F&L Railroad Progress - 4/18/18 Update!

What are the overall dimensions of your planned layout?  The plan looks like you have several opportunities to take different routes and turn trains.  It is always good to get started on a layout.  It has been a few years since I have had one.  Right now I am waiting for one of our daughters, both in their early 20s, to move out so I can recover the space for a new layout.  Please keep us updated with your progress.

Looks like a great layout plan. I'll look forward to seeing updates!

 

Peter

Got another section Completed and also built a hidden 2x4 workbench that slides on roller casters and Drawer Sliders.

 

The workbench is a great idea.  Of course some modelers would say they would never have it cleaned off enough to slide back under, but if you are like me and have no place for a permanent workbench, then this is a great idea.  I may find myself coming back to this idea when I get to building a layout again.

Love the workbench idea!

Peter

I've gotten a lot done in the last month and have gotten all of the major rough benchwork in place in the train room.   I now have a better understanding of how everything will "fit" in the room now.   Need some more bracing, and then I can start on the subroad bed.

 

For those curious,  2x4 Legs,  2x3's for everything else and 1x3 Aspen wood for "L" Griders.

 

Matthew,

 

You're making great progress on what looks to be an exciting layout plan.  What are the layout's overall dimensions?

 

Thanks for sharing,

Joe

Layout dimensions will be 10.5 ft  by  15.8ft (long side) 12.2ft (short side)

So i've made 1 small change to the original design.

 

So with a Yard Lead,  I've also added a Yard Exit, so that no matter which way the trains are running, I'll be able to pull the assembled train out of the yard.

 

I've also stated cutting Sub-Roadbed out of 1/2in OSB.  It' dawned on me that I cannot install the Sub-roadbed supports until I actually know how everything will "sit" on top of the L-Girders and then fill in the missing supports from there.

 

 

Matthew,

 

Thanks for sharing the dimensions.  The yard exit seems like a great idea.  I'm anxious to see your progress as I am considering L-girder bench work for my next layout.

 

Joe

Mathew,

 

It looks like you are using Atlas track with all curves being O54.  I'm not familiar with there O54 switch.  RR-track shows a O54 with a short straight section that you appear to use.  Do you have to cut that piece?

 

You have a kink in your track where the yard ladder enters the main.  You need a 1/2 O54 curve.  You appear to have a few other locations that could use tweaking to improve the fit.

 

Are you going to add any industrial siding along the mainline?

 

I used RR-track to generate some alternatives.  The first one is my favorite.

 

 

 

You could eliminate a couple of the crossover switch pairs to save some cash and not change functionality much.  The Atlas switch machine can be moved to one of the other possible positions to eliminate conflicts with adjacent track.

 

I added a couple of sidings in the curved corners to demonstrate that the space is usable.  Look at using building flats for industries.  These sidings can lead to future extensions of your layout.

 

Enjoy your layout.

 

Jan

Got all but (2) sections of subroad bed cut out over the weekend and laied it all out on the bench work to figure out where all of my supports and risers need to go.

 

 

 

 

Photos are not showing right now......

No photos here either.

Sorry! pictures fixed!

Your work is nice and neat! Is the roadbed going to be raised up any??? Make it easier to make creeks or other below grade scenery.

@AMCDave - Yes it will be. About ~2in up off the actual benchwork. I have walk that fine line of Making high enough for me so i don't kill my back bending over it ( 6ft tall)

 

And my 2 year old not needing a Pair of Stilts to see the layout

 

Benchwork is 36in high and then the track will sit at ~39in roughly ( adding in subroad bed 1/2in, Vinyl Road Bed 1/2in and finally the track)

My main level is 2 inches above the frame work too....only I went with 39" as a base as I'm 6'2".....grandkids will need stools!!  I'll post when I get something worth showing....I'm slow!

Matthew, One thing I noticed is with the location of your benchwork in relation to where you have planned to place a turntable. It looks like you might have benchwork in the way when you go to install a turntable.  Easier to correct now before construction gets to far along. 

@CSX Al -  Thank you for the dimensional drawing of the TT clearances

 

Yes, I do know there is a L-Girder Support "right" in the way of a Under table Mounted TT.  That I do plan on fixing now.   Thought I had enough room but I guess not now

 

I've also found I have to move a Support leg to get more clearance for the one "pinch point" in the layout design.

 

Learning as I go as this is my "first" real attempt at benchwork other than butt style and flat 4x8 sheets of plywood.

Slow progress, but got the first section of sub-roadbed up on risers.  spacing between risers is between 12-16in's.   Man I'm going to need to build A LOT of risers... 7 just in this curved section.

 

 

Great Job! Your pictures have been giving me some great ideas when i start later in July building my layout...Keep the pictures coming! 

More slow and steady progress, man this is tedious work! up to about 20 risers or so and I'm only a 1/8 of the way completed.  But I'm liking the results so far!

 

Looking good......we are using similar techniques for the bench work. I am using 2x4, cheap, and 1/2" OSB on 2x2 risers.  Makes for a strong base....and in the basement weight not an issue. But good work now will show later....

I agree with Dave.  I have used a very similar method in the past.  It was slow going, doing it by myself, but I never had a lot of space, and I wanted it to be sturdy so I had no shifting or sagging when it was done.  It looks good.  I see you are using a level, so I know you aren't just throwing it together.

 

Thank you,

Please keep us posted as you progress.

I've been cranking away at more sub-road bed.  Life is easier now that I made a "jig" to make my risers. I can make 12-16 at a whack and measure, level and screw them up in no time.   

 

Officially 1/2 done  across the entire layout with sub-road bed.

 

I better start filling out my order forms for FLEXXBED now so I can keep having progress at the rate I'm going

 

Completed all of the mainline subroad bed.    Still have the turntable area to do and the Yard, that will come in time.  but now I can start ordering FLEXXBED and get that down.  Steady progress..

 

 

Congratulations on your progress.  It is looking good!!

I've almost got the entire Main Line Loop "test" fitting down.

 

Seems like Atlas has a track shortage restocking the local train shops with new track, (went to CharlesRo Locally and the selection is very bare) so I'm sort of stuck/at a stopping point until I can order more 1 1/4in , 1 3/4in and 40' Rigid  pieces.   Everyone seems to be out of stock on all of those sections that I need.

 

 

 

 

 Well seeing I'm stuck on track progress. I'd thought I get the Yard Section of the Layout completed. I'm short a few Supports but it's up and level so I'll just have to add them later.

 

 

 Long Time no progress, but I finally have the Main Loop up and running!

 

I'm using 14 Gauge Power feeds every ~6ft on the layout.

 

 

Happy birthday F&L railroad!

One year ago today is when it all started. I've got quite a ways to go, but I've made some great progress.

Very nice workmanship, i wish i was that far along.

You're going to have to get rid of all those boxes piled against the wall on the left to make room for the layout. If you have nowhere to put them, I'll take them!

Seriously, I like the roll out work top. Nice use of space.

Don

It certainly is a nice work top!  The drawer gliders are great to keep it in alignment!  

 

What is the surface made out of?

Wonderful layout,thanks for keeping us updated! Very nice craftsmanship.

 

Brad

MAtt

love the progress. cant wait for the scenery to commence

I'm Laying down track bed currently.  I have enough to do all the main lines and sidings.  Still waiting on Atlas O 054 switches to come back into stock, but progress is progress!

 

 

So rather than sitting on my hands waiting for more track to arrive. I'm going to start filling in the blank spots in the layout with 2in foam and start work on the scenery for the layout. I'm doing the pre-planning in SCARM for now.

Almost have one "loop" section done.   Plugging in the holes with 2in foam goes real fast.    I'll also be picking up 1/8in hardboard  cut into 8in strips to make a clean, decorative edge to the layout.