"South Fork Railroad" begins!!

Starting to really take shape now. It is looking very nice. That's going to be e great layout!!

Craig,

It's coming along nicely!

While a little expensive, a topside creeper is handy for the reach, installing the backdrops and maintenance.

Also, Clarke Dunham and Team built a handy ladder to do the same thing - see the 12/13/16 post and photos.

We used some rubber backed carpet tiles on the track and layout and some planks on top for access on the museum layout. Ok for crawling out for short time tasks, but not a good working position for setting backdrops.

Thanks for update.

Moonman posted:

Craig,

It's coming along nicely!

While a little expensive, a topside creeper is handy for the reach, installing the backdrops and maintenance.

Also, Clarke Dunham and Team built a handy ladder to do the same thing - see the 12/13/16 post and photos.

We used some rubber backed carpet tiles on the track and layout and some planks on top for access on the museum layout. Ok for crawling out for short time tasks, but not a good working position for setting backdrops.

Thanks for update.

Carl,

The Clarke Dunham team built ladder I s a good idea!

Thanks.

Also, Carl, Mark & RTR12,  THANK YOU for your comments.    Appreciate.

Finally started on installation of backdrops.  First 2 of 9 up on wall.  Third river/Manhattan scene behind Hellgate bridge to be mounted on wall. Mounting backdrops on Masonite away from layout, then placing on wall using Industrial Strength Velcro to hold on wall. Most sheets of Masonite are 8' long. Two other sheets are 9'5" and 9'10". 

Craig,

The backdrops look great!  I did not know there was an industrial strength Velcro that could hold Masonite up on the walls.  I don't know if I will do that with my backdrops, but I can think of lots of used for an industrial strength Velcro.  Thanks for the tip!!

Having never been to New York City, will the backdrop behind the Hellgate bridge be a good representation of the portion of Manhattan at that end of the bridge?

Mark Boyce posted:

Craig,

The backdrops look great!  I did not know there was an industrial strength Velcro that could hold Masonite up on the walls.  I don't know if I will do that with my backdrops, but I can think of lots of used for an industrial strength Velcro.  Thanks for the tip!!

Having never been to New York City, will the backdrop behind the Hellgate bridge be a good representation of the portion of Manhattan at that end of the bridge?

Mark,

Industrial Strength Velcro can be purchased at Lowes. I got mine from Amazon cheaper and no shipping fees. So far it is working great. It brings sheet out from wall very little, approx. 1/8". I did not want to glue directly to drywall in case down the road I wanted to remove the backdrops and/or the layout. I figured less damage would be done to the drywall, if any, by using small strips of Velcro. First three sheets of Masonite will be free hanging, no bottom support, majority of remaining sheets will be resting on plywood.

Scene behind the Hellgate is a river, brush on both sides with distant view of Manhattan(small images to reflect distance). By looking at pictures of the actual view, hopefully what has been created will be somewhat representive.  I've never been there, just relying on pics I've seen.  Due to Hellgate's closeness to wall, scene may be hard to see unless you are looking thru Hellgate. 

Thanks for the comments and looking.

Craig,

I know what you mean not wanting to do too much damage to the drywall.  I just finished painting my new train room last Saturday.  I had to patch a lot of holes, because our daughter had hung shelves all over 2 wall.  I told her she could.  She vacated the room after getting married last fall.  I don't want too much damage for my wife to worry about if I pass on or become disabled.  She would have enough to get a handle on finances and maintenance which I handle.

Mark Boyce posted:

Craig,

I know what you mean not wanting to do too much damage to the drywall.  I just finished painting my new train room last Saturday.  I had to patch a lot of holes, because our daughter had hung shelves all over 2 wall.  I told her she could.  She vacated the room after getting married last fall.  I don't want too much damage for my wife to worry about if I pass on or become disabled.  She would have enough to get a handle on finances and maintenance which I handle.

Mark,

Your comments concerning your wife reflect exactly how I feel, and my reasons for not gluing. Will the Velcro hold over time, only time will tell. I did pull one piece of Velcro off the drywall and relocate it with no damage to the drywall.

Craig,

One thing I hate about drywall, as compared to a real plaster wall like where I grew up, is how sometimes when you take something down, not just the paint comes off, but the drywall paper outer covering tears off too.  That happened on a few of my daughter's shelves.  Then I had a wider spot to Spackle as opposed to just a screw hole.  I wonder in time if the sticky Velcro will do that.  Well, the only way to avoid it is to have the backdrop attached to the layout bench-work and free standing from the wall.  We will see what I come up with; it won't be until next winter now.

With my friend  Joe, we have continued to install backdrops. Seven panels installed, two more to go.  As you can see by the loose backdrops in places, I have not sealed overlaps from one panel to the next for most.  

Overall, waiting to install backdrops in my case later in the layout build, has been time consuming, but not as bad as I envisioned, due to hard to reach areas etc.  

My choice of backdrops from options available that I had looked at from various vendors has been satisfactory.  I do feel that adding backdrops to the walls has made a difference in the looks of the room and has enhanced the layout in my opinion. 

All comments/opinions welcomed on appearance of backdrops.

Thanks for looking.

The backdrop looks really good!

Finally finished installing backdrops around layout. Would like to thank Dave Burgess from BACKDROP JUNCTION for his professional help.

I have some ideas on how to complete areas below backdrops at mainline grades.

Will be going to YORK TCA next week.  Would be nice to meet some forum members.

It is certainly getting that big city railroading look to it!!  Very nice!

Having recently completed installation of all backdrops, I am at the stage of starting landscaping.  Today I started doing plastering of the banks along the grades for the Mainlines.  This is my first attempt of doing landscaping & it seemed to go ok.  Also, took couple pics of trains entering Hellgate bridge.  I'm pleased with backdrops beside the Hellgate showing the river & Manhattan in the distance.  Also starting to unpack different trains out of their boxes for the first time and enjoying seeing and running them.

Hi, I just reread your post from beginning to end, again, and just as I found it the first time nothing but very high standards and first rate workmanship. Congratulations on your layout and your obvious dedication. I look forward to further posts. Thank you for sharing your progress. Rich

Chooch posted:

Hi, I just reread your post from beginning to end, again, and just as I found it the first time nothing but very high standards and first rate workmanship. Congratulations on your layout and your obvious dedication. I look forward to further posts. Thank you for sharing your progress. Rich

Chooch,

Thank you much for your kind words. I'm having fun and like a kid at Christmas when I open a box for the first time with a train etc that I've purchased over the years. Trying to get as much done as I can now due to needing both knees replaced.  Thank you again.

Really starting to take shape!! Looks very nice. Yours is still one of my favorite track plans and layouts.

Did you glue your Flexxbed down, if not how did you fasten it down? Then how did you secure the Atlas track to it? I am using the same thinkg on my layout and just wondering how you handled all the attaching. I haven't read this entire thread for some time now, if it has already been explained, just let me know and I will go back and re-read the thread. Was thinking of doing that anyway just to refresh my tired old memory. 

Good luck with your knees too. Some folks I know have been really happy with the outcome of their knee replacements. I have only one that needs work, been putting it off as long as I can. It has actually improved somewhat since I retired. No longer keeps me up at night anyway.

rtr12 posted:

Really starting to take shape!! Looks very nice. Yours is still one of my favorite track plans and layouts.

Did you glue your Flexxbed down, if not how did you fasten it down? Then how did you secure the Atlas track to it? I am using the same thinkg on my layout and just wondering how you handled all the attaching. I haven't read this entire thread for some time now, if it has already been explained, just let me know and I will go back and re-read the thread. Was thinking of doing that anyway just to refresh my tired old memory. 

Good luck with your knees too. Some folks I know have been really happy with the outcome of their knee replacements. I have only one that needs work, been putting it off as long as I can. It has actually improved somewhat since I retired. No longer keeps me up at night anyway.

RTR12,     I did not glue the Flexxbed. It is held in place with the screws used to secure my Alas O track.  So far it has worked well. Whenever I get around to ballasting the track, the ballast will also secure both track & Flexxbed & hide the few seams showing between sections.  I don't like gluing anything if I can get away with it.  

As to the knees, I've been putting replacement off for a good while, had cortisone shots in both on 5/1/17 which has helped(temporary fix). Not looking forward to surgery whenever I decide to do it.

Thank you for following my layout & your kind words.

 I did put some plaster over some of the plaster cloth today. A new video coming soon.

W&W posted:

rtr12 posted:

Really starting to take shape!! Looks very nice. Yours is still one of my favorite track plans and layouts.

Did you glue your Flexxbed down, if not how did you fasten it down? Then how did you secure the Atlas track to it? I am using the same thinkg on my layout and just wondering how you handled all the attaching. I haven't read this entire thread for some time now, if it has already been explained, just let me know and I will go back and re-read the thread. Was thinking of doing that anyway just to refresh my tired old memory. 

Good luck with your knees too. Some folks I know have been really happy with the outcome of their knee replacements. I have only one that needs work, been putting it off as long as I can. It has actually improved somewhat since I retired. No longer keeps me up at night anyway.

RTR12,     I did not glue the Flexxbed. It is held in place with the screws used to secure my Alas O track.  So far it has worked well. Whenever I get around to ballasting the track, the ballast will also secure both track & Flexxbed & hide the few seams showing between sections.  I don't like gluing anything if I can get away with it.  

As to the knees, I've been putting replacement off for a good while, had cortisone shots in both on 5/1/17 which has helped(temporary fix). Not looking forward to surgery whenever I decide to do it.

Thank you for following my layout & your kind words.

 I did put some plaster over some of the plaster cloth today. A new video coming soon.

Ok, thanks. I was actually looking for an alternative to glue as well. Your method sounds like something I might just have to try. I will be watching for the new video. 

Any way that you could ease up on your knees (activity wise) a little? It would really probably have to be quite a lot of easing up. Anyway, that is what really helped my one knee and might give you a little longer to put things off? Anyway, just a thought. 

RTR12 and Craig,

I think there is no reason to glue roadbed down when you have the screws holding the track down.  At least I haven't seen a problem.

As to the knees, I had most the miniscus removed from one about 10 years ago.  It gives me some pain, but not like before I got a desk job and quit crawling around on the floor as a telecom technician.  I try to get on my knees as little as possible 

My wife has had one replacement in Jan 2016 and needs the other done but the surgeon wants her to wait at least another year.  He isn't the one having to put up with the pain.  Shots never have helped either of us.

Mark,

I also had a job that required climbing ladders, scaffolds, equipment, etc and also crawling around in commercial HVAC equipment. After being retired for about 1.5 years and getting off my knee as much as I could, it started to feel a lot better. Now after 5 years it's not bad at all, but it took time. I almost can't believe the difference in it now. That's what I was trying to tell Craig above. Might help him too, you never know.  

Doing some landscape work, adding accessories.  Just added some carnival rides, etc, a Lionel Irvington Factory, wired each to make operational. Next will be painting plaster areas, placing dirt, grass, shrubs etc & adding more accessories.

Everything looks great Craig!

I like the big South Fork Winchester sign.  I went through Winchester a lot when I worked in the Fredericksburg area and came back to Pennsylvania on holidays!

Continuing to do some landscaping, not a finished product yet.  Not turning out to look exactly what I wanted so far, but it is ok for my first time plastering, painting, etc.    I'm excited to recently have found someone to build a replica of the NYC Met Life building that is behind the Grand Central Terminal. They are also constructing a high rise building that will be adjacent to the Met Life, & a business flat structure to go below the backdrop in an area where wall is showing under the backdrop, and a concrete fence to go around two sides of the GCT.  All buildings will be lighted via LEDs & the ability to control lighting on each floor of the Met Life building.  These are to be completed by fall TCA YORK meet where I will pick them up.

All looks great to me first time or not. I can't see one little thing to not like in any of these pictures! If mine looked this good I would be extremely happy!!

Keep the updates coming.

rtr12 posted:

All looks great to me first time or not. I can't see one little thing to not like in any of these pictures! If mine looked this good I would be extremely happy!!

Keep the updates coming.

Thank you.  Appreciate your comments. I'm obviously in a learning curve compared to what I see on this forum. 

Wow!!

Looks great.
Wish I had the room for something like you have.

Suggestion: If you store empties or anything else under the layout, make a list on what is where/post it in the underside of each section.
This will Make life easier down the road/track

I enjoy looking at the progress of a build such as this one and various others I have seen on the Forum. I am keeping mind some of these when it comes time to rebuild my current layout(current one is not what I really want, but gives me an area to run trains). Other things need to be done before I can do what I would really like to do.

Finally got a little time to assemble my Millhouse River 34" Turntable.  It looks & works great! I highly recommend Millhouse to anyone looking to purchase a TT. Also CSXAL is a super guy to work with!!

TT looks great! I have watched a couple of youtube videos on the Millhouse TTs and they are very nice! 

Craig,

Looks fantastic !!

Obsidian posted:

Hi, I loved your layout! I wonder if you make the track file available?

Thanks, !

Craig,  you are making fantastic progress!  The turntable looks really good and it seems to be a better place (accessible) than my original plan.

Ken 

I have not posted in awhile due to summer activities.  Getting back into layout now. I have included some pics of items nearly ready to place on layout.

Pic 1 is a completed Met Life Building that I had built. It is completely lighted w/LEDs & has the capability of having the interior floors furnished.  It will sit directly behind the Grand Central Terminal just like it does in NYC.

Pic 2 is one of the street entrances.

Pic 3 is another high rise building(Rocker bldg) that I had constructed. It is completed now, also fully LED lighted & can have interior furnished.

Pic 4 is a retail flat, LED lighted, that will go under my backdrop area coming into the train room to hide the wall under the backdrop due to track incline/decline.

The above items were built by    East Coast Enterprises    & will be on display at their Orange Hall booth at TCA YORK next Thursday/Friday.  I plan on picking them up late Friday afternoon  Can’t wait to see them & get them on my layout.

Pic 5 shows the Menards Royale YORK Hotel I recently purchased

Pic 6 shows a change I just made on my upper level industrial yards. I added a yard for the intermodal crane behind the coal tipple & spaced out a little two yards.  Gives me some more car storage area.

Pic 7 Finally unpacking MTH operating accessories (McDonalds, 76 Gas Station, Fire Station) I’ve bought thru the years & trying to see where I can place them.

That’s it for now. Hope to see you at TCA York next week.

Met Life building will compliment Grand Central Terminal nicely,although I would have had Pan Am name on the building. Beautiful layout. 

This is a major city no doubt about it!!  The buildings will certainly make the Grand Central Terminal feel at home!!

W&W, well, here it is October 13th, Friday the 13th, and all I can say is, You are a fast worker, or have a great team of helpers. I see that Steve Horvath has given you an affirmative, as well as Many others, and I do to. We used 90 % Atlas O trackage on our layout and am well pleased. I actually got back into the hobby do to Atlas O Track, and of course Lionel TMCC/Legacy Command Control.  I compliment your trackwork, and Yes, it’s time to get the trains out of the boxes and have Fun. Your collection is amazing, your plan enables you to run long scale like trains. Thanks for posting and We look forward to your progress. If you are ever in Tennessee, come see me, Leapin Larry.

Fantastic!

Peter

Thank you all for the encouraging comments.  Makes building the layout even more fun especially since I had no previous woodworking/electrical skills.  Being on this forum has been beneficial for ideas, problem solving incidents, questions answered, etc.  Also I have had some invaluable construction help from my friends Joe & Obsidian. A BIG thank you to Steve Horvath for his efforts & advice in designing the electrical design.  Thanks for the invite LEAPINLARRY & you are likewise welcome here.

Some more nice additions. Yours is still one of my favorite layouts. I still really like the track plan too. Looking good!!

Keep up the good work and keep the updates coming!