The Saga of My Ever Shrinking Railroad

Instead of an independant thread might as well keep this one going

New Indoor Layout - New Reckless Experimentation

As mentioned above I have been working on a small switching layout, using a portion of the old benchwork left over from the old indoor layout: It?s based on an N gauge micro I came across a few years ago:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Layout-Major_Downsize Model Overall.jpg < Link To
Layout-Major_Downsize%20Model%20Overall.jpg


I have been feeling alot of regret after dismantling the large fixed layout, but I still know it was the right thing to do, it was just too large and ate up too much of the garage, but I found less satisfaction with just the pizza than I was hoping for, I was looking thru some old files and found this layout I had done for a friend who was retiring and looking for a small bedroom layout. He didn?t use it as he found room outside for a small layout, but I became intrigued if it would fit in the garage, laid it out and it fit very very nicely into the back corner. I extended it a little but it worked out well. I already had all the lumber, plywood and hardware laying around so a little bit of carpentry and the benchwork was built in a couple evenings. The track also was what I already had in storage, so far aside from some electrical wiring stuff and some connectors I haven?t spent a dime on this. I still to make a hinge assembly and rail connectors with the lift-up bridge.

This will be a much more urban themed layout this time, going to keep it simple this time maybe even go as more akin to Dave Barrow?s Domino approach where the scenery is Spartan almost to the point of being barren, while the track and operations aspect takes precedent over scenery aspects. I want to have something fun to run trains on but want to avoid creating something so involved that if I have to remove it again it gets very destructive to do so I might experiment with just painted scenery and façade only buildings, we?ll see. Trackwork is complete, electrical testing is underway, so far so goode, I will shoot the track with a coat of flat black spray paint. Need to think about an Ops system. Keep it simple to start. There are buildings to build, and scenery to paint, but don?t expect fast progress, this is a slower motion experiment.

Pics when I can.
 
Glad to hear this one's got off to a good start. Did you manage to increase the walk-in space, I wonder, when the carpentry started? Still think the cross-over into the Brooklyn Bros spur needs to go the other way round, but the proof will be in the operation, I guess. The layout as a whole has lots of possibilities.

As ever, looking forward to the pictures.
 
Excellent track plan Vic - I'm really looking forward to this one ! I was musing on the fact that my middle aged spread wouldn't fit in the middle, then I swapped a car barn for the brewery and started re-thinking it for Traction - this could keep me amused for ages, and I'm not the one building it !
 
Thanks, I have already modified the plan so the lift bridge now goes straight across the gap, which is now 17" all the way thru. Giles carpentry began about the 1st of July and only took a couple days.
Lift bridge was wired up this morning. Just need to check conductivity and making sure the lift bridge stays in alignment. So far so good.
 
Wow! That looks a lot busier in 3D than it did on the plan. I look forward to seeing how the scenic work develops.
 
Just had another look at the latest pictures. Is that a new loco in the fiddle yard view?
 
No, its just one I havent used very often as it used a Toytrain drive that later on was kinda notorious for failing;

Geared%20Lokie%20Shorty%20painted%2002.JPG


So its not used too often.
 
Thought the square pink saddle tank was something new. Shame it's unreliable - sure looks convincing.
 
Days are drawing in, now. Does this mean we may hope for some photos showing progress, sometime soon?
 
Well I survived my first Rodeo ;) The Pizza layout went to the Southwest Garden RR Show here at the LA Fairplex, this is the ONLY all large scale show on the west coast;
http://www.mylargescale.com/1stclass/vsmith/SWGRS_2011.jpg < Link To
SWGRS_2011.jpg


My layout was right up front by the entry, so it got alot of attention. Had a really enjoyable time talking to other modelers, families and the kids sure got a kick out of all the things to look for on the layout. the best was people who looked at the bigger layouts an thought "Oh I can't do that" or "Oh I dont have room for that" then see my layout and say 'Hey I can do that!" Got lots of questions on how was it built. Big thanks to David Roberts for letting me bring it, and a big thanks to Bob, Sandra, Don, and Dave at the Door Hollow Shortline for all their help and encouragement.
Some pics a freind took as I forgot my camera

FAIRPLEX4.JPG


http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/doug_arnold/_forumfiles/FAIRPLEX5.JPG < Link To
FAIRPLEX5.JPG


FAIRPLEX6.JPG


and a video taken by another friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kcXLPSudqc&feature=feedu

If I'm going to do other shows I need to make a few changes

Learned a few lessons about "organizing" as I forgot the rear scenery insert setting up on Friday, had to take that on Saturday.

I think I will need to bring a second powerpack as running both circle on one LGB pack it got pretty warm

I really need to break out the high steel bridge segment from the base and attach it to the display

And finally I really need to get a better table skirt as the plastic party-store skirt in the pic looks kinda iffy

So I hope it made a good enough impression that I can do this again at next year's show. :bigsmile:
 
Turned on the video with the sound up - thought I was beside a full sized RR! Was all that sound yours, or a neighbouring layout??

What was the public reaction to such a small layout? Seeing the video reminded my of those cartoons that used to appear in Model Railroader (or was it MRC) - Turkey Creek RR, was it?

When you've done all the jobs planned on the pizza I hope you can get back to the permanent line you started earlier. Anyway, I look forward to seeing progress on both layouts.
 
Nice layout Vic - packed to the rafters with interest - don't know how I missed this as its nearly week since you posted!
 
Some actual progress on the indoor layout, been making flats for the backdrop area:
Piko facade reworked:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facade New Piko 01.JPG < Link To
Facade%20New%20Piko%2001.JPG


Upland Trains resin building cut up into a facade flat, used the rest elsewhere.

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facade Upland 01.JPG < Link To
Facade%20Upland%2001.JPG


and the rest of the building:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facade Upland 02.JPG < Link To
Facade%20Upland%2002.JPG


http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facade Upland 03.JPG < Link To
Facade%20Upland%2003.JPG


In place with the House of Balsa hotel and the reworked cheap dollhouse model:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades Balsa Dollhouse and Upland.JPG < Link To
Facades%20Balsa%20Dollhouse%20and%20Upland.JPG


heres the rest of the Piko building converted to flats:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades New Piko and Upland 01.JPG < Link To
Facades%20New%20Piko%20and%20Upland%2001.JPG


and part of the Upland Trains resin building:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades New Piko and Upland 02.JPG < Link To
Facades%20New%20Piko%20and%20Upland%2002.JPG


I found 2 ceramic facades made in Mexico as tourist souveniers, they are perfect for LS
Heres one:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades New Ceramic 01.JPG < Link To
Facades%20New%20Ceramic%2001.JPG


Heres the other with the Piko flat and a flat from a company called Backshop

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades New Piko Ceramic Backshop 01.JPG < Link To
Facades%20New%20Piko%20Ceramic%20Backshop%2001.JPG


http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades New Piko Ceramic Backshop 02.JPG < Link To
Facades%20New%20Piko%20Ceramic%20Backshop%2002.JPG


Lastley here is another older Piko flat and a test of where the rest of the Upland flats will go:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades Old Piko Upland 01.JPG < Link To
Facades%20Old%20Piko%20Upland%2001.JPG


and the last of my old Piko flats from the previous layout, should have kept more but oh well:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facades Old Piko Flats.JPG < Link To
Facades%20Old%20Piko%20Flats.JPG


Begun the first of the total scratchbuilt buildings remaining, they will be foamcore with various coverings.

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/Facade Infill Gas Station.JPG < Link To
Facade%20Infill%20Gas%20Station.JPG


More on that as it gets done.
 
Some updates, backdrop painted and building flats in place:

Starting from the staging yard:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 03.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2003.JPG


http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 04.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2004.JPG


The brewery, showing interior, for now it will keep the ?Lucky Lager? sign, when I can make a custom sign it will be called ?Mik?s Irish Ales?

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 05.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2005.JPG


http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 06.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2006.JPG


Note to Mik: here?s where a lot of the ?stuff? you sent me ended up

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 06a.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2006a.JPG


the other side of the brewery

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 07.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2007.JPG


looking into the corner

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 08.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2008.JPG


http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 09.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2009.JPG


forced perspective insert, you?ll see a couple other background pics filling the gaps.

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 10.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2010.JPG


Looking at the other corner

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 11.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2011.JPG


Still have to build the mine building to fill this corner

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 12.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2012.JPG


http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 13.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2013.JPG


Finally adding another storage shelf above, I really had to do this as once the backdrop was painted it was really overwhelming and very distracting, adding the shelf draws the eye back down to the layout level, and I really needed the extra storage space for trains.

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/vsmith/New Beginning 14.JPG < Link To
New%20Beginning%2014.JPG


that?s all for now.
 
Great to see your progress, Vic - you certainly have been busy! I particularly like the perspective street views, and look forward to future developments.
 
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