Amazing customizing Chris A.
Thanks for sharing
Chris, I commented on your new thread on the video. Here I want to say, I have the Armstrong book and read it many times over. Unfortunately, there is only so much one can do with an 11 x 8 space for a layout. The coaling towers look great.
Chris,
Thank you for your video. The scope and features of the layout are amazing. Rivals the best in the hobby.
Andy
@chris a posted:OK YouTube finally finished processing the 4K final version of the video. Many thanks to my son for shooting about 30 short videos and doing such a great job of editing and adding music. And my daughter has done some great scenery work painting the clouds and mountains on the backdrops and making some very realistic trees.
A few quick notes: The layout is 23 feet x 40 feet around two long walls.
The curves are 096 (48 inch radius) minimum.
It's powered by a ZW-C with 4 x 180 watt power bricks.
The signal system is NJ International B & O CPL (color position lights ), Brass signal heads. The single main line is 240 foot long and is a folded over dogbone configuration. There are 11 blocks on the main, the signal system monitors and reports on "block occupancy" 2 blocks ahead. This turned out, ironically, to be exactly how the prototype B & O system worked. Many thanks to Stan2004 for his help designing a 3PDT relay system to accomplish this.
The layout is actually built in irregular shaped modules, so it could be taken down, and moved if necessary. I know I won't be starting another layout from scratch, at least not here on earth. The 1st 3 modules were actually built and moved into the current basement. The benchwork is L Girder/Joist. All the lumber is dimensional 1 x 4.
Many folks have asked for "track plan". I did the original track plan and early modifications in RR Track V4.0, which now will only run on an old off line desk top computer. I don't actually have an "as built" track plan, and it's pretty confusing to review as I didn't make multiple levels. Figured, it made, makes, more sense, to do a Walk Around and Talk about the track plan to show how and why it evolved into what it is today.
Chris.....the layout video left me speechless......fabulous!!!!!!
Peter
@chris a- add me to the list of impressed modelers. WOW! Goes to show that proper planning makes for a great layout.
You and your kids make a great team. Thanks for sharing the video of your layout.
Bob
Thanks for all positive feedback. Of course, I forgot to mention what an integral role all of you, the members of this great forum, have played in this almost 8 year long project. It's been, and continues to be a fruitful journey. Clearly, this forum provides opportunities to see and read about what's possible, and at every turn members have been extremely helpful posting photos, descriptions and learning points.
Bob, about the "planning"... It's turned out to be a huge benefit that I decided to build this in removable modules. While it took much longer, it enabled me to slow down, do some basic scenery work along the way, and actually make some significant changes to the original plan. A blessing in disguise is how I look back at it, now.
On top of all that and this point has been made before, it's great to get to know folks here, even if you'll never get to meet them face to face. I was clearly in the "lone wolf" lane with this hobby before joining the OGR forum.
Been fooling about with the ancient mystic art of wire wrap, last done by me a quarter-century or more ago...
Should make wiring up LEDs a lot easier! 
Mitch
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@chris a posted:Many folks have asked for "track plan". I did the original track plan and early modifications in RR Track V4.0, which now will only run on an old off line desk top computer. I don't actually have an "as built" track plan, and it's pretty confusing to review as I didn't make multiple levels. Figured, it made, makes, more sense, to do a Walk Around and Talk about the track plan to show how and why it evolved into what it is today.
Wonderfull video Chris! However, It does foster up a boatload of envy! Your trackage is so realistic, interesting, and functional which must provide you hours of great operational opportunities. Your level of realism is outstanding. I’m also jealous of your long mainline run and signal system! Would like to see more images of the engine facilities in addition to the far right and left side return trackage. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to more!
Cheers, Dave
@M. Mitchell Marmel posted:Been fooling about with the ancient mystic art of wire wrap, last done by me a quarter-century or more ago...
Should make wiring up LEDs a lot easier!
Mitch
Oh my goodness!!!! I had a job where I did that every day!! Let's see. When did they lay me off prior to closing down? 1979! I haven't touched those tools in 43 years!!
I agree, it will make wiring those LEDs a lot easier!
Morning guys I hope your all doing well!
Chris, I just watched your video and all Ican say is WOW! I posted on your video thread but also wanted to post here. What an amazing layout and a work of love. You can see it in every detail you have on your layout! You and your kids have done an Outstanding job!
Well guys, I think today is the first day I will be getting out to the train room. I have to remove my tank yard and some other building as I am excepting the final order of track to finish the top loop. I want to be ready for when it gets here! LOL
I hope you all have a great day and please find time to watch Chris's video and have fun with your layout!
@chris a posted:Dave, the coaling tipple around 4:45 was my first attempt at kit bashing. Did this when I was taking care of some health issues with my folks, and working my butt off at a new job here in Mass. Couldn't take the time to build the layout, so the coal tipple was a project I could make time for.
I took three Plasticville coal tipple kits that I picked up for short money at train shows, put them together side by side, and then increased the height another maybe 2 to 3 inches. Added alot of scribed plastruct parts on the framing to improve the look of the bunker, scratchbuilt new chutes. Before I finished it, I found the GGD Ogle tower and redid the out of scale stairwells and added some other details. My plan is to go back and finish that P'Ville Kitbash and use it in the small engine service track adjacent to the Union Station at the far end. Most all the remaining stairs and decks, and coal chutes are all made up for it, just need to do "final assembly".
Here's some photos of both coaling towers:
Excellent job. I think many compliments will follow.
@chris a posted:Dave, the coaling tipple around 4:45 was my first attempt at kit bashing. Did this when I was taking care of some health issues with my folks, and working my butt off at a new job here in Mass. Couldn't take the time to build the layout, so the coal tipple was a project I could make time for.
I took three Plasticville coal tipple kits that I picked up for short money at train shows, put them together side by side, and then increased the height another maybe 2 to 3 inches. Added alot of scribed plastruct parts on the framing to improve the look of the bunker, scratchbuilt new chutes. Before I finished it, I found the GGD Ogle tower and redid the out of scale stairwells and added some other details. My plan is to go back and finish that P'Ville Kitbash and use it in the small engine service track adjacent to the Union Station at the far end. Most all the remaining stairs and decks, and coal chutes are all made up for it, just need to do "final assembly".
Here's some photos of both coaling towers:
Hey Chris,
They both look good. I did the P.S. on the end of my reply because I thought the Plasticville tower was the Ogle tower. It looks so much better on your layout than in the box before you saved it from me.
Dave
Many of you may know that the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is one of my happy places and I have recently detailed the W24 along with its companion car “Northland”. The link below directs to a short youtube video that provides some history of the car and how it was often used by the Missabe top Brass! Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYo0AdtLgUY
PS: I also added the white ceiling beam in my reconstruction (look above the right elbow of the gentlemen in the doorway).
Also, at the end of the video, be sure to click on the link to learn about the Northland!
Cheers, Dave
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Hi guys got all the buildings and trucks moved for future upper-level completion!
Chris the coaling towers are outstanding! I don't have anything like that on my layout, but maybe down the road now that I have a Steam Engine!
Dave, Wonderful work on the Northland car! I love the detail you put into your projects!
"Many of you may know that the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is one of my happy places and I have recently detailed the W24 along with its companion car “Northland”. The link below directs to a short youtube video that provides some history of the car and how it was often used by the Missabe top Brass! Enjoy!"
Dave, Thanks for posting that video, that was awesome. I loved following the project when you did W24 and the companion company car, but the video ads volumes of detail and interest. Also meant to mention that pulp car project turned out great as well.
Here's some more photos of the steam engine service facility (below)
The other Dave (luvindemtrains)..... Saw your post, I'd forgotten who I bought that Ogle tower from. I enjoyed doing the upgrades to that Ogle Coal tower. Not sure how GGD ever let it get out the door with what appeared to be "G Scale" stairs, but having worked on the Plasticville tipples definitely applied to working on the GGD tower.
There was a great article on upgrading Plasticville Coal Tipple/Towers but I can't tell you exactly when it was published. I think I saw it in Model Railroader circa late 1990's. It was a really comprehensive how to, well written, good bill of materials (Plastruct) required, and some full size templates of how to fabricate your own chutes. My recollection is a gentleman running S scale did it, and without it, I would have never gotten mine done. I probably still have that issue, problem is I have about 350 other old model train magazines and publications too, (and not well organized), so going digging for it right now isn't on the schedule.
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Chris, your empire really needs to be featured in the magazine.
I'll second that.
Joe has seconded the motion. All those in favor, sound your whistle.🚂
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:Joe has seconded the motion. All those in favor, sound your whistle.🚂
Toot Toot
@darlander posted:Many of you may know that the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is one of my happy places and I have recently detailed the W24 along with its companion car “Northland”. The link below directs to a short youtube video that provides some history of the car and how it was often used by the Missabe top Brass! Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYo0AdtLgUY
PS: I also added the white ceiling beam in my reconstruction (look above the right elbow of the gentlemen in the doorway).
Also, at the end of the video, be sure to click on the link to learn about the Northland!
Cheers, Dave
Dave,
Fantastic video - loved the car's history.
Great model!!
Thanks for sharing
Hopefully one of these days I'll get the opportunity to be featured in the magazine. Still have to do the scenery at the far west end ... It's 10 x 16 feet... Urban Canyons.... Thanks for your thoughts.
@chris a posted:Hopefully one of these days I'll get the opportunity to be featured in the magazine. Still have to do the scenery at the far west end ... It's 10 x 16 feet... Urban Canyons.... Thanks for your thoughts.
I vote for a magazine article too! Toot, toot!
I'm in for an article! Would love to read more about it!
TOOT! TOOT! @chris a 
Dave- great work on the coach. Thanks for sharing the video of the real thing too.
I received the replacement fire kit from Evan Designs and started rebuilding the burn barrel last night. I glued the kindling back in this morning so that I can reassemble everything later. Hopefully I can get the diorama on the layout over the weekend.
Bob
'Road testing' a GN R-2 2-8-8-2 steam engine.
TOOT TOOT
Pulling up foam roadbed that was glued down on latex paint over 2 inch rigid foam to make track changes. Wellbond glue was supposed to be water soluble glue but peeled up more latex paint than the glue by wetting the foambed and glue so will be having to repaint that area of the layout after I remove the plastic wall anchors in the rigid foam that the track was screwed into, fill in the holes from them, and where wiring ran down through the foambed, rigid foam, and plywood to under the layout. Trying to reuse as much of the foambed as possible so have it over the heat registers drying out tonight. Always something! That's why a layout is never finished!
Just got through adding 6.5" to the width of my layout. This allowed me to add a loop for running AF along with my postwar Lionel.
About six weeks ago I set out on restoring a rare Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car....circa 1921. This car and the # 31 Combine can be quite difficult to find as they were late additions to the passenger line. 
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@gandydancer1950 posted:About six weeks ago I set out on restoring a rare Lionel Standard Gauge #32 Baggage/Mail car....circa 1921. This car and the # 31 Combine can be quite difficult to find as they were late additions to the passenger line.
Wonderful restoration, thanks for sharing.
It's been awhile since I had time to work on the layout. With temps below 0 I went to the basement and worked some scenery. It's just the base, still need to add the brush. I installed some block wall then the ballast and dirt. Once the glue is dried I will finish the area up. Nick T.
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Larry:
I so much enjoy photos of your layout. There is so much care, attention to detail and modeling skill on display in each photo. You sir, are an artist! Your layout is an inspiration to us all.
Have been updating computer on blocks and turnout descriptions/locations with plan to label wires after complete. Then computer died and we are replacing it.
So moved on to preparing to ballast the right side main lines and will begin that today. That is less than exciting but has to be done.
Rich and I installed two speakers in the Roanoke Shops area that play roundhouse sounds. That gives a total of four and allow the sounds to be heard and keep the volume low.
His next project is to construct the building for the transfer table operator, the railings, and some accessories that go with it. Then we can add figures.
Cleaned off the cob webs
Finalizing my Standard Gauge Track plans.
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Good morning all!
I Finally had the chance to dust off the layout and run some trains.
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Morning guys, looks like everyone has been busy!
Nick looks like you have a great start on your scenery with the block wall. I really like how its turning out with the ground cover and bushes!
Alex, Nice to see trains running on your layout! I think Alan did you a favor and got you really involved with this thread as it seems to have motivated you back to the train room! Love seeing your layout and how it has come along from the beginning!
I'm going to work more on my 072 templet today and if I feel good about it, just might cut some plywood!
Well, I hope you all have a great day and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
A page or so back, people were talking about their inventory programs.....I need to get control of my inventory.....1st step......a load to Cabin Fever.
Peter
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That’s quite the thinning of the herd Peter.
@mike g. posted:Morning guys, looks like everyone has been busy!
Nick looks like you have a great start on your scenery with the block wall. I really like how its turning out with the ground cover and bushes!
Alex, Nice to see trains running on your layout! I think Alan did you a favor and got you really involved with this thread as it seems to have motivated you back to the train room! Love seeing your layout and how it has come along from the beginning!
I'm going to work more on my 072 templet today and if I feel good about it, just might cut some plywood!
Well, I hope you all have a great day and find time to have fun with your layout and trains!
Thank you Mike !
I didn't know what i was missing , this thread is amazing !
I thank Alan for giving me the shot at this !
Alex
