Well, I’m about to go down to the basement, and start constrution on my new layout. I’m going to be building the Spokane Pasco & Wallace layout featured in the September 1992 MR (and also in 48 Top Noch Track Plans). I’m unsure right now about the name for my road. It’s going to be a free lanced railroad based upon the Virginia and Truckee. Some layout imporvements I’m going to to make are the interchange track that runs under the mine is going to go down a short grade and curve to the left and be a two or three track stageing yard. The engine house in Wallace is going to be ommited along with servicing facilities and that section of track is going to become a team track. All the water on the Pasco side is going to be omitted so that I can have a yard and put a small industry where the car ferry is. And both wings are going to be extend three feet so that a turntable can be placed on each end of the layout, with servicing facilited in each town. Pasco is where the railroads major terminal is going to be located. I’ve got quite a bit of work ahead of me so I’m off to measure, cut, drill, screw and bolt. Talk to you all later.
Dave
Dave,
What scale and type of benchwork construction are you doing?
HO scale, and L-girder benchwork.
Dave
HAve fun. I’m a year into my 4 x 8 (now 5 x 8 with addition of staging) and it is just coming into it’s own.)
I’ve seen your photo’s Chip, your layout looks great, it’s hard to believe you’ve done all that in a year. Mine’s going to end up being a 14x14 foot L shape with a penninsula protruding out the center.
Dave
I have just finished my benchwork, like you in L-girder, and joists with risers. I will tackle the first bit of spline roadbed in the next day or so. If I say so myself, it turned out very well…plumb for a change, something that Mouse would appreciate, being a construction type in the past.
You must feel excited to be starting this project. Do you have a timeline, or are you just going to plug away until you are running trains?
I’m going to just go at it until i get tired. I’m medically retired (i’m only 27) and have nothing else better to do with my time, so i figured this is just the hobby for me, while it’s difficult to work with my hands i’m hoping that it helps. I must say that I have quite enjoyed the research aspect. I’m not too sure of myself with the construction so I’m gonna take a step at a time and refer to every book article and post on the net that I can.
Dave
Dave,
GO GO GO! You’re making me jealous. I’m between layouts and am itching to get started on the next one. [sigh]
Good for you. We love to hear updates, both reports and pics in weekend photofun.
I got half the benchwork put up last night. I worked until well past 2 in the morning, I made a few mistakes along the way and had to redo some stuff, but it was a great learning experiance. I haven’t been so excited about anything in a long time, it feels great to be activly doing something agin. I’m hoping to have the bench work done by the weekend.
Dave
Great to hear, Dave. It’s funny how the time passes when you’re working on something like that. “I’ll knock off when I just get this one more thing done” is followed by “I can’t stop now until I fini***his.” The great thing about benchwork is you can see a lot of progress for your effort.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the encouragement Adelie. I’m going to have to take a break today, I pushed myself too hard last night, but I’ll be up bright and early tomorrow to hopelly finish up.
Dave