Dylan, Legacy really is fantastic. I have DCS wired up as well for the odd MTH engine I run here and there, but it's such a pain to wire properly on anything larger than a small layout.
ES44AC, thanks for the kind words!
That's great, looks like it'll be a fun layout to run on! 
@gunrunnerjohn posted:That's great, looks like it'll be a fun layout to run on!
Thank you!
Nice work on all counts Nick.
Looking forward to your pic updates
Looks really good from here. You'll get a lot of enjoyment there.
Your layout looks great! I'm looking forward to seeing a vid of that PRR T-1 running!
Nice job! Looking forward to more pics. Southwestern PA was also my 1st choice when putting together my layout. There are a lot of older small towns that gave me ideas. For the clouds and backdrop I hung 4x8 sheets of Masonite. It was easy to put up and paint and looks good with the flats I built.
Attachments
Nick your layout looks fabulous and a very big undertaking. Good luck with your design and keep up the great work and keep us posted. I will be following this one.
I'd enjoy seeing a sketch of the trackplan.
There are lots of very neat PRR lines in Western PA.
Nick:
Your L-shaped layout platform provides opportunities for a track plan that transcends traditional rectangular layouts that are typically dominated by loops of track around the perimeter with some sidings. Many OGR FORUM-ites wish for the space your have dedicated to your Pennsy-inspired layout.
My two-level L-shaped layout is much smaller (15x19 feet) and rendered in a plainer style than your empire with elegantly crafted scenery. You are making full use of Lionel's TMCC and Legacy technologies - a great control system. Cardboard strips and plaster cloth create a lightweight yet strong foundation to support added-on scenic magic. Carry on valiantly!
Some pix of my two-level L-shaped layout are attached -- although modest by comparison.
Mike Mottler LCCA 12394
Attachments
Images (5)
Thank you again everyone for all the compliments! It makes me want to go down in the basement and work away
PRR Joe, I really like your backdrop and elevated flats. I'd like to accomplish something similar.
Mike, all of the buildings on your layout look really great! I especially like the MTH drive-in restaurant in the first picture.
Hi Nick,
On the subject of sky backdrops, I recently had a conversation with an gifted HO modeler who models the Lehigh and New England. His approach was to paint the backdrop using two shades of blue. The upper half was painted a brighter sky blue and the lower horizon with in what was called Ice Blue (almost white) at the same time, in short sections, using rollers and then, while still wet, blending them with a broad brush. It looked like a typical sky in Pennsylvania, no clouds to distract the eye away from the layout, but adding great color to it. I believe the paints were from Glidden. The look is exactly what I was looking for for my soon-to-be layout. Earl
I'm jealous of all the space, I have a 23 x 12 layout under construction, but 33 x 25 would have been wide open spaces, like three times the area!!!
Attachments
Very nice, great work.
Earl, that's an interesting technique. There's an old DVD video I watched years back that demonstrated painting a sky backdrop in a similar fashion where it gets lighter at the bottom. I think I'll heavily consider trying that; will probably get a scrap piece of something to test it out on first.
I would suggest that you purchase Jim Barrett’s “Building a Layout “. It has outstanding insights, in general, and goes into easy to read details.
Nick, what you have built looks great and you have accomplished it since September! I'll be glad to see what you continue to do!
I would go to great lengths to make sure both loops are a minimum O-72. If you ever want 21 inch passenger cars.
@wb47 posted:I would go to great lengths to make sure both loops are a minimum O-72. If you ever want 21 inch passenger cars.
Due to space limitations there are a few spots on the inner loop that had to be O-60, but it works enough for me. Luckily, the majority of the layout is O-72, O-84, and O-96 with the outer loop being O-72 minimum. The PRR Broadway cars in one of the pictures are the 21 inch variant from Lionel. They're a real pleasure to run
Here's a quick video of one lap around the mainline. I apologize for the messy layout and rather amateur video, but hopefully it gives a good general view of the track plan.
