Building that "New & Improved" HO Layout !

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi!

Well, as I just wrote in another posting on this Forum, my 15 year old, 11x15 double level HO layout is now history. All that remains in the “train room” is 45 - 2x2 legs, with attached 1x2 and 1x4 bracing and supports. It looks like a room of giant tinker toys. Thankfully, much of the supporting structure will work for the new layout, so I just split the maze into a few sections which allowed for easy movement to get to the walls for cleaning and painting.

Also remaining is the “around the room” 2 foot high backdrop, which is painted directly on the walls and on 2x4 1/8 inch curved masonite in the corners.

The room has been thoroughly cleaned, the walls (x backdrop) painted, and the Wife is very happy with me as I made no mess whatsoever in the rest of the house (which made the demo a lot more difficult).

The new layout will be similar to the old one, in that it will be two levels, with a large “duckunder” with operator area in the center. Scale drawings have been developed, and the new layout includes a staging/storage on the lower level (accessed by a 2 1/2 percent incline), a main level with engine terminal, small yard, a few small industries, and some countryside.

After much thought, I’ve decided to try DCC, and went with a Digitrax Super Chief with additional booster, split into 8 power districts via 2 DCC Specialties circuit breakers.

Track, turnouts, roadbed, DCC components, and some new structure kits have been purchased. Additional lumber, and several sheets of plywood will be picked up shortly.

However, before I start the carpentry, I have to finish out the backdrop. The existing one still looks pretty nice, and I want to keep it. But, as the new layout will not have the raised outer trackag

2

Sounds like you got quite a project ahead of you! Have fun! Looking forward to hearing and seeing your progress!

3

Hi!

Due to other household priorities, I’ve only had a couple of days in the last two weeks to work on the layout project. However, progress has been made!

  • The existing backdrop has been extended 4 1/2 inches downward, including adding masonite to the 3 room corners (the entry door is at the 4th corner). The rest of the walls have been repainted.

  • I’ve dusted off my acrylic painting skills (or lack thereof) and got one wall’s backdrop finished, and a second wall about half done. I’m looking to finish that wall today. The existing backdrop was mainly sky with a hilly horizon and a second and third layer of landscape in the foreground. So, the add-on piece is foreground, with a bit brighter colors and featuring some hills, and various ground cover. It came out (so far) pretty good, but the real trick (IMHO) is to get the layout to blend into the backdrop. Oh, one thing I did with the original backdrop and will do with this one is to spray LIGHTLY with some flat white paint from a distance - which represents mist/fog and the typical atmosphere, and also blends in and dulls out features somewhat.

  • Did some shopping, picking up another box of Midwest cork roadbed, a few rolls of 3/32 sheet cork (for yards, terminal, industry tracks), and a couple of terminal structure kits befitting the new terminal.

  • Conscripted # 2 son’s pick-up to pick up 3 sheets of 4 ply 1/2 inch plywood and support lumber to build the lower staging/storage area and incline to the main level. Main level plywood will be picked up when needed - which could be months from now.

  • Picked up more info on DCC (much of it in this Forum), and have laid out wiring plans for 8 power districts (with two 5 amp boosters). I also sold one of the MRC Controlmaster 20s (That is one fine DC p

4

[quote user=“mobilman44”]

Hi!

Due to other household priorities, I’ve only had a couple of days in the last two weeks to work on the layout project. However, progress has been made!

  • The existing backdrop has been extended 4 1/2 inches downward, including adding masonite to the 3 room corners (the entry door is at the 4th corner). The rest of the walls have been repainted.

  • I’ve dusted off my acrylic painting skills (or lack thereof) and got one wall’s backdrop finished, and a second wall about half done. I’m looking to finish that wall today. The existing backdrop was mainly sky with a hilly horizon and a second and third layer of landscape in the foreground. So, the add-on piece is foreground, with a bit brighter colors and featuring some hills, and various ground cover. It came out (so far) pretty good, but the real trick (IMHO) is to get the layout to blend into the backdrop. Oh, one thing I did with the original backdrop and will do with this one is to spray LIGHTLY with some flat white paint from a distance - which represents mist/fog and the typical atmosphere, and also blends in and dulls out features somewhat.

  • Did some shopping, picking up another box of Midwest cork roadbed, a few rolls of 3/32 sheet cork (for yards, terminal, industry tracks), and a couple of terminal structure kits befitting the new terminal.

  • Conscripted # 2 son’s pick-up to pick up 3 sheets of 4 ply 1/2 inch plywood and support lumber to build the lower staging/storage area and incline to the main level. Main level plywood will be picked up when needed - which could be months from now.

  • Picked up more info on DCC (much of it in this Forum), and have laid out wiring plans for 8 power districts (with two 5 amp boosters). I also sold one of the MRC Controlmaster 20s (That is one fine DC power unit!) and took the proceeds to Lowes and picked up 400 ft of 14 AWG bus wi

5

Doesn’t that always happen? LOL

Sounds like you are making good progress. Post some pictures so we can see the work in progress.

6

Hi!

Actually made some progress this week, after painting and installing blinds in my wife’s hobby room.

We had a minor leak in the walls from a bad pipe joint and had a 2x8 foot section of drywall removed to replace the pipe. For those of you out of the area, many of the two story houses here have their H/AC and hot water heaters in the attic as there are no basements in the greater Houston area due to the high water table. So, water pipes come into the house, go up the wall to the attic, and then down again to the kitchen, baths, and wet bar. Anyway, everything is “like new” and the Wife is a happy camper.

I’m half done with the backdrop. Actually, the sky portion remains from the previous layout, and I am adding “greenery” to the bottom of it. The back wall portrays “lush” foothills, and the long inside wall has an 8 ft lake - dubbed “Lake Patricia” (which really won me points!). I put 3 coats of gloss medium on the lake, and then did a LIGHT overspray of flat white paint over both walls’ backdrop to give it depth and the illusion of “atmosphere”. Oh, the smell is really bad, so get some fans and windows open if you do this!

The Wife suggested I might put some birds over the lake and, after much research and nerve gathering, I figured I’d give it a try. I used a pencil to dot in about 30 1/4 inch horizontal lines in a ragged “V” formation in the sky over the lake. These represented the body of the geese. Then I took a fine brush and hit the black and grey acrylic and went over the line. Then I did random lines at 90 to 45 degree angle to the “body” lines to represent wings. On some you see both wings, on others a wing above the body, and others a wing below. Lastly, I touched the brush in the white acrylic and sort of dotted the head area of the geese. The end result really surprised me, and m

7

Hi!

There has been some definite progress made, but not without some “hitches” giving me some unexpected challenges. But first, the good news…

  • Finished out the backdrop, and I am reasonably pleased with it. I’m holding off on pictures until the basic benchwork is complete - which will hopefully better “show off” the backdrop.

  • Got the layout’s footprint in place, with all the 2x2 legs and support crossbraces screwed in. I actually thought I could reuse a good portion of the previous layout sections “as is”, but soon found that it was easier to just redo the whole thing to “get it right”.

  • At this point I put in a 1x4 (on edge) around the outside of the perimeter. This would be a part of the framework upon which the main level plywood would sit. Clever guy that I am, I cut a 1x2 the desired length from the ceiling to the top of the 1x4 edging. Using this as a guide - plus a 48 inch level - I eventually got the outside perimeter in place. Ha - so much for “clever guy”! What I learned real quick is that the ceiling is NOT that perfectly flat structure - equal distant to the floor in all places. Variances of 1/4 to 3/8 inch were pretty common as I worked my way around the room. But, with the level and the measuring stick as a guide, it all worked out in the end.

  • In another posting, I brought up the question of the affect upon train length that my going from a 2 percent (previous layout) to a 2 1/2 percent grade on this layout as a means to get to the lower level staging/storage area. After absorbing the comments and rereading Mr. Armstrong’s “track planning for realistic operation”, I scrapped plans for the 2 1/2 and am sticking with the 2 % grade. After all, I want my BLI Northern to handle as many Walthers ATSF passenger cars as I can use!

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Hi mobilman, Congratulations. I’ve missed the overall dimensions of your new layout would you mind repeating that for me? I’m curious about the 8 power districts. Also did you decide to use stranded or solid 14 gauge for your buss? I’ll be fun following along on your project(s). I’m just getting my layout started and have most of the main yard ladder down with some throat/approach curves laid thanks to a fantastic mentor/buddy. Finally it looks like something other than just lumber! I can’t even begin to imagine how much nerve it took to start dismantling your old layout but you sound excited about the new one!

9

Hi!

I built the old layout in 1993 / 94, and began to think seriously of redoing it in 2007. It took almost two years to get the “gumption” to take it down. The kicker was that I realized that I better do it now or I would be unable to later (I’m 65 in May). And, I really wanted the challenge of doing DCC as I have always been skittish about electronics (not electricity).

The layout is a room filler - ll’x15’. There is enough room for the door to open, and then there is a 4 foot deep duckunder to get to the center of the layout. If I were doing N scale, I probably would have a large U shape (x duckunder), but in HO it was/is a must. Ha, it keeps me limber!

With the proceeds from a sale of one of the two Controlmaster 20s, I picked up various colored bus wires from Lowes & HD, and got 14 gauge stranded. I originally wanted solid, but could not get it in various colors - which will help identify some of the power districts.

The eight power districts are planned to be: outer main, inner main, sub-main & industrial sidings, diesel terminal tracks, steam terminal tracks, yard, diesel staging, freight staging.

I am really enjoying the project, and it is much more satisfying than any layout I built before. I’m retired, have a very supportive Wife, more experienced, better tools, improved skills, and the money is not a factor. I’ve always enjoyed all facits of layout building, so the fun is in the building.

ENJOY,

Mobilman44

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In a few months, I may begin work on Phase II of my own layout. Hearing your description of what things are going on is getting me psyched to get started. I’ll be keeping the original layout (it’s only 4 years old, and it’s not even “finished” yet itself) and adding another section.

I’m looking forward to pictures when you get the PhotoBucket thing straightened out.

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Thanks for your additional info. and replies mobilman. I have some 14 gauge wire stranded, offered to me for free so I’m tempted to use stranded. Joe Fugate uses it and like’s its’ flexibility for pulling, etc. My layout is a similar size 8’X17’. I hear you on the HO thing. I’m 57 and I’m already too blind and shakey for N scale except for the occasional operations session elsewhere. It’ll be fun keeping up with your progress.

12

I much prefer stranded wire for the heavy bus, it’s much easier to pull it through and around the benchwork… I use solid for the feeders, as I find it is easier to solder it to the rail.

–Randy

13

Hi!

Its been three weeks since my last “update” and believe it or not, progress has been made!

The benchwork for the 2% grade from the main to the lower level is in place. It came out pretty nice, but it was not the easiest woodwork I have done, especially in the curved corner areas. The 18 inch wide 9 ft long staging area will hold 2 passenger tracks and 4 freight tracks and should serve the layout well.

One thing I am realizing - my last layout (very similar to this one) was built in the early '90s, and I could get the ol bod under the benchwork in small places to do wiring and stuff fairly easily. Well, 16 years later, it ain’t so easy anymore. I did compensate for my “age” by making some of the non-critical benchwork pieces easy to remove, to give me better access.

Anyway, I am ready to do the roadbed on the outer main (behind the grade track) and lower level, and then proceed to track laying and wiring and testing. Of course, doing thorough (I hope I am thorough) testing of the lower level is a must before I lay on the main level plywood.

Oh, I bought two new toys to help out with the wiring. The first was a Klein automatic wire stripper which allows wire stripping mid-wire and will be used for the many power bus connections. The second item is an 8 inch long 1/8 inch drill bit, which will allow track feeders to be placed over benchwork supports so as I can drill a wire hole all the way through.

As a closer, you can teach an old dog new tricks! Last night I laid out the first 12 feet of cork roadbed, using acrylic latex caulk!!! Always used small nails before this time. Anyway, it set up over night, and after removing the pushpins for the curved area, I found it set up beautifully!

Hey, ENJOY !!!

Mobil

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Keep the reports coming. Glad to hear that progress is being made. Need to get the photos posted so we can see the progress.