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Ever since I was 10 years old I dreamed of having a space I could build a permanent layout.  But first I had to grow up and buy a house and go through all that stuff.  So finally it's about to happen.  I have been running my trains on the floor of an upstairs bedroom while I was renovating my first house from top to bottom.  The last room to renovate was the basement (aka the New Train Room).  It is now complete and I'm ready to start my first permanent layout.  I decided it would be cool to document as I go through it since its all going to be new to me.  So I setup a YouTube page to capture my progress.   Enjoy!

 Here is a link to Episode 1 (The Train Room) on YouTube -2-20-15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oCAfO3cjfw

 Here is a link to Episode 2 - Part 1 (Bench Work) on YouTube - 2-28-15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXV27oOVMok

 Here is a link to Episode 2 - Part 2 (Bench Work Mianne Lift gate) on YouTube - 4-21-15

http://youtu.be/IDfl5QUimtI

 Here is a link to Episode 2 - Part 3 (Bench Work Completion) on YouTube - 4-21-15

http://youtu.be/xxxBqcRLmRs

 Here is a link to Episode 3 - Track Plan on YouTube - 7-19-15

http://youtu.be/8Ai60vGxWnQ

 Here is a link to Episode 4 - Electrical/Power - 7-19-15

http://youtu.be/Kg_IzRDS6MU

 Here is a link to a Episode 5 - Part 1 - LCS System Setup (WiFi, BPC2, Atlas Lights) -8-1-15

http://youtu.be/RxxoLuxHLFY

 Here is a link to a Episode 5 - Part 2 - LCS System Setup (ASC2) -8-1-15

http://youtu.be/03AR1CM6GF0

 Here is a link to a Episode 5 - Part 3 - LCS System Setup (ASC2 Continued & CC Switches) -8-30-15

https://youtu.be/GtBaAje7gLQ

 Here is a link to a Episode 5 - Part 4 - LCS System Setup (LCS Sensor Track & High Rail App) -8-30-15

http://youtu.be/g8T6z1IQU4Q

Here is a link to Episode 6 - Quick Layout Update - Glenn Snyder Shelves, Pennsy Stone Walls, Shaper Sheet Mountains -12-24-15

https://youtu.be/ReRB-nEPPeY

Here is a link to Episode 7 - Scenery Update -3-25-16

https://youtu.be/KIpw3Wmf_l4

Here is a link to Episode 8 - Layout Update - Half completed!  - 1-8-17

This is a long one! (hour and a half)

https://youtu.be/LPeLNu0C6B0

 Here is a link to Episode 9 - Layout Update 6-10-17

https://youtu.be/tR7i8lPIsxE

 

 Here is a link to the FINAL Episode 10 of the Layout Build - 3-18-18

https://youtu.be/vuTQrK555g0

 

 Layout Operating Accessories -7-29-18

https://youtu.be/vxc-PycmYps

 

Here is a link to Episode 11 – Track Design Fix – 11-25-18 (New!)

https://youtu.be/FmGv4iRc33c

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Last edited by Sean's Train Depot
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Very thoughtful preparations you have made so far.  A few questions:  Are all your

circuits separate and independent from each other, or did you branch them off from

only a few at the breaker box?  I'm asking out of "electrical ignorance", since I'm

about to begin finishing off my own basement train room.  I won't have as big a

railroad as I plan about 8X16, but I want dimmable track lighting (two parallel rows)

and comfortably enough current to operate three loops plus interior lights in

structures.  I'm just not clear what I need coming from the breaker box.

 

Good luck with your construction and indeed, keep us posted!

 

P.S.  I'm also in Delaware in the Middletown area.

 

     Hoppy

Last edited by HOPPY
Originally Posted by HOPPY:

Very thoughtful preparations you have made so far.  A few questions:  Are all your

circuits separate and independent from each other, or did you branch them off from

only a few at the breaker box?  I'm asking out of "electrical ignorance", since I'm

about to begin finishing off my own basement train room.  I won't have as big a

railroad as I plan about 8X16, but I want dimmable track lighting (two parallel rows)

and comfortably enough current to operate three loops plus interior lights in

structures.  I'm just not clear what I need coming from the breaker box.

 

Good luck with your construction and indeed, keep us posted!

 

P.S.  I'm also in Delaware in the Middletown area.

 

     Hoppy

The lighting is on a 2 circuits.  The LED's take so little power even at 27 Can lights its not even close to the max allowed by code on each circuit and I could of actually just had them on one circuit. But I figure if one tripped for some reason (short in one of the LED lights or something) the other half of the room would still be lit so I could see, haha.  More just for convenience.  The electrical outlets are all separate 20 Amp circuits.  I had my electrical panel upgraded to 200AMPs to accommodate the extra circuits as the panel was almost maxed out from the rest of the house.  Its actually overkill, as there is no way I could use that much power for the trains.  I did it because I might want to run a small space heater in winter (separate circuit), or if needed a Dehumidifier in Summer and they need their own circuits.  I just wanted to make sure after I got the layout up I did not need more power and then it would be harder to install more outlets.  I tried to think ahead.  Since the basement was gutted the extra circuits were minimal extra cost.

Last edited by Sean's Train Depot
Originally Posted by ZWPOWER13:

Sean, I see your in Delaware. So am I! I am in Bear and Hockessin,

If you ever need help or want to run some trains when your layout is complete, let me know. I don't have a layout yet, so a large loop for testing all my stuff in the living room :-)

Sure!  We need some kind of club in Delaware, haha.  The Fantastic NJ Hi-Railers and DC Capital Trackers clubs are 2 hours each direction in not very pleasant traffic so as much as I would Love to join them its just not feasible.

Originally Posted by SandJam:
Originally Posted by ZWPOWER13:

Sean, I see your in Delaware. So am I! I am in Bear and Hockessin,

If you ever need help or want to run some trains when your layout is complete, let me know. I don't have a layout yet, so a large loop for testing all my stuff in the living room :-)

Sure!  We need some kind of club in Delaware, haha.  The Fantastic NJ Hi-Railers and DC Capital Trackers clubs are 2 hours each direction in not very pleasant traffic so as much as I would Love to join them its just not feasible.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like a lot of planning went into your train room, looks great. Looks like you have it all figured out, very nice space. You mentioned a Mianne lift gate, not sure what you are using for bench work, but Mianne is great for that too. Very flexible and configurable if you want to change something. It is very fast and easy and you will be ready for track a lot quicker. It would look great in your very nice train room as well.  No saw dust mess in that nice train room either. What ever you choose, good luck with your layout and hope you are running trains soon.

Originally Posted by rtr12:

Looks like a lot of planning went into your train room, looks great. Looks like you have it all figured out, very nice space. You mentioned a Mianne lift gate, not sure what you are using for bench work, but Mianne is great for that too. Very flexible and configurable if you want to change something. It is very fast and easy and you will be ready for track a lot quicker. It would look great in your very nice train room as well.  No saw dust mess in that nice train room either. What ever you choose, good luck with your layout and hope you are running trains soon.

I am building my own bench work just because the Mianne stuff (which is very very nice) is too expensive for me for the size I'm doing, but instead of making a hinged gate or something I decided to splurge on their lift gate.  They are making it with extensions on each side so I can join it to my bench work.  I wanted it so I could have a continuous run of track but still be able to get into the middle of the layout with ease (flick of a switch).  They were very nice in accommodating exactly what I wanted.

Originally Posted by Henry J.:

Sean,

 

Great looking room! I will be looking forward to seeing your progress!

 

I live in Magnolia, Delaware. About fifteen minutes from the Air Base.  But, currently serving in Kuwait.

 

Again, congratulations on the new room!

Thanks! and thank you for your service.  Stay Safe.  Get a hold of me when you get back and we will run some trains!

 

Beautiful space, and it sounds like everything was thought out very carefully.  I especially like the on-demand water heater and the sump pump setup.

 

Just a couple of questions / observations - Based on the blue tape for layout boundaries, will there be enough room to access the sump pump area when you need to work on it?  It looks like it might be awkward to get in there with equipment and tools.  Ditto for replacing the furnace when the time comes.

Last edited by Mallard4468
Originally Posted by Mallard4468:

Beautiful space, and it sounds like everything was thought out very carefully.  I especially like the on-demand water heater and the sump pump setup.

 

Just a couple of questions / observations - Based on the blue tape for layout boundaries, will there be enough room to access the sump pump area when you need to work on it?  It looks like it might be awkward to get in there with equipment and tools.  Ditto for replacing the furnace when the time comes.

Yup, when I started the bench work framing last weekend and I made plenty of room around it, the blue tape was just a guestimate.  The furnace has plenty of room in front of it and the chassis slide out of the front for service, but thanks for checking!

Sean, what a great space you have create for your layout.  A lot of thought went into that room, from the lighting, electrical, and storm water management.  I'm in the process of putting in the same lighting in my room.  Unfortunately, my layout is already up, so I got a lot of covering up to do before I get started on the new lighting.   Work bench space looks great too!  I like the carpet you put down.  The vintage clock and signs look perfect in that space.

 

Looking forward to seeing your next video.

It looks like you really put a lot of thought into that room so nothing would need to be done to it after the layout goes in.  Which is very important.  To try to deal with a water issue after the layout is up would be beyond impossible.

 

Looking at that empty space is both exciting but also daunting to know the work you have ahead of you.  And so much of the initial work is not so fun.  But as soon as get you get the point where you have track down, then it will start getting fun again.

 

Keep us all posted on the progress.

Originally Posted by SandJam:
Originally Posted by rtr12:

Looks like a lot of planning went into your train room, looks great. Looks like you have it all figured out, very nice space. You mentioned a Mianne lift gate, not sure what you are using for bench work, but Mianne is great for that too. Very flexible and configurable if you want to change something. It is very fast and easy and you will be ready for track a lot quicker. It would look great in your very nice train room as well.  No saw dust mess in that nice train room either. What ever you choose, good luck with your layout and hope you are running trains soon.

I am building my own bench work just because the Mianne stuff (which is very very nice) is too expensive for me for the size I'm doing, but instead of making a hinged gate or something I decided to splurge on their lift gate.  They are making it with extensions on each side so I can join it to my bench work.  I wanted it so I could have a continuous run of track but still be able to get into the middle of the layout with ease (flick of a switch).  They were very nice in accommodating exactly what I wanted.

Was thinking about the cost to fill your nice, large space the whole time I was typing the previous post. I understand completely. I am doing mine in sections, I started with a 6'x16' and am planning what to add next. Mianne's flexibility is great for this too, since I can't decide on a final plan. Splurging on the Lift gate is definitely a good idea though. Those are impressive, may have to work one into my layout somehow.

Originally Posted by towdog:

It looks like you really put a lot of thought into that room so nothing would need to be done to it after the layout goes in.  Which is very important.  To try to deal with a water issue after the layout is up would be beyond impossible.

 

Looking at that empty space is both exciting but also daunting to know the work you have ahead of you.  And so much of the initial work is not so fun.  But as soon as get you get the point where you have track down, then it will start getting fun again.

 

Keep us all posted on the progress.

I agree.  You don't know how many times I was about to say the heck with doing the basement and just throw a layout down, because I was so anxious to setup a layout, but I resisted the temptation.  I am a little intimidated once the bench work is up to know even where to start.  I see all these incredible layouts on the forum.  I hope I can make something close to the great work I see on here.

Great job Sean! You are going to be very happy with that drainage tile system and backup pumps. I have the same set-up and not a drop of water has come in here.

 

Also, having all of those can lights is the way to go. When I was building out my basement and spending a ton of time wiring in all of the cans down here my wife and friends thought I was insane. Now they love all of the light down in the basement!

 

Enjoy the building phase!

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