.  Here's the latest:

First, I completed a Korber radio tower and placed it on the back corner mountain.  It can be seen in a couple shots here:

...and a close-up of the tower.   Bonus points for anyone that gets the radio station reference

I also started doing more rock detail around my "valleys" in other parts of the layout.  Since these will go in tight spaces, I decided to "pre-fab" the rocks in the garage and install them once they were shaped and almost fully painted.  First step was cutting thin strips of foam and gluing them together:

Next, I textured each panel and did some heat treatment to prepare for painting (that is, some melting to remove stray pieces and harden the foam):

I also made some more "land" area to surround the water, cut to shape based on paper templates:

Here is some of the "land" pre-painted and installed under the curved bridge:

...and my pre-fab rocks, (mostly) painted and installed by the other set of bridges

While I was playing with foam, I bought a cheapo aquarium dinosaur decoration from China.   I'm installing it into a rock surface so it looks like it was just discovered... this is obviously the initial fit with more detail and rocks to be added later:

While on a run to Wal-Mart, I stumbled upon their aisle of ceramic holiday village splendor.  I picked up some brick road (more on that in a future post) and every decent looking, semi-realistic pine tree in the store.   Pine trees up to 13" tall for no more than a few bucks a piece was too good to pass up.   Only downside was that they were all "winter" trees, and my layout is near a warm shoreline, so the snow had to go.  Here are the kids doing paint prep:

...and here are the now snow-free trees.   I'm going to git them with a much darker green as they are now a little too bright, but they look much better in person.

Finally, here is more of the foam (which will be carved into more rock facing & painted) installed on the layout around the bay & under the bridge.  Definitely an improvement, but much work to do in finishing out this area.  

Carving and painting foam is getting a little old, so I'm taking a break from that & working on several buildings right now (finishing up an Atlas station/platforms, a K-line church, and a laser-cut log cabin).  After that, I'll probably build the 4 kitbash skyscrapers I have planned so I can lock in the final position of city buildings & roads.  2 of those skyscrapers will prob be separate threads, as I think I have an interesting and novel approach for them.

More to follow, as time permits

I only hear Cackle on AM in Tesla's and other electric cars. Daphne loves it though!

Looks great, Frizz!!!  I love the photographs of your assistants!!!

Dustin, I would have to say things are really looking great around your place! The rock for your bridge areas is wonderful! The trees looking like a great idea, I have been passing them up at Wal-Mart because they are all winter, never thought about painting them!

As for the radio tower I would have to guess that they are the initinal's of your wife and kids!

Mike, you are right!  Excellent looking rock.  And the trees.  Usually people are buying green ones and spraying them to look like snow.  

KACL Cackle?  Like the announcers cackle too much??

Mark Boyce posted:

KACL Cackle?  Like the announcers cackle too much??

Fraiser Crane

BobbyD posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

KACL Cackle?  Like the announcers cackle too much??

Fraiser Crane

Well how about that!  I never watched it to know.  Wikipedia told me just now.  I never knew his last name was Crane!  

I did watch WKRP in Cincinnati a handful of times.  Does that count?  

fantastic!

BobbyD posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

KACL Cackle?  Like the announcers cackle too much??

Fraiser Crane

You got it...  a little while ago my wife and I finished re-watching the whole series, so it seemed like the way to go for the radio station.   Figured that way I could also sneak in some "I'm Listening" advertisements in town.