Beach Railroad, ver. 2.0

[Papa Bear]

I've started work on a 2'4" X 4' layout. This will be a seaside layout similar to the one I posted pictures of in the Pictures of Old Layout thread. I missed the colors of the old layout.

Benchwork consists of a frame of 1X3's with a 1/4" plywood floor. Two layers of 1/2" blue foam cover the plywood and form the basic scenery. The track plan is a simple loop using Kato Unitrack.

 

[alphanumeric]

wow looks good! cant wait to see future progress =)

 

[Fred_M]

I'm glad to see you do this, I liked your old one. :thumb: FRED

 

[Xaniel]

This one I want to see! I want to build a small layout just to have some american trains, and this perfect.

Keep up the excelent work.

 

[Papa Bear]

Sand Dunes

Here is a cut through the sand dunes. The foreman hopes to get some vegetation established soon so that maybe he won't have to keep digging out the track where the dunes have drifted in.

I used Great Stuff to form the dunes. When it hardens, I cut and shape the dunes and then cover them with joint compound.
John

 

[Papa Bear]

Went to an actual beach this weekend to get some inspiration .

 

[siderod]

Nice looking layout...nice beach too!

 

[rcwatkins]

The layout looks good so far. Now the beach is a different story. I really liked your old layout better. :cry:

 

[Sir_Prize]

Looks like you got a very nice beachfront property started.
:thumb: :thumb:
Hey! That's what the beach 'round my way looks.
'Round her if'n ya' mess with the Sea Oats you get time in the pokey.
Sooo... the beaches (that arn't wall-to-wall bikini's) are all grassy-like.
Kinda nice at times. Gives a feel of being on an remote island.
Till the ankle biters come 'round with their rice burners thump'n.


P.S.- Some of those lil' suits are on VERY large bodies. Yuch! ops:

 

[Papa Bear]

Thanks everybody for the encouraging words! Sir Prize, you have hit the nail on the head. If there were a prototype for this railroad, it would be up the coast and around the big bend from you in Northwest Florida. And, yes, I'm planning to have sea oats, too.

RC, this one's going to have a seaside town, too. I haven't started that part, yet, but I've got one side of the layout "reserved."

More to come...
John

 

[fifer]

Great work John , it looks like a lot of fun. I already ran to the closet to get a beach towel!!!!!



Mike

 

[Papa Bear]

Foliage

OK, here's what it looks like now. Got some green stuff growing; got the place for the bridge cut out; and I'm waiting for the plaster to dry so I can finish painting the water.

Mike, don't forget your sunblock!
John

 

[rcwatkins]

Hey, what's the trackplan look like?

 

[Papa Bear]

Hey, what's the trackplan look like?

Just a simple oval, RC. Will probably have a siding or two in the town section.
John

 

[b28_82]

I know you could call it Pensacola. Or you could stretch it and call it Navarre/ Navarre beach.

 

[Papa Bear]

I know you could call it Pensacola. Or you could stretch it and call it Navarre/ Navarre beach.

Yes, indeed! I haven't nailed it down exactly, but I'm thinking that this railroad might be a branch of the L&N or Frisco from Pensacola.

Well, the plaster's dry, so out comes the paintbrush. A visiting railfan took a helicopter ride to get this picture.

 

[Papa Bear]

An update...

I've added some streets and tentatively set up buildings. Still need to add trees, figures, more foliage, and a gloss coat for the water. Even a small layout takes a lot of work. But, I have really enjoyed working on it. It's been like a breath of fresh air for my hobby.

I'm trying to think up a name for this "empire." Here's a list of names I've been considering:
Pensacola and Eastern
Pensacola, Navarre, and Gulf
Seaside and Destin
Pensacola, Panama City, and Port St Joe (try putting that on a boxcar!)
Ft Walton and Western

If you have any other suggestions, let's hear 'em. Meanwhile, I'll be catching some rays.
John

 

[fifer]

Looks great John , it is really coming together nicely!

Mike

 

[Sir_Prize]

Looking very Beachy! :thumb:

Hmmm... I'll take that challenge.

How's this:

 

[rcwatkins]

I feel like I need to do a big layout but when I see yours it inspires me to work.