Layout Build for the C&K CENTRAL RAILROAD *** Update *** 2-11-2018

Jealous!!! Looking good!

Nice room.....nice neat construction. 

Looks great.  Keep us posted.

I have to agree with Dave, neat construction, I can see how that would make things easy putting up a level board to rest everything else on!

Chad,

Looking good.  A great start.  

Good start. Solid base. Keep posting progress reports...........Paul

Looking real good Chad.  That's a great room for your layout.

Looking Good! Can't wait to see trains running

Bob

Chad,  looking great so far, it looks like it will be an around the wall layout. In my opinion that's the best way to build a layout, it's nice and easy to reach everything. No climbing on top of the layout.

Alex

Looks great--very sturdy too. 

RSJB18 posted:

Looking Good! Can't wait to see trains running

Bob

Thanks  Me too I have been gathering trains for the past 5 years eh

Thanks for all the replys with spring & summer closing in ill have outside projects to get done so the layout will be slow going eh

Very nice, what is the overall size of the layout

daylight posted:

Very nice, what is the overall size of the layout

Thanks

It will cover aprox 640-645 sq ft the attached pic is a sketch up of the rough benchwork  

Im also thinking about putting in underground storage with a helix to get under the main table eh

I got some more work done this weekend on the C&K Central 4-9-17

Trying to get enough done around the outsides so I can figure out my isles & get my Helix located & figured out, it will go around the steel pipe column eh

Looking good Chad! I am only guessing that you will wait till you have your top on before adding the fascia board? coming along great!

mike g. posted:

Looking good Chad! I am only guessing that you will wait till you have your top on before adding the fascia board? coming along great!

Thanks eh   Yes sir!

Its that time of the year again eh

I got started on building my 10' Helix for my staging yard eh

So what happens when you want to move it? Take the pole out ???????

Just kidding. Looks good. You may give Elliot a run for his helix money

Bob

Well Chad, its nice to see you back at it again!, I will b3e keeping an eye out for your great work!

Interesting.  Just curious if that octogon was prefabbed or did you build it.  I imagine that could be a challenge to get perfect if built on the spot.  It looks like different material, more like mahogany or something.  Again, just curious, it was surely a time saver if it was a kit.  Looks cool.  Have fun.  Hammer down!

Since I'm Mr. Curious today, I also have to ask, are you from Canada eh?

RSJB18 posted:

So what happens when you want to move it? Take the pole out ???????

Just kidding. Looks good. You may give Elliot a run for his helix money

Bob

I went to visit Elliots layout last winter eh    And hes been giving me advice & helping me when I ask questions eh

RSJB18 posted:

So what happens when you want to move it? Take the pole out ???????

Just kidding. Looks good. You may give Elliot a run for his helix money

Bob

No plans of moving im dieing here eh lol

William 1 posted:

Interesting.  Just curious if that octogon was prefabbed or did you build it.  I imagine that could be a challenge to get perfect if built on the spot.  It looks like different material, more like mahogany or something.  Again, just curious, it was surely a time saver if it was a kit.  Looks cool.  Have fun.  Hammer down!

Since I'm Mr. Curious today, I also have to ask, are you from Canada eh?

Cut everything out myself right where you see it. I got that done last night in about 2 hr eh   Im using 13 veneer plywood I got 26 sheets 5'x10'x3/4" free cut them down with table saw in my shop to 3.375 width, not real sure of the species but it does resemble and kinda smell like mahogany eh

William 1 posted:

Interesting.  Just curious if that octogon was prefabbed or did you build it.  I imagine that could be a challenge to get perfect if built on the spot.  It looks like different material, more like mahogany or something.  Again, just curious, it was surely a time saver if it was a kit.  Looks cool.  Have fun.  Hammer down!

Since I'm Mr. Curious today, I also have to ask, are you from Canada eh?

No Canada eh  WI.

Got about a hours worth of work done tonight got the center supports in and all the sections screwed together with the spacers eh 

Chad, This is the first I have seen your layout build topic.  The L-girder construction looks very well done.  That helix will be impressive to see once it is farther along.

Pretty Cool. Nice cutting.  Have fun.

Nice work for just an hour Chad!

Mike, Don't I wish I could do such nice work, and as fast as Chad??!! 

Benchwork construction and wiring are my two 'necessity' items in the hobby that I don't like.  (And I've been working in the electronics field for 41 years now, if that says anything??!) 

Mark Boyce posted:

Mike, Don't I wish I could do such nice work, and as fast as Chad??!! 

Benchwork construction and wiring are my two 'necessity' items in the hobby that I don't like.  (And I've been working in the electronics field for 41 years now, if that says anything??!) 

Im not real sure about all the electrical/electronics either that will give me the most trouble but  I can build & fabricate anything  eh

Mark Boyce posted:

Chad, This is the first I have seen your layout build topic.  The L-girder construction looks very well done.  That helix will be impressive to see once it is farther along.

Thanks   The helix is only going to be about 2 levels I need to drop about 16" from main table to get to a staging yard under main layout eh

Mark Boyce posted:

Chad, This is the first I have seen your layout build topic.  The L-girder construction looks very well done.  That helix will be impressive to see once it is farther along.

The plan so far for Inside the helix is going to be a open pit coal mine & loading area for all my cat mining eq. and all my coal cars I must have close to 100 of them eh

Chad,

Yes, I find it amazing that I have an Electronics degree and IT degree, and 41 years experience and the electronics part of the hobby is hardest for me.  Arthritis makes Bench work construction harder for me.

I like the idea of the open pit mine in the helix center!!

Chad 

looks great so far

Alex

Mark Boyce posted:

Chad,

Yes, I find it amazing that I have an Electronics degree and IT degree, and 41 years experience and the electronics part of the hobby is hardest for me.  Arthritis makes Bench work construction harder for me.

I like the idea of the open pit mine in the helix center!!

Ya im just recently having trouble with tennis elbow and i have carpal tunnel and arthritis for awhile now but I work through it eh

Got some more work done on the helix today.   Got the helix base up in the air put plywood on it and got the pie pieces routered out and started laminating them together. I was short 8 pie pieces or 1 piece of 1/4" plywood to get 2 levels ready to go upward.  I think im going to have the helix exposed with it cantilevered to the outside edge with no obstructions for all to see eh

Chad, that sure looks sharp! Wonderful looking wood work there Chad, cant wait to see your next 2 levels!

mike g. posted:

Chad, that sure looks sharp! Wonderful looking wood work there Chad, cant wait to see your next 2 levels!

Thanks eh   There's about 1.5 turns sitting on top of the base benchwork eh

Looking good there Chad!

Bob

Try one of those brace things they sell at sports medicine shops or drug stores for tennis elbow. Dr said I had that a few years ago and to get one of those brace things and it actually worked (for me anyway). Just a thought but might help you out and they are not too expensive.

Layout looks great! Coming along nicely and will be a really nice one when finished. Please keep the updates and pictures coming. I really enjoy following these layout builds. Thanks for posting and good luck.

rtr12 posted:

Try one of those brace things they sell at sports medicine shops or drug stores for tennis elbow. Dr said I had that a few years ago and to get one of those brace things and it actually worked (for me anyway). Just a thought but might help you out and they are not too expensive.

Layout looks great! Coming along nicely and will be a really nice one when finished. Please keep the updates and pictures coming. I really enjoy following these layout builds. Thanks for posting and good luck.

Do you still wear the brace after it went away?  eh

I no longer wear it. I am also retired now too. I did wear it for a while after my arm got better, but then stopped wearing it. That was several years ago. I was really amazed that the thing even worked. As I recall I wore it more at home than work, but I did wear it to work a few times. I ate wearing stuff like that! 

Good luck if you try one. 

Impressive bench work. I like how you have above ground windows. All that natural light is perfect for a train room. 

rtr12 posted:

I no longer wear it. I am also retired now too. I did wear it for a while after my arm got better, but then stopped wearing it. That was several years ago. I was really amazed that the thing even worked. As I recall I wore it more at home than work, but I did wear it to work a few times. I ate wearing stuff like that! 

Good luck if you try one. 

Ya I dont like wearing crap like that either eh

chester7 posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

Chad,

Yes, I find it amazing that I have an Electronics degree and IT degree, and 41 years experience and the electronics part of the hobby is hardest for me.  Arthritis makes Bench work construction harder for me.

I like the idea of the open pit mine in the helix center!!

Ya im just recently having trouble with tennis elbow and i have carpal tunnel and arthritis for awhile now but I work through it eh

Carpal Tunnel...ah yes!!  I had surgery twice on each hand.  The first was in 1995, then again in 2015.  It got bad enough it shut down finishing my Ceiling Central RR for two winters.  Yes I work through the arthritis too.

I got some more work done on the helix today eh

Chad, that sure is looking nice, cant wait to see them connected!

Cool! I see track!

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Cool! I see track!

Bob

The tracks just sitting there for inspiration   it will be awhile before I  get track down eh

mike g. posted:

Chad, that sure is looking nice, cant wait to see them connected!

Thanks Mike Eh

Chad, the helix looks great!

That's an interesting cantilever support system Chad. I like it!

Big_Boy_4005 posted:

That's an interesting cantilever support system Chad. I like it!

Thanks   Ya it turned out really nice.   I used 1/4" 5 ply baltic birch plywood for that because of its rigidity and laminated 2 pieces together alternating joints glued and stapled there's no flex in the helix roadbed eh 

Well between all the Holiday Festivities I was able to get the transitions from the upper & lower to the helix accomplished and the ground plane material on in the helix eh   

Looking SWEET Chad! Merry Christmas!~

mike g. posted:

Looking SWEET Chad! Merry Christmas!~

Thanks Mike    Merry Christmas Eh!

Looks good Chad. Merry Christmas!

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Looks good Chad. Merry Christmas!

Bob

Thanks Bob  Merry Christmas to yous too eh

It looks great Chad!

Mark Boyce posted:

It looks great Chad!

Thanks Mark eh

hAPPy nEw yEAr to Y'all Eh!!

I got started on this layout build in April worked on it 2 weekends then started work on it again in Dec to present .

Worked Sunday and today on the C&K Central RR  got some plywood mocked up temporarily for the helix enter and exits and on the east & north side, got the south east & west  bench work built, next project will be on the south end getting my framework built for the half walls  and for my walk through i'm thinking a double decked swing bridge  Eh

Looks great Chad! You must work a lot on just keeping the place clean! Question, what are you using for your 1x4? Have you found any problem with then bowed?

mike g. posted:

Looks great Chad! You must work a lot on just keeping the place clean! Question, what are you using for your 1x4? Have you found any problem with then bowed?

Thanks Mike    I guy can work much more efficient in a clean environment eh

A couple winters ago a friend of mine called me and said you have to come look at this stuff you might be interested. I got all kinds of plywood, cedar, power tools & eq. etc basically free.

28 sheets- 5'x10'x3/4" 11 ply cabinet grade. I used some of this to build my upper, lower cabinets & drawers for in my shop and the rest I cut down to 3-3/8"x10' strips for all the bench work etc. these are a lot stronger, straighter and not all twisted up like conventional 1x4's eh 

I also got 2 bunks of 4'x8'x5/8" Premium Doug Fir exterior siding most of this I used inside my shop I built for the ceilings and walls but I put the smooth side out and I have 25 sheets of this left over for the deck on the benchwork it won't be enough but it will be close. And I got 3-4'x8'1" cabinet grade im using for my cabinet bench tops in my shop eh

WOW Chad you really scored on that one! I really like how your layout is coming along, and with what you just said I know why. If you have the talent to take freebee's build, cut them down and make them look as good as you are you are one very skilled person! Please keep the story and pictures coming!

That is a great deal on all the fine lumber, Chad!  I do love how clean and neat your work and work area are!!

Looking good. Nice bench work.

If any of you have issues <physical> with a standard mouse, I will recommend you look at 'Evoluent Vertical Mouse'. I have been using one for maybe 9 or 10 years. Before I got it, I was barely able to work for almost a month.  I have had one or two minor flare ups since I started using it.  If I <were to> use a normal mouse at the office, It doesn't take a day for me to start having issues. <The vertical mouse> does take a while <to> get used to.

<edit>

It doesn't look like I got a whole lot done since the last update but I have been busy figuring out a few things for my double bridge swing gate. I had to order some hardware & some other cool parts (now I wait) it should be pretty neat when that all comes together lots of thinking but then again I overthink everything eh

 Pretty much all the basic bench work is done but still need to cut and fit rest of the plywood. I got the main line & rev loop/loading area around the top inside helix/coal mine sheeted, all the lower level bench work is pretty much done with the exception of a couple extra cross supports when I cut the plywood to fit for that. And I got the walk through swinging gate/door area all framed out and ready to go for the gate its solid as a rock and  Picked up my non asphalt coated fiberboard on Fri night.

Chad,, you really have some great wood work there! It's nice to see neat and clean work area. Granted I am far from that, but I do try to clean up after words! LOL

mike g. posted:

Chad,, you really have some great wood work there! It's nice to see neat and clean work area. Granted I am far from that, but I do try to clean up after words! LOL

Thanks Mike eh!

Mike is right, it all looks great, Chad!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Mike is right, it all looks great, Chad!!

Thanks Mark eh

Looks great Chad. Don't know how you keep the room so clean with all that lumber and sawdust around.

Bob

Hi Chad,  that benchwork is a work of art!  Thanks for keeping us posted on your progress.  

Chad, enjoying the progress on your construction. Keep the pics and posts coming. Can't wait to see track down.....Paul

Where are the wire holes?

Nice work!

I can see the angles for the swing gate section. You do like your woodworking.

Moonman posted:

Where are the wire holes?

Nice work!

I can see the angles for the swing gate section. You do like your woodworking.

Ya I was excited to get the bench work going and forgot all about drilling them in before screwing it all together I even bought a new bit to do it and still for got that just gave me another reason to buy another Milwaukee tool a 12v right angle drill eh

Ya I like woodworking/carpentry!  I have all kinds of cool tools and machines for wood & metal working

Thanks

Thanks to everyone that replied eh

RSJB18 posted:

Looks great Chad. Don't know how you keep the room so clean with all that lumber and sawdust around.

Bob

Thanks eh!   It really isn't too bad I run a exhaust fan in the window when I run the belt sander  and use the shop vac when I get done for the day eh

Forget to drill the holes for wiring.  That sounds like something I would do!!  

Mark Boyce posted:

Forget to drill the holes for wiring.  That sounds like something I would do!!  

Ya it was in plan to do beforehand but then forgotten to much going on all at once and then I gained momentum on benchwork and that all she wrote eh

Textbook L-Girder and joist  done the right way.  Great post.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Textbook L-Girder and joist  done the right way.  Great post.

Thanks Marty eh!  Hopefully the electrical goes as easy as the bench work this is where I get confused eh

I used conduit hangers to string my wiring.

I screw one side in and leave the other side free. This way I can add, remove or reroute wires after they are in place. Holes in bench work are kinda permanent....you can't alter w/o cutting.

When all the wiring is complete and working well for a while....I may attach the other side....but can always remove one screw if I need to alter. thx

You can never have to many tools!

chester7 posted:

Moonman posted:

Where are the wire holes?

Nice work!

I can see the angles for the swing gate section. You do like your woodworking.

Ya I was excited to get the bench work going and forgot all about drilling them in before screwing it all together I even bought a new bit to do it and still for got that just gave me another reason to buy another Milwaukee tool a 12v right angle drill eh

Ya I like woodworking/carpentry!  I have all kinds of cool tools and machines for wood & metal working

Thanks

Just bustin' 'em.       Dave's bracket's are probably the fastest way now. Check out his layout build and recent wiring photo. I like the tap splice method.

I agree, use Dave’ Brackets.  I used something similar in the past 

I think I might eh   I have used them for my parents HO layout I built for them while they were in Florida for the winter they were pretty surprised when they got back eh

Heres a pic of my parents HO layout I did for them my mother did most of the landscaping and Dad put the building together eh

Nice gift Chad! Great looking work!

The keyhole center aisle and the rounded corners really make it attractive. Chad, I say it again, you do like your woodworking!

I agree!  The rounded edges make a layout more attractive, and save any viewer (and especially the owner in my case) from getting bruises from bumping into corners!   Overall, it is a fine looking HO layout, and such great teamwork by your family!! 

We got some more progress this weekend on the C&K Central RR.

Worked on getting all the upper level plywood cut out fitted and in place temporarily with a couple screws. Then I got started on my double bridge swing gate boy there is a lot of work that went into that gate way overkill but that's how we roll here at C&K Central.  Oh ya and I quick built a wire caddy for my cart too eh

And if yous are all wondering why the hinges aren't installed on the door its cause I have the door screwed in place with shims all the way around so when I put it all together and glued & screwed it that it would fit the opening perfectly eh

That looks real nice, impressive benchwork!

Nice work!   Looks like another huge layout in the makings!  Looks great! 

Jim 

it's not only a swing gate, but a gorge/valley swing gate.  Keep rolling.

I see you built an electrical cart in your spare time.

You are almost past the fun part.

Did I hear the better half say that she just found a house that really she likes and wants to move?

The swing gate is really slick looking!  Sturdy too!!  I knew it would be.  All the benchwork looks great!  Like Carl said, I see you are ready for wiring as well!!  And Carl's comment about your wife wanting to move?  What a joker he is!!  

Chad, things are looking great! It looks like the house could fall and the layout would still be standing! Love your work!

Moonman posted:

it's not only a swing gate, but a gorge/valley swing gate.  Keep rolling.

I see you built an electrical cart in your spare time.

You are almost past the fun part.

Did I hear the better half say that she just found a house that really she likes and wants to move?

You are correct thats what im going to try and achieve & a double bridge for the upper and lower.

Didnt build the cart but I put it together if that counts just built the simple spool holder.

That's not even in the 50 year plan.Since we moved here I built a real nice shop I have my train/tractor room  its the other part of the room where there are no trains is going to be the John Deere collection, lounge & bar area eh