How Dunham Studios Designs and is Building a "basic" layout for a client.

Clarke,

One of the best threads to date on the forum. Thanks for sharing.

The Auxiliary Unit attaches to the Basic Layout by way of a one-track umbilical. The reason for the seemingly strange way this layout goes together is that aside from his "train room" the client has trains running through other living spaces, past windows and over furniture. It will be interesting to see in place. But wait! We're not there yet. The Basic Layout has been painted:its fascia has had one coat and the Auxiliary Unit has its base coat on the T-111 but doesn't yet have its fascia attached. We still have to run trains on the Auxiliary Unit turntable and deal with glitches as they show up. You train folks know that there's nary a layout created that's 100% glitch-free from the git-go.

Barb

Is that paint or stain on the T-111?  Keep posting!  Seeing this layout come together is fantastic.  I hope you will post pictures of it after it is installed.

That is brown latex paint applied with a heavy-nap roller.  Nothing more, nothing less.  You could theoretically stain it instead, assuming that you had a consistent piece of ply without (Dream On) football-shaped filler pieces.

Thanks Clarke that is what I'm going to use to close in my layout with, it looks great!

We had requests to see trains running on the Basic Layout. They CAN run. They DO run. And they ARE running. Not just an engine or two, but good long TRAINS!

Those white dots on the fascia are spackle over the screw-heads. Roy is sanding them preparatory to a finish coat of paint. The areas without fascia are areas where the fascia needs to be attached on installation.

Barb

The large turntable on the Auxiliary Section of the Basic Layout is ready for action. Here's an engine on the turntable. And here's the same engine exiting the turntable. I actually tried to do a really sexy video of the turntable turning with the engine aboard; but as I've said before, I'm technically challenged. Two stills is what you get. Maybe next time?

Barb

Please excuse our dropping out. Our internet company Frontier Communications took 8 days(and a lot of useless "tech" support from India) to find that the problem was in their DSL wiring 5 miles from our house. So, a bit of catch-up. Everything is running beautifully. The tracks, the switches, the turntable etc. So a quick look at the Basic Layout, a train on the umbilical that connects them and a reminder of how the Auxiliary unit looked. (I haven't shot it finished yet. Naughty me.)

Barb

For Clint Martin (Mr Union Pacific) and anyone else looking for under layout cover.  Have you considered Convention Booth Drapery?  It is usually very fire resistant, looks great and allows you to store items easily under your layout.  It can be ordered hemmed in almost any length it almost any color.  It is also not very expensive for the 36" or so panels that layouts require.

Chris Sheldon

I believe that Clint Martin will discover that he's already on the "right track" with the T-111.  Doesn't gather dust.  Supports everything and gives everything that "extra-finished" look.  And you can really store stuff under  it securely.  Protects electronics too.  Besides, I'm totally biased against any form of fabric.  Makes exactly the wrong quality statement about the work you spent so many hours perfecting.

No one can debate the solid look of your base structure. Looks like it will be there in 100 years.

Chris Sheldon

I like the T111.  The curtain is certainly better than leaving it wide open to see boxes, wires, etc, but a little extra money into the T111 looks very - professional!

The client's new Pennsylvania Railroads Engines have arrived and they run beautifully on his layout. Take a look at the Controllers...and John, as usual, wiring under the layout.

Barb

That's awesome.  I love designing and building layouts.  I really like how you fabricate certain pieces, and the whole process in general.  Great talent.  I have built a few layouts for people and after looking at your website, I was very surprised at your pricing structure.  Very reasonable.  And you say what the costs are straight up.  $8500 for a 5X9 is a bargain for the type of work you do.  I think you need a 55 year old intern to give you a hand.  Say the word and I'm packing my bags.  Keep up the good work!  Bravo!

The client came to see and try out his layout on Saturday, which is something we strongly suggest. In fact we suggest several visits. He was thrilled. Now it's about ready to go to its new home in New York City.  John is testing out extra-long trains on the Auxiliary Section of the Basic Layout before beginning to pack them up.

Barb

Well folks, Thursday was the load-out day for the Basic Layout (which was actually finished and waiting for the best time for installation for its owner.)  Since the layout was going into a residential area of Manhattan, a large truck was not legal to use or park. So we used two smaller rental trucks. I have some shots of the load-out. (I had more pix on the Dunham Studios facebook page) As I didn't go on the load-in, I'm waiting for one of the guys to give me what photos the took. The two trucks headed for NYC on Friday morning. By Friday evening the trucks had been unloaded and the layout had been carried to the second floor of the large brownstone. Then half the crew headed back upstate with the trucks. The remaining three set up on Saturday and into Sunday when everything was working. As I'm sure you all know, even with the best of situations, there's always tweaking. By Sunday evening the rest of our gang was ready to come home. They said it went well and looks great in its new home...and, best of all, the client is very happy. We aim to please.

Barb

The last photograph...to the left of the two Penske trucks, what is in the bed of that pick-up truck?

Mr Union Pacific posted:

The last photograph...to the left of the two Penske trucks, what is in the bed of that pick-up truck?

I don't think anything.  Those look to be trains painted on the side of the building.

Lol...I think you may be right about that!

The three Dreyfus 20th Centuries and two Dreyfus Empire State Expresses used to be the front face signs on the late lamented Railroads On Parade.  We brought them back here and they just fit on that section of Shop wall facing the road.  The Dunham Studios sign completes the image.  Tourists headed up Stone Bridge Road to Natural Stone Bridge and Caves are constantly amazed by what they see along the way.

Clarke

Just in case you thought that the delivery of the layout dropped you (and it) into a black hole, Vanessa took photos at the installation. The stark simplicity of the rug-covered layout gives it an Art Deco look which fits into the client's New York brownstone amazingly handsomely.

Barb

I cannot say enough about Clarke and his team sharing their expertise with all of us. I am amazed at all the work that they're doing and they're fresh ideas and  it really makes it enjoyable watching their accomplishments.

Thanks Clarke!

Joeg