I always forget to post here, but I think I’m going to do it more often, as after reading a bunch of topics, it seems more in line with the era of stuff I’m running.
Anyway - quick back story for those who don’t know me form the other forums or FB. I had a compact PW display style layout in a spare bedroom it was featured in CTT last year). Back in August, we found out we are expecting our 3rd. We had to shuffle some things around - the room the trains were in is now the playroom ( it’s the only bedroom on the lower level of the house) and the upstairs playroom will become the new baby room. I had to find a spot for the trains! Being we live in Charlotte, our house doesn’t have a basement ( as someone who is from up North, I still can’t get used to that!), I decided ( w/ the wifey’s blessing) to turn the garage into a comple finished room for the trains. After months of work & a few false starts, I was able to get the board up this weekend. I’m using the track plan on my previous PW display style layout, since it worked so well with a few minor tweaks, as I have a few extra feet to work with.
Thought I would start a thread to post some progress pics. A lot of these pics are just quickies w/ my cell phone. Once I get the layout up, I’ll use my DSLR.
Here’s a pic of my old layout - some of you may know it -
I had this 3x7 layout as a place to run trains during the construction. This eventually became the upper level on the new layout
Looking good including the little angle who was helping you.[:)] Nice set up. what is your main layout size ? I’m getting ready to do 5’ X 8’ in the near future.
Looking good. Our last house had no basement because we were 350’ from the river. So we never had a layout. Our new house has a full basement and a layout. I love it.
Thanks guys. I don’t think I would be this into it w/o my kids. They really make it fun.
Almost everyday, my son (he’s 2) comes & asks me to run trains when we get home. The last few days I tell him, I’m working on them & we have to wait. He goes ‘ok I wait 5 minute’ & then asks me - 'we run trains now
Agreed - I hadn’t touched my train (which was my father’s and his uncle’s before me) for nearly 25 years since I tried to get my stepson with my late wife into it. He didn’t take to it - it was competing unsuccessfully with a Nintendo. I almost sold it, figuring I wouldn’t have an opportunity to use it again. Then I got remarried, Noah arrived, and things changed. He’s almost 3 and loves it - always wanting to “go to the basement”.
The back wall & most of the side wall are finished. Still waiting on a door that I ordered to complete the side wall. Definitely has that retro look to match the trains, which is what I was going for. Also picked up a vintage couch. I added a few vintage framed Lionel print ads to hang on the walls.
Here are a few better pics of the room so far. I had to order a door to complete the closet, so that’s the only thing holding me up from finishing the back wall. I tried to go as retro as possible so the whole room would have that late 50’s feel. Really compliments the trains!
