It all started back in 1998 when my ex wife and I decided to buy a vacant lot and build our dream house. Before we even broke ground, the track plan for the 2000 sqft train room was mostly drawn. We moved in in April of 2000, but there was still a lot of construction on the house left for me to do, so the train room went to the back burner. In December of 2002, the wife decided she wanted out. Shortly after that layout construction began in earnest.
This design is a prototype based representation of the Minneapolis / St Paul area. The focus was originally on the Amtrak Empire Builder, but expanded to encompass a lot of freight operation along the way. The plan calls for two main levels separated by 24" and a hidden storage/staging yard below that, all connected by two helixes.
This is the lower level track plan. Unfortunately it is difficult to post in a format where all the detail is visible, but hopefully you'll get the general idea.
The upper level plan isn't all drawn, but it is becoming clearer in my head.
I had just started building a layout at my previous house, when the decision to move was made. Those chunks were easily salvaged and reworked into the hidden yard. By late 2006 benchwork was about 2/3 complete, one helix was nearly done and a 500' continuous loop was operational. I was chuggin right along!
And then it all came to a screeching halt. I was diagnosed with skin cancer. For 6 years I didn't feel like doing anything with trains. This past May, my PET scan came back negative, and the oncologist said he didn't want to see me anymore.
It hasn't been easy transitioning from couch potato back to model railroader. I'm beginning to wonder if I have bitten off more than I can chew. I just don't have the energy that I used to. I have the time and the money, but what I need is a small army.
There is a lot more story to tell, but this seems like a good stopping point. Feel free to ask questions. And if you are ever in the Twin Cities and would like to visit, just email me to set it up.
Here are a few more shots from around the room.
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You can have just as much fun with a much, much smaller layout. If money is not a concern, you can also have a custom made layout.
Congratulations on overcoming your health issues.
Earl
Elliot,
You can bet if I ever get to the Twin Cities I'll be giving you a call. I'd love to run some trains with you!
Great to see you're in good heath
As for the layout it is really beautiful, I would do what Earl said above. Look into a company that will come in and help you finish this beautiful layout.
Thanks, Alex
Thanks Earl. I don't know if I could bring myself to downsize this thing at this stage of the game. I know I couldn't tear it down. I think I would rather move forward slowly.
I had always envisioned hosting operating sessions. I've stockpiled 7 cab-1's to that end. I need to get just a little further along to sell the concept to some of the local guys. I'm not sure how much of my enjoyment of this hobby comes from running trains vs layout construction, anymore. These last 6 years have messed with my head, and I'm still trying to straighten that out.
As for my health, I'm not exactly out of the woods. I've been diabetic for 20 years and it's starting to catch up with me.
Good news about your health!!
Wow! That's gonna be some layout!Keep posting updates!
Mike R
Charlie, I'm sure you'd recognize some of those trains.
Alex, I'm not aware of any "MR guns" for hire locally, but there is a guy I used to know that does electrical work. Haven't seen him in a long time, but I am giving serious thought to looking him up.
Wow Cool layout Elliot I was just in Minneapolis a couple of months ago Wish I saw this first
Wow Elliot, I have always dreamed of having that much room for a layout of that size(and the time and FUNDS, to support it). Have you asked around to see if there are other modelers in your area that might be interested in helping out? If I can't have a layout of that size myself, having a good friend that does would be the next best thing. I would love to help with a layout like that, I wish you were out here in Forest Grove, OR.
There maybe others who would be willing to help build it, for the chance to have something like that to have the opportunity to operate it. It would be similar to a club, and admittedly, there could be some disagreements, but three railers do tend to be more relaxed about details, so it likely wouldn't be to much of a problem. It would be worth looking into, I would sure welcome a chance like that.
Doug
Thanks Mike, that's the plan for this topic, to share my progress with all of you. I see that I forgot to post a picture of the helix...
Blueline, I'm sorry I didn't start this topic months ago. I hope you're able to get back this way soon.
Doug, I have rejoined the NMRA, and am going to try to get some of them involved. They are the operators and builders. I used to be in TCA, but most of those guys don't build layouts. There was a time when I got paid to do layout work for others.
I wish a lot of the people on the forum lived closer. This thing would be done in no time and we would all have fun!
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Elliot, I will need to get my buddys from MN Free-mo to get in touch wit you, many of them have started a new club in the twin cities building a large permenate ho layout, I think they need to slow down a bit, in one weekend they had all of the benchwork built, next weekend all of the main line spline in, the following weekeng adjustine elevation of said spline and now they are adding branch line spline
for those on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pa...Club/190419750986184
their website
Frankly, it's a lot more than I would ever want to deal with. A project that size could monopolize your entire life. But I wish you all the best with it. Hopefully you have a substantial team of friends to help work on it!
Wow Mike, and I thought I had a "spaghetti bowl" going. I see that they are about 45 minutes away from me. Well worth the trip though if there's even a slim chance of recruiting one or two. Getting out and networking may be just what my project needs.
I think you will have more enjoyment running and operating , life is short and when you get older , your health becomes an issue , get'er done ! If you got the $$$ hire a few competent fellow railroaders to help , they all will like the extra money and they are doing something they enjoy. Just make sure they understand this is work for $$$
I would base it on , I want to enjoy while I can , when you get sick and can't do anything , nothing matters. No fun when people come and see a half done layout , they all will ask , when will it be done . You got most of the tough stuff done .
Ace, I'm sure that my project is a lot more than most people would want to deal with, but I'm a little different.
Since I posted this topic a few hours ago, I've been thinking about my life with trains. And it occurred to me, that I don't just love trains for myself, I love to share them with others.
From the earliest age I can remember, people were fascinated with what I had created. I think my parents hoped it would go away, that I would outgrow it, but I didn't. 20 years ago it reached its pinnacle in the form a business by the name of enterTRAINment at Mall of America. Many here have heard of it, some may even have visited it. It only lasted a little over a year, and then it was gone.
That layout was more for public consumption, more to the toy end of the spectrum with lots of action. This layout is more of a personal vision, a true model railroad, but it still needs to be shared. It needs to take all the materials that were salvaged from the mall, and recycle them into something new and wonderful.
As far as my life goes, trains really are my life. My kids are in college (they don't talk to me anyway). I attribute that to my ex, and not to the trains. My parents are both deceased. My sister lives just down the road, running 24/7 with her kids. The one has little interest in trains, the other even less.
Trains are how I pass my time. Just getting all this out feels like therapy. It feels good.
Elliot, that is a BIG project, one that would be overwhelming to many, probably myself included, but I would sure like to have the space, time and resources to try something like that some day.
I Really understand about sharing the trains with others. I would have to sit down and think about it to count how many sets that I have put together out of my collection for various, Family, Friends and even a customer, who was as much a friend as she was a customer for the company that I work for, we had many Paralells in our lives at the time, and offered each other much moral support during some trying times for each of us. Sadly, less than a year after she met and married a Wonderful man, we lost her.
I had given my Wife and her kids a set I put together a couple years before we married, and she told me when her Father saw the trains, his first comment was "Fire em' up". Well before the first Christmas after we were married, I put together a set for my Father-in-Law, the look on his face was PRICELESS when he opened that box. He was 74 years old, and had never had electric trains as a kid. He grew up poor, and only had a wind up set, that he had to share with five brothers.
He has gotten some extras for Birthdays and Christmases since, this year I gave him a Lionel Pacfic to go with his passenger cars (the original set was freight headed up by a Mikado jr) he runs those trains for hours a day each Christmas season.
One of my life goals, is for there to be no Christmas Tree without a train under it, and I am doing my best to fullfill that goal.
Doug
Good luck on your health and your layout. I remember seeing enTRAINment on the TM videos.
You can't do anything small can you?
Looks like your doing pretty good as far as I can see. Remember all good things take time. Keep us posted with the progress even if its slow.
Elliot.....what can I say....WOW!!! I do understand your philosophy concerning the sharing aspect of the hobby. I too feel the same way. My layout is only about 1/3 smaller than yours and I can tell you that it is a job!! When one is in their 30's or 40's it seems there is no end to the amount of energy one has but as age sneaks up on us, that energy is harder to find!! If you have decided that a smaller layout is not an option and you have the financial resources, then I would seriously consider hiring someone to get it finished before your health keeps you from enjoying and sharing it with others. If I lived up in your area I would be there helping you for sure!! AND...I do remember enterTRAINment.....had no idea until now that you were the guy!!
Alan
Congrats on kicking out the cancer!
As for your layout, and mine too, sometimes I just like to go sit back and run a train around for a while. Eventually I get some inspiration and begin to work on a section or little project. If you stand back and look at the overall.... it can be overwhelming! But if you just concentrate on a little part, or section, then it becomes mentally manageable!
One of the things I am grateful for is that, seven years ago, I did not go with an alternate plan to reroof part of my house so that my trainroom (28 x 15) could be 40 x 20). I had an ambitious plan that included nearly twice as much benchwork and track as I have now, a helix, a turntable and yard - two towns -- the works. Now, seven years later, I find my smaller layout provides all the trains, movement, and challenge I need, and that I can barely keep up: it still is not finished, and I spent a lot of time on maintenance of the portions that are. It is a big as I need, and more important, as bid as I can handle.
I try to enjoy the (budding) layout a little at a time. Upon reflection, I may be like you in that having others enjoy the trains are a larger factor than I had thought. I also have had to re-vision what I am doing; dropping, for instance, from 16-20 car trains to 6 car trains, and a more modular style layout. I understand that refocusing in that way would be silly for you, in light of what you have already completed.
Mike
Elliot, thanks so much for sharing your story... and congratulations on winning your battle with cancer!!!
Regarding your enormous layout... all I can say is WOW!!! We don't normally see huge double-decker O-Gauge layouts built with the works. Those types of layouts are more commonly done in HO or N scale due to the HUGE amount of real estate that would be required to pull off something equivalent in O-Scale.
Given that you've invested so much time, energy and resources thus far, I'd definitely suggest bringing in more resources to help you if you feel your energy-level would be stressed now. It would be very difficult to scale back at this stage of the game.
I have a few more thoughts/comments to add, but I'll do that later as I'm heading out the door now.
All the best, Elliot.
David
Elliot,
How much distance is the top level above the lower level?
Wow. I can't believe you will not find some folks around your place who will not be happy to help you, this is a club size layout.
Hopefully you can get some help either volunteer, contracted professionals or both. That is a massive job.
Good Luck.
Big Boy,
Elliot when God gives you lemons you make lemonade, glad to hear you are felling better, I look at the layout as something to keep your mind on, and keep busy so as not to dwell on the past. Drive on with the layout and have fun doing it.
PCRR/Dave
Elliot, that layout is quite an undertaking. A beautiful plan. I hope you get it accomplished.
.....
Dennis
If your goal is to run trains with your buddies, you might consider just joining or starting a club.
Earl
Elliott:
You have won your biggest battle and hopefully that is behind you now. This is your dream layout and I encourage you to finish it. Doing anything less will eventually come back to haunt you.
I will e-mail you with the name of a Forum member who does layout work. He is a master electrician as well. His fees are very reasonable.
Keep your positive attitude and you will accomplish your goals. Happy New Year to you.
Wow!!! Thanks all for your well wishes and suggestions. I was doing OK at responding to individual posts in the wee hours of the morning when the posts were few. I went to bed at 4AM and you all woke up, while I slept til noon.
Part of my problem has been, since the cancer diagnosis, I socially curled up unto a ball, breaking off contact with everyone who wasn't family. For the few years before the cancer, I was very active on the "other forum", but dropped out suddenly when I got that news. It feels good to be back talking about trains and interacting with people.
Many of you have suggested that I find people to help with the layout. I think that will be the best course of action. There is a local NMRA meeting coming up. It's probably time to drag out the track plan and the photo album, and see if anyone bites.
Elliot,
I'd buy a six pack or two and be over in a heartbeat to help/enjoy such an amazing layout as yours if I wasn't so far away! I'm only 38 and still have some energy left in me!
Elliot,
How much distance is the top level above the lower level?
It is actually 30" top of benchwork to top of benchwork. Subtract the width of the 1x4 upper deck framing and that leaves 26 1/2" of usable space.
The lower level is 42" off the floor and the upper is 72". I have also raised the floor 12" in most of the aisles, so the upper is at 60" relative.
Elliot,
I'd buy a six pack or two and be over in a heartbeat to help/enjoy such an amazing layout as yours if I wasn't so far away! I'm only 38 and still have some energy left in me!
Bingo! I was about your age when I thought this monster up. I'm 51 now. We forget to factor in the aging process.
51, your still a pup.
51, your still a pup.
Chronologically yes, but with the diabetes and being over weight, it feels like 71. Actually, working on the layout keeps me off the couch and away from the fridge. Both good things.
Email sent.
There is a general consensus within the model RR'ing community that having a massive layout will bring and overwhelming sense of satisfaction to the hobby, when really it has an adverse affect. At 43 I have a 15' x 48' layout that will likely never be completed for various reasons. It takes many of us into our 40's before we reach some level of financial stability and acquire a space suitable for a layout. By then, many of us have a wife and children which require the first block of our time, followed by whatever else we are involved in, leaving little time for any layout much less a 2k sq ft layout.
Suddenly the 12 x 12 room in a remote corner of the house the wifey granted you doesn't look so bad. It will likely cost less and be more practical to finish and you can dedicate more time to detail and still see the possible completion of a smaller layout.
Maybe you should consider a smaller build in another part of the house where it will be more manageable and easier to complete. Leave a couple of large loops in the basement to get the highballing out of your system on occasion.
We found ourselves at York on more than one occasion engulfed in some of the highly detailed 4x8 or smaller vendor displays that seem to bring the same satisfaction as a massive unfinished layout. There is satisfaction in finishing and finishing well. Good luck in what ever you decide.
I actually made some progress today on a couple of fronts. I spent a couple of hours doing actual construction on the layout. But perhaps more important, I've had a couple of offers of help as a direct result of this topic.
Big thanks to Mike Slater and CGWforever.
Perhaps it's time for a New Years resolution (and I don't usually make them).
I hereby resolve to spend at least one hour per day (average) working on the layout, with an end goal of having all the benchwork completed as well as having all the track on the lower level laid and electrified.
Complete that and scaled down operating sessions could take place.
Happy New Year!
Completing a large layout is mind over matter. I started construction of my layout in 2006 and finished it in 2011 (although one continually tweaks it). For most of this time frame, I commuted over 1,000 miles and I made the most of the weekends I was at home. During this time frame I had a very busy work schedule that required some weekend travel to conduct training session across the USA and Canada.
Like Elliot, health issues can put a damper on the progress of a layout as large as his is. I was fortunate during my construction where I had one surgery that took me out of the game for about a month. The key for me was the fact that I was mission orientated and I was determined to finish this project.
There really is something to be said for the proper mindset. I lost it when I got the news. I'm working to get it back.
Earlier it was asked, with a project so large where do you start? That's like, How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
I took a "bite" today and finished the plywood deck for a 3 track storage yard. This yard wasn't in the original plan, and would have been a lot easier to do earlier on. I think the worst of it is over.
Wow, it has been a month, and a lot has happened.
First the bad news, which isn't really that bad, compared to what I've already been through. I went to the dermatologist a couple weeks ago for my annual skin check, and he decided to finally biopsy a spot on my back that he'd been watching for the last 6 years. It came back as another melanoma. So today, he carved out a larger chunk. Everyone involved feels that this far less serious than the previous episode, and that today's surgery will resolve the issue.
Back to trains!!!
My call for help, as it were, was answered in the form of forum member CGWforever. This guy is a real go getter. In his four weekly visits this month, we have accomplished so much. But, it's not just what we get done when he comes over, it's the motivation he gives me to keep working between visits.
Here are some before and after pairs. Before is 12/31/12. After is 1/31/13.
I don't have a good before for this shot, but all the black roadbed is new.
The really good news is I may have even more help coming next month!! Stay tuned.
As for my resolution of an hour per day average, I have surpassed that goal in spite of not working some days.
I want to get back down there now, but I have to wait a few days for my back to start healing.
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That is some layout. I know you said it was 2000 sq. feet but I'm wondering about the dimensions. Length & width!!
Now that is cool!! Very nice- keep up the great work here- you will have a beautiful place to build some very long trains- keep us posted!! Nice pics too
Man'o'man, I wish you lived next door.
Really fun work with him and keep things moving as much as we can! His layout did gave me the idea for my next new layout. Always enjoy work on his layout!
That is some layout. I know you said it was 2000 sq. feet but I'm wondering about the dimensions. Length & width!!
The main space is 39' x 46' but there's a 17' x 12' extension on the one corner. Only a small part of that extension will have layout on the upper deck. It is all one room, there never were any partitions.
Thanks guys!!
The open house is really whenever anyone wants to see it. Just contact me and set it up. At this time trains are not able to run due to construction mess. I'm guessing that within a few months at the current rate of progress, things will be much further along and cleaned up with even more of the layout operational. The goal is to be able host operating sessions.
Well, it's been a rather slow week on the railroad. I had to take it easy for a number of days because of the stitches in my back. I got some track secured Wednesday, but not as much as I would have liked.
Today things got kicked back into high gear, as CGWforever came over. We have established a comfortable division of labor, where I cut lumber and grab tools, while he assembles the pieces. Our afternoon was spent doing benchwork in one corner.
Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of before pics for this area, but these first two are pretty close, and show some of today's progress.
Here the backdrop support on the upper level was completed, the final braces supporting the cantilever upper deck were installed and the benchwork has been modified to reflect its curved profile.
Where the work lamp is hanging, there will be a wye on the lower level, and two tracks curving around to the left, something on the order of 072 and 080 perhaps slightly greater.
Rather than add a leg, a scrap triangle of plywood, leftover from roadbed cutting, finds new life as a support gusset. Surprisingly strong! We've dubbed this "seat of the pants engineering".
Here's another example. I picked up those iron brackets many years ago at an auction when amusement park closed. They aren't bent to 90 degrees because their original purpose was to be used for park benches. This is how I work around that.
Next week expect to see more trackwork, and the start of the second helix. Stay tuned.
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Hi Elliot. I met you briefly back in June 1993 when I visited your EnterTrainment. I had heard about your personal and health problems over the years and I am happy to see that you are starting to enjoy life again.
The pictures are great keep them coming. If I was in MN I would be helping you as well.
Thanks Clutch Guy. You were asking about the flat St Paul houses? They were saved and will be reused on this layout.
Tomorrow is going to be a fun day. Construction is going to begin on the second helix. This week I reached waaaay back to high school geometry, and drew on the concrete to get the dimensions for the 8' octagon that will form the foundation.
Helix foundation kit. Some assembly required!
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Elliot,
Some great space you have there, and it looks like a really interesting layout.
Thanks for sharing the progress, and the best part is you are making some and enjoying it!
Thanks Rich. CGWforever should be here in a few minutes, and we'll get that "kit" assembled.
WOW! Very ambitious. You must have a lot of energy.
Thanks, I used to have a lot more. Now it helps to have help.
That's Patrick wielding the screw gun.
The 8' octagon is complete.
That piece of electrical conduit goes from floor to ceiling and is the center for my compass.
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Very busy day on the railroad today. Patrick came over and a bunch of benchwork got done.
The first section of the new hidden yard takes shape.
Frame installed, time to connect the pieces with a short bridge.
Heading up the helix! Half way around the first turn.
Instead of using 3/4" plywood, I use 2 layers of 3/8" plywood glued together to form a single continuous roadbed.
Let's see what I can get done before he comes over next week.
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I can see the floor trusses, but this is in a basement of a house, and not
a City Hall, or school, just looking at the wood, speaks to me about the framing
of a house , $$$$$$$ !
I can see the floor trusses, but this is in a basement of a house, and not
a City Hall, or school, just looking at the wood, speaks to me about the framing
of a house , $$$$$$$ !
Yes Terry, this is my basement. The engineered joists that you are seeing span the full width of the house, just under 40 feet, with a center support beam held up by 3 columns which can be seen in various pictures if you look for them. The beam itself, along with the duct work, is already boxed in.
The rest of the lumber is the layout, and while it is expensive, some of it is over 35 years old. I've been buying it a little bit at a time for a long time. It is mostly 1x4's with some 2x4's and a bunch of 3/4" plywood. I'm actually almost done buying lumber, the bulk of the benchwork should be done by the end of the year.
Elliot,
I am yet to start my benchwork for my basement layout of approx. 13' x 10' and felt my little project was intimidating. RR Track Software crapped out and now I am trying to start planning all over again and am doing a great deal of re-thinking.
Thank you for providing pictures as your layout continue your work. I just turned 60 in Jan and take the train 2+ hours a day to and from my work, so little time for any work during the week and at times just rest the weekend to get ready for Monday!
I will now due to you, plan and schedule time to work on the layout re-design and then the benchwork. It will have to be small work and cost spread over time, but need to get my big arse in gear!
Thanks again!
Keep up the Great Work!
Thanks Dennis, it makes me feel good to hear that people enjoying and even benefitting from my experience / insanity.
Honestly, I could never get the hang of track planning software, and I tried 3 or 4 different ones. In the end, good old fashioned paper, pencil, compass and ruler served me best.
As with anything in life that we really want, we have to find or make time for it. Good luck and get crackin'.
Well, it's been just over 2 months since I started this topic, and a lot has been accomplished. With Patrick's weekly visits keeping me motivated, it is looking like all the track on the main level will be complete by June.
The helix should be done by the end of March. Here's a sequence of photos showing the construction. First shot 2/13/13, last 3/4/13.
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Elliot, Coming along nicely!
Thanks Charlie. You'll be happy to know that the Lionel auto racks just clear the support posts. The Big Boy wasn't as lucky.
Elliot
Having kept up with your amazing posts since the beginning, you should realize how much more positive you sound. Making new friends is the best part of the hobby. Keep it going. If you are ever in Chicago contact me and come and enjoy some time at our club.
Best
Ray Marion
Thanks Ray. In addition to the positive of meeting people, since I've been working on the layout again, my blood sugar has gone WAY down. There is a certain exercise factor involved with a layout this large. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
My wife and I do get down to Chicago on a fairly regular basis. I'll let you know when we are planning a visit, I'd love to meet you and visit the club.
Elliot, Glad to see you are back in the traingame, welcome home !
Haven't talked to you(CTT) in what seems like forever.
Hi Doug. A comeback is a long process. I missed and forgot a lot in six years. It really does seem like forever. OGR is my new online home.
Glad to see you making a come back. What a space you have there to work with. The helix is sweeeeet!
Glad to see you making a come back. What a space you have there to work with. The helix is sweeeeet!
Thank you. That's a cool video.
I'm a little envious of your working turnouts. I'm sort of committed to using the screw drive machines leftover from the mall. I have the power supply, but don't know how to hook it up. The system was designed by an electrical engineer. If I can get the first one hooked up, the other hundred should be a piece of cake.
. . . And it occurred to me, that I don't just love trains for myself, I love to share them with others.
You said this much earlier in this thread and I had meant to comment that that this is a near-constant theme that makes this forum by far the best I have seen anywhere. Just about everyone here not only loves toy trains but has that desire to share and look at what others are sharing.
That said, you have a lot of share with such an expansive, facinating layout. I love the pictures and comments form you and others here, but it makes me tired just to look at the size and think about all the work involved, not just in finishing the benchwork/track but then the scenery and all. As I observed earlier, I often feel challenged just keeping up with my 28 x 16 layout, which is much smaller than yours: now that mine is about 1/2 complete (i.e., down to the terrain and vegetation, etc.) I find that maintenance on that finished portion takes about half my time, leaving me less to complete the rest. I've concluded that it is about as much as I can handle.
Your's is a fantastic project!
Thank you Lee.
This monster can seem daunting, but so far there hasn't really been anything to maintain. Of course there aren't that many functioning systems yet. My hope is that I only have to do things once. Everything is being built to a different standard from what most people do. This practice is a carryover from my time at the mall. An example of my overkill is having electrical feeders on every 3 foot section of track.
I was thinking about this the other day, and I realized that this layout primarily track. The scenery and structure aspect will be rather minimalist. The majority of the structures will be industries, and or flats. This is due to the fact that it actually based on real railroads in the Twin Cities. What has happened is the narrow scenes fill with track, leaving little room for much else. In one spot the Mississippi river will be compressed to a 2 inch ditch between tracks.
The track is really the biggest project. Benchwork construction is winding down. I'm going to set a goal, here and now, of having all track completed and powered by the end of 2014.
Heading back down now to keep chipping away. Patrick was supposed to come over today, but we pushed his visit back to Thursday because of the snow.
Elliot --
I can't tell you Thank You enough for making the effort to show us your progress, but THANK YOU! For Sharyl and I the building of our layout was much more fun than running the trains for our family and friends. I don't know if that makes sense but the hands on building and seeing a tangible outcome that works is simply fun. It inspires me to think about adding on and revising some scenes, I need to convince my scenery partner first
Our youngest son and his family live in MPLS and I would love to visit your layout some day within the next year. Thank You again for letting us tag along during your construction progress, we appreciate it greatly!
Man'o'man, I wish you lived next door.
I'm looking and reading threw these posts and this one sums it up for me too. Would be cool to have someone near that's into trains this much. I probably wouldn't leave and would become that unwelcome guest!!!
Just .....wow!
Elliot
Looking very very nice, beautiful craftsmanship
Alex
Thank you Jon. I really appreciate that. You're right, while running the trains may be the end goal, and that is fun, the challenge of getting there is the most rewarding. Just let me know when you will be in town and and you can bring the whole gang.
Patrick came over today, and we went to town. The helix got another third of a turn, flying over the first turnout, and stopping just short of the second. The next segment is where the second track begins.
The level was used to verify the vertical clearance. Nailed it. Whew.
The other project was to get the subroadbed down for the yard
This is what the area looked like to start.
Here's where we ended up.
Next week Patrick will be coming over twice. In the meantime, I'll keep working on things.
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Thank you Alex. That's quite the compliment coming from someone who does such beautiful model work as yourself. This is just rough construction. It's not quite as pretty close up, but it gets the job done.
Joe, I apologize for living so far off the beaten path. I wish I lived closer to all you guys.
Totally blown away with all this grand work ELLIOT. Keep on keepin on!!! This is just great! I recently retired and if I lived closer I'd be there a few times a week. Love the helix. How big of a power plant you gonna have for this monster?
laz57
Thanks Laz. I have my "Tim Allen" power supplies from the mall. A monster layout needs monster power.
This board has nine 6.3V 20A transformers. Three transformers are ganged together in series for 20A at 18.9V. So there are 3 power supplies on each board. I have 3 boards, but the plan is to only use two. Only one is in service right now, but I'd like to bring the second online this year, with all this new track.
Truth is, I'm not even sure if I need all this power. I've got an almost 100% can motor locomotive roster, and very few passenger cars. These supplies were designed with older equipment in mind.
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Elliot what diameter is the track when it "rounds" the corner to the next aisle?
Hi Mike.
The curves at the ends of the peninsulas are generally 092 for the outside track. No mainline track is under 072. The double track curve that will connect the existing track to the new section will be something close to 084 and 076.
Where you see the four track curve, which I've nicknamed the "Horseshoe curve" for obvious reasons, the middle two tracks are the mains. The outside and the sharper inside are yard leads.
I am tired!! I seem to work hardest when Patrick comes over to help. What happens is, he does most of the assembly, while I run around cutting lumber and grabbing tools. It's a great arrangement, and the progress has been spectacular.
Just four weeks ago, there was no helix. Today it is about 2/3 done. Another half turn was added.
The flyover is now connected to the helix.
The 25' incline was also done today.
The new yard is taking shape.
Patrick is back again Friday. I've got to work fast.
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Thanks Rich.
As the scenes get a little further along, I'll post pictures of the real world locations that are being represented.
Thanks Rich.
As the scenes get a little further along, I'll post pictures of the real world locations that are being represented.
lease do! That is a very fun and interesting thing to be doing. I will look forward to it!
Elliott,
I was fortunate to visit enterTrainment in the Mall of America on my only trip to Minneapolis. In fact, I still have the flyer that I picked up. Your layout was a pleasant find and a good place to relax as I walked all 3 1/2 floors of the Mall.
Jan
Elliot,
Great job, can't wait to see the trains run on it!
PCRR/Dave
Lee, I haven't forgotten about posting pics of real locations. I just got a new computer and need to move my pics over, plus there's a bit of a learning curve with a new operating system and browser.
Jan, I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. Somewhere buried in all the junk is the guest book. It would be fun to see if you signed.
Dave, trains do run. The big problem is I don't have any working switches right now. That will be one of my priorities this summer. I took a count, and there will be over 130 on the lower level alone. I think the upper level will have around 70. Not all will be powered, most industries will have Caboose ground throws.
In the meantime, here is a video that was shot last summer. It isn't great, but it will give you an idea of the layout's size.
. . . I took a count, and there will be over 130 on the lower level alone. I think the upper level will have around 70.
Wow. I love people with ambition! 200 switches - Oh Golly Miss Molly!
At one time, I had maybe 25 of so switches on my layout (all remote - I figured with the effort required to put them in well I might as well wire them for remote control, too). But now I have only two, both operating only in anti-derail mode on reversing loops.
Elliot
Thanks again for the update, lots of progress. The helix has me intrigued as my club is planning one. If you are ever in Chicago come on by. Despite the flurries, spring has arrived here.
Best
Ray Marion
Yes Lee, sometimes simplicity is bliss, and there is part of me that wishes I has gone that route. But long ago the decision was made to go down this "track", hence the word nightmare in the topic title. I've quietly been following your battles and triumphs.
Ray, my wife and I have a trip planned for this fall, but in the opposite direction. Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake and Denver, a 3 week road trip. We may still go to Chicago though.
Below are some of the promised pics of the layout and the real world. This is Dayton's Bluff. Use your imagination to fill in the scenery. The bluff will cover the tracks where all those engines are sitting. It will be made of foam and easily lift off for access.
Some fresh pics of the progress. The Helix is almost at the top level. One more turn and it's done. The subroadbed is now connected to the working section of the layout. Patrick will be here in a few minutes. I'll post new pics tonight.
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No, Patrick is not laying down on the job. He really loves working on the layout, and I really love having his help.
I've got to get back to laying track on the helix, so we can finish construction when Patrick comes back on Friday. Still shooting for completion by the end of the month. Gonna be close.
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Patrick was here again today, and the helix has finally reached the second level. One more half turn and it's done.
From this shot it is actually difficult to see what was done today. The helix is getting too tall.
The two tracks had been running parallel up to this point where they begin to separate.
When the helix reached the fourth level, it became clear that in order to make the jump across the aisle to the top of the bookshelf, the outer track was going to have to make another 3/4 turn. That extension meant that there would have to be a crossing involved.
Here the inside track will go straight through the diamond, and pass between the 2x4's which make up the backdrop support. The straight leg of the switch leads to the Ford plant, which will run the length of the upper deck on the near side of the backdrop. The curved leg will lead to the Amtrak depot on top of the bookshelves.
The helix will end here, 8" higher than the deck that was just installed today.
My goal of finishing by the end of March looks like it will come up a few days short, but all in all not bad.
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Well, 54 days after we started, the helix is done. The last piece of track and all of the rough wiring is complete. Just for fun, I took an MTH Superliner car and turned it loose and let gravity take over. Pretty smooth run, top to bottom no problems.
The helix is topped out and the connection to the bookshelf is in.
The junction that allows the Empire Builder to get to the depot on the bookshelf.
The view from the inside.
Tomorrow construction moves to the section between the helix and the working section of the railroad. I have to cut the switch (middle right in the photo) into an existing track, and get the wye done.
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Wow! Impressive as anything I've seen here. Less than two months for all that. You should call it the Too Tall Helix. With two tracks, too. Excellent!!!
Thanks Mike, the more I look at that picture, the more it reminds me of jail cell. It did get a little "confined" in there toward the end.
Thanks Lee, that's quite the compliment. It is almost too tall.
Keep in mind that I did have help. Without Patrick it would have taken much longer. Having him do much of the assembly from the inside saved me a lot of crawling under.
Thanks Chad, nobody has ever asked about that before. That is a technique that I came up with many years ago, for use in areas that will be hidden. It serves as a bending form for Gargraves, and also provides for perfect and consistent spacing of multiple tracks. It is made up of two layers of Luan plywood and locks the track in place without screws. It is a little labor intensive to do all that kerf cutting for the curves, but the material isn't that expensive.
Thanks Chad, nobody has ever asked about that before. That is a technique that I came up with many years ago, for use in areas that will be hidden. It serves as a bending form for Gargraves, and also provides for perfect and consistent spacing of multiple tracks. It is made up of two layers of Luan plywood and locks the track in place without screws. It is a little labor intensive to do all that kerf cutting for the curves, but the material isn't that expensive.
WOW! That thing is a beast! Can't wait to see it filled up with 2 trains rolling through it. That luan form looks like a really great idea.