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This being the fourth of July, I can only give you the general dimensions, which are just under 10 by 20 feet.  But it's a "walk-around", 360 degree, layout, which makes it very different from our previous posts.  In fact, the next series of posts after "the Quechee" on the "O-Gauge Side" will be a very similar but considerably more complex walk-around" layout with many more levels.   As soon as Fletcher Conlon, my computer and design partner, returns tomorrow, we'll get the Quechee technical drawings translated to "real-world" images and get them posted for you all, along with the new laser-cut Quechee Bridge and 3D Printed Arch Bridge pix.

 

Last edited by Dunham Studios

The theoretical, that is the design part, of the Quechee Gorge Layout has evolved into the physical. That is the layout itself. Fletch has fed his drawings to the router which has cut out the platform tops for the lower level. Then Fletch matched up the pieces and indicated to me how high above this level the next one will be: 6". Also notice how the outline of the river is indicated on the platform. For stability, it will not be cut through until the platform is braced from below. A very clever gambit.

BarbFletcher marking platform on router bedFletcher putting 1st level pieces in placelower level platform pieces 1 & 2where the second level will bewhere the river goes cut out the lower level platform tops.

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Images (5)
  • Fletcher marking platform on router bed
  • Fletcher putting 1st level pieces in place
  • lower level platform pieces 1 & 2
  • Fletcher indicating the height of the 2nd level up...6"e second level will be
  • where the river goes

One of the photos I thought I posted seems to have not shown up. (Maybe I didn't push the right key.) So here it is. As you can see, it's nearly the same as one of those above only from a slightly different angle. Mystery resolved. I added this pic above just in case the problem could be corrected right where it started and it seems to have worked but I'm leaving this in anyway temporarily., just in case

Barblower level of layout [good)

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Images (1)
  • lower level of layout (good)
Last edited by Dunham Studios

Even more magical to me than having the CNC Router cut out the platform tops on command is watching the router "draw" the track plans on the cut tops. It's as though the CNC is Fletcher's faithful robot (but a lot too big to be cute like an R-2 D-2) Fletcher , our graphics and computer guru, put a marker into the "hand" of the computer and on it went. After platform tops were marked, Fletcher assembled them on the floor in the barn. With the drafting below as a guide, you can see how it's all beginning to happen. The CNC is drawing the track plan that Fletcher had drafted. The straight lines are the centerlines for placing track. The "toothed" images are the footprints of the turnouts.  The dark area indicated on the drafting below is "layout crib" you're looking at in three dimensions.

BarbFletcher setting up marker on CNC routerCNC Router drawing track planCNC Router drawing track planCNC Router drawing turnout footprintsplan with dark area showing what e have hereFletcher taking measurement on platform topsfront lower level platform tops from other endlower level of layout [good)lower level platform tops whith next level indicated

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Images (8)
  • Fletcher setting up marker on CNC router
  • CNC Router drawing track plan
  • CNC Router drawing turnout footprints
  • dark area of plan is what you'll see being built below
  • Fletcher taking measurement on platform tops
  • front lower level platform tops from other end
  • Plywood tops of lower level of layout
  • lower level "Crib Platform" on top first level platform tops.
Last edited by Dunham Studios
Balshis posted:
flanger posted:

I've visited Quechee Gorge in VT, it's a spectacular location.

Bob

Yes, it is.  And the hike at the bottom, along the river, is great, too.

And if you're into antiques, the antique mall on the other side of the bridge is a great place to spend an afternoon.

 

And they have a couple of train layouts downstairs.....

Here's the actual base for the Quechee Gorge Layout. And while the carpentry (base and platform tops) were being built, Delia was working on fabricating the Quechee Gorge bridge in acrylic (then painted) and she and Roy were creating the solid arches and pillars for elsewhere on the layout which Roy will cast from the molds they made. Below are some samples of what's happening that will give you an idea of what's happening as the project evolves.

Barbbase for Quechee Gorge Layout-1base for Quechee Gorge Layoutplexi bridge closer upend detail of plexi bridgeQuichee Gorge bridge base painted3-D printed bridge arch ready to castBridge arch held against trackdetail on 3-D printed bridge archcastings in a rowclose-up of arch and pillar

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Images (10)
  • base for Quechee Gorge Layout
  • base for Quechee Gorge Layout
  • Quechee Gorge's acrylic bridge
  • end detail of acrylic bridge
  • Quechee Gorge bridge base-painted
  • 3-D printed bridge arch ready to cast
  • Bridge arch held against track
  • Detail on 3-D printed bridge arch
  • Castings in a row
  • Close-up of arch and pillar

          The Quechee layout will probably ship in a 26 foot rental truck.  As all our layouts are sized to fit into the narrowest, smallest spaces required to pass through for successful delivery, the Quechee layout probably will qualify for a 26 footer.  We have two different sets of internal "load arranger frames" to properly create height, width, and separation in a rental truck so that we can pack as tight as we can in Theatrical Tractor Trailers which have special vertical load arranger tracks and Load Bars.  Actually, the HO Scale layout over on the OGR "HONGZ Side" will in fact require a full  53 foot Theatrical Trailer as will the O Gauge "Basic Layout" also now in the completion stages here.  We'll post photos of the Truck and Trailer loads when they happen.

          And a special "thank you" to Dick for helping to save our Omaha layout from oblivion.  Like so many of our layouts, they have lived to see better days after their original purpose, many of which have found homes in Train Museums.  Much of this has to do with the fact that all Dunham Studios layouts are all built to come apart and travel if and when necessary.  In fact, the Boston and Maine Layout (see the HONGZ side now) has had two owners and four destinations, not counting three trips back to Dunham Studios for reconfiguration.

Clarke

 

Last edited by Dunham Studios

Clarke (and company),

The technology that you bring to layout construction is eye-popping.  The 3-D layout rendering is impressive.  And I had no idea that "computer-assisted" now extends to drawing a 1:1 track plan directly onto the layout platform tops.  I was blown away to see the pen drawing not just the center-lines -- but even the outline of the turnout's railroad ties!  WOW!!! 

David

Last edited by Rocky Mountaineer

Hello MDUPPY,

We use Premium Plywood, a wholesale distributor in Albany, New York.  They have learned what works for us and they keep us in that quality area when the supplies change, which appears to be constant. 


HELLO EVERYONE:

By the way, if you want to see photos of the loading of the COMBO LAYOUT into its tractor trailer on the way to Florida, Barb has posted them on the Dunham Studios Facebook site.  As there are dozens of photos, it takes a while to get them all posted everywhere.  But they are coming here as well.  Soon.

 

Last edited by Dunham Studios

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the great Quechee Gorge pix.  Your taste is impeccable!  Great eye for detail both in the bridge and the water-borne geologic Gorge details.  You can see how close we came with our Laser-Cut version of the Quechee Bridge, which really did start out as a railroad bridge before being widened for autos.  We did visually simplify the inner connecting struts but by emphasizing their web-like textures so the effect is visually the same.

Platform 5 is sitting in the carpentry shop ready to install while Roy, Bob and Tom go ahead with setting the river in place and bolting the platforms together.  You saw the river (above) as a cut-out. Well, that cut-out fits back into place several inches below the platform top. When the river is screwed in place and the platforms are bolted together, Roy will cut holed in the platform frames through which we will run the wires necessary for the electrical needs of the layout: controls and track power.

Barbplatform #5 in Carpentry shopthe river in placeTom & Bob and the riverbolting the river in placetakes 3 to tame a river 

Attachments

Images (5)
  • platform #5 in Carpentry shop
  • the river in place
  • Tom & Bob and the river
  • bolting the river in place
  • takes 3 to tame a river

Had to take off platform tops to put in the spreaders. Once the underpinnings are secure the first level platforms can be bolted into place. Note how Fletcher checks the overhang on the first platform before it's installed and that allows the placement of the next platforms to be precise in their location. There is, as you may notice, still a gap or two at the ends. These will be filled in by the next level  of platform. Do take note of the holes cut in the platform frames to allow wires to go from one platform through to the next. This is critical as these sections of wire will plug together for smooth transit.

BarbBob & Fletch place platform #3Roy & Ray checking out spreadersplatform is eased into placeRoy bolts down the platformFletch measuring overhang on platformRoy & Fletch put in next platformBob & Fletch place platform #3layout from right endleft end with plansholes through platform frame for wireslast platform waiting to go back in

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Images (10)
  • holes through platform frame for wires
  • last platform waiting to go back in
  • Roy & Ray checking out spreaders
  • platform is eased into place
  • Roy bolts down the platform
  • Fletch measuring overhang on platform
  • Roy & Fletch put in next platform
  • Bob & Fletch place platform #3
  • layout from right end
  • left end with plans
Last edited by Dunham Studios

Fletch has programmed the CNC Router to cut out the last second level platform top, which it is doing as Delia continues assembling and painting buildings and details. Roy has taped the track lines indicated by marker on the exposed platform tops prior to painting them. After they are painted it will be time for the cork and track to be put on.

BarbFletch checking out CNC router at workrouter cutting 2nd level platformRoy taping track lines prior to paintingDry Goods store- front view- for QG LayouttGeneral Store for Quechee Gorge layoutadditional pieces for QG Layoutunassembled bldg. walls for QG Layout

Attachments

Images (7)
  • Fletch checking out CNC router at work
  • router cutting last 2nd level platform
  • Roy taping track lines prior to painting
  • Dry Goods store- front view- for QG Layoutt
  • General Store for Quechee Gorge layout
  • additional pieces for Quechee Gorge Layout
  • unassembled bldg. walls for Quechee Gorge Layout

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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