A new approach in building my next layout

That's impressive, and altogether awesome.

Bob,

That is a very innovative design!  Your work looks very handsome.  I understand deciding to tear down the old layout and build new with a different theme.  Can you tell us the factors that motivated you to come up with this unique plan and what you did to prove to yourself it would work.  I'm looking forward to seeing trains running!

Mark - Thanks for your comment. The main factor driving me was a hope for simplicity. No curtain hiding a rats-nest of wiring. No attempt at realism, given that I'd given it my best shot in my previous layout (which made the cover of the Jan '17 OGRR). As part of the simplicity, I'm using only Legacy and TMCC engines, so can keep a constant 15v track, and run all switches and lights from the same track power. I do feed the track every four feet or so, from a 16-gauge wire underneath paralleling each of the two main lines. I knew it would work because the RR-Track layout program is very accurate, and I've used 2x2 framing before, and knew it was strong enough. But it was a work in progress, learning as I went. Thanks again for asking.

Bob - Wow, what a layout! I really love the simplicity, would be awesome to do something similar for my first layout! Would easily fit into any living context and not look like a "layout." Great work.

It also reminds me of a storefront an architecture firm designed for Calvin Klein a few years back.  http://www.snarkitecture.com/calvin-klein/

Bob,

Yes I remember your layout on the cover.  It prompted me to look at many of your videos.  I agree that witingcan become a mess, and you have assured that won't happen here!  Thank you!

ATANZ - Thanks for the link to that great Calvin Klein layout. Talk about elegant simplicity! Perhaps that's a role model for my next attempt. I wonder what 1"-thick board or material they used to span those long distances between supports.

Bob, knowing them it could be aluminum...

Bob, 

Thank you so much for posting this. This is so impressive. I really "get" your layout. I have been thinking about this type of design for a while. My new layout will be very much along these lines. I am very interested in capturing a mid century modernist feel when construction begins in January 2018. I want to possibly add one or two  very small "floating" stuctural pads adjacent trackside for a classic accessory or two. 

Again, thanks for sharing this.

John

Simply elegant.

Quite a departure from your previous layout, Bob.  I so enjoyed your narratives and watching as you, or should I say your crew, carried out each task handed to them.  I'm sure you will get much pleasure out of you new venture. 

Dan - Crew? Crew??  Every board, screw, wire, design, etc. are from yours truly. I'm a bit of a loner, and prefer to just do my thing. Thanks for the comment.

No, Bob, I meant those little guys you give names to in your videos.

Dan Padova posted:

No, Bob, I meant those little guys you give names to in your videos.

Oh yes, I know what you mean, Dan!  I like how Bob personalized the actions of the operating accessories on other videos.

Uh oh.  Pete, Joe, and the other little guys have a following!!  I'll have to bring them back, even on a sparse layout.  Thanks for showing me you care about the little guys! 

Loved the video, very nice work!

But Bob, now that you have a minimalist layout, the little guys might fall off the edge.....LOL

Bob,

I have always enjoyed your layout and videos. I often directed forum members there trying to find out how to build a fun layout in a reasonable space.

This past summer, someone posted a product and followed up with a catalog from a company that built 2-rail O scale modules much like yours. The company built a display for customer's exposition at the World's Fair in New York. I'll dig a little a find the threads (posts) about the product.

I like the concept a lot. I am more of a runner than modeler, which is probably why I was attracted to your previous layout. You did fit a lot of scenic detail into those, although, my appreciation was more because of the "play value".

Thank you for posting the videos of this project. I am sure that you'll find the approach will strike a chord with many. Time to run some trains!

PS - bring back the "crew"

Bob,

Here is the post/thread - Multi-Plex was the product name. You are the modern multi-plex with innovations.

Bob, You have created a really neat layout and a work of art. It really shows off your carpentry skills, which normally get hidden under all of the paint, foam, scenery, etc.  

I've enjoyed watcing your other operations videos in the past. You do a great job on the videos and have a great voice for narration. 

JD

I agree with JD!  He is right, I have thought from the first your voice is great for narration.  I don't like to hear mine in a recording.

Mark Boyce posted:

I agree with JD!  He is right, I have thought from the first your voice is great for narration.  I don't like to hear mine in a recording.

DITTO

Hi Bob,  Fantastic concept!  I am curious on the 2X2 lumber.  Do you have any concerns about them warping or did you select a wood that reduced that possibility.   All the best, 

Brewman1973 (Dave B) - I've used finished 2x2s as underpinning for years, with no warping. The longest piece, a leg support, is only 36" long, so there are no long runs that might warp. The ones I buy from the local lumber store seem to be fully dried. I'm very pleased with them. With some cross-bracing (I use 1x1" occasionally for braces) they seem very stable and supportive. Thanks for asking.

Bob A.   

Excited about your new project Bob.Its a great concept.We look forward to your videos.Still remember the day "Joe" saved the day at Joel-a canyon! Nick

Bob,

   Very nice sir I like it a lot, congrats on a fine engineering job!

PCRR/Dave

Now there’s a man who truly loves working on his layout. Takes his time and makes it a work of art. Great job.

Fantastic work Bob! I enjoyed the video and will view your others when time allows. Just so cool!

Furniture grade bench work. Beautiful.

Wow!   Really great video, thanks for that!   I appreciate the interesting design approach, and innovative and new idea.   I will look for your next video running trains.   Congrats!  -Ken

Beautiful layout, the approach kind of reminds me of the furniture they call "Scandinavian" or "Swedish" design, both the woodworking and the style. One of the things this style of layout cannot hide would be inferior craftsmanship, and yours is world class (and I am green with envy, if I tried something like this would look like something the Tasmanian devil built in a fit of anger *lol*). 

I think it also highlights very much that there are so many ways to enjoy this hobby and all are right and good, too. Sometimes I see people getting locked up into what makes them tick, they forget ultimately that this all is about what brings joy to ourselves

Glad I didn't have access to something like this when I was a kid, that kind of elevated layout with post war trains that can go like 300 scale MPH would just be too much of a temptation *lol*. 

What an impressive and unique approach to a layout! I like it!

-Greg

Very unique 

Superb. Simply superb. THIS ought to be in OGRR.

Bob Anderson posted:

Brewman1973 (Dave B) - I've used finished 2x2s as underpinning for years, with no warping. The longest piece, a leg support, is only 36" long, so there are no long runs that might warp. The ones I buy from the local lumber store seem to be fully dried. I'm very pleased with them. With some cross-bracing (I use 1x1" occasionally for braces) they seem very stable and supportive. Thanks for asking.

Bob A.   

Mr. Anderson, two questions if I might...

1. What camera do you use to record your YouTube videos? And...

2. What software do you use to produce the final voice-over video?

Low priority...

LaramieJoe

LaramieJoe - Thanks for your comments. In answering your questions, I use a Canon Vixia HFM30 HD videocamera, almost always on a tripod. It's small enough to mount on a flatcar if I need track motion videos, and has a wide enough angle lens to capture much of the layout when I want a wide angle. I use iMovie on an Apple iMac to produce the videos from the clips I make. It allows me either to narrate over the background sound (dimming the background appropriately), or else detach the clip's sound and just substitute a narration track in its place. I also like its cross-dissolve between clips and ability to crop, to provide a "Ken Burns" effect in zooming, and to adjust the exposure and color to match between clips. There are fancier programs, but so far this works for me. - Bob A.