The College Kid Layout Building Saga - End?

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One immediate suggestion, if it isn't too late. Your track work seems a bit close to the northern edge of the boards. You seem to have a bit of room at the southern edge - can you move it down a little? Ideally, you need about an inch between your roadbed/track and the edge of your benchwork, minimum, in case an engine goes rogue :)

Other than that - it is looking good Sir!
 
wombat457 said:
I never did get a video of it day light and it has since been demolished - the shelf it was on was needed for other things apparently. But yeah, it was fun to build. Despite being small, it was still time consuming BUT allowed me to focus more on the detail of the scenery and to play around with the lighting. It really was fu to build and at times, I think more fun than my main layout.

Anyway, hope @catnippertom takes a look, thought it might give a bit of inspiration :)
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That tiny layout sure looks great! I have seen many of these small layouts and many of them sure are inspirations for what I am doing right now.
 
wombat457 said:
One immediate suggestion, if it isn't too late. Your track work seems a bit close to the northern edge of the boards. You seem to have a bit of room at the southern edge - can you move it down a little? Ideally, you need about an inch between your roadbed/track and the edge of your benchwork, minimum, in case an engine goes rogue :)

Other than that - it is looking good Sir!
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I wish I could but even the southern side of the layout is tight. The printout hangs quite a bit over the southern edge of the layout. It is going to have to be a bit tight but it is something I have to live with. The total size of the two boards is 40"x60" and the track plan is sitting at 39"x54". I really have to get my track laid well to make sure it all goes smoothly.
 


Update:

20230420_230436.jpg


I'm currently cutting some of the cork coasters that I had lying around since I can't work on track laying until I get this down. I plan on going out tomorrow and grabbing some more.
 
catnippertom said:
I wish I could but even the southern side of the layout is tight. The printout hangs quite a bit over the southern edge of the layout. It is going to have to be a bit tight but it is something I have to live with. The total size of the two boards is 40"x60" and the track plan is sitting at 39"x54". I really have to get my track laid well to make sure it all goes smoothly.
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Take your time with the track laying, what are you using to hold the track and cork to your board ?
 
Smudge617 said:
Take your time with the track laying, what are you using to hold the track and cork to your board ?
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It is something that I have been debating for a while actually. I don't want to tack the track down permanently so I can use it for projects in the future. I can save money on not buying track that way. For the cork, I plan to just glue it down with some wood glue or white glue right to the baseboards. Back to the track, I think I am going to use some small nails to nail in the track. Since the Atlas track has holes for such nails I think I can just nail it through the sleepers with the holes. I am going to go to my local hardware store to see what kinds of nails they offer and that might inspire another idea of how to lay them out. But that is a preliminary idea and I am open to others.
 
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Update:
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As noted a few posts ago, I went out to Hobby Lobby for just a few supplies and of course, I came home with more than I expected. Most of them were just regular supplies and tools but here were the main things that were a part of my haul. Checking out the coasters that I bought previously, I saw they were about $2 per pack of 6 but each of them was about 4" x 4" while this roll was $10 for 24" x 48" so the math was easy on that one. Also, I saw they had a grass mat which made me come to think that I might actually want to use this. Initially, I didn't want to try a grass mat since in the past I have seen some layouts that use one and the mat doesn't look great in most cases but I do need some sort of grass layer. I figured this looked good enough so I am going to try and use it. It was also on sale so that swung me. Going to start some building for the first time today right now.
 


catnippertom said:
Any tips on the best way to lay a grass mat
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Ahh yeah - DON'T! :rolleyes: 😀

This is purely a personal preference; however, I have never really like the stuff and much prefer to use Scenic Express Ground Covers. However, it is a quick and (supposedly) easy way to get some thing down.

All I can suggest is to use a good secure adhesive. Cover both surfaces (card and mat) and then use weights and wait till it has all dried. Sorry can't be much more help.
 
wombat457 said:
Ahh yeah - DON'T! :rolleyes: 😀

This is purely a personal preference; however, I have never really like the stuff and much prefer to use Scenic Express Ground Covers. However, it is a quick and (supposedly) easy way to get some thing down.

All I can suggest is to use a good secure adhesive. Cover both surfaces (card and mat) and then use weights and wait till it has all dried. Sorry can't be much more help.
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Yea, I am learning quickly that this might have been a bit of a waste of funds and time lol. A roll of this stuff does not want to work with me at all. I might have to cut this stuff up a ton more just to get it to work. I really don't want to get rid of it and start over but it might have to happen if it comes to it. Just kinda one of the things I had to learn through making mistakes though.
 
Yep - experience is the best teacher; however sometimes (most of the time) your better off asking questions before trying something out ;) :) Still, keep working with it, you just might get it to work okay for you :)
 
catnippertom said:
. Any tips on the best way to lay a grass mat, let me know
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Unlike Wombat457, I actually use this stuff, and yes, it's a pain, mainly because it's been rolled up and really doesn't want to lay flat again.

The one thing you don't seem to have is glue, I would suggest a PVA or wood glue, (Gorilla Glue) as it works well with grass mats.

Don't as wombat457 suggests, coat both the board and the mat, the mat has a paper backing and it will simply tear.

Using A PVA glue dilute it 70/30 with water, (but it's not an absolute must to do that, just makes it easier to apply).

Brush the adhesive onto about 1/3 of your board and apply the mat, carefully getting rid of any air pockets as you go, you'll need some kind of weights too, anything will do, and repeat the process till it's done, wipe any excess off the sides, let dry for a few hours.

In case your wondering why PVA glue, simply because it lasts for years, and going forward, you will use it.

Hope this helps.
 
@Smudge617 I'm sure the stuff is okay once you get used to working with it and can get it flattened out. Seems a bit ridiculous though for it to be rolled considering what it is to be used for. Anyway, I have never used it so probably shouldn't have said anything at all as anything I said was speculative and based on the "norm" rather than the specific. :)
 
wombat457 said:
@Smudge617 I'm sure the stuff is okay once you get used to working with it and can get it flattened out. Seems a bit ridiculous though for it to be rolled considering what it is to be used for. Anyway, I have never used it so probably shouldn't have said anything at all as anything I said was speculative and based on the "norm" rather than the specific. :)
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Oh I agree it's a pain being rolled up, having it flat to start with would be far easier, but can you see yourself buying one and trying to go home with it on your bike!! it's just for convenience really.
Easiest way to flatten them, and you'll love this, is to use a steam iron.
 
wombat457 said:
I have no idea, as I have no idea how big they are - BUT, might fun trying after all - look at what the Asians seem to get on their Vespers and what have you - 3 Kids, Wife, weeks shopping and the family dog :)

TGsVjDo.jpg


:D:D:D
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Yikes! Dont fancy meeting that on a dark night.
Although seeing two scooters travelling down the road carrying a triple seat sofa between them was unfogettable
 


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