Originally Posted by Polarxpress3:
Any updates Greg? Pictures? Really intrigued by the KC theme 
Thanks for your time...
Steve
Thanks for asking Steve. I do have some updates - am on my 27th revision using RR Modeller s/w and the plan is essentially final. The plan below still shows some oddities, such as track off the bench and non-parallel arrival/departure tracks, but that will be fixed in 1:1 construction. The trick for me is to work back and forth between the computer design and laying out a full scale design with GarGraves flex track and Ross switch templates.
In general, I have simplified and whittled portions away with each new version. Kansas City's Union Station is the main focal point and will reside on the left against the wall. Because of space restrictions, I will create this as a flat with the north waiting room extending over the 3 A/D and the Pullman set off tracks. Operations will primarily be passenger service, but I want to do a little bit of freight, hence a few industries, including the old KC Star printing plant, the Crossroads Freighhouse and some industry in the West Bottoms. The lower right portion will replicate the High Line as it goes west from Union Station into the West Bottoms. Top right is the coach yard.
This first phase uses 30" wide Mianne bench and is 24 ' in length. Once I get track work and wiring done for phase 1, and finish the floor (RaceDeck), will move on the rest of the layout. Even now, with just a portion of the RaceDeck finished and the walls painted, it feels more like a room rather than a basement cavern. I purposely put white tiles under the layout assuming I will be spending a considerable time under there over the next couple of years and these 56 year old eyes need all the help they can get!
In the photos, you can see a rear elevation drawing of Union Station which I got from an HO Kansas City Southern modeler in the northwest. At 6 feet long, it is closer to HO than O (otherwise would have been 11 feet and would have completely overwhelmed the space). I can live with the proportions. As to era, will be all - from the Pioneer Zephyr to the current Amtrak - who knows, a bit of steam might show up one day. And if anyone ever models MoPac Eaglette, it will be there too! Kansas City Terminal will use an SW8 to do local switching - will also find an old GP for freight moves. Will keep road names to those which have actually used Union Station - which leaves me with lots of choices.
Of course, this being KC, the iconic Western Auto building with its lighted sign will have a prominent position in the corner. Pretty cool, since we lived in that condo complex for 13 months - a train lover's dream come true. Altho, between brakes and the curve that it sits on, the squealing wheels can get old <g>.
The latest gadget is the Apple Hue starter set of LED bulbs. Placed in small clamp-on work lights, they provide an amazing amount of well controlled and colored light to simulate dawn/dusk/sunsets/midday sun, etc. These bulbs are pretty amazing - endless color control, all remote form an iPhone or iPad. Photo shows exaggerated color for effect, but you can literally dial in any color you want, and control up to 50 lights in groups or individually. Coverage is pretty good too - they are pricey, but I think I can light everything for less than the cost of a new Lionel steam loco.
Steve, drop me a PM if you want to meet while you are in KC over Christmas. I work next door to Union Station (literally sitting above where the east tracks were).
