ledzeppelinfan1's Layout Journal...
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I was getting the blue stuff from lowes, the 2 inch stuff....33 bucks a sheet. Does that sound about right? I had not seen anything in green.
Its going into a 14 x 9 or so space and will only be against the wall when not in use. So all sides will be reachable.
Got my stuff from Lowes. It's funny. You design something on paper, and then you go and get the wood for it and its shocking how much wood it actually is when its all sitting there stacked, waiting to be assembled.
Getting the room together placing my order for my built up structures tonight. Gonna see, also, if I can beat the prices the guy in Springfield is offering on track and Scenic supplies.
I live nowhere near a Menards here in Northern Arkansas. We have a Lowes and Home Depot, I went to lowes and checked when I was there last night and they did not have any damaged sheets unfortunately. That would have been nice.
As time goes by I will definitely post pics...after the wife shows me how!!!
So tonight I took my benchwork leg pieces to a friends and cut 6 additional inches off. I had them at 48 inches and with the 4 inches of foam on top that would put my track level at 52 inches. I am 69 inches tall and personally find that height to be uncomfortable to work at even if it gives the best viewing point for the trains. So a 46 inch track level will be much easier to work and still offer a decent view.
After that I did some practice soldering on some old junk track before the good stuff gets here. I think I'll do just fine.
I may sound that way, and perhaps I am more than I know or appreciate...but I have a lot of apprehension mixed with confidence as the project lifts off.
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ledzeppelinfan1
Member
I was getting the blue stuff from lowes, the 2 inch stuff....33 bucks a sheet. Does that sound about right? I had not seen anything in green.
wombat457
I'm the one
There are different "qualities of EPS and I think the blue is better than the green. It all refers to the R Value, I think, but that is irrelevant for our purposes. I really cant remember what I paid for the Green but it wasn't $33 a sheet, I do know that. I think it was closer to $21 per 8 X 4 sheet 1" thick so $33 could be right for 2" thick EPS.
Cheers,
Cheers,
ledzeppelinfan1
Member
Gotcha...benchwork starts tonight. Hope I can knock it all out. Just building a 5x10 table. Gotta go work with a client and will be headed to Lowes afterwards.
wombat457
I'm the one
Stephen,
That's a nice size, just remember one very important thing - being able to reach all parts of the layout, every corner. As sure as eggs come from chooks, if a derailment happens it will happen in a corner!
That aside, I'm looking forward to following your progress and don't forget to post pics as you go
Cheers and have fun and a first aide kit handy!
That's a nice size, just remember one very important thing - being able to reach all parts of the layout, every corner. As sure as eggs come from chooks, if a derailment happens it will happen in a corner!
That aside, I'm looking forward to following your progress and don't forget to post pics as you go
Cheers and have fun and a first aide kit handy!
ledzeppelinfan1
Member
Stephen,
That's a nice size, just remember one very important thing - being able to reach all parts of the layout, every corner. As sure as eggs come from chooks, if a derailment happens it will happen in a corner!
That aside, I'm looking forward to following your progress and don't forget to post pics as you go
Cheers and have fun and a first aide kit handy!
Its going into a 14 x 9 or so space and will only be against the wall when not in use. So all sides will be reachable.
Got my stuff from Lowes. It's funny. You design something on paper, and then you go and get the wood for it and its shocking how much wood it actually is when its all sitting there stacked, waiting to be assembled.
Getting the room together placing my order for my built up structures tonight. Gonna see, also, if I can beat the prices the guy in Springfield is offering on track and Scenic supplies.
Zep, I can almost gaurentee you that you will find better prices online. Until very lately, this year in fact I would have urged you to support your LHS however the importance of doing so has really faded in my opinion. Online guys especially ones with brick and motar stores are working for our business too.
I'm really anxious to see your pile of stuff, how about some pic's. What kind of power and rolling stock are you expecting to run? That's always fun too.
I'm really anxious to see your pile of stuff, how about some pic's. What kind of power and rolling stock are you expecting to run? That's always fun too.
ledzeppelinfan1
Member
Thanks for the response, Jim. I just finished placing my order with modeltrainstuff.com and was able to get my all my structures, flex track and turnouts (went Peco instead of a combination of Atlas and Peco due to availability so now things should be even easier), and a TON of woodland scenics supplies for a little over 700 dollars, including the 62 bucks for priority mail shipping. Can't complain compared to what the guy 2 hours away was trying to charge me.
So all in all, this whole project will be a really nice layout for a bit under 1000 bucks.
As for what kind of power I run...I model the late 1980's so there are a slew of sd-40, gp-38, etc. As of now I have a total of 18 diesels and about 140 freight cars. I have a fondness for covered hoppers and recently (for christmas) acquired 18 more of them (11 CSX and 7 CP rail) so I think my total covered hopper fleet is near 30. There is a double header team of Santa Fe F units that will be pulling a tourist passenger train around the line a couple times a week.
So all in all, this whole project will be a really nice layout for a bit under 1000 bucks.
As for what kind of power I run...I model the late 1980's so there are a slew of sd-40, gp-38, etc. As of now I have a total of 18 diesels and about 140 freight cars. I have a fondness for covered hoppers and recently (for christmas) acquired 18 more of them (11 CSX and 7 CP rail) so I think my total covered hopper fleet is near 30. There is a double header team of Santa Fe F units that will be pulling a tourist passenger train around the line a couple times a week.
ledzeppelinfan1
Member
Like I said, most buildings will be built ups by Imex and BLMA (I got the most realistic ones) but I was able to score a Walthers Grain Storage Facility Kit that retails for 90 bucks but was on clearance for 29. Score!!! Its nice.
wombat457
I'm the one
Stephen,
Your layout is expanding every day, funny how that happens I have to agree with Jim regarding LHS to. You are going forward in leaps and bounds.
Also glad to see you went with Peco track as well, I really think it is better track than Atlas, regardless of availability. If I didn't have so much invested in my track, I'd change it all out for Peco track.
Look forward to seeing the build - now the fun begins!
Cheers and congrats,
Your layout is expanding every day, funny how that happens
I have to agree with Jim regarding LHS to. You are going forward in leaps and bounds. Also glad to see you went with Peco track as well, I really think it is better track than Atlas, regardless of availability. If I didn't have so much invested in my track, I'd change it all out for Peco track.
Look forward to seeing the build - now the fun begins!
Cheers and congrats,
NScaler
Engineer in Training
Sorry I didn't chime in sooner guys. But if you find you need more foam, go to Menards and see if they have a rack with damaged foam. I paid $10 for two 4' x 8' sheets of 2" pink foam. It was normally like $40 per sheet, marked down to $5/sheet because it was "damaged". All it had was a couple scratches in it. I did more damage to it getting it home LOL. I can't wait to see some pics. I know this is a journal, but throw us a bone when ya get a start on it 
ledzeppelinfan1
Member
Sorry I didn't chime in sooner guys. But if you find you need more foam, go to Menards and see if they have a rack with damaged foam. I paid $10 for two 4' x 8' sheets of 2" pink foam. It was normally like $40 per sheet, marked down to $5/sheet because it was "damaged". All it had was a couple scratches in it. I did more damage to it getting it home LOL. I can't wait to see some pics. I know this is a journal, but throw us a bone when ya get a start on it
I live nowhere near a Menards here in Northern Arkansas. We have a Lowes and Home Depot, I went to lowes and checked when I was there last night and they did not have any damaged sheets unfortunately. That would have been nice.
As time goes by I will definitely post pics...after the wife shows me how!!!
So tonight I took my benchwork leg pieces to a friends and cut 6 additional inches off. I had them at 48 inches and with the 4 inches of foam on top that would put my track level at 52 inches. I am 69 inches tall and personally find that height to be uncomfortable to work at even if it gives the best viewing point for the trains. So a 46 inch track level will be much easier to work and still offer a decent view.
After that I did some practice soldering on some old junk track before the good stuff gets here. I think I'll do just fine.
Zep, you certainly sound organized, and prepared. I too am obsessing about layout height. And... at one time I was 69 inches tall, now maybe 68. I do need at least one portion of the layouts underside to be over 48 inches, that's were it crosses the air conditioner. The air conditioner is not optional as in three months it will be over a hundred and ten here, peaking at one thirty or so.
Thats one of the reasons my RR will be set in the cool green mountains.
Thats one of the reasons my RR will be set in the cool green mountains.
ledzeppelinfan1
Member
I may sound that way, and perhaps I am more than I know or appreciate...but I have a lot of apprehension mixed with confidence as the project lifts off.
wombat457
I'm the one
Stephen,
"laying the first stone" is always hard, but once laid the rest follow naturally. I am the same with wiring, I know what has to be done but am apprehensive to start it for fear of messing it up.
I know my layout is built to accommodate a number of things; however my legs are only 32" with a further 1 1/2 of bench and foam work on top of that, so the base of my layout is only. 33 1/2" high. I like to look down on the layout, so I can see each part clearly and to have easier reach access to it. By the time I complete my scenery, it will be around 44" at its highest point.
Cheers and looking forward to seeing your progress,
"laying the first stone" is always hard, but once laid the rest follow naturally. I am the same with wiring, I know what has to be done but am apprehensive to start it for fear of messing it up.
I know my layout is built to accommodate a number of things; however my legs are only 32" with a further 1 1/2 of bench and foam work on top of that, so the base of my layout is only. 33 1/2" high. I like to look down on the layout, so I can see each part clearly and to have easier reach access to it. By the time I complete my scenery, it will be around 44" at its highest point.
Cheers and looking forward to seeing your progress,
ledzeppelinfan1
Member
Well after a few hours and some technical difficulties (had to borrow neighbors drill when mine broke) the bench work is done and most of the foam is layed down as well. Have to go back to Lowes and get another sheet of foamboard because during my planning I miscalculated. Should have the rest of the foam board layed down by tomorrow night and my track, buildings, and scenic supplies should arrive Monday or Tuesday. So tomorrow I can start measuring and marking curves and track, cut the slot for the dividers, etc.
Moving along...
Moving along...
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Bruette
Well-Known Member
gator do 65
Member
Miss calculations exceptable, unexpected normal, wrong part twice priceless!!
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