The Uxbridge Central Progress

[Voice2]

Well - I finally got up the nerve to actually show what I've been up to!

This progress thread is not as awesome as Herc Driver's or as God-like as SD90's, but how is that possible for a newbie like me right now anyway?

:thumb:

Anyway - you all always say you like pictures - so here goes!!

(Thanks to all here who have helped me get this far!!)

 

[Voice2]

Here is the completed 4'x8' bench with two 2" thick 2'x8' foam boards glued to the top.

The cross braces are 1x2's.

The color is 'Hazel Woods' (#460F-7), a Behr paint color purchased at Home Depot.

 

[Voice2]

The legs are "L" girders made from 1x2's and 1x3's.

The cross braces are 1x2's.

 

[Voice2]

The joists are 1x3's.

 

[Voice2]

Shot of leg and top connection from the inside.

Top top is connected to the frame in only 4 places with easily removed bolts and wing nuts.

This makes it very easy to move when I need to.

It's amazing how rock solid the whole thing is when connected, yet very light!

 

[Voice2]

The mainline roadbed and track is done!

The tunnel portal to the right will be where a mountain will start and cover most of the curve on this end of the table.

The cork laying down the center of the table is roughly where I will have a view block.

The scenes on either side of the view block (background) will be miles apart from each other.

The rectangular papers on the right are the footprints of the buildings going up in the town of Uxbridge.

The expansion planned (a large "L" shaped shelf layout 18" to 24" wide culminating in a yard/staging area behind
where I am standing with my camera in this shot) will start at the upper left hand corner of the table as seen from here.

The MRC power pack in the photo will be replaced by a Digitrax Super Chief DCC system.

 

[Voice2]

The Trackplan and more details can be seen at my website. Just click the link in my signature to get there.

This is great to be able to combine my modeling and computer hobbies like this.

This layout is my third, first in N scale.

 

[extra7000south]

Looking good Dave.....:thumb:

I like your website too!!

 

[Drew1125]

Looks great so far, Dave!
Keep those pictures coming!
:thumb: :thumb:

 

[Papa Bear]

Looks great, Dave! :thumb:I used a similar table top for my earlier N scale layout and am planning to do something similar for my next layout. You're right, it is amazingly light. Try moving a layout that size made out of 3/4" plywood!

 

[Doc Holliday]

I say ANY progress is good progress.

Doc

 

[Voice2]

Thanks guys!

No weathering, painted track or ballasting yet - but I started playing
around with my camera. It's amazing how much detail you can get
out of this scale!

Gotta get some dirt, dust, rust and gravel on this thing!!

 

[77railer]

Keep up the good work...I like what you have done so far...as far as a home layout you got me beat big time. Im learning paitence,lol...

77Railer

 

[Herc Driver]

Boy I'd give anything to have a solid base like that...I should've planned better from the start like you did. With that foam base, you can do some much scenery work - and so much easier too (changes in grade and such). DCC too! That's going to be good.

Looks really good! More pictures!!

 

[belg]

Dave, you are progressing nicely very with your layout, I would like to point out though that your 1x3 joists would have been much more effective if they were installed with 3/4" side to the foam, wood has alot more strength and resistance to weight in this configuration. It can be easily done by adding a 1x2 under the ones you have installed on flat now, to create what is know as an "L" girder. Pat

 

[Voice2]

Pat - you are correct. I will add those later, as I will be using Tortoises to control the 17 turnouts in my track plan. My fear was that I would need one right where one of the joists is, so I put them in flat as you can see. After I have installed the motors I'll do as you suggest.

Also - the reason I'm doing the 4x8 first is that I learned here that you start small to get the learning curve (mistakes) out of your system. I'm glad I decided to do it this way, as I have made some. When I do the around the wall shelf part it will go much more quickly for me.

Thanks again.