Steve's SOCAL BNSF layout

[steveparkinson]

Thanks for the tips David, I'll take them onboard and fine tune.


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[unkaboose]

They are actually sections of 1x2 wood I painted, cut and tapered the tops to allow for the incline/decline of the track. Probably not the most commonly used method of benchwork!


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what increments did you use to cut the pillers beginning to highest

 

[steveparkinson]

I believe I cut two of each height 1/4 inch shorter than the next two and then shaved/tapered a bit of one of the set on the ones used for incline/decline and placed them about 2 inches apart from each other.


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[unkaboose]

thanks, im going to make my own

 

[steveparkinson]

Haven't been on here much lately but there is some layout progress still....

Got most of the design done for the new areas and started laying roadbed and track. Got most of one mainline down and need to wire. This will be a double main through most of the city with spurs and sidings for industry. The black roadbed is a material used for lining toolboxes. It's very thin, smooth and easy to work with. Plus it lowers the siding so they are not as high as the mains.

Images follow the track from one end to the other in order moving right to left....

Steve


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[roofintrash]

I'm loving the toolbox liner idea. Will be a fraction of the cost of regular roadbed and should have nice sound deadening qualities. It would also be quick and easy for larger yard areas.

 

[steveparkinson]

I'm loving the toolbox liner idea. Will be a fraction of the cost of regular roadbed and should have nice sound deadening qualities. It would also be quick and easy for larger yard areas.

Yep, very easy to do. That's what I did for the three siding tracks for the grain elevator.

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[logandsawman]

Lookin really nice, Steve. Thanks for the update!!

 

[steveparkinson]

Thanks for the feedback David, I've been trying to get an update in and here and there but I've been pretty busy and not had as much time to make progress.

I did manage to finally tie in the mainline into the two tracks coming from the yard that go into the mountains, it took a bit more time than planned but it's almost done. I'll paint/ballast the tracks after wrapping up the wiring.

I also finished laying track for one of the two double mains going through the city and industrial areas. Wiring is in progress now and I hope to have the first main running very soon. Once complete I'll complete the second mainline and then start adding the sidings and spurs to the industries...

Big push on the wiring coming, hopefully that will get some other areas going and allow for an updated video or two.

Thanks for looking!

Steve


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[logandsawman]

Looks like some pretty tricky trackwork going into the tunnels;

Seeing the different buildings on the layout is giving us a preview into what is coming, Nice Update!!

 

[steveparkinson]

It was tricky, I had to cut out to sections and redo the cork roadbed too. Had to also rewire. It didn't help it was in a corner that wasn't too accessible.

Got a lot more buildings to buy still. I'll eventually fill in most of the space in the front section with them. I want the effect the lines are passing through a pretty populated area....

Picked this one up on eBay, couldn't resist!! Just needs a slab and one corner repaired and good as new! Probably weather it a bit too. Looks like something you'd see in a socal desert town.

I've also got some kits I haven't built up yet too in boxes.

Steve


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[syrous]

Expansion looking great, loving the yard. Good work.

 

[montanan]

Looking good. Things seem to be moving along well.Keep the pictures coming.

 

[logandsawman]

That Rex's Diner is really a treasure!! It pays to shop ebay. Thanks for posting!

 

[BcRail]

Just went through this tread very nice work

 

[steveparkinson]

Just went through this tread very nice work

Thanks for the feedback, I need to get some work done on it. I've been pretty busy with work and school lately so work on the layout has slowed down.

Steve


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[steveparkinson]

Got my track installed into the grain elevators today. Scene still needs to be detailed, weathered and ballasted.

With railcars....

I'm pretty pleased with the design of this end. Should make for some busy switching operations when complete.

Thanks for looking.
Steve


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[syrous]

Track work looking great. Going to be fun for operations.

 

[logandsawman]

Really nice looking elevator scene, especially with the covered hoppers present!

 

[steveparkinson]

Thanks for the feedback, i thought I had previously responded.

Been really busy with work and school on weekends so I haven't had much time to work on the layout. I do find a bit of time on the week nights right now but most of it has just been soldering switches and rail joiners, wiring switches, terminal boards and wiring the new addition to the layout.

Couple shots of the wiring that is my life right now on the layout.... I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel though!

Also been laying some track as I wire so I have good terminal joiner placement.....

Had a few delays for atlas switches back ordered and radio shack never restocking the terminal boards.

Steve


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