My First Layout (R&R Rail)...

[NYNH&H]

See if you can add some turnouts to make the layout bigger. That way you can easily expand when you move to a bigger place. You have no indutries. Are you going for mountain scenery? Otherwise, you may want a few industries, so you can have a local. You also have a reversing loop, which is a real pain to wire. Also, if the benchwork is to come apart easily, don't have turnouts on the gaps.

 

[RonP]

Work started back up on the layout and actually i have 3/4 of the benchwork finished and 1/2 the track laid out on road bed. Pics are coming soon.

 

[RonP]

ok the benchwork is finished and looks alot like this pic i've added i was hoping to get some opinions on track layout from those who care i want logging a raised area and mainline op. mostly based on steam with one or two diesel switchers. I'm not crazy on prototyping exactly either.

only differance in the pic and layout is the 8 foot side turned out to be 12 foot

 

[ocalicreek]

Looks like you've got some tight turns there. What's your minimum radius (or did I miss that in previous posts)?

 

[RonP]

Minimum turns , I bought a box O track from a guy here on the gauge, It all consists of sectional track. Having said that i intend to buy some flex track to acomplish what i need to accomplish.

I was talking to the wife and it is possible to close in the the horseshoe. Since it is you who replied i will make a better detailed design of the benchwork right now as i made the benchwork a little differant from the picture. I recently moved from window$ to Linux so ii am still learning how to use the free apps please bear with me.

Thank you Galen the help you provided Nazgul is an inspiration (well his layout is as well). I'll post the revised picture shortly.

 

[RonP]

Ok i made a crude design with gimp ( i will need more exp with it definatly) but here is the layout as it stands the dark blue is built the light blue is still being thought out. One note that is important the 4X4 section was hell to get up in the aTTIC SO NO MORE 4x4 will be built and that one should be cut down to 2- 2x4 sections.

It is also built to be taken apart as i rent ATM.

So it is 10 feet by 9'6" the gap is 6" and is made so i can put bridges over it. I have no intention of covering it in till i buy a house. That means it could grow for a large bridge when i move next year or so.

Oh yeah and the 2.5 foot section could be a tip up or duck under.

The track work i have can be redone i pulled it all off and left the road bed as i need to clean all the track and take out the brass sections ( i have Nickel silver track as well and will use that for mainline). section marked A is a 3% grade slope starting at the turnout.

 

[ocalicreek]

Thank you Galen the help you provided Nazgul is an inspiration

No problem! Please keep us updated with pictures if possible. Just remember to measure ten cut one!

 

[RonP]

i have sectional track for the most part and i believe most of the curved peices are for 18" curves does this restrict the lay out in anyway ?

 

[bigsteel]

i have sectional track for the most part and i believe most of the curved pieces are for 18" curves does this restrict the lay out in anyway ?

if you don't plan on running big steam or large road diesels it wont hurt.but you cant run much more than switchers and 4-axle diesels on that i.e geeps,2-8-4,TR-4's,etc.you need ATLEAST 22 for anything bigger than that.and remember the bigger the curve the better.even the small stuff looks good on big curves.--josh
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[RonP]

i have a 4-8-4 and an 0-8-0 both i dunno their names except the 0-8-0 is the Hogwarts express in brass.

I am also ready to paint coal tower i am not too good with mixing colour so i have to make a trip to the LHS or micheals to pick up the right colour

 

[Triplex]

Isn't the Hogwarts express a 4-6-0?

A 4-8-4 is really too big for 18".

 

[RonP]

Isn't the Hogwarts express a 4-6-0?

yes your right now that i look at it.

A 4-8-4 is really too big for 18".

ok well i will keep that in mind when i buy a better quality engine.

 

[RonP]

ok i know im realy bailing on the pics still. i have a small plan but it involves the in-laws and their video camera.
I have alot started on the layout and the first 4 foot square section is really shaping up.

Question

1. How tall should a HO telephone pole be (in inches)
2. I wan't to run my power through telephone poles. I have a really kool scheme in my mind for making the hydro lines looking good Is this a good idea to run the layout power this way ?

 

[wickman]

Sweet plan but we need pics , errr as soon as inlaws aren't around sign1

 

[toyracing]

nice r&r layout good luck in the future

 

[RonP]

Ok guys i know i'm little bit of a lagger when it comes to pics and i want to show off my work as much as tyhe next guy but suffice to say it is on my list now that i finally ran a train.

I joinned the gauge in November of '06 and i have been working on some aspect of my layout for the past year. I moved twice a 500km move arcoss the province and a smaller one. The layout design is much the same as the above sketchup designs and the benchwork is complete and DCC installed.

Nows the time to start my RR fun as this darn hogwarts express runs down the track.

I'd like to thank all who have helped so far i REALLY appreciate it.

I hope to be a part of what makes this site awsome that is the creative process alive thru these layout and scratch building threads. I am close to providing you all with constant updates of the railroad.

Those having problems installing decoders in old engines might want to look
over my grief here - http://forum.zealot.com/t152346/

 

[RonP]

Well lately i joined the local Model Rail Club and it has been a great experience. Here is a pic for anyone interested i helped by putting in some of the riser sections here. I joined the club as they are moving from modular to a permanent NEW layout and im getting in on the ground floor so to speak. I think i might start a progress thread for this as well once im settled into the clubs ranks.

 

[Ralph]

Interesting pic! How do you like that spline roadbed technique?
Ralph

 

[RonP]

Interesting pic! How do you like that spline roadbed technique?
Ralph

My observations on the spline is masonite is very easy to cut and it is easy on the saw blades. It is messy to sand but sands very nicely with a power sander.

The grade changes are ULTRA smooth due to the process of long spline component lengths.

When the glue is dried it is a very solid system and is by comparison allot easier to use then other materials i have seen.

All the problems the guys have at the club are problems i am very willing to work with which are cutting a sheet on a table saw is ackward (i am very versed in ackward carpentry)

 

[RonP]

Tonight i am going to look over the guys doing the hand laying track with the Fast Track system. Below isd the club (not finalized) layout plan.