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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Mar 20, 2015 10:41:12 GMT -8
After 10 years away from model railroading, I made the decision to start back up again with a new layout and fresh approach. I started a new photography business in 2004, and it has required my utmost attention and finances but I now have the model railroad bug and have begun construction. Most of my locomotives and rolling stock have been in storage for all that time. My current photo studio has room for a good sized layout that will not be in the way of daily operations of the business. This is the first layout I have built that will not be in a basement so the inherent problems of moisture, humidity, temperature fluctuations, limited ceiling height and poor access, will not be an issue. This area is on the ground floor with no steps and two large access doors at the back are available for easy unloading of 1 x lumber and plywood. The lighting is excellent with a ten foot drop ceiling and fluorescent fixtures, carpeted floor, ample parking in the front and is handicap and stroller- friendly for open houses. This will be a modern-era layout with a double-track main and single-track, inter-connected branch line, featuring long passing sidings, large yard and several industries for switching. There will be over 500 feet of Code 83 Shinohara, Peco and Atlas track and mostly #8 and #10 Shinohara turnouts. Operation will be Digitrax with several different throttles available and nearly all locomotives are sound-equipped. I will keep you posted with progress photos...attached are the first few sections of benchwork underway. High Ball, Lee |
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Post by riogrande on Mar 20, 2015 11:27:36 GMT -8
Looks like you are off to a good start with a vengence! I look forward to seeing more progress photo's.
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Post by Great-Northern-Willmar Div on Mar 20, 2015 11:51:50 GMT -8
Looks like you are off to a good start with a vengence! I look forward to seeing more progress photo's. I agree with the start. That is a lot of building. How come, when I look at other people's bench work it looks so good. Lumber is nice and straight. Construction is nice, neat and tidy. Then "Thumbz" here tries to build a layout and its send in the clowns!  |
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Mar 20, 2015 12:16:11 GMT -8
Jim and Rahna...Thank you all...many more photos to come.
You need to see the benchwork up close and personal and you would see the flaws!!!
This is not cabinet-grade carpentry...but it is pretty square, sturdy and strong enough to support a lot of weight.
I'm creating this layout with stud grade, 1 x 2, 2 x 2 and 1 x 3 firring strips and 1/2" CDX plywood and wafer board from a local lumber company...to keep the cost down and support my local merchants.
I don't have to worry about the high humidity and temperature fluctuations in a basement environment.
High ball,
Lee
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Post by riogrande on Mar 20, 2015 12:43:16 GMT -8
Lee, I'm on a budget so I've been using cheap lumber from my local Home Depot or Lowes, athough I pick over the 1x4, 1x3 and 1x2 lumber carefully. My legs are just 2x2 - again I pick over best I can, and I'm using waferboad or whatever they call it. I've posted progress photo's in this topic - most recent on page 7 but I need to update as I've completed subroadbed all the way around now: atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/1226/layouts-before-after-thread?page=7I did all the construction with only a Sabre Saw and a cordless drill! Where is the clown icon? hah hah. Next time I build, I'm going to get a mitre saw and a circular saw but hey, I'm managing! My basement has pretty constant temperatures and (fingers crossed) fairly controlled humidity by way of a dehumidify that runs in the summer. |
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Mar 20, 2015 13:28:32 GMT -8
Lee, I'm on a budget so I've been using cheap lumber from my local Home Depot or Lowes, athough I pick over the 1x4, 1x3 and 1x2 lumber carefully. My legs are just 2x2 - again I pick over best I can, and I'm using waferboad or whatever they call it. I've posted progress photo's in this topic - most recent on page 7 but I need to update as I've completed subroadbed all the way around now: atlasrescueforum.proboards.com/thread/1226/layouts-before-after-thread?page=7I did all the construction with only a Sabre Saw and a cordless drill! Where is the clown icon? hah hah. Next time I build, I'm going to get a mitre saw and a circular saw but hey, I'm managing! My basement has pretty constant temperatures and (fingers crossed) fairly controlled humidity by way of a dehumidify that runs in the summer. Jim: That's pretty impressive carpentry with just a sabre saw...goes to show you...it's not the tools...it's the person using them. I will have to say...a power mitre saw can really make a difference in keeping square ends for modular benchwork and if you are making multiple cuts...but that's another cost to figure into the equation. High Ball, Lee |
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Post by riogrande on Mar 20, 2015 14:00:15 GMT -8
They get the job done - if you are careful, you can manage reasonbly square cuts. I would've liked to have gotten a Mitre saw but well, next time. Got a daughter in college for a couple more years so yeah, budget is very limited right now.
Cheers, Jim
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on Mar 21, 2015 15:58:20 GMT -8
Lee, I'm on a budget so I've been using cheap lumber from my local Home Depot or Lowes, athough I pick over the 1x4, 1x3 and 1x2 lumber carefully. My legs are just 2x2 - again I pick over best I can, and I'm using waferboad or whatever they call it. I used to do that, too. I stumbled onto a genuine local lumber yard that has magnificent straight wood, 15 miles closer to home and the same or terribly close to the price of Lowe's or Menards. I've been really happy with their quality. Clerk there told me their owner was very particular in his wood and it does show. Supports local business, too. |
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Mar 24, 2015 18:47:22 GMT -8
More progress photos...bench work is about 1/3 completed with the other end of the folded dogbone to be completed this summer. The bridge where the double-main crosses itself was a year-long struggle with a double track concrete bridge kit from Kibri, the Bieschtal Bridge from Faller, several scratchbuilds, the excellent 72 foot deck bridges from Exact Rail all considered. The 200 foot Central Valley truss bridge kit was started but shelved. The challenge was having to create the angles for the double track main to cross over itself and leave the necessary clearance for double stacks and Auto Max cars but still have enough trackage to keep the grade at 1 percent. There just aren't any low-profile, double-track bridges kits available that can span 20 inches without having to be skewed. The Walther's Double Track Truss Bridge was the only serious candidate but it lacks the clearance for modern auto racks. I decided the combination of the Walther's double track truss bridge deck and the 85 foot deck bridges and girder kits from Micro Engineering would give me the necessary clearance and low-profile look I was after. The Bieschtal Bridge has already been built and a place on the layout selected so I just need to find the time to build the necessary under-cut bench work to support the 43 inch span and compensate for the depth of that bridge with the scenery base. High Ball, Lee |
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Post by riogrande on Mar 27, 2015 13:32:54 GMT -8
Looks like you are moving quickly!
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Mar 27, 2015 14:25:06 GMT -8
Looks like you are moving quickly! Jim: Thanks...not moving fast enough...I have boxes of sound locomotives waiting to be heard! I've just completed the design for the other end of the dog bone but I'm so busy with work, I can't seem to find any time for play. I re-configured one section which added more trackage, with no grade, plus a much longer ( and wider ) yard and, by doing so, was able to keep the radius from a max of 47 1/2" down to 45" and 42 1/2" thus allowing extra clearance for one of the featured trains which consists of several Walther's 86' auto racks, Atlas articulated auto racks, Auto Maxes and Walther's 86' box cars. Lee |
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Post by riogrande on Mar 27, 2015 17:00:50 GMT -8
Those are nice wide curves!
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Post by railmodeltroy14 on Mar 27, 2015 17:33:33 GMT -8
Those are nice wide curves! Jim: Yes...I am very fortunate I can utilize the space I'm in. With # 10 turnouts, the Amtrak trains should be able to reach prototypical speeds on the mainlines. High Ball, Lee |
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Post by atsfan on Mar 27, 2015 18:08:41 GMT -8
They get the job done - if you are careful, you can manage reasonbly square cuts. I would've liked to have gotten a Mitre saw but well, next time. Got a daughter in college for a couple more years so yeah, budget is very limited right now. Cheers, Jim A 10 inch mitre can be had for $100 or less. Worth that cash for big projects. |
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Post by riogrande on Apr 7, 2015 4:39:39 GMT -8
ATSFAN, this was a fairly small project and when I got started, I needed the money for materials - the benchwork was up quickly enough since it's a fairly small layout. What slowed me down more were design elements and other things in life. If/when it comes time to build something substantially bigger, the mitre saw will be a priority to get.
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