The Wife and I Finally Finished Phase 1

ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.


RCShadow

RCShadow

Member
To start, this is our first attempt at any kind of model railroad.

A little background first. We wanted something up and out of the way so the first thing we thought of was a near ceiling elevated layout. We looked around the net and found many shelf type layouts. The idea was ok but we did some looking and did not like the idea that you couldn't actually "see" the trains most of the time so I came up with the idea of making something so you could see the track and trains in action. In the end, everything is on a bridge type of a deal. We also looked at a Lexan type solution but I wanted something that had a woodworking type feel to it so it would fit into the environment a little better.

We also took a stab at building some structures with lighting, streets, and landscaping. My wife really helped here and did what I feel, an excellent job. I did make the lightpoles and wired the lighting part but this has really given us something we can work on together and thats always nice.

Please excuse the photo quality. I took some video and then captured the photos from that. I will be taking pictures with a still camera at some point and we are already going to expand the layout into other rooms. The wife really likes the ocean and we will probably do a sea theme when we extend. Let me know what you think!

Layout Details:

155' of track
Two main lines and an inner track that runs across the middle of the room
6 Tortoise Switch Machines
Suspension bridge is double decked (two lines on top, one on bottom)
Truss bridge is double decked (two lines on top, one on bottom)
NCE Power Cab
NCE Switch-8
Bachmann F7 A-B-A units - Santa Fe (awesome pulling power)
Bachmann F7 A-B-A units - Pennsylvania (awesome pulling power)
Bachmann Alco RS-3 (two in a consist, very disappointed in pulling power)
Bachmann SD40 (lowest of my loco's in price and pulling power)
20 cars of various flavors

About to upgrade with a NCE PB5 booster and USB interface. I will also need an auto-reverser for the expansion. We have a Walthers Cornerstone Hotel (x3) that we are going to kitbash into a 41" tall structure atop the platform in a corner that will be lighted.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Couple more...

As a note, the Santa Fe F7 in the static display is from my childhood. I got that when I was 7, some 41 years ago. I just had to include it in some way. It is from an old Tyco set from 1973-74 timeframe. The headlight is wired to the other lights so it looks good sitting there.
 
Last edited by a moderator:


Years ago, Mitchell's Family Store outside of Wilmington, DE, used to have a layout, at the top of their 8' cabinets, with mountain scenery. Never saw it run, but always wanted to. Model railroading is supposed to be fun, and if you're wife is joining you, that's great!
 
otiscnj said:
Years ago, Mitchell's Family Store outside of Wilmington, DE, used to have a layout, at the top of their 8' cabinets, with mountain scenery. Never saw it run, but always wanted to. Model railroading is supposed to be fun, and if you're wife is joining you, that's great!
Click to expand...

Ahhh Mitchell's...the memories. I used to get my school clothes there every August before heading back to class. I miss those stores.

Thank you for your comments :)
 
I go to Doug's about once a month. They bought the Mitchells old stock. It's really cool some of the stuff they carry. A lot of it still has the Mitchells price tags on it!
 
otiscnj said:
Years ago, Mitchell's Family Store outside of Wilmington, DE, used to have a layout, at the top of their 8' cabinets, with mountain scenery. Never saw it run, but always wanted to. Model railroading is supposed to be fun, and if you're wife is joining you, that's great!
Click to expand...

@otiscnj...

You got us thinking...we are thinking the new section will be a forrest with some mountains and a logging camp. Thank you for the idea!
 
railfan said:
You really put some work into that. Very nice!
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike.

Its been many hours of building, debugging, and etc., etc., etc., but we love it. I'm sure all who build anything with this type stuff know what I mean. I have lots more to do with paint and all that. I am already planning an expansion :)
 


Stoker said:
Neat layout RCS. Love the CLARK gas station, my dad had his '56 Chevy stockcar sponsored by CLARK. I still remember the smell of that orange enamel. Your trusswork looks sturdy. If that were in our house it would have to be, because there would be a couple 12 lb kitty cats lounging up there. Happy Railroading!
Click to expand...

Our cat passed away a few years back (he was 22). If we still had him around, I am sure we would have already found him up there. Now we have a Jack Russell that is already used to it. We ran the layout for 6-7 hours today without a hitch...finally.

My wife built the Clark gas station and most of that. I did add the lights and the garage portion of the gas station. I scratch built the garage out of styrene to match the office part. Glad I jogged a memory. My wifes late father raced cars as well in the early NASCAR days.
 
rcracer said:
Great job Switchman by you and your wife, liked the video a lot. So do you live in DE. cause I live in NJ.
Click to expand...

No, not in DE. Look at my location at the top of my posts. I'm the DFW area of Texas. Where it's HOT right now. Thank you for your comment, we appreciate it :).

I am watching the progress on your layout!
 
Phase 2 is complete! I will be posting pictures within a week or two. This phase went much faster lol. I added two more turn-outs and two Tortoise switch machines and now have maxed-out my Switch-8. I added a total of 33' of track. The total track is now at 185' or so which, if the online calulator is correct, is about 3 scale miles.

The learning process I had with Phase 1 really helped, as you can imagine, with Phase 2. My curves a more gradual (duh!) and I have not had to debug the track as much if at all. I am going to plan Phase 3 now by adding some turn-outs and switch machines so the direction can be changed (reveresed) which will require an auto-reverser or two. I am also researching adding computer control with an old notebook I have and use Traincontroller Bronze to automate the whole thing.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
otiscnj said:
Years ago, Mitchell's Family Store outside of Wilmington, DE, used to have a layout, at the top of their 8' cabinets, with mountain scenery.
Click to expand...
Wow - - that takes me back. I went to High school in Wilmington 1970-74 and used to visit Mitchell 's a lot. Those were probably my drool marks on the display cases of brass locos... :-)


From the DairyStatePhone
 
Dad,
My first visit to Mitchells was probably about 74-75. We lived in northern NJ at the time, but my Grandmother lived in northeastern Philly. Yeah, I was impressed by the place at an early age. By 1994, my last visit, they seemed to be in it simply for the bucks.
 
otiscnj said:
Dad,
My first visit to Mitchells was probably about 74-75. We lived in northern NJ at the time, but my Grandmother lived in northeastern Philly. Yeah, I was impressed by the place at an early age. By 1994, my last visit, they seemed to be in it simply for the bucks.
Click to expand...

Sad to hear. I might have been back in there once before 1980 or so, never since.

I see they're closed now, but one of the people has a new store. http://www.trainstoysandhobbies.com/index.htm

I might check it out when I am back there next month on a visit...
 
That is fantastic! I really like the flags on the bridge and those building look great. Thank you for sharing that.
Louis
 
A quite amazing concept, sort of a cross between an El-rail and a roller coaster with ghost train elements thrown in. I can just imagine the hiccups along the way of getting it all to work smoothly. The fact that your wife is involved (and keen) is a bonus that many of us envy.
 


You must log in or register to reply here.




Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)

Back
Top