These days, I get a lot more excited with my layout construction. I used to get excited about buying new trains and DCS but now my priorities have changed.
I’ve got so many scratcbuilding projects in mind but first must get the ole layout finished. Am working slow.
Are any of you working on or anticipating new construction, painting, scratchbuilding or dabbling with electrical projects unrelated to buying trains.
I’m finishing up my turntable and round house project.
It’s been off and on for about 10 mos. now.
I want to 1) redo the wiring for my crossing flashers so they work off a block, 2) experiment with making tunnels using screen mesh. 3) build the Plasticville barn and equipment I got for Christmas. 4) create farm for same - using pipecleaners and cardboard I’ve amassed… 5) paint my tank farm.
I need to do alot of painting and putting down grass and shrubbery for a more scenic look. I need to start buying more people, to have around the town.
Laz57
David,
The next layout will be in 3-4 years and I’ve already been thinking how it will be different. We will do the backdrop first [:)] unlike this layout, experience is a great teacher. I would love to do a helix but I’m not sure about all the room it would take. I will do at least 3 levels in the longer room. All curves (except the trolley run) will be a minimum of O54 and I mean it, no exceptions. The longest reach to a track will be no more than 40", I know it’s supposed to be shorter but I’m tall enough with long arms[;)] I would really like to do track lighting but I’m fairly happy with our recessed can lights. And lastly… my wife will have new carpet in those rooms before any of the above happens[:D]
Jon
One more thing, the next layout will have Carrera slot cars. I picked up a brouchure this morning and that stuff is VERY cool and quite reasonably priced.
I just finished wiring my 36" door 027 layout. I have 5 blocks (2 per running circle and one for two branches) and 5 switches so I can reverse trains and have two branches. I also put down an extra unwired track just for somewhere to store extra cars not currently in use. Next I need to landscape. I am planing on a few buildings along with my Lionel Ice Man building and car (need to find some reproduction ice cubes…any ideas?)
If someone with tell me how you all post pictures here I want to do that as well.
Jim H
I am in the planning stages of doing my first layout, ( well first in about 40 years that is). I am taking my time and getting lots of great ideas from this forum. Actual construction will not take place for a few months though.
Larry
Jim,
I will get back to you tomorrow with photo’s of ice cubes and the ice station. It draws lots of comments on my layout, especially when I load the box car from the top.
Jon
[bow] jand s I enjoyed those pictures
Since getting started for the time in 30 years way back on Dec 18th or so I’ve
New projects.
1.Convert 4 x 8 into 6 x 10 with framing so trains don’t roll of table. By the way Christmas lights are staying so far, they keep trains from rolling off table as well as blink pretty.
2. Search thru 8000 books and websites, picked a dual level layout. I have all the track except for a double crossover, or have to find other option like two sets of switches in different positions.
3. Once HO track is finished, need some more magic trains O gauge to show up. Yes honey they were free. [bow] Also think somewhere in shed in unlabeled box there must be some 3 rail. So its also free honey. Magic. Honest.[bow]
4. Somehow decide how to add another s
Funny that you brought that up, because I just mentioned this in another thread here about my upcoming project.
I have no room for a full-sized permanent layout, so I’m looking up (literally) to the idea of a wall mounted single main-line just a few feet below the ceiling & around the perimeter of my 12x16 living room. The front door, and all the windows are at the same height at the top edges, so the layout will be mounted at the top edges of them.
I plan to use 3/4 inch ply-wood for mounting the track, and to wall-mount it, I’m gonna get some pre-milled wooden 1/2 inch baseboard material, and scew thru the back of the vertical baseboarding, and into the back edge of the 3/4 plywood. I can then mount the whole thing to the wall, by screwing thru the front face of the baseboard and into the wall, wherever the studs are. This should make it look as though it were part of the house, and should look much better than if I were to use some sort of brackets for mounting purposes.
In each corner of the room, I’ll leave extra real estate so that I can mount a few of my operating accesories & buildings.
To make it all look pretty, I’ll paint the wood the same color as the wood trim around all my doors & windows, and to please my wife, I’m gonna get some blue rope-lighting and tuck it all the way around into the back edge of the plywood, behind the RR-tracks.
You won’t physically see the rope-lights, but when turned on, they will cast a blue glow accross the entire ceiling.
I plan on running a MTH Wabash 4-6-4 Hudson with Proto-sounds, pulling 2 sets of 6 lighted passenger cars, for a total consist of 12 cars.
The length of this train will probably be about the length of one of the long walls in the room, so no matter where the train may be, you’ll be able to see part of it at all times, no matter where you sit in the room.
jimhaleyscomet–
As promised, I just took a few shots of my Lionel Ice Man loading the car. You can see in the first shot that the top loading door is closed but when you pu***he magic button Mr Ice Man opens the top door and pushes the ice in. I’m really surprised how much comment this scene gets, even the cynic’s in the crowd like it. I was really surpised how many ice blocks were included with the Ice Loader and the car, probably more than I’ll ever need.
Good luck with yours and be sure and post a pic when you get a chance.
Jon
Looks just like mine (approximately 1958 - 1960) . Mine only came with 3 ice cubes. I need to find some ice cubes somewhere.
Thank you fort the pictures!
Jim H
Mine are only temporary floor layouts, but I’m sure it will change when I own my own house
I found the ice cubes on the internet last night and will order in 40 today. That should be enough! I “finished” my door layout yesterday. I finished by adding a mountain, buildings, and landscaping. I would post a picture but have never been successful at doing that on the forum. I wish I knew how! I copy in my picture program but the paste button stays grayed out in the forum page.
My end result is 2 loops (not connected). The exterior one K-line supersnap track in half dog bone. The interior (027 with K-line switches) is an oval with switches for dog bone, diagonal cross over, and terminating branch line. A lot of action for 36" by 80".
I am kind of wishing I did not add the realistic looking (Woodland Scenics) landscaping. It clashes a tad with my “toy looking” buildings and trains.
Jim H.
Jon,
Yes, good point with lessons learned. I thought I learned all my lessons but with each new layout, there are more lessons to be learned.
On this one I’m working on, I decided to do the terrain then the tracks. While it’s a lot of fun doing the surveying just like the real RRs, it has really slowed me down a lot more than if I would have put the roadbed, risers, etc in first. I don’t regret doing it, just won’t ever do it again (fun once, but would be a pain to go thru it again)
I picked up some aluminium fine mesh. With that I want to experiment making mountains, covering the mesh with plaster. Never tried that before, I used to use chickenwire with plastersoaked cotton to make mountains…
Daan
Think about using styrofoam, hot glue and hot cutting tool. It is a lot easier and less messy than plaster and mesh;
But if you are still going to do that then try strips of paper grocery bags in texture paint instead of plaster laid out over the mesh. To save some time pre-color the texture paint a light earth color. Then use a combo of earth, green and gray spray paint with some grass material see below:
(LEFT CLICK TO ENLARGE)
This is all cut with a hot tool and painted styrofoam; even the stones making up the portal:
Again cuts in styrofoam:
Alan
I think I have this picture thing working. Here is a “final” version of my 36" wide 027 door layout. Comments anyone?
Let’s try it one more time and see if it will be a little larger.
Jim H