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Hello all,

      It's been almost two years since the old JADA Railroad was dismantled, and we moved into a new home. As always when you move there's a ton of things to do WAY! before we could start on a layout.We've been working on house remodeling, outdoor remodeling, and anything else you can imagine. We still have at least another year before we can say the house and yard are done, but at this time the house is in great shape so we can slow down a bit on it, and i can get to SOME layout work.

     The layout room and layout work will be a day here or there, maybe once in a while I'll be able to get two day's in a row. So far i was able to insulate the ceiling joists with pink insulation, which still needs to be secured a bit deeper into the joists cavities, gotta hand it to  these builders they really know how to space joists 16 on center LOL !!!. I'm also yet to find a square 90 degree corner, they seem to forget what a tape measure, framing square, and a level is. I've owned a total of three homes in the past including this one , I'm yet to find a builder who uses the tools mentioned above.

  Here's some details... room size 27 x 15 ceiling height is 9 feet. Ceiling cannot be finished due to ALL utilities are running through it. Cement block wall, smooth concrete floors. Walls will be sealed and then painted a very light  blueish color, floor is very smooth and will remain the way it is. Heat will be most likely  220 electric or natural gas (not sure yet).

  As for the layout itself table height will be higher than my previous one, I'm thinking 45 inches maybe an inch or two higher. Bench work will be 2x4s and 1/2 inch plywood .Track will be Gargraves , switches will be Ross. Actual layout size will be 21x 10 1/2.

  Anytime progress is made i will post it on this thread, here's a quick video.

Thanks for looking, Alex

Video will be uploaded shortly

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Last edited by Alex M
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Hey Alex. Looks great. I am sure you are excited to get started.

My only suggestion would be to cover up that ceiling. I understand all the utilities. I have the same situation and solved the problem with a simple Armstrong 2X4 drop ceiling on a grid with removable tiles. I also have concrete floors with block walls. I covered the walls around the layout as needed with studs and drywall. I have one exterior wall that I also insulated before the drywall.

For the floor, I have 2'x2'x5/8" thick foam tiles that interlock together. You see these tiles at trade shows, etc in the booths. They are removable if needed but make a BIG difference when standing or working. The cushioning feels good underfoot.

Over time, regardless of how secure you get your insulation, it will sag and pieces will come off. Not to mention it is amazing how much dust will filter down from above. The drop ceiling will catch all of it and keep it off the layout. With a 9' ceiling, not a problem. I only have a 8' ceiling and it works for me at being 6' tall. I dropped mine down around 6" or so, not too much. I then installed 6" LED flood lights thru the tiles on a 4'x4' grid for even coverage.

My layout area is around 25' x 30' and I heat it with a 220VAC wall mounted heater. It keeps everything nice and warm during the winter. I live in southeast PA.

Anyway, that is my suggestion. Good luck with the build and keep all of us posted on progress!

Donald

The hardest part(after planning) is always starting. It always seems that after you get started, things just start coming together quickly even if that is not actually true. I can remember when I had started on my HO layout in my teens, it started slow, but once it was started, it came together quick.

Weird houses seem to always be the case. We've been trying to get things done on my late mother's house and the person doing the work has said the same thing about no straight lines, no right measurements, the works. This sort of is the case with houses built in the 1800's I suppose, just don't know where in the 1800's but what also doesn't help is the add on's on it.

Good luck Alex, hope to see progress come quick and hear the distinct sounds of steam as well as see the smoke.

Alex,

I too agree on the need for a ceiling. However, rather than suspended, I'd go with regular drywall fastened to the joists with screws. If ductwork , piping, or electric wiring runs along the bottom of your joists, just add wood spacing blocks or runners to the joists. Doing that will essentially extend the joists below those utilities so you'll have something to screw the wallboard onto. With a 9 foot high space you can most likely lower the ceiling to 8 foot without feeling cramped or boxed in. That ceiling will not only cut down significantly the possibility of dust drifting down from above over time but another advantage would be if there should ever be a leak from any of those overhead water pipes, instead of it dripping or spraying directly onto the layout below, the wallboard will help catch and diffuse the water and hopefully, providing the water's not gushing out, you'll be alerted by any visible water stains on the ceiling to tend to it immediately before it becomes a significant and major problem. Also those interlocking foam floor tiles are a great idea since they'll not only provide cushioning for your feet and be kinder to your knees over the years ahead but they will provide a layer of insulation over that cold concrete slab floor.

It is great you are finally getting started on your next layout.  Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Dave NYC Hudson PRR K4 posted:

The hardest part(after planning) is always starting. 

From my experience, Dave is right on with that statement.  Also, don't be like me and constantly tweak the layout to get it perfect.  Once you have a good plan, start building.

Congrats Alex!  I'm am really happy to see you getting started, and I can't wait to see your new creation.  Given your previous layout, I'm sure it will be impressive.  That's about the space I have for mine, but I'll bet your will outshine me significantly, you are a true artist when it comes to that stuff!  Mine will be 20' x 12' 6" at the widest point.

I'll probably have basic benchwork up first, but I suspect you'll roar right by me in making a great looking layout.

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