NJCJOE's New Train Room - 04/16/24 - Making Trees and Progressing with the Landscaping

12/12/20 – Time for drywall! My buddy offered to come down and give me a hand hanging the “rock”, which was a good idea since I never did this before either. Since it was early December I told him to wait until after the holidays to come down and start. Well, I got bored. Watched some more videos. Thank goodness they don’t charge you for watching those. And the next thing you know, I had some drywall in place. I just kept working my way around the room and before I knew it the walls were done with the exception of the areas that contacted the soffit. I made some minor mistakes but was pretty happy with the end result.

2/6/21 – My two friends came down and we finished installing the soffit drywall. I then finished buttoning up the drywall on the walls and just like that, the sheet rocking was complete.

Joe that really looks great. You should be wearing that proud look at what I accomplished smile as you look around.  Your framing made this final look possible. That certainly was a lot of drywall to carry down into a basement!!!!

@Rich Wiemann posted:

That certainly was a lot of drywall to carry down into a basement!!!!

I lucked out......I have a walk out basement.

Looking good Joe.

Joe, your basement is awesome! Looking great! It will be an incredible train room when done.

Joe, that room really looks bright and inviting already!!

Well...it's coming along. I fear your taper is going to have a few choice words reserved for your boarder...

Are you going to rock the ceiling? It will help keep the dust down and the heat in, in the winter.

@E-UNIT-79 posted:

Are you going to rock the ceiling? It will help keep the dust down and the heat in, in the winter.

No, installing a suspended ceiling.

Looking really great!  Can't wait to see the layout take shape.

Now, step two of the drywall installation:  tape and mud.  Good luck!  I've always hired someone who knows what he's doing (i.e., experienced) to do those jobs. 

I could do a lot of damage in a space like that! I just saw this post now but it's an awesome space and plenty of room for the standard gauge to stretch out!  Cool keep us posted.

2/23/21 – I knew at this point things were going to get very dusty down there. I went ahead and moved 80% of my trains and railroadiana up to the garage. The remaining 20% was placed in other areas of the basement and covered.

I had decided at the beginning of this project that I would not even attempt the drywall taping and finishing. I hired a contractor to do this work and I am glad I did. Two guys worked down there for a whole week. It took a few days to get most of the dust cleaned up afterwards. Here it is ready for paint.

Well...it's coming along. I would have farmed the drywall work out entirely. Pick your battles; my back hurts just from looking at it...

Looks great, Joe!  I agree with Jon, I would have hired out the whole job.  There was a time I would have done like you did Joe, but those days are gone.

Looks great. Coming along nicely.  Sorry, I forgot you I said at the beginning that you would be putting a suspended ceiling in. That is one beautiful train room. Enjoy.

Good move not doing the taping yourself. Plaster dust gets everywhere!

That it does Chris. I was amazed, I had some boxes covered with some old sheets. When I removed the sheets there was dust underneath. It went right through the sheets. It is a fine dust.

Nice crisp walls for a backdrop.

Hi Joe,

Have been drooling over all of the pics you have posted. All of the awesome work and space leaves us with can't wait to see the next update. I can only wonder how spectacular this will be, based on your previous layout. Enjoy the journey. It looks like so much fun! You might be able to fit a signal or two you had outside at your previous residence. Lol

Best,

Joe Gozzo

Looks great, Joe. I noticed you're also using the Roxul insulation; that's what I used in my basement train room and am very happy with it.

Good call on hiring the drywall work. You're well on your way to one fantastic, magazine-and-video-worthy train room!!

John