Building My First Layout

[Marlin338MX]

All I've accomplished this summer was adding the new siding and the green paint, and that was done the past 2 months or so.

 

[Marlin338MX]

I was running my only working steam engine a few days ago, pulling 8 or 9 40ft "wooden" boxcars, when the engine suddenly stopped working after a few laps. If this engine doesn't run again, I won't replace it. I'm not modeling the steam era anyway. But I hope I can get it running again.

 

[PMW]

I was running my only working steam engine a few days ago, pulling 8 or 9 40ft "wooden" boxcars, when the engine suddenly stopped working after a few laps. If this engine doesn't run again, I won't replace it. I'm not modeling the steam era anyway. But I hope I can get it running again.View attachment 204438

I was running my only working steam engine a few days ago, pulling 8 or 9 40ft "wooden" boxcars, when the engine suddenly stopped working after a few laps. If this engine doesn't run again, I won't replace it. I'm not modeling the steam era anyway. But I hope I can get it running again.View attachment 204438

That's too bad. I hope you get it running. I don't model the steam era either but one day I might buy one anyway... just 'cause

 

[Iron Horseman]

I was running my only working steam engine a few days ago, pulling 8 or 9 40ft "wooden" boxcars, when the engine suddenly stopped working after a few laps. If this engine doesn't run again, I won't replace it. I'm not modeling the steam era anyway. But I hope I can get it running again.View attachment 204438

Looks like a Bachmann 2-8-0. They have a "lifetime" warranty. Contact Bachmann and they will probably repair or replace for the cost of shipping.

 

[Marlin338MX]

Looks like a Bachmann 2-8-0. They have a "lifetime" warranty. Contact Bachmann and they will probably repair or replace for the cost of shipping.

That's exactly what it is. I have 2 of them, and the other one doesn't work either. It's in a display case with other engines from the 90's that don't work any more, plus some rolling stock.

 

[Marlin338MX]

I'll look into sending it back for repairs. I've priced new DC steam locos and they are too expensive for my budget.

 

[Marlin338MX]

I finally finished assembling my Walthers barbershop. I also bought an Athearn Union Pacific DCC ready Dash 9-44CW. I have an old Mantua UP F7 that runs great, so I'll use that engine to pull my UP passenger cars. I'll use the Dash 9 to haul freight cars.

This looks like a good place for it, next to the pizza shop.

I also assembled a Walthers ice cream stand. It came with enough extra pieces to build this smaller food stand, but it didn't come with a roof. It also wasn't listed on the box contents, so I'll make a roof for it and use it as a hotdog stand. I still have to assemble the outdoor tables and umbrellas, so I'll do that tonight.

Here's the box label. Has anyone else built this model?

I have to thank my wife for doing the weathering for me on the ice cream stand and the barbershop.

I also painted the roads and parking lots in the neighborhood, minus the lines. I just realized I never took a pic of this area after I pulled the tape off. Oh well, you get the idea.

I'm keeping it simple... asphalt roads and driveways.

 

[migalyto]

Looking good!

Like the new building additions!

 

[Marlin338MX]

Looking good!

Like the new building additions!

Thank you!

How's your layout progressing?

 

[migalyto]

How's your layout progressing?

Not very well at the moment.

Busy time of the year.

 

[Marlin338MX]

Not very well at the moment.

Busy time of the year.

I understand that. That's what my summers are like. Now we are dealing with 5-6 ft of lake effect snow over a 4 day period.

 

[Marlin338MX]

I finally got my Union Pacific passenger train put together. A description of the cars is in the comments in the video.

 

[PMW]

I finally got my Union Pacific passenger train put together. A description of the cars is in the comments in the video.

Great lookin' train! I did a cost, benefit analysis when designing my layout and decided it was right for me to only have freight trains. If I had more room some passenger service definately would have made the cut

 

[Marlin338MX]

Thanks PMW! It's crazy how long these cars are. All of my curved track is 18" radius. I wish it was 22", but that would make the layout that much wider. I'm glad it works on the 18" track. I'm sure it would look better on the bigger radius track, but it is what it is...

 

[migalyto]

I finally got my Union Pacific passenger train put together. A description of the cars is in the comments in the video.

Looks great!

love how this is turning out!

 

[PMW]

Thanks PMW! It's crazy how long these cars are. All of my curved track is 18" radius. I wish it was 22", but that would make the layout that much wider. I'm glad it works on the 18" track. I'm sure it would look better in the bigger radius track, but it is what it is...

You're not the only one who wishes you had room for broader curves. I certainly do. The space we have constrains us and we compress about everything and that includes curves. I'm glad they run well on your layout!!!

 

[trailrider]

Of course it would be nice to have broader curves on our layouts. But, as PMW said, we have to work with the available space. The 85 ft. long passenger cars don't help, but you have done a great job with them. I don't know what your personal experience with riding on prototype passenger trains, but I rode them many times as a small boy, with my parents, and later as a teen. So, passenger trains are a must-have on my own layout. I am fortunate to have room for some 20" radius curves, and also mix 85' cars with old Athearn Blue Box, and ConCor 72' cars on my layout, for my Denver Zephyr. Yours looks great! Hear that lonesome whistle blow!

 

[Marlin338MX]

Looks great!

love how this is turning out!

Thanks Mike!

 

[Marlin338MX]

You're not the only one who wishes you had room for broader curves. I certainly do. The space we have constrains us and we compress about everything and that includes curves. I'm glad they run well on your layout!!!

My original layout plan was to use what I inherited from my dad. But I soon realized that I needed a lot more space than I planned on, and more track, and more everything. I really didn't have a clue about curve radius and all the options that are available today. So I stuck with the 18" that my dad had so much of.

I think I will start working on my waterfront area next...

 

[Marlin338MX]

Of course it would be nice to have broader curves on our layouts. But, as PMW said, we have to work with the available space. The 85 ft. long passenger cars don't help, but you have done a great job with them. I don't know what your personal experience with riding on prototype passenger trains, but I rode them many times as a small boy, with my parents, and later as a teen. So, passenger trains are a must-have on my own layout. I am fortunate to have room for some 20" radius curves, and also mix 85' cars with old Athearn Blue Box, and ConCor 72' cars on my layout, for my Denver Zephyr. Yours looks great! Hear that lonesome whistle blow!

Thank you!

My first time on a passenger train was an Amtrak trip from Houston, TX to Joliet, IL in 1980. I was 12 years old. My older brother was with me (he was 13), and it was just the 2 of us riding coach. I fell in love with trains at a much younger age, but riding that Amtrak train in 1980 really got me hooked on train travel. I've only been on Amtrak 2 more times since then, from Baltimore, MD to Syracuse, NY, then back to Baltimore. I've been on a scenic railroad once. So my layout also has Amtrak and Santa Fe passenger trains. My Santa Fe passenger train is occupying the longer loop on my layout. I wish I had another siding that I could park my longest passenger train on so my trains could use the entire outer mainline. I'm already working on a plan, but it will require much rearranging in my attic in order to add another full sheet of plywood to turn my L-shape layout into a U-shape layout