Messing around till I move with a 4x8

[irocinblue89]

Hello, and thanks for looking. I got bored (and tired of waiting to move) so I decided to put a 4x8 layout together. I had the track laying around so why not. I think it is from an atlas book but I can't remember. I bought 3 new genesis engines and a rtr so I had to try them out. Let me know what you think.

 

[Littlefoot14]

Looking good, alittle busy for my tastes but im into shortlines and branches so thats understandable, will this be a permanent layout to be built onto or just something to satisfy your craving until you make the move?

 

[Rico]

That looks like a nice trackplan, some mainline running and some switching too.
Got any shots of the other side?
If I ever start over it will be a smaller layout.

 

[irocinblue89]

Looking good, alittle busy for my tastes but im into shortlines and branches so thats understandable, will this be a permanent layout to be built onto or just something to satisfy your craving until you make the move?

Just satisfying my cabin fever. MY new room will be 27' x 14'6". I want to do east coast to west coast. Might be alittle ambitious for my first real "layout", but I'm excited. I am starting to get my rolling stock collection going again.

 

[irocinblue89]

That looks like a nice trackplan, some mainline running and some switching too.
Got any shots of the other side?
If I ever start over it will be a smaller layout.

Here you go! Even got part of my puppy in there.

 

[Littlefoot14]

I see, well best of luck on your new layout, and this one as well, any idea what era or roadname you'd like to model?

BTW, nice shepard, theyre pretty cool dogs

 

[Trucklover]

Nice plan for a temp 4x8'er!! Trackwork looks good too, keep it up, and good luck with your future layout after you move

 

[Rico]

Looks like part of your puppy and your rabbit too!
I think that's a dang fine layout! You running two cab ops, maybe DCc?

 

[irocinblue89]

I am actually in the market for a dcc, reading up on the different dcc here and and Tony's. Lots of good info. It is kinda busy but my son likes it. I will likely just give it to him and start mine. As for era I like modern diesels and steamers so I'm kinda stuck. I want to do an East to West layout with all the different Americans landscape. A tall order I think.

 

[UP2CSX]

Looks good for a starter 4x8. The only thing that worries me is how close you have the tracks to the edges. You might think about a clear plastic barrier to save your trains from a dive to the floor, which is inevitable.

 

[irocinblue89]

Looks good for a starter 4x8. The only thing that worries me is how close you have the tracks to the edges. You might think about a clear plastic barrier to save your trains from a dive to the floor, which is inevitable.

Thanks, and true enough about the dive, especially with my 12yr old.

 

[Littlefoot14]

UP2CSX made a good suggestion, a sheet of plexiglass or something similar should seriously be considered. Besides your child knocking something over, you should also consider derailments, collisions and i saw the picture of your dog, hopefully you dog is differnet than mine are dont jump up on the table to see what made the funny noise go 'round and 'round.

 

[GMTrainNut]

That's great, even if it's temporary it's great to be able to run trains. I recognize it as the Red Wing layout from MR magazine...

 

[irocinblue89]

That's great, even if it's temporary it's great to be able to run trains. I recognize it as the Red Wing layout from MR magazine...

Thank you! I have been racking my brain to figure out where it came from. I don't think it was that close to the edge. I'm gonna look it up and see.

 

[DaWolf85]

i saw the picture of your dog, hopefully you dog is differnet than mine are dont jump up on the table to see what made the funny noise go 'round and 'round.

There are some great videos online of cats doing that.


But even if you don't have any pet, or kid, or guests, your trains still can derail (Murphy's Law says they will derail exactly there, too), so I'd put something in the way of any trains that may fall, as well.

 

[irocinblue89]

He actually gets made because I am doing something that doesn't involve him He is very much attached to my hip so to speak. There is not to many things that compare to a puppy. "If we were half the person our dogs think we are then this world would be truely great" I don't know who said it but it is so true.

 

[vato loco]

UP2CSX made a good suggestion, a sheet of plexiglass or something similar should seriously be considered. Besides your child knocking something over, you should also consider derailments, collisions and i saw the picture of your dog, hopefully you dog is differnet than mine are dont jump up on the table to see what made the funny noise go 'round and 'round.

On that note from vast experience from working with Poly carbs, Plexi-glass is very hard to work with. Try LEXAN way easier to cut and drill. Also plexi-glass can break, crack, and shatter if hit! Lexan is much tougher, heck 3/4" lexan is small cal. bullet proof! If'n you go to using the tuff let me know I guide u through the safest way to cut the poly-carb. Yes, there's a right way and loose your life wrong way!

 

[vato loco]

Use Lexan over Plexi-Glass! Lexan will fit your needs better and easier to work with!