Green Mountain Railroad Layout Build

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Made some more progress on the layout this week. The L-girders and framework are glued and screwed together. I also managed to screw all the cross members to the L-girders and complete construction on the first set of legs.

I need to purchase a box of shorter screws to replace some of the longer ones I used for the legs as they stick out just a bit. I also need to purchase and install the threaded leveling feet. Here is what the first section looks like:

IMG_8784.jpeg


IMG_8785.jpeg


My plan for the coming week is to get the rest of the legs installed.

On a different note, I purchased two more Vermont Railway DCC/sound locos. The first one arrived yesterday.

IMG_8739.jpeg


The GP40-2W is one of my favorite locomotives and it looks great in VTR colors:)
 
GuilfordRailman said:
Made some more progress on the layout this week. The L-girders and framework are glued and screwed together. I also managed to screw all the cross members to the L-girders and complete construction on the first set of legs.

I need to purchase a box of shorter screws to replace some of the longer ones I used for the legs as they stick out just a bit. I also need to purchase and install the threaded leveling feet. Here is what the first section looks like:

View attachment 210280

View attachment 210281

My plan for the coming week is to get the rest of the legs installed.

On a different note, I purchased two more Vermont Railway DCC/sound locos. The first one arrived yesterday.

View attachment 210282

The GP40-2W is one of my favorite locomotives and it looks great in VTR colors:)
Click to expand...
Looks like you're making good progress. The walls in your layout room look a lot like mine before I painted them.:)
CM MT & SL layout build (10).jpg
 
GuilfordRailman said:
That does look similar! I wasn’t crazy about the cedar planks in my layout room but at least I’ve got a space for my layout:)
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Cedar is good because it keeps things like moths away, and you can always paint it. I built my wall to separate the layout area from the laundry/furnace area, and to make benchwork construction a little easier. Mine has come a long way since that photo was taken. I look forward to seeing the progress you make on yours.
 
Colorado Midland Modeler said:
Cedar is good because it keeps things like moths away, and you can always paint it. I built my wall to separate the layout area from the laundry/furnace area, and to make benchwork construction a little easier. Mine has come a long way since that photo was taken. I look forward to seeing the progress you make on yours.
Click to expand...
That’s true! I thought about painting it as well, but haven’t decided if that’s the route I want to take.

Thanks! It’s going to be a fun project:)
 


Here’s a quick mid-week layout update. I’ve managed to complete the legs for another module. I have not glued some of the components yet but will do so tomorrow. I wanted to make sure the modules lined up properly before gluing. Looks like everything is just about perfect:)

IMG_8805.jpeg


IMG_8806.jpeg
 
Had the day off from work today so I decided to work on the layout some more. I managed to complete all the legs. However, I still need to install the threaded leveling feet.

IMG_8810.jpeg


IMG_8811.jpeg


As you can see, the leg supports for the module above are different than the rest. I plan to use either leftover plywood or hardboard on top of these horizontal supports as a shelf for supplies.

There are two slight issues I’ve noticed with the benchwork. The first is that the module joint below does not line up as well as the others. I think once the threaded leveling feet are installed, it may work a little better.

IMG_8812.jpeg


The second issue is that I’ve noticed a slight bowing of the first module I built. It’s not horrible but it seems I didn’t notice this during construction. Again, I think I can compensate this with the leveling feet.

IMG_8816.jpeg


It’s a little hard to tell in the photo but the bowing of the 1 x 4 results in the end of the module being slightly lower.

IMG_8815.jpeg


Overall, these issues are minor and can be resolved I’m sure:)
 
GuilfordRailman said:
Had the day off from work today so I decided to work on the layout some more. I managed to complete all the legs. However, I still need to install the threaded leveling feet.

View attachment 210647

View attachment 210648

As you can see, the leg supports for the module above are different than the rest. I plan to use either leftover plywood or hardboard on top of these horizontal supports as a shelf for supplies.

There are two slight issues I’ve noticed with the benchwork. The first is that the module joint below does not line up as well as the others. I think once the threaded leveling feet are installed, it may work a little better.

View attachment 210649

The second issue is that I’ve noticed a slight bowing of the first module I built. It’s not horrible but it seems I didn’t notice this during construction. Again, I think I can compensate this with the leveling feet.

View attachment 210652

It’s a little hard to tell in the photo but the bowing of the 1 x 4 results in the end of the module being slightly lower.

View attachment 210653

Overall, these issues are minor and can be resolved I’m sure:)
Click to expand...
Gilford: Sure, looks like cement floor and those might not be level. Question is: How much is it off? Is it enough to where you need actually 'levelers'? I would think that a few little rise/falls would add character to the layout. To me, you could clamp the seams together and gravity would come into play to get it flat on the floor?

L8r
 
I put levelers on all my modules because A.) I know my floor isn't level, and B.) I know my construction techniques are not as good as yours. :D When it comes to lining up two sections of independent bench work, I have found them to be very handy.

As for the warped 1x4, you'll have that with dimensional lumber sometimes. Not a whole lot you can do other than pull the whole thing apart and shave it straight with a plain. Looking at the pic, it doesn't look too bad, so you might be able to force it back into alignment by adjusting your cross-bracing to "pull" the middle down a touch. However, as long as it is not causing any huge issue, I'd agree with Todd above and let the rise/fall add character. Vermont is not exactly flat & level. 😁
 
ctclibby said:
Gilford: Sure, looks like cement floor and those might not be level. Question is: How much is it off? Is it enough to where you need actually 'levelers'? I would think that a few little rise/falls would add character to the layout. To me, you could clamp the seams together and gravity would come into play to get it flat on the floor?

L8r
Click to expand...
There is approximately a half inch difference in some of the floor areas. I prefer to use leveling feet as I don’t like when cars roll away. Too bad I can’t set the handbrakes lol, otherwise I’d just let gravity take care of it:)
 
KB02 said:
I put levelers on all my modules because A.) I know my floor isn't level, and B.) I know my construction techniques are not as good as yours. :D When it comes to lining up two sections of independent bench work, I have found them to be very handy.

As for the warped 1x4, you'll have that with dimensional lumber sometimes. Not a whole lot you can do other than pull the whole thing apart and shave it straight with a plain. Looking at the pic, it doesn't look too bad, so you might be able to force it back into alignment by adjusting your cross-bracing to "pull" the middle down a touch. However, as long as it is not causing any huge issue, I'd agree with Todd above and let the rise/fall add character. Vermont is not exactly flat & level. 😁
Click to expand...
It definitely helps with lining up modules!

It’s not horrible on that 1 x 4 so I might just work around it. The rise/fall would definitely add character but I don’t exactly want my rolling stock to get away from me haha. My Vermont will have to be flat for my own sanity lol.
 
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