Been workin on the railroad.
This 4 track curve is at the end of the second peninsula. The inner and outer tracks are yard and industrial leads. The 2 middle tracks are the mains.
Another 50’, and I will be able to connect up to the existing 500’ loop, making it close to 600’. Then the new section needs to be wired. At that point the lower level will be almost half done.
[tup] Wow that’s quite a large and complicated layout, I assume you don’t intend to run it alone . Looks like a lifetime job to fini***hat up.
[#ditto] What he said!
You are absolutely correct, it is a lifetime project. It is getting to the point where operating sessions are almost possible. I would like to have the entire lower level done, and all of the bugs worked out first.
Eventually, a computer will be able to control traffic on the mains while human operators do the switching duties. It should be fun if I ever get close to finishing it.
YIKES ! is this not the largest layout in the world? And particilar to this kind of setup, am I to believe there will be hundreds of feet of the ubiquitous “Rock Wall” that seems to prevail every model railway layout ever built? and in some cases 3 or 4 layers of rock walls that look like steps. Is there no other method of construction other than the old rock wall method?? Or is this the only method of construction with the limited space available to most model railroaders? One question I have is with the huge amount of space available here why would the layout not be all around the basement walls for some very extended long runs , instead the layout is jammed in the middle of the room and multi-layered? You are to be congratulated on the enormity of the task, great work, you will be busy for a couple of weeks completing it.
WOW!! Keep the photos coming. That is a great looking layout. Wish I lived closer so I could bug you for a visit. LOL Keep up the good work!
John
Elliot, excellent job!
If you are ever in Oshawa…[:D][^]
Gordon
Big_Boy_4005, all I can say is; COOL, absolutely COOL! That is going to be a great layout for operations.
UUmmm. Is that your basement? I think it more like a football stadium.
Elliot,
ALWAYS a real treat to see your progress! Great work as usual. O scale, right? How wide is that end of peninsula we’re seeing?
Smoley HOke, Big Guy! What is that woman feeding you, anyway?
Really, that is an amazing piece of work, and looks super.
P.S. -is the house insurance policy up to date? [:D]
-Crandell
Elliot, glad to see your progressing along. As you said, it looks like a lifetime project.
Keep us updated and keep up the good work. Drop in to the shop sometime.
Happy MRRing 
Thanks guys!!!
I’ve always prided myself on being different. Not too many 3 rail O layouts like this one.
The room is 38’ x 46’. The plan has changed slightly form the image above, though the flavor is still the same. It is based on the local prototype, so the design didn’t take as much imagination as others put into their layouts. The trick is selecting elements to include, and compressing them to fit. Even with that much space, a lot needs to be compressed.
How much track? I haven’t counted lately. Well over 1000’ secured, but not all powered. I don’t remember the mall total, I think it was on the order of 2000’, most of which was salvaged, along with the switches. What were once masive piles of track and switches, have been substantially reduced. I know I will need to buy more for the upper deck. When complete, it could be over 3000’.
Jack, all of the peninsula ends are 8’ wide. What you are seeing is a 4’ radius cut out of a full sheet of 3/4" ply.
Everyone is welcome to visit. Just email me if you are coming to town.