ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
The only place we have for me to build the setup is the attic... Does not look to great, but at least it is sheetrocked and has a good floor.
I built a basic framework, slapped some plywood on and set up the track temporarily just to show my son... He loved it. I recently won several "lots" of track and turnouts on Ebay for very cheap. This is all I have from what was in storage. Hopefully this will grow with my son and I over the years...
I will post more pics as we go. The basic platform is L-shaped; a 4 x 8 section with a 2 x 4 section attached. I wish I had a bigger room already!
Thankyou for the compliment! He is hooked alright! He must have said CHOO CHOO 50 times
I gave him my 4.5 volt 2-4-2 LEGO locomotive set from the late 70's and he plays with it all day. It is setup around the Xmas tree. He LOVES trains.
Excellent start and good workmanship. The only concern I have is that corner of the 4x8 section that's against the wall. You're going to have a real problem reaching things in that corner and the 2x4 add-on compounds the problem. If you cut a small half circle in the benchwork where the two section join about one foot in and then sister the parts back together, you'd make it a lot easier on yourself in the long run.
UP2CSX, you are right about that far corner. I have since pulled the benchwork away from the wall. There is about 18 inches of space around the 2 far sides now. It is a small room with sloping ceiling, but ample space to walk around the entire layout. I realized that would be the best thing to do once I started laying the test oval
Got some track on Ebay... Not bad for $10 plus shipping. Now for some cleaning Its pretty dirty, but I have time to kill at work (especially 2nd shift and midnights) so I will be getting busy with some 600 grit sandpaper and rubbing alcohol
Good haul for $10. It looks like some of the track is brass. Nothing wrong with it except it oxidizes faster and will need to be cleaned more often. Try to use the nickel silver rail for your main lines and the brass track on sidings and industrial spurs.
Well, the bug has bitten me hard. Decided I could not wait any longer and stayed up all night laying track and experimenting with ideas I had drafted while at work. I think I like the last one the best. Remember, this is my first time with a real layout that consisted of more than a basic oval. I also won an Ebay auction... four vintage Atlas turnouts, in their original boxes unused... $20!! Plus another auction for three new Atlas turnouts... $40. All with electric switch machines!!!
Here is a shot of the control panel so far, some of my buildings from 20+ years ago, and my favorite... looking southward down the yard
Oh... and waiting at the station
That last pic the track is very very close to the edge, one derailment, or hand on the edge of the track and there goes that loco, other than that it looks like your off to a great start.
2 trains running around what more does a kid need!!!. looks like your doing a good job with the wireing and benchwork. that layout will soon take up the intire room lol just keep all the tracks withing reach if you can
You are right Mike. I am too close to the edge there. I have the space to move that part of the loop back some away from the edge. I just got over ambitious with all the extra small pieces of track I had left over from that huge $10 lot I got on Ebay
2 trains running around what more does a kid need!!!. looks like your doing a good job with the wireing and benchwork. that layout will soon take up the intire room lol just keep all the tracks withing reach if you can
Trent, that bench already takes up the whole room!!! LOL! The side my son is standing on and the north end of the layout are under 18 inches from the wall, plus the attic ceiling is sloped! I gotta duck my head when I am on that side. The picture looking northward (the fourth one I posted out of the eight) I am standing in the other room, looking through the doorway. He He. My wife laments that she will never get her 2nd floor suite As soon as I built the table I wished I had a bigger room!!! The room approx. 8 1/2 feet by 10 1/2 feet. Thankyou for the compliment on the electrical. I spent 11 years as a 12 volt automotive electrician... I love wiring electronics and I take a great amount of pride in my work and neatness.
Looks like a really good start. The only suggestion is the "S" curve where your son is standing. There doesn't appear to be a purpose for it being there and it's going to be a spot where you have problems with derailments and uncoupling. I'd straighten that out if I could.
Looks like a really good start. The only suggestion is the "S" curve where your son is standing. There doesn't appear to be a purpose for it being there and it's going to be a spot where you have problems with derailments and uncoupling. I'd straighten that out if I could.
Thanks again for your compliments Jim. That entire side of the layout you pointed out is going to be elevated about 2 inches. I picked up a Woodland Scenics 4% grade styrofoam kit. It will raise the track about 1 inch over a 2 foot stretch. The trestle bridge will be over a stream and the thought was, with that "S" curve, to have the track winding through some mountain scenery. The only spots I have had issues with derailments and uncoupling so far (knock on wood) is through a couple of my older turnouts and when my Bachmann 2-8-0 is nearing the end of the spur line, after leaving the yard, just before it enters the inside loop mainline.
A 4% grade is pretty steep to begin with. Having the grade on an "S" curve with a bridge in the middle is a recipe for trouble. Even though the idea of the track winding through mountain scenery sounds appealing, your curves are too sharp and your grade is too steep for reliable operation. I really would straighten that track out.
Its pretty dirty, but I have time to kill at work (especially 2nd shift and midnights) so I will be getting busy with some 600 grit sandpaper and rubbing alcohol
As soon as I built the table I wished I had a bigger room!!! The room approx. 8 1/2 feet by 10 1/2 feet. Thankyou for the compliment on the electrical. I spent 11 years as a 12 volt automotive electrician... I love wiring electronics and I take a great amount of pride in my work and neatness.