New Layout Under Construction

@kdavis27 posted:

...Slope of ramps is 2% total rise is 6-1/2"...

Is the 6.5" rise net of the height of the track and the thickness of the underside of the bridge?  Out of curiosity, I measured one of my double-stack container cars - it would require a minimum of 5.25" clearance from the top of the rails to the bottom of the bridge, and that would be cutting it very close.  If you plan to run any of them, some of the postwar/MPC operating cars can have clearance issues too.

Sweet, that's awesome.  Have fun!

Mallard,

6.5" from base of track to base of track. With the bridge support beams the actual clear distance from top of rail to underside of bridge is 5". I do not have any double stacked containers, I am running steam era scale trains so everything clears but to your point just barely.

I like the 3D rendering of the plan and your construction.  I like layout design and build threads as well!  What are the outside dimensions of the layout?

The room is 23'-0" x 13'-9".

Main bridge is finished and got the track secured to the deck.

Oh, wow! 👍🏻 The room is bigger than I thought!  That is excellent!

The bridge is really nice!  What material did you use?

@kdavis27 posted:

Main bridge is finished and got the track secured to the deck.

Why didnt you paint the bridge before securing the track? Just curious.

The bridge is MDF 1/8" thick. I did not paint it (for now) as I am doing test runs on a smaller model. I want to get some practice before there is no going back on the big bridge. The bridge is screwed in sections and the track terminates exactly at each end of the bridge. It will be easy to lift out and paint later.

Well done!

Peter

@kdavis27 posted:

The bridge is MDF 1/8" thick. I did not paint it (for now) as I am doing test runs on a smaller model. I want to get some practice before there is no going back on the big bridge. The bridge is screwed in sections and the track terminates exactly at each end of the bridge. It will be easy to lift out and paint later.

That sounds like a good plan!  👍🏻

I envy building a new layout. That's the most fun I have had in the hobby...that and fixing new engines.

Progress shots.

How do you get into the room?  Is it a walk up bonus room?

necrails, it is a walk up bonus room. You can see the stair in one of the images at the start of the post. It is a great to have a perimeter shelf layout without the need for a flip up section.