I’ve looked at a lot of different layouts and have seen a lot of multi-level layouts. Some may use open trusses and all of the scenery is still on the main level, or close to the main level. Some people just prefer they keep it like an old Lionel store display, which looks like they use their trusses a lot. Others have moulded mountains around the trains and build structures on these mountains. The train railway is much more realistic, looking like the mountain was graded to hold the train. I would think that the second approach is harder to build because of all the molding of grades, portals, mountain building, etc. What do you guys think about the subject?
I stayed away from grades because our layout is very small. I also don’t like them. To much throttle jockeying with conventional operation [;)]. But I am in favor of multiple levels. Trains running over and under each other. Next time I’ll be including at least one additional level.
Wes - I model the area around SANDPATCH,PA, hence I model with grades. The challenging part is making sure the train has a steady climb and descent from top to bottom. At 3.25%, my little plastic cab occupants always have a look of concern on their faces (or maybe they’re just molded that way, I digress…). During the bench work phase, I set my buildings up on temporary wooden risers, adjusting the heights on the verticals until I get the right profile. Even on a small layout, you can create a dramatic scene. Being trackside from time-to-time helps as well, as it gives a barometer as to how believable your scene is. Also, with open grid benchwork, you get to “dip” below your trackwork with gullies and riverbeds, even creating a deeper scene than what the trains are actually traversing. My Keystone Viaduct perches 8 inches over the river bed, but actually crosses over the lower line at 5 1/4 inches. Now, speed control engines (2.0 and similar) are the norm on my pike, but we do sprinkle in some earlier stuff, we just don’t ask them to drag a 15 car freight around.
I had to bump up my 2% to 3% to accept my newest plan, but the MTH loco’s with speed control didn’t hiccup. I used the woodland scenic’s foam inclines on most of it. The LHS ran out of 3%, so I used the MTH graduated trussle set instead, which starting this whole question in the first place. I haven’t put the K-line B&O F7 A & B on it yet, but plan to soon. It weighs enough that it shouldn’t be a problem. I just hope I can keep the speed down. I really have to cut the voltage to it or it just flies…
Once I get a better understanding of how to tie the inclines that the track is on with the grounds around it, I will be in good shape. It looks like some people put all of the inclines in, or raise the ground for the buildings, and then lay a cloth on top of it all and paint on resin or a plaster paste. Others some how keep it all foam, and just carve away what they don’t need. I guess I have more investigating before I get too far into it.
If anyone has pictures or video of their layout before they started the painting and ground cover, I think I could gain a lot from seeing it, especially foam. If you have a finished picture, that would help too.
Ray, thanks for the pictures. Your layout is one of my favorites. I’m on your photo warehouse a lot…
I see some differences in how I was building mine. You still have some plywood for the “ground” level track, but left the riser area open. I can’t tell if the area of the parking garage is back down at ground level or not, but at least I can see how you did the risors. Wooden risers and cut plywood for the track. So the plywood is cut wide enough for the track and ballast at a minimum, and you added built up flat spots for buildings, or just put up retaining walls around the plywood riser. I guess you need to have a pretty good idea of where everything is going to go so you can build the levels required for each building, street, or bridge. I have a feeling I am going to have a lot of trial and error until I get it all figured out.
So in that top picture, below the poster of the city, how did you blend the plywood riser to the ground space around it? The picture is just a little far back for me to see. I think I see some sort of plaster cloth drapped down from the riser, but maybe not. The area that is on top of the retaining wall, headed down the wall.
Wes,
Now is a good time to get RR-Track full version. You can add buildings (if they are MTH or Lionel or plasticville you can drop them right on the plan, or you can draw simple buildings if you know the footprint that turn out to be gray blocks).
Just having the ability to do 3D imaging would probably make it worth it, beyond just being able to use all of the libraries. I’ll look into it. Thanks Brent.
I’ve just started using RR Track and I can’t imagine not having it. It allows you to try out all kinds of combinations and visualize how it would look in the end.
