My 4 x 8 layout

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Wow - being a newbie to this hobby (who's using EZ-Track and not "real" track, what you've done and the step by step photos are really inspiring!

We're playing with a 4 x 8 layout on plywood (since we don't have the room to leave it up permanently and have to nail the basics to the board and then stand the board on end when we want our dining room table back...) and how you've used the space is really cool. As someone earlier said, you'v used the space about as fully as possible.

The lessons learned is really helpful too - the paint that probably needs a primer to stop from peeling, etc - sorry to hear you've had problems, but at least documenting them helps others to avoid them.

Very, very cool! Keep the photos coming!
 


Thanks guys for your comments. I which I add more space (and $$$) to build a larger layout but I found this small plan to be interesting enough to keep me busy for a while. Scenery alone is taking a lot of time and I doubt I would have enough patience to do scenery work on a larger layout !!! :D

I'm often thinking of switching back to N scale to get more trains in smaller space but I would have to start from the beginning since I sold all my N stuff and moreover, I would have get a new CN fleet e.g.: SD-70i, C44-9WL and GP-40-2W ! I'm sure it would be quite a challenge to kitbash these model in N !

brubakes - The bridge is Walthers Double-Track Truss Bridge kit # 933-3012 and piers are from Chooch. For the bridge tracks I'm using Central Valley # 1903-2 Bridge Tie Strips with code 83 main rails and code 70 center rails. I'm in the process of weathering the ties and next I will install the rails.
 
highroller said:
brubakes - The bridge is Walthers Double-Track Truss Bridge kit # 933-3012 and piers are from Chooch. For the bridge tracks I'm using Central Valley # 1903-2 Bridge Tie Strips with code 83 main rails and code 70 center rails. I'm in the process of weathering the ties and next I will install the rails.
Click to expand...

Thank you!
 
I finished the painting of the rocks and basic scenic for the creek. I used a mix of real dirt, small rocks and turf. When the scenic cement will be dry, I will ready to apply the gloss medium in the river bed.
 
The creek and viaduct looks very good. Quite natural looking considering the space you had to work with.
 


I replaced the 100 watt bulb over my workplace with a fluorescent lightning fixture, now I can see what I'm doing on my layout and I can take better pictures of my work ! Here is some pics of the almost complete bridge. Still need to add center tracks re-enforcement and weathering.
 
redwine

My track plan is a modified version of the Great Eastern Trunk 4' x 8' layout shown in the book "Seven Step-by-Step HO Railroad" from Atlas. My modified plan still fit on a 4 x 8 but tracks were too close to the border so I enlarged my table to 55" x 103". Now I have plenty of space around to do the scenery. I will have to add tall buildings and trees to break up the merry-go-round effect of the trains. Atlas call it "scenic separation".
 
So will you run the layout as a switching layout with continuous running, using the spur that runs off the layout in the one corner to be your CN interchange, or will you try to simulate mainline running?

As a gigantic switching layout, the plan would be perfect. Lots of work and room for big industries with multiple loading tracks. When you're all done, run around your train and back to the interchange.

I like the bridges/water.
 
Yes, it will be a mix of switching and mainline running. I will just have to figure out how to plan the industries and operate my trains. I was thinking of a grain elevator and a warehouse as my first structures.

Actually, the track are mounted on a standard 4 x 8 table, then I decided to cut a river and install a lower deck were the river is. I put a bracing around the perimeter of the table but this is not very rigid. I should have done better planning before laying the tracks !!! :rolleyes:
 
Speaking of bridges and water, has anyone ever tried using real water and a pump to make a nice creek/river scene or should the whole water/electricity thing come into play?
 


like your bridges.
lighting upgrade is awesome , isn't it? :) i just did the same on my layout. so much nicer to work when its lit

real water introduces a lot of challenges (waterproofing, cleaning, electricity, disaster recovery plan , etc ) but definitely can be and was done before.
 
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