Green Mountain Railroad Layout Build


Yup, this guy:

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I received more items for the GMRC build today!

The first is the two 85ā€™ Budd coaches.

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The second item is the set of Pullman trucks for my GMRC combine project car.

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After taking a look at the trucks and seeing how they fit, I will definitely need to make an adjustment. I have two options:

1) Find different ā€œpinsā€ to lock the trucks in. The ones that came with the cars are just a bit too short.

2) Add thin spacers or washers between the trucks and car chassis.

The trucks came with two different options for hole sizes for pins.

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Any ideas on which option is better?
 
I received the Rivarossi coaches. One was missing a small part on the trucks, and had a bit of damage but nothing too bad. These weren't shown in the photos unfortunately but I'm not too worried.

On a different note, James Hilton has finished the the layout plan and provided me with some sketches to go along with it!

GMRC Track Plan.JPG


James Hilton GMRC Layout Track Plan.JPG


North Walpole Sketch.JPG


Bellows Falls Sketch.JPG


Chester Sketch.JPG


Having never hired anybody to help with any aspect of layout building, I was initially unsure of whether it would be the right move to hire somebody to help design my next build. James Hilton is a name often heard in the model RR community and he's known for his fantastic modeling work. It was a no brainer hiring him to design this layout. As the process unfolded and the results began to appear, it was clear I had made the right choice. I wanted the GMRC build to be the layout I'd have forever. I was sick and tired of building a layout, only to tear it down because I was unhappy. James asked me many questions about what is was I wanted and why I wanted it. These photos capture the scenes most important to me. Others were left out not only because of space constraints but because those scenes didn't provide me with the same emotions these do.

It was well worth it to work with James Hilton and it is definitely worth the price! He provides you with insight, advice, tips, and more. You receive a document with history on the railroad you're modeling or want to model, recommended benchwork techniques, a detailed list of parts needed to complete the track plan, and more.

I'm excited to get started on this build:)
 
I used Lance Mindheim for my current layout. I wasn't happy building a whimsical, Malcolm Furlow, type layout every few years.

I wanted to move into a prototype based layout designed for prototype operation. I just couldn't put my ideas on paper to where I was happy. A couple of consultations over the phone and I had what I wanted. I did modify a few industries to fit my geographical area, but it was also worth the money.

Reading his book " How to Operate a Switching Layout" was invaluable.
 
Marlin39 said:
I used Lance Mindheim for my current layout. I wasn't happy building a whimsical, Malcolm Furlow, type layout every few years.

I wanted to move into a prototype based layout designed for prototype operation. I just couldn't put my ideas on paper to where I was happy. A couple of consultations over the phone and I had what I wanted. I did modify a few industries to fit my geographical area, but it was also worth the money.

Reading his book " How to Operate a Switching Layout" was invaluable.
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He also does fantastic work! I had explored various layout design firms or individuals but something about James Hiltons work captured my interest.

Iā€™ve heard from a few people that his books are great to read, might have to read a few myself!
 
For the benchwork style, Iā€™m thinking L-Girder. The layout will not have straight edges but rather various curves as seen on the layout plan. I feel L-girder will work well for this.

However, one element I need to also consider is the ability to keep the layout portable. I plan to deign the benchwork to come apart in at least four sections. I am not sure if L-girder will work along with this requirement. Iā€™ve gone ahead and purchased a set of four Kalmbach books on benchwork, wiring, track work, and bridges to help guide me in this layout building process. Got all four books on eBay for $30!
 
GuilfordRailman said:
I received the Rivarossi coaches. One was missing a small part on the trucks, and had a bit of damage but nothing too bad. These weren't shown in the photos unfortunately but I'm not too worried.

On a different note, James Hilton has finished the the layout plan and provided me with some sketches to go along with it!

View attachment 206809

View attachment 206810

View attachment 206811

View attachment 206812

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Having never hired anybody to help with any aspect of layout building, I was initially unsure of whether it would be the right move to hire somebody to help design my next build. James Hilton is a name often heard in the model RR community and he's known for his fantastic modeling work. It was a no brainer hiring him to design this layout. As the process unfolded and the results began to appear, it was clear I had made the right choice. I wanted the GMRC build to be the layout I'd have forever. I was sick and tired of building a layout, only to tear it down because I was unhappy. James asked me many questions about what is was I wanted and why I wanted it. These photos capture the scenes most important to me. Others were left out not only because of space constraints but because those scenes didn't provide me with the same emotions these do.

It was well worth it to work with James Hilton and it is definitely worth the price! He provides you with insight, advice, tips, and more. You receive a document with history on the railroad you're modeling or want to model, recommended benchwork techniques, a detailed list of parts needed to complete the track plan, and more.

I'm excited to get started on this build:)
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Very nice, but...not to include the turntable and actual tiny roundhouse at North Walpole nestled against the mountainsidešŸ˜±? You migt regret not having this one.
 
KriegslokBR52 said:
Very nice, but...not to include the turntable and actual tiny roundhouse at North Walpole nestled against the mountainsidešŸ˜±? You migt regret not having this one.
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I wanted to but turntables and round houses take up a good amount of space and it just didnā€™t work well for the space I had. Itā€™s more about the overall feel of the GMRC versus an actual representation.
 
GuilfordRailman said:
I wanted to but turntables and round houses take up a good amount of space and it just didnā€™t work well for the space I had. Itā€™s more about the overall feel of the GMRC versus an actual representation.
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If i may suggest something; that first switch on the Bellows Falls side right after the bridge from North Walpole...if you would use a curved switch instead of a standard, that would make the curve into the bridge start earlier and track would enter North Walpole further down, giving you a lot more space in the engine house area. Knowing from my own experience, i have used a few curved switches exacty for that purpose. You'd be surprised how much difference does that make in giving more space. Another plus is having what you really wanted on the layout, just a thought.
 
KriegslokBR52 said:
If i may suggest something; that first switch on the Bellows Falls side right after the bridge from North Walpole...if you would use a curved switch instead of a standard, that would make the curve into the bridge start earlier and track would enter North Walpole further down, giving you a lot more space in the engine house area. Knowing from my own experience, i have used a few curved switches exacty for that purpose. You'd be surprised how much difference does that make in giving more space. Another plus is having what you really wanted on the layout, just a thought.
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I agree with Mac - turntable and RH makes for interesting stuff. A small TT might be enough for your engines and it could go in the corner with the RH on the same side as the entry track. In other words, not [entry.TT.RH] in a somewhat straight line. Of course, big windows in the back and viewable sides of the RH. What ever floats your boat. Also, pretty spacious plan. Seem to be 'dead' spots that could work for additional spurs into the back side of buildings and such.

Love those illustrations though and it looks like it will keep you busy in any event. You already know how to keep us up to date with Pix, so waiting.....

Later
 
KriegslokBR52 said:
If i may suggest something; that first switch on the Bellows Falls side right after the bridge from North Walpole...if you would use a curved switch instead of a standard, that would make the curve into the bridge start earlier and track would enter North Walpole further down, giving you a lot more space in the engine house area. Knowing from my own experience, i have used a few curved switches exacty for that purpose. You'd be surprised how much difference does that make in giving more space. Another plus is having what you really wanted on the layout, just a thought.
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The benchwork for this layout needs to split apart in four sections so Iā€™m planning on splitting that particular corner right after the turnout, and before the arch bridge. I will be uploading a diagram later to show this when I share my benchwork plans.

I made the decision with James to exclude the roundhouse and turntable and substitute it with a two-stall engine house. Iā€™m definitely happy with how it turned out:)
 
ctclibby said:
Also, pretty spacious plan. Seem to be 'dead' spots that could work for additional spurs into the back side of buildings and such.
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This was done on purpose:)

Many modelers tend to cram too much into their layouts which is okay if they choose to do that but given this layout is only 9 ft x 9 ft, it was important to leave open space given itā€™s representing the Vermont countryside.

I wanted to include a couple other scenes such as the Bartonsville covered bridge but it just didnā€™t work with the space.

I think the layout will work well and provide plenty of switching opportunities as is.

There will certainly be plenty of pictures to come:)
 
GuilfordRailman said:
This was done on purpose:)

Many modelers tend to cram too much into their layouts which is okay if they choose to do that but given this layout is only 9 ft x 9 ft, it was important to leave open space given itā€™s representing the Vermont countryside.

I wanted to include a couple other scenes such as the Bartonsville covered bridge but it just didnā€™t work with the space.

I think the layout will work well and provide plenty of switching opportunities as is.

There will certainly be plenty of pictures to come:)
Click to expand...

Exactly what I have done in the past. 6 one-car industries on one spur or cramming another siding into a space, just because there is space, looks great, but ain't prototypical.

I've learned less is more. A few, large, multi-car industries provides much more prototypical operation.

I like what you're doing.
 
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