Building my new layout

[doctorwayne]

With such a large urban area, I trust that we'll eventually see some overhead and a PCC or two as part of operations: this could be true continuous running, maybe with a few pre-programmed stops, but not requiring a separate operator.

Wayne

 

[Squidbait]

Looks very good Val! Some really nice kits in there.

I agree with Wayne... you need a streetcar line! Miniatronics makes a nice automatic stop circuit, you could have the PCC make regular stops in town.

 

[spitfire]

Well, when I was planning this layout I thought long and hard about having a streetcar line. There are several reasons why I decided not to have an operational one, here they are in no particular order.
1. Downtown Toronto streetcars of the 50s were single pole, running under wire supported from guywires running off utility poles. This is really hard to model accurately and reliably. Most traction modelling uses pantographs and catenary because it runs better. Tension of the overhead and reliable contact between pan and wire is key to smooth running.
2. Cost - Orr girder rail, needs to be soldered to printed circuit board (over 3' x 12' this is a lot), proper trolley model by Bowser, unpainted, no pole is pricey and would need painting etc. The Bachmann trolley is not good enough to actually run.
3. Space: to be true to the prototype I'd need 2 sets of tracks, they would have to loop and that loop would obviously be behind the city. Unfortunately, that's where the trains are running. Run the trains along the front you say? No, sorry, Toronto doesn't look like that.

So, you see I'm stuck. I would have to spend too much time, money and space. Perhaps one day I will build a streetcar module... but if so, I would do it in O scale. All the good PCC models are O.

Val

 

[Will_annand]

Val, how did I miss this thread???

You are doing a great job with your refit. Heck, your second effort has passed my first effort. I just can't find enough time to work on the layout.

Good job on new layout, keep it up and it will look awesome.

 

[MasonJar]

That city scene is already awesome... can't wait to see it finished. I hope that your efforts end up in print someday Val - they are certainly worthy!

Andrew

 

[spitfire]

Val, how did I miss this thread???

You are doing a great job with your refit. Heck, your second effort has passed my first effort. I just can't find enough time to work on the layout.

Good job on new layout, keep it up and it will look awesome.

Thanks Will. I had a whole week off from teaching so that's how I was alble to find time!

That city scene is already awesome... can't wait to see it finished. I hope that your efforts end up in print someday Val - they are certainly worthy!

Thanks a lot Andrew. That would certainly be an honour!!

Val

 

[hancop]

Where can I find out more information about Gavin Miller's stencil method for clouds ?
What brand and colour of paint did you use for the sky and clouds ?

Thanks

 

[MasonJar]

Look for Gavin's method in The Academy (link in my sig) or click here.

Andrew

 

[railwaybob]

Looks real cool.

A suggestion. Notwithstanding that you want to build your freights on the main line, you might want to reconsider things a bit, particularly if you've got more than one operator running the trains.

I would extend the yard lead at Parkdale back into that CPR spur. This way, you will be able to pull freights directly in off of the mainline out of the way and then use your switcher to sort the cars into their respective sidings in the yard. Or, alternately, you can build your freights on the main line but then pull them through the lead track out onto the CPR spur and onto the main line. your CN main line. This will give you a lot of flexibility. After all, one can never have a lead that is too long.

Also, you may find with your existing lead that it may not be long enough to pull all of the cars in a siding out into the lead. If you extend the lead out to the CPR spur, in effect, the spur becomes part of your yard lead.

Just some thoughts on the matter.

Bob M.

 

[spitfire]

Interesting suggestions Bob, thanks. I could always extend the yard lead around the curve a bit, which wouldn't require any changes to the plan. I assume you already read my post about the real Parkdale Yard, and how they had to assemble trains on the main. To me this would add a time factor to switching the yard, which could either make operations more exciting, or more frustrating.

My last layout had a really long drill track, and it seemed to make things too easy. Anyway, I'll think about it. Thanks again.

Val

 

[spitfire]

Here's a little progress

I'm terraforming!! Got some risers put in today. This is for the double track main, coming out of the yard and going up and behind the city.

Val

 

[bigsteel]

looks sweet spitfire!question though are those risers store bought or handmade cause I'm going to need quite a few.but looking good man cant wait to see it finished and get some roll byes in!--josh

 

[Gary S.]

Wow, that city scene is going to be F A N T A S T I C. Can't wait to see more of that!

 

[spitfire]

Bigsteel - thanks! The risers are made by Woodland Scenics, and come in 2%, 3% and 4% grades. The neat thing about them is that they're easy to curve and my grade is on a curve. I was tempted to go for the 3% grade to get higher faster, but that's not a good idea on a curve so I stuck with 2% for better operation. :thumb:

Gary S. - thanks. I am a huge fan of urban modelling, and you could say I built the layout around that city.

Val

 

[interurban]

Wow!! you have been busy Val, It is great once you have the "thing" sorted out in your head.

Then to see it all come together, looks like you have / will accomplish most of what you taked about, er a few years ago with Brian and I.

Pity about the PCC line but I agree, cost and time is a big thing, and like you said a O gauge model will be great for running ability, Horse shoe Vally O gauge street cars layout springs to mind .

Comig along great mate!:thumb:

 

[Gary Pfeil]

Hi Val, I missed this thread too, my bad! It's looking great, and it's exciting to look forward to seeing it progress, as I know the quality of your work.

Have fun!

 

[Sir_Prize]

Val,
Hate to say it, but my being a way I can see you've changed...
Your work is even better!!
I am most jealous of your City. I sat to long to get the one's from Lunde Studios in N. Now I'm practically, checking their site everyday for the Kits...

Good to see you're still in it.

 

[spitfire]

Chris - thanks my friend! I will have a dummy streetcar track - at least that's something.

Gary and Ken - good to see you both back here again. Thanks for the kind words.

I've been busy with work all week, but the weekend is finally here and I hope to be posting some more progress photo's soon.

Val

 

[spitfire]

More progress

I have completed the first riser section, and given it a base coat of brown paint.

I had a little setback this weekend, when on Friday night I started seeing flashes of light in the corner of my right eye. This can be a symptom of a detached retina, so with great trepidation I headed down to the hospital emergency. I was there from 10 pm to 6 am - and I can tell you that a big city hospital emergency area late on a Friday night is a pretty scummy place to be...

I had to go back at 11 am Saturday to see the opthamologist, and what a relief to learn that there was no retinal detachment. It turns out it's what they call Posterior Vitreous Detachment, and nothing to worry about unless the flashing comes back worse. I won't go into major detail, suffice it to say I spent the afternoon sleeping, and didn't get anything done on the layout until Sunday.

Soooo...... I moved on to the countryside section where the river will be. I've curved it so that the 2 bridges will not be parallel - I think that will look better. I built the new Atlas bridge I bought last week, and started sculpting the river banks.

Here's a couple shots.

 

[Will_annand]

Glad to hear it was nothing serious Val.

The layout is coming along nicely. Must say you do good work.