My Train room

Blake, GO FOR IT, full steam ahead.

Steve

Rescued Trains posted:

Blake, GO FOR IT, full steam ahead.

Steve

Trying my best Steve!

Thanks

I love these threads, promise to post update details!

Very nice, your front elevation sort of looks like a freight depot to me--intentional?

Hope everything goes well--lots of folks will like to see progress photos, of course!

hokie71 posted:

I love these threads, promise to post update details!

I sure will Hokie!  It will have a repair area on the left,  trains in the middle and around the ceiling plus a small meeting area on the right for guest if I want’em.  May never go back into the house.

Blake

Tuscan Jim posted:

Very nice, your front elevation sort of looks like a freight depot to me--intentional?

Hope everything goes well--lots of folks will like to see progress photos, of course!

I sorta want it to resemble a small freight/passenger depot.  Gonna put lanterns converted into light fixtures on both sides of the front door and similar fixtures inside.  Two super quiet exhaust fans are going to be installed because there will be smoke.  Trains and memorabilia will cover the walls.  Progress photos will follow.  

Maybe you could put up a train order semaphore in the front? 

tncentrr posted:

Maybe you could put up a train order semaphore in the front? 

It has crossed my mind!

Blake

Really, a train ROOM!

- walt

walt rapp posted:

Really, a train ROOM!

- walt

Yeppers!!!

Blake

Tom Tee posted:

Neat!   Would you happen to be building on a descending grade?  Anyway to walk in low and step up a few steps so no lift out would be necessary?

The layout will be completely a walk around with easy access to all areas of the layout.  

Blake

Alway exciting. Is the 16X26 all RR space, or does that include the porch? 

Keep up posted; you'll enjoy having it, but train buildings get small in a hurry...

==========

I just got mine enlarged; it's now 12X39 (I added a workshop extension to get that out of the layout area). I live in the Sunbelt, the Land of Rare Basements, but I actually prefer the separate building/wing if it's do-able.

Before (there was this cedar tree, it seems). August. Gulf Coast. Thunderstorms. Mobile: 65"/year. 

After. Before final washing. New on the left. The door on the right has not been used for years; there's this stupid layout in the way. 

D500 posted:

Alway exciting. Is the 16X26 all RR space, or does that include the porch? 

Keep up posted; you'll enjoy having it, but train buildings get small in a hurry...

==========

I just got mine enlarged; it's now 12X39 (I added a workshop extension to get that out of the layout area). I live in the Sunbelt, the Land of Rare Basements, but I actually prefer the separate building/wing if it's do-able.

Before (there was this cedar tree, it seems). August. Gulf Coast. Thunderstorms. Mobile: 65"/year. 

After. Before final washing. New on the left. The door on the right has not been used for years; there's this stupid layout in the way. 

The actual pad is a 20’ x 26’ with 4 of it being a porch.  I have enough back yard for future expansion if need be.

Blake

Phase 1 in progress!

tncentrr posted:

Maybe you could put up a train order semaphore in the front? 

Phase ll 

Congrats on your new train room!

-Greg 

BEAUTIFUL !!!!

Steve

Not simply a train room but an entire train building! That's the way to go if you can. Btw, what will be the actual size of the train layout/ platform in that building?

Blake, It looks great!!!

Cool, you're cookin' now!

Thisogaugeguy posted:

Not simply a train room but an entire train building! That's the way to go if you can. Btw, what will be the actual size of the train layout/ platform in that building?

This layout was custom designed for me by Ken Hoganson.  Currently,  the layout is 8x12x8.  Since I have more room now, I’m going to stretch it out by adding 2 more feet to each end and 2 feet to each leg which will give me a 10x16x10.  This should allow me to modify the outer curve for an 072 radius instead of the current 048.  I want to run some larger locomotives.  This train room has 9 foot ceilings which will allow for a dual track ceiling run of 16x26’.  I’m putting in two exhaust fans to pull all the smoke out as well.  When the train room is finished,  exteriorly,  the building will look like a train station,  I hope.  My layout will hopefully be fully automated using Lionel’s LCS system and the use of the Etrain software.  The software will allow for me to create unlimited scenarios with up to 10,000 command count instead of Lionel’s current 2000.  It’s going to be interesting.

Blake

Greg Houser posted:

Congrats on your new train room!

-Greg 

Thanks Greg!

Rescued Trains posted:

BEAUTIFUL !!!!

Steve

Thanks Steve!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Cool, you're cookin' now!

You’re right John!  We were all Cookin down here two weeks ago trying to get this thing framed up.  It got so hot,  I swear I saw the trees chasing the dogs.  LOL 

Mark Boyce posted:

Blake, It looks great!!!

Thanks Mark!!

Vet Nice!!! Best of Luck and enjoy when your all done!

Very nice, this is what many of my friends in the UK do that lack space in the main house itself, they build a train"shed" in the back yard.  Cant wait to see how things progress!     Mike the Aspie

Very nice! I wanted a train building, but my wife nixed it. She said I had to have a room in the house for the layout otherwise she wouldn't see me again. I'm not kidding. We are building the house now. I have a 16'X21' room for my layout. Looking forward to it! Good luck with yours and keep those updates coming.

Very nice, Blake!  Thank you for sharing.  I'm planning to start the same process in the near future.

Could you please tell me the electrical requirements you have (amps, outlets, separate fuse box, HVAC and lighting)?  Also, did you add a small bathroom in the building? What type of builder did you use?

Sorry about all the questions, I'm trying to figure out where/how to start.

Traindiesel posted:

Very nice, Blake!  Thank you for sharing.  I'm planning to start the same process in the near future.

Could you please tell me the electrical requirements you have (amps, outlets, separate fuse box, HVAC and lighting)?  Also, did you add a small bathroom in the building? What type of builder did you use?

Sorry about all the questions, I'm trying to figure out where/how to start.

The building is stick built with 9 foot ceilings on a 4” inch slab and 12” footings,  well insulated and drywall with trim work,  running 60 amp service from home to sub panel in shop with a receptacle about every 4 feet and also a floor receptacle which will be located under the layout and on a separate switch,  running a chase conduit up the area of the ceiling train for needed wiring,  also will have the shop wired to my existing home security and fire alarm, installing a vent fan to handle train smoke,  running LED lighting and one ceiling fan,  installing indoor/outdoor carpet,  using a framed in 16,000 btu AC with built in heater (220 volt), but did not install a toilet because the wife was concerned that she would never see me again.  I tried to tell her that it would be to her advantage,  but she wouldn’t go for it.  LOL The builder is my brother who is a general contractor.

Blake

12" footings?  I'd think I'd want them a bit deeper, even in NC!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

12" footings?  I'd think I'd want them a bit deeper, even in NC!

The plans called for 16,  but the county inspectors office said that 12 would be sufficient in this case plus it saved some money in material cost.  I do have rebar in the footing and slab.  

Blake

Hmm...  In this case, I think I'd have ignored the inspectors, a few extra inches of footer would have made me feel better and can't have added that much to the overall cost.  After all, a good foundation is the rock that everything else is built on.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Hmm...  In this case, I think I'd have ignored the inspectors, a few extra inches of footer would have made me feel better and can't have added that much to the overall cost.  After all, a good foundation is the rock that everything else is built on.

👌

Thank you for the info, Blake.  I appreciate it!  It'll give me a good start.

Getting into the short rows now!

tncentrr posted:

Maybe you could put up a train order semaphore in the front? 

I’d love to have this in front too!

Great job!

Peter

Looks great - great idea and even better execution! Very excited to see your progress as your layout develops!

Train "room"? Love it!

I'm jealous, my town prohibits buildings like this if you already have a free standing garage, Heck, even a shed over 80 sq ft needs approval and a variance.

Blake, it looks great!  All ready to move in!!

Mark Boyce posted:

Blake, it looks great!  All ready to move in!!

Not quite Mark!  Pecking on it a little at a time.  We have insulation installed and will be hanging Sheetrock next week.

Blake

That sounds like good progress!!

Blake, I thought I saw something in the post that you’re in NC ???......if so, where about??....I’m in eastern NC....your building looks great!!!....you’ll sure have something real nice when done!!..........Pat

harmonyards posted:

Blake, I thought I saw something in the post that you’re in NC ???......if so, where about??....I’m in eastern NC....your building looks great!!!....you’ll sure have something real nice when done!!..........Pat

Pat,  I live in Nashville just east of Raleigh.

Lionelski posted:

Train "room"? Love it!

I'm jealous, my town prohibits buildings like this if you already have a free standing garage, Heck, even a shed over 80 sq ft needs approval and a variance.

John,  that why I live out in the country.  

Blake

Blake Morris posted:

harmonyards posted:

Blake, I thought I saw something in the post that you’re in NC ???......if so, where about??....I’m in eastern NC....your building looks great!!!....you’ll sure have something real nice when done!!..........Pat

Pat,  I live in Nashville just east of Raleigh.

You ain’t too terribly far from me Blake, I’m in Shiloh, just outside of Elizabeth City....we’ll have to get together someday!...........Pat

harmonyards posted:

Blake Morris posted:

harmonyards posted:

Blake, I thought I saw something in the post that you’re in NC ???......if so, where about??....I’m in eastern NC....your building looks great!!!....you’ll sure have something real nice when done!!..........Pat

Pat,  I live in Nashville just east of Raleigh.

You ain’t too terribly far from me Blake, I’m in Shiloh, just outside of Elizabeth City....we’ll have to get together someday!...........Pat

Sounds like a plan!

Lookin' good, the new home for the trains!

Diverging Clear posted:

tncentrr posted:

Maybe you could put up a train order semaphore in the front? 

That's a WRRS Automatic Flagman~"Wig Wag".

Rusty

Wonder where I could get a semaphore?

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Lookin' good, the new home for the trains!

Sure am trying John!  I would like to have this finished and my layout in place before the Christmas season.

Just scrolled through your thread Blake. I'm very jealous to say the least. 

Best of luck getting everything done. Looks like you are well on your way. I recognized Ken's work immediately. He does great plans and he is about to start his own build soon too. 

Don't forget low voltage wire for TV and network wiring. Gotta have internet access it there. 

I'm in the northeast, we have to go down 3' minimum to be below the frost line, only having to go 12" is great. 

Bob

RSJB18 posted:

Just scrolled through your thread Blake. I'm very jealous to say the least. 

Best of luck getting everything done. Looks like you are well on your way. I recognized Ken's work immediately. He does great plans and he is about to start his own build soon too. 

Don't forget low voltage wire for TV and network wiring. Gotta have internet access it there. 

I'm in the northeast, we have to go down 3' minimum to be below the frost line, only having to go 12" is great. 

Bob

 

Thanks Bob!

I have great wireless internet coverage and I don’t care to much for TV so I didn't wire for that.  This room is for me to get away from all the bad news surrounding us today.  Out there,  it’s all about trains and nothing else.  

Blake

Blake, I have one, but, it's not for sale. You could try e-bay or Discover Live Steam, they usually have real railroad signals listed, but the prices are sometimes down right ridiculous. Along with being pick up only, because of the size and weight of them, that can also make it unfeasible to purchase. I've actually bought signal stuff that was close enough I could pick it up personally from the seller.

I like your new train room, and, I hope that you can find a signal that would look good in front of your train room depot. You also may consider doing some research and build your own, scaled down to size, to fit the size and proportions of your building. 

Rusty

Blake Morris posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Lookin' good, the new home for the trains!

Sure am trying John!  I would like to have this finished and my layout in place before the Christmas season.

Me too Blake, and I actually have a room for the layout. 

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Blake Morris posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Lookin' good, the new home for the trains!

Sure am trying John!  I would like to have this finished and my layout in place before the Christmas season.

Me too Blake, and I actually have a room for the layout. 

Really don’t know where you find the time for your own layout while fixing everyone else’s trains.  

Blake Morris posted:

Really don’t know where you find the time for your own layout while fixing everyone else’s trains.  

The short answer is, apparently I don't find the time!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Blake Morris posted:

Really don’t know where you find the time for your own layout while fixing everyone else’s trains.  

The short answer is, apparently I don't find the time!

Lol

A gift from my wife for the new train room.

Getting into the short rows!!

Very cool, you're getting close!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Very cool, you're getting close!

Thanks John!  This heat down here has made things slow going,  but we’ll get there.

Blake

Looks great Blake, nice train building!  Thanks for the progress updates!  -Ken

Ken-Oscale posted:

Looks great Blake, nice train building!  Thanks for the progress updates!  -Ken

Thanks Ken!  I can’t wait to get started on the layout that you designed me.

Blake

Speaking of the heat, are you sure a 16,000 btu AC will do the job?  Even with good insulation that seems to be pushing it.  In south Texas it would not work. One Ton equals 12,000 btu.

We were through TN about a month ago on the way to Michigan and stopped at an antique shop in Hazel, KY.  It might be a good place to look for RR items if you like road trips.

Nice building

I am definitely doing this in my next life!

Hey Blake! Remember me? I had that troublesome H-10. Love the new space! Cant wait to see the progression. 

Robert

Robert N posted:

Hey Blake! Remember me? I had that troublesome H-10. Love the new space! Cant wait to see the progression. 

Robert

Hi Robert!  Yes,  I do remember and I hope all is well now!  Thanks for your reply and I do hope to be in before the end of October.

Blake

hokie71 posted:

I am definitely doing this in my next life!

That was funny!

Blake

Bill DeBrooke posted:

Speaking of the heat, are you sure a 16,000 btu AC will do the job?  Even with good insulation that seems to be pushing it.  In south Texas it would not work. One Ton equals 12,000 btu.

We were through TN about a month ago on the way to Michigan and stopped at an antique shop in Hazel, KY.  It might be a good place to look for RR items if you like road trips.

Hi Bill!

Its actually a 17,800 btu and yes,  it gets really cold in there with this unit.

Blake

Blake,

What is a 8 x 12 x 8 layout? What size layout is the picture you posted?

Thanks,

dennis32

dennis32 posted:

Blake,

What is a 8 x 12 x 8 layout? What size layout is the picture you posted?

Thanks,

dennis32

Dennis,

Its 8 feet deep on the left by 12 feet wide by 8 feet deep on the right.

Blake

Blake,

Can you post the AnyRail file for Ken's 8x12x8 layout?

Thanks,

Dennis32

dennis32 posted:

Blake,

Can you post the AnyRail file for Ken's 8x12x8 layout?

Thanks,

Dennis32

 

Dennis,

I don’t have the actual file, but you could contact Ken by his email and ask if he would send it to you.

Blake

Ok my fellow railroadians,  with the exception painting the trim on the outside post,  installing a storm door and a dead bolt,  my train room is officially finished.  Now on to Mianne for some benchwork.  

Man, that 's lookin' really good!

Yes it is!...really nice finish work!.....bring on the railroad!.........Pat

That building is tremendous, Blake!!  It will make a great home for your layout!!!!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Man, that 's lookin' really good!

Thanks John!  I didn’t think I was ever going to get this thing finished.  

Blake

Get me a rockin’ chair and a LARGE jug of sweet tea and I will sit out on the front porch and collect admission from all your visitors.

GREAT JOB on the whole project.  Now the fun starts.  Congratulations.

Mark Boyce posted:

That building is tremendous, Blake!!  It will make a great home for your layout!!!!

Thanks Mark!  I really hope to get started ASAP on my layout.  

harmonyards posted:

Yes it is!...really nice finish work!.....bring on the railroad!.........Pat

Thanks Pat!  Railroad is on the way.

Blake

SantaFeJim posted:

Get me a rockin’ chair and a LARGE jug of sweet tea and I will sit out on the front porch and collect admission from all your visitors.

GREAT JOB on the whole project.  Now the fun starts.  Congratulations.

Thanks Jim!  I’m ready to start having fun.

Blake

Landscaping in place just need to get those post painted.

Beautiful!

Mark Boyce posted:

Beautiful!

Thank you Mark!

Looks fantastic and it'll be done just in time for train layout buildin' season. I don't know where you live but is it heated?

In general, what type of layout are you planning? traditional postwar? Scale and highly detailed? Tinplate?

O, S, HO or Standard gauge (or combination thereof)?

Type of track? Conventional operation or digital?

I look forward to seeing many update posts on your layout's build and progression.

I am one jealous 'Ski, there is so much fun in store for you

Lionelski posted:

Looks fantastic and it'll be done just in time for train layout buildin' season. I don't know where you live but is it heated?

In general, what type of layout are you planning? traditional postwar? Scale and highly detailed? Tinplate?

O, S, HO or Standard gauge (or combination thereof)?

Type of track? Conventional operation or digital?

I look forward to seeing many update posts on your layout's build and progression.

I am one jealous 'Ski, there is so much fun in store for you

 

Hey Ski,

So my layout is going to be totally legacy/TMCC control with complete automation using the LCS control system and the Etrain console software.  There is a 18000 BTU heat pump installed through the wall for comfort control.  It’s O gauge and I will be using Lionels  fastrack.  The layout shown has been expanded to a 10 x 16 with an O60 outside and O48 inside radius.  I will incorporate several operating accessories that both loads and unloads their product.  Basically,  I want this layout to entertain me and my guest rather than for me to have to operate IT.  

Blake

Great looking building Blake.

Living on a 60 X 100 lot I get really envious of you guys with large properties. Hope you get trains running before Spring.

RSJB18 posted:

Great looking building Blake.

Living on a 60 X 100 lot I get really envious of you guys with large properties. Hope you get trains running before Spring.

Thank RS!

I hope to have at least the track down with accessories in action by the spring.  You know it’s a slow process.

Blake

FINISHED!!!

Congratulations!

Mark Boyce posted:

Congratulations!

Thanks Mark!

I agree, very nice.  And a great track layout going in it.

TedW posted:

I agree, very nice.  And a great track layout going in it.

Thanks Ted!!