Train Room 04/18/2022 update

Thanks Mike, glad you didn't mind my thievery! I really do like the plan, it has just about everything and the reverse loops tucked away over in the corner savea a lot of space. That's been one of my problems too, for a while now, and this looks like an elegant solution leaving plenty of room elsewhere for all the other things. I liked your other plan, but I think this is a better one after seeing it. I think you will be very happy with this plan. 

For a few years now, I have been warning Dave I was going to ask for layout help one of these days, unfortunately I can't seem to decide what I want to do. Actually, he has helped me with a few things already. Now, after following Dave's work on layouts for others (and himself), I think I am starting to finally get some ideas that may someday turn into a working plan. Dave is very generous with his layout creation abilities. He also understands the operation of the RR's too, which is where I am really challenged.

It’s a real nice plan for sure worthy of others adapting to their space and desires!

Dave, don't worry I will be in touch!   And the offer is much appreciated too! I'm still struggling with being design challenged, but you and these layouts are finally starting to give me some ideas that I can even somewhat understand!

Thanks!!

Dave, sounds like you have your plan. When you start building make sure you post pictures!

RTR, don't worry, you post it here and you will get plenty of advice! LOL

mike g. posted:

Dave, welcome back to the modern world! I am glad your safe, missed you being here !

Mark, don't worry, I am sure you will pass me! Lol

Rtr, it's not stealing if no one minds! Have fun with it, I am sure you and Dave will be talking! Lol

You know guys all of you here have made it so I can be where I am now! I mean everyone on this forum, you all are great help.  Just remember this is just the beginning and I'm sure to need lots more help!

You all Rock!

Flattery will get you everywhere, Mike. Keep it up and you can have the real maple syrup at the pre-York breakfast next year.

Hey Dave if your out there, I need your HELP! LOL, When we were designing the layout I forgot about having to move everything on the north wall in by 3 1/2" do to post the building dept. made me put in. Everything is working fine till I tried marking out the lower track, so my question on the northwest corner, lower level. you have a O54 curve then into a O72, would it work if I just used the O72 and moved the lower track, or should I just cut the O54?

Just saw this , so let me take a look in a bit and see if I can figure out what you mean.

mike g. posted:

Hey Dave if your out there, I need your HELP! LOL, When we were designing the layout I forgot about having to move everything on the north wall in by 3 1/2" do to post the building dept. made me put in. Everything is working fine till I tried marking out the lower track, so my question on the northwest corner, lower level. you have a O54 curve then into a O72, would it work if I just used the O72 and moved the lower track, or should I just cut the O54?

Help! I need somebody
(Help) not just anybody
(Help) you know I need someone
(DAVE)

Mike,

I assume you're working with plan "Mike-G11-11-2018-daz.scarm" and are talking about the O-54/O-72 curves on the inner run in the upper left (photo 1) even though your compass says the "Northwest corner" is in the lower right of the layout.

I also assume everything in the lower half of the layout has to be moved up 3 1/2" and the lower level loop is causing the problem. If that's true, then swapping the O-54 curve for an O-72 curve will not work and neither will cutting the O-54.

I also have to assume that moving things up 3 1/2" leaves you enough clearance past the post and the post is somewhere near the middle of the lower wall making it impractical to just curve around it.

If all that is true, then my suggested changes are the white tracks in photo 2.
-- I clipped 1 track on the left side just above the switch.
-- I clipped 2 more tracks on the right side.
-- I clipped a 4th track on the bottom just to the right of the switch coming out of the loop.
-- I clipped other tracks near to and in the yard.
-- I swapped out the O-72 curves in the upper left for O-54 curves.
-- I moved the reversing loop.
-- I moved the spur to the engine facility and reconfigured the fueling station.

Happy Thanksgiving, Brothers!

As a treat, here are both original, eyewitness accounts of the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621, one by Edward Winslow; the other by Governor William Bradford, both in the original 17th century spelling:

Edward Winslow:   "Our harvest being gotten in, our governour sent foure men on fowling, that so we might after a speciall manner rejoyce together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labours ; they foure in one day killed as much fowle, as with a little helpe beside, served the Company almost a weeke, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Armes, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoyt, with some ninetie men, whom for three dayes we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deere, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governour, and upon the Captaine and others. And although it be not always so plentifull, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so farre from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plentie."

Governor William Bradford:  "They begane now to gather in ye small harvest they had, and to fitte up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health & strenght, and had all things in good plenty; fFor as some were thus imployed in affairs abroad, others were excersised in fishing, aboute codd, & bass, & other fish, of which yey tooke good store, of which every family had their portion. All ye somer ther was no want. And now begane to come in store of foule, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besids water foule, ther was great store of wild Turkies, of which they tooke many, besids venison, &c. Besids, they had about a peck a meale a weeke to a person, or now since harvest, Indean corn to yt proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largly of their plenty hear to their freinds in England, which were not fained, but true reports."

Thank you, Pete!  May all of us be as thankful for our plenty as they were for theirs!

Thanks Dave! That's just what I was talking about! I will give it a better look tomorrow when I am in the train room!

Happy Thanksgiving Pete! And thanks for the stores!

If you have any questions, I'll be checking in until around noon and then I'll be out of touch until Friday.

Thanks Dave, I think it will be fine as lone as the tracks leading to the bridge stay the same!

I made sure not to move those. The hassle will be lining up those that need to be cut, I've only assembled sectional track so far.

BTW, I also didn't redo the baseboard and assume you are also going to widen that by 3 1/2" along the bottom.

Thanks Dave that's great! I have cut a lot of track in the past on my 1st layout!

Good morning everyone, I have been making progress on the train room and have been posting in the What did you do on your layout thread. But I thought I should take the time and update my page here so here we go.

The last couple of weeks I have been working on the upper section for the layout getting the ramps back down to the lower level at the best grade I could. I had to raise the upper lever 1/2" for clearance for my double stack well cars. everything seams to look good so far.       The next think I have bee working on is the 2 return loops, main level and upper level. The main level went in somewhat easy I use metal angle iron for support which worked great. The upper level was a little more work as it is the same size as the lower loop (O54) but does not have as much bench work to hold it. I also used angle iron for support there, but had to add Angle braces as it did not have enough support.

When I was done with that I just played a little with some 4" foam a friend was going to throw away. so below are pictures of where I am today!

I am hoping to start laying cork roadbed sometime this week.

                         looking GREAT Mike

Mike, I like the view from inside the loops looking up.  So is the mountaintop airport going to be removable for you to pop up through for maintenance.  Please forgive me, you probably already addressed this, but you know what they say about short term memory!  

That 4-inch foam stacks up nicely!  I have never used it, but it looks like it would be great to build up the height in a hurry!

Good stuff Mike. I like the bracing on the reverse loops. Keep it up and you'll be running trains in no time.

Bob

Mike: Great work ! Cant wait to see what you do with that nice foam.. keep us informed...

Thanks Guys! Mark the upper level foam has a big hole in the middle so I can stand in it, also I have it free floating right now, so if I have to I can just lift the top right off. But that could change once there are buildings and the airport. I will cover the hole with the runway and be able to just push it up and out of the way!

Bob, the bracing was really needed as I didn't want any legs out near the edge of the layout!

mike g. posted:

Good morning everyone, I have been making progress on the train room and have been posting in the What did you do on your layout thread. But I thought I should take the time and update my page here so here we go.

The last couple of weeks I have been working on the upper section for the layout getting the ramps back down to the lower level at the best grade I could. I had to raise the upper lever 1/2" for clearance for my double stack well cars. everything seams to look good so far.       The next think I have bee working on is the 2 return loops, main level and upper level. The main level went in somewhat easy I use metal angle iron for support which worked great. The upper level was a little more work as it is the same size as the lower loop (O54) but does not have as much bench work to hold it. I also used angle iron for support there, but had to add Angle braces as it did not have enough support.

When I was done with that I just played a little with some 4" foam a friend was going to throw away. so below are pictures of where I am today!

I am hoping to start laying cork roadbed sometime this week.

Good evening Mike. Your layout / trainroom looking really good. Cant wait your scenery work. Very interested.

Johan

Yes Mike, that sounds like a good plan!  I don't like legs out near the edge either.  I would keep bumping into them with my clumsy feet 

I'm glad Dad gave his approval too!  

Bob, aka DAD, the lower level foam I am thinking of just a retaining wall, and the upper level I am going to add one more layer of 4" then a 2" top over everything. That way I get to tunnels and no trains running on the airfield!

Johan, thanks the scenery is going to be tough for me as sometimes I have a hard time envisioning things! But I will do what I can and keep posting as I go along!

Mark, Chris A. helped me with the supports on the lower level and it has not legs and I really like that! So I was trying to keep it that way!

This is coming along so much better than I thought it would when we started the design process. The loops and access to those rear tracks looks great. I may have to plan a stop next time we visit the Seattle area.

Thanks Dave, The plan was the big plus to this build! Sure beat just shooting it from the hip!

Mike,
I'm very surprised at the progress you're making. At this rate, you'll be running trains well before the spring time!

Looking fantastic, Mike!  I like the multi-level track plan you've adopted.  I kept my layout track all at a single level (for simplicity's sake), and would have gone with a track plan more like yours if I were to do it again.  You're still slowly but surely gaining ground on me!

Hi Guys thanks for the nice words! I went out today and did a little more playing in the train room. Here are a couple of pictures, the foam is just sitting there to see how I like it! I still have one more layer of 1" foam to put on top! Please give me your thoughts!

Mike, It looks just like the Butler Airport; the ground drops off drastically right at the end of the runway.  LOL. They had to put in a massive fill and move the road below to extend the runway a few years ago.  Where do you find a mile of flat terrain around here?  Instead of a back road below, you have a railroad.

 I think it will work out just fine!!

Looks good Mike, I like the airport just like you have it. The lights really spice up the scene too.  It all looks very nice!

Keep the pictures coming!

Thanks Guys, once I get the flat 1" foam on top I will still have room for buildings! Also some planes!

Looks great, Mike!

LaramieJoe posted:

Looks great, Mike!

Thanks Joe! I am having a good time doing it!

mike g. posted:

Hi Guys thanks for the nice words! I went out today and did a little more playing in the train room. Here are a couple of pictures, the foam is just sitting there to see how I like it! I still have one more layer of 1" foam to put on top! Please give me your thoughts!

That sir, is beautiful!!!

Mike,   You've come a long way in a short period of time !!!   It's looking great.   

Wow Mike,

I remember when you were just talking about the new train building and now you're almost ready to start laying track. This progress is the product of a very dedicated individual. What a motivation for all who see what you're doing. Thanks for taking us along on your journey to what I am sure will be a wonderful model railroad.

Dave

Thanks Mo, the airfield would have not been the way it is without all your help! Thanks again!

Thanks Chris, that means a lot coming from you! Its probably going to slow down again as I need to buy track and that's not cheap as you know!

Dave, thank you sir! Its been a long journey so far. It seams like it took forever to get to this point. But I can tell you I sure am happy at this point!