The beginning of my 8x11 layout

Have fun, don't be surprised if it doesn't evolve from time to time.

 

Brent

Nice, Jesse.

 

Keep us updated on the progress.  I have found it's really fun to design as you go, using trial and error, as you say.

 

 

As you say, you're having fun with it, so that's 100% of your requirements!

looks like a good start!

Excellent! Looking good.   Keep posting pictures as you go along.  Watching here as a great layout grows is one of my favorite forum pastimes!  

Great start!

keep us posted.

Andre.

Think vertical, think vertical. You can add elevated trackage for more enjoyment of your railroad. Nice start!

 

As one that enjoys seeing all the different small and medium sized layouts, keep us posted as you progress. Looking like a good start.

I most definitely will post my progress of the layout as I go. As I enjoy watching other forum members progress on their layouts. This was my first attempt to weather and ballast my fastrack. I seen a post on here a week or two ago that motivated me to do so. And I dont think it turned out half bad for a greenhorn. After weathering and adding the rock, I clean the rail and test it for good connection as I go. I using "chic grit" for the ballast. Just some brown paint for the ties, which work great. I also brush the side of the rail with paint. Although it doesn't look terrible, I think im going to redo the side of the rails with a product made for that purpose. Then I dust some chaulk here and there. Time consuming but almost relaxing.

Good Job, Looking Good.

Do you have a track plan you care to share?

 

-rog

Great start,please keep us posted.

 

Brad

Nothing like building a new layout. Have fun with it.

How about posting your track plan.  I like to see what folks are up to.

Looks good so far. Good luck.

Earl

You are off to a good start (wish mine was more than a dream). Keep us up with your progress.

 

 

I would share track plans if I had them. Everything is in my head. I dont know if that is a mistake or not. I think if I tried to type it out in words I would confuse everybody that would read it. My ultimate goal is to have a layout with a small yard I can stage rolling stock in and build a train to run around a mainline loop.  I will be sure to post pics as I progress and it takes shape. Thanks for the kind words everyone.

 When you run out of room, I agree, go vertical. I elevated one line, and just kept it level. It is really my favorite now. Home to all those little engines that used live in the shade of their big brothers all to often on the ground.

 Laying track by eye is fun, and leads you to doing more visually interesting work most often but...

 There are times you wonder if you need "this" or would "that" fit? Before you buy wouldn't it be nice to check? Will the tracks meet up? What would that will look like. Or, Its midnight, or, You are away from the layout, or, even away from home.

 That's when a track design program can be useful and/or fun.

 A great one can be had free, no sign ups or anything. Its called "SCARM"(link to download page) (Simple Computer Aided Railway Modeller). The author Mixy(Mixey?)( I'm tired) posts here fairly regularly, answers questions, and is constantly upgrading it as that design is his hobby. A simulator is in the works. I'll add a few attachments at the bottom to check out. Just click on them.

When I started to download and install SCARM, i got two warnings about malicious software from two different sources.  Has anyone who is using SCARM had any problems with their computers after installing it?

 No, but a common mistake is too try and load from what is actually a Google ad.

Blame them. They don't police their ads well and put up with deception as a common thing.

 

It is possible others flag this as malicious for this reason, but I've had no problems.

But, incase that link had a redirect or something, google/bing "SCARM" for the site address and try again.

  

take your time and enjoy!

Mixey would probably like it if you informed him of any issues, and the companies involved in reporting this. 

Looks like a great start. Have fun! 

Here are some new pics as I have added more track, ballast, and built a bridge that completes my mainline loop.

Bill,

Were you able to the download. The clean download link is in the body of the page. The big buttons and other stuff are advertiser links. I don't think the author has much control over those. The webhost does. It provides some revenue. He does a lot of work for a great application that is free. I have reported those links to the host with no joy.

 

SCARM. scroll down under the gray download header.

Many build layouts that way.

 

It's coming together nicely. The chic grit looks like the right size for mainline ballast. Might want some model rr brand for yards and sidings. That's usually smaller. Easier to walk on.

 That's a long bridge! Any sound or vibration issues? Rubber would help. Mine roars without ballast. You cant really hear it while in the room, but it fills the rest of the house with an industrial sounding "white noise".

 

The bridge is quite long but the aluminum angles are just the sides. I ripped several pieces of wood down creating cross stringers which I adhered with liquid nails to the bottom every 3 inches. I believe that took away alot of noise because it  wasn't to loud even before laying the ballast. Then after the ballast was laid the noise was cut in half. It has a nice hum to it when a train is crossing. But beings my layout is in an out building the noise factor isn't a issue.