traiNscale
Well-Known Member
lets go Troy!
Looking forward to your restart
Keep digging
Cheers
marco
Looking forward to your restart
Keep digging
Cheers
marco
Troy's Midnight Abbey Mythical RR 3rd Edition
- Thread starter troyphoto
- Start date
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I finally ballasted all my track on the previous layout about a week before I took it down. D'oh!
I plan on getting a roll of "kraft paper" today at the store. Once the foam is down, I'll draw my track plan ideas on the paper, and replace the sections that get too confusing with scratched out marks. I'm not a good computer visualizer. I need to see it on the table to understand it.
Also picking up the "midnight" deep violet paint for the backdrop.
On another note: I FINALLY got a printed Title for the totaled pickup truck on Saturday (three tries, which took 2 1/2 months!) and was able to sign it over to my insurance company. Sent it off this morning. Hopefully a settlement payment arrives soon, at which point I can start the whole truck search and purchase process all over again. But this time I'm NOT going to buy anything out-of-state. Too much hassle if it doesn't go smoothly.
This matters because the eventual goal is to tow a 10'-16' trailer around the country, loaded up with (at the moment) Free-moN modules from show to show. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will almost certainly never get the "grand idea layout" built in my lifetime. Not unless I can hire a couple of guys to help me do it, the way Verryl Fosnight has done with his Union Pacific Wyoming Division layout down in Cottonwood AZ. Verryl had at least two guys, basically building the scheme full time. When I spoke with him about it about three years ago, I asked him how he intended to pass it down after he was gone, and he seemed surprised by the question. Hadn't even thought about it, and his response was "well...I guess I'll give it to the guys who built it."
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troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
How the morning began....
How it's going...
Turns out the upper benchwork that I was going to move down was bastardized sections joined together in a mish mash (they did the Monster Mash! It was a Train Yard Smash!)
The Lower level's benchwork was far too wide, but better lumber that hadn't been re-used several times... So I'm going to cut it down to form the main East Leg (E is the empty wall to camera right)
Here's a rough blueprint. The Yellow section is what will result from this section.
I had a section already made for the Pink and Green Sections. Green is the current lower level peninsula. I'll just have to add bracing for the divider that will go down the center. That bump out on the front of green currently is bolted onto the upper deck. I'll unbolt and apply it to the appropriate section.
Yard and/or future expansion to the left side of the drawing. Anything beyond 4 ft to the left is crew lounge, so it will become shelf layout in that zone, but could have a switching industry or four.
How it's going...
Turns out the upper benchwork that I was going to move down was bastardized sections joined together in a mish mash (they did the Monster Mash! It was a Train Yard Smash!)
The Lower level's benchwork was far too wide, but better lumber that hadn't been re-used several times... So I'm going to cut it down to form the main East Leg (E is the empty wall to camera right)
Here's a rough blueprint. The Yellow section is what will result from this section.
I had a section already made for the Pink and Green Sections. Green is the current lower level peninsula. I'll just have to add bracing for the divider that will go down the center. That bump out on the front of green currently is bolted onto the upper deck. I'll unbolt and apply it to the appropriate section.
Yard and/or future expansion to the left side of the drawing. Anything beyond 4 ft to the left is crew lounge, so it will become shelf layout in that zone, but could have a switching industry or four.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Annnnnnnnnnnd I'm stopping for a while. Got the East leg bench rebuilt and mostly installed. I need to cut a couple of angle braces for the front of the legs, and install them. Then use the twisty feet I installed to get it level. Once that is done, I'll put a couple of screws into the wall.
I'll do that tonight. Maybe. then tomorrow is tear out the rest of the upper level, make some legs for the peninsula, and start bolting stuff together.
I'll do that tonight. Maybe. then tomorrow is tear out the rest of the upper level, make some legs for the peninsula, and start bolting stuff together.
KB02
Well-Known Member
Just catching up on this thread. Been a lot of activity this week.
Work on my layout had pretty much been at a stand still for a while when I took a trip to the big train show in Springfield, MA. I realized that the things I liked and wanted to build, I simply couldn't do with the set up I had. I made the choice to tear it all (mostly) down and start over. I rebuilt sectionally and am building up one section at a time. Makes it more managable, I think.
I think you made the right choice. If its not working, build something that will.
Looking forward to your progress... at your pace.
Work on my layout had pretty much been at a stand still for a while when I took a trip to the big train show in Springfield, MA. I realized that the things I liked and wanted to build, I simply couldn't do with the set up I had. I made the choice to tear it all (mostly) down and start over. I rebuilt sectionally and am building up one section at a time. Makes it more managable, I think.
I think you made the right choice. If its not working, build something that will.
Looking forward to your progress... at your pace.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
And I hit the end of the energy about 3:30p today.
I'm trying to exercise all the bad juju out of the foam for the layout. They don't want to exercise though.
I've got a few big tubs of offcuts and such around, in addition to this stack.
Got all the uppers torn down!
then I had to raise the Peninsula to match the east wing.
The problem was being a one-man show. Like a one-armed paper hanger, I made it work:
Photographic background stands to the rescue!
With their help, I could raise the butt end, and get the new longer legs on the front... above is with the new legs in position right before I dropped the stands.
Today's $30 purchase at Menards: a mechanics stool. soooooo much better on my 60 year old knees and back. It's a cheapie, but worked well.
I did manage to install the connecting deck between the East Leg and the Peninsula... but I ran out of juice. No pics. Forced myself to clean up the pile of tools, screws, clamps, shovels, rakes, and instruments of destruction. I did neglect to draw arrows and circles on the glossy 8x10 photographs for the blind judge.... (little Alices Restaurant humour for you).
I'm back in the recliner, advil taken, and jamming to the same music I've had on all day. Huge Shoutout to @NYC_George (Swal) for his playlist on youtube. If you don't visit the coffee shop, you're missing out!
I'm trying to exercise all the bad juju out of the foam for the layout. They don't want to exercise though.
I've got a few big tubs of offcuts and such around, in addition to this stack.
Got all the uppers torn down!
then I had to raise the Peninsula to match the east wing.
The problem was being a one-man show. Like a one-armed paper hanger, I made it work:
Photographic background stands to the rescue!
With their help, I could raise the butt end, and get the new longer legs on the front... above is with the new legs in position right before I dropped the stands.
Today's $30 purchase at Menards: a mechanics stool. soooooo much better on my 60 year old knees and back. It's a cheapie, but worked well.
I did manage to install the connecting deck between the East Leg and the Peninsula... but I ran out of juice. No pics. Forced myself to clean up the pile of tools, screws, clamps, shovels, rakes, and instruments of destruction. I did neglect to draw arrows and circles on the glossy 8x10 photographs for the blind judge.... (little Alices Restaurant humour for you).
I'm back in the recliner, advil taken, and jamming to the same music I've had on all day. Huge Shoutout to @NYC_George (Swal) for his playlist on youtube. If you don't visit the coffee shop, you're missing out!
Rico
BNSF Modeller
I agree, if something doesn’t seem right you’re better off restarting before you get too far into it.I think you made the right choice. If it’s not working, build something that will.
Looking forward to your progress... at your pace.
I finally ballasted all my track on the previous layout about a week before I took it down. D'oh!
traiNscale
Well-Known Member
damn troy
you did a lot of work!
looking good and still a lot of room to build.
but also a lot of room to breath!
cheers and happy sunday.
marco
you did a lot of work!
looking good and still a lot of room to build.
but also a lot of room to breath!
cheers and happy sunday.
marco
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Sunday late afternoon and I'm done for the weekend.
Here's where we stand. I put foamboard out so you can better see the footprint.
the leg in the photo above is new. I'm tentatively planning on have the yard there. That Peninsula is 5x2 foot. The section at this end, against the wall is 6ft 6 in, so it extends 18 inches farther into my lounge space.
I was able to get the aisle on this end of the E to 40 inches. Just barely enough room to put my teeter table there. It can't stay there, but I need to do some major reallocation of space in the gaming zone part of the basement.
I need to get the stuff off my gaming table and back under the layout. The gaming table may go away, or get split and turned into two long workbenches.
Here's where we stand. I put foamboard out so you can better see the footprint.
the leg in the photo above is new. I'm tentatively planning on have the yard there. That Peninsula is 5x2 foot. The section at this end, against the wall is 6ft 6 in, so it extends 18 inches farther into my lounge space.
I was able to get the aisle on this end of the E to 40 inches. Just barely enough room to put my teeter table there. It can't stay there, but I need to do some major reallocation of space in the gaming zone part of the basement.
I need to get the stuff off my gaming table and back under the layout. The gaming table may go away, or get split and turned into two long workbenches.
shortwrench
Well-Known Member
Amazed at how much you've accomplished in such a short amount of time.
traiNscale
Well-Known Member
looking good troy
now divide it in sections, and work in sections. do a little bit here and do a little bit there. maybe dont put in all the track or just the main so you have a orientation. or do all the track and if you have enough energy make the electric everywhere, but i would work in sections. looks great and i will follow along for shure!
Cheers
Marco
now divide it in sections, and work in sections. do a little bit here and do a little bit there. maybe dont put in all the track or just the main so you have a orientation. or do all the track and if you have enough energy make the electric everywhere, but i would work in sections. looks great and i will follow along for shure!
Cheers
Marco
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
The main loop has to go in first so I can run trains. Gotta watch the choos choos go around. After that, scenes and other track will be on section by section.
I plan on getting a roll of "kraft paper" today at the store. Once the foam is down, I'll draw my track plan ideas on the paper, and replace the sections that get too confusing with scratched out marks. I'm not a good computer visualizer. I need to see it on the table to understand it.
Also picking up the "midnight" deep violet paint for the backdrop.
traiNscale
Well-Known Member
sounds like a great plan!
send some pictures
Cheers
marco
send some pictures
Cheers
marco
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Update Post for today:
Was going to work on the posts for the backdrop down the center aisle, but realized I should make the frame for the backdrops along the walls. I planned on using 1x3s from the leftover benchwork to create a top and bottom frame attached to the two walls (E and S walls).
I'll need to cut down some of the 1x3s to fit wherever the seams fall.
I was hoping to use the two 8ft x 2ft pieces I salvaged from the upper deck of the old layout. But they've got some edge damage and that tunnel opening cut. So, they'll move to filler pieces. I think I'll pick up some 2x4 sheets of tempered hardboard at Menards. Looks like I need at least 4. Maybe 6 depending on what I can use from the old backdrop.
Was going to work on the posts for the backdrop down the center aisle, but realized I should make the frame for the backdrops along the walls. I planned on using 1x3s from the leftover benchwork to create a top and bottom frame attached to the two walls (E and S walls).
I'll need to cut down some of the 1x3s to fit wherever the seams fall.
I was hoping to use the two 8ft x 2ft pieces I salvaged from the upper deck of the old layout. But they've got some edge damage and that tunnel opening cut. So, they'll move to filler pieces. I think I'll pick up some 2x4 sheets of tempered hardboard at Menards. Looks like I need at least 4. Maybe 6 depending on what I can use from the old backdrop.
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
And the painting of the backdrops commences. First coat is down.
One end of the line is tentatively named the Midnight Abbey, so I'm going for a nighttime setting. Purple sky. I'll be lopping off the end of the section to the right. It's got some damage from getting it off the old layout.
In this section, which is a new piece of hardboard, I tried blending the two colors. I got a quart of each of the two next to each at the bottom of the color strip from the paint dept. So they're very close.
I'll have to do a final blending pass once the boards are up, but I wanted to see what it looks like once dry.
One end of the line is tentatively named the Midnight Abbey, so I'm going for a nighttime setting. Purple sky. I'll be lopping off the end of the section to the right. It's got some damage from getting it off the old layout.
In this section, which is a new piece of hardboard, I tried blending the two colors. I got a quart of each of the two next to each at the bottom of the color strip from the paint dept. So they're very close.
I'll have to do a final blending pass once the boards are up, but I wanted to see what it looks like once dry.
Snowman
Well-Known Member
As one who can only "imagineer" (aka "Armchair Model") now and for some time to come yet, I think it's a great method. Probably does make for some difficulty with transitions, and, because I pretty much imagineer the same way, I have just as much difficulty as the rest conjuring those sections up in my mind, let alone actually building them.
On another note: I FINALLY got a printed Title for the totaled pickup truck on Saturday (three tries, which took 2 1/2 months!) and was able to sign it over to my insurance company. Sent it off this morning. Hopefully a settlement payment arrives soon, at which point I can start the whole truck search and purchase process all over again. But this time I'm NOT going to buy anything out-of-state. Too much hassle if it doesn't go smoothly.
This matters because the eventual goal is to tow a 10'-16' trailer around the country, loaded up with (at the moment) Free-moN modules from show to show. I've resigned myself to the fact that I will almost certainly never get the "grand idea layout" built in my lifetime. Not unless I can hire a couple of guys to help me do it, the way Verryl Fosnight has done with his Union Pacific Wyoming Division layout down in Cottonwood AZ. Verryl had at least two guys, basically building the scheme full time. When I spoke with him about it about three years ago, I asked him how he intended to pass it down after he was gone, and he seemed surprised by the question. Hadn't even thought about it, and his response was "well...I guess I'll give it to the guys who built it."
Last edited:
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