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So here it is. Don't have a name yet although it could be called 'The Crowded and Specific Railroad'. haha

The concept is running passenger trains. The station in the lower goes around to the top and feeds into the outbound main line. After a few laps, switching to the reverse loop and onto the inbound mainline eventually heading back into the station. A second train from the station and the process starts again. A third loop (in yellow) for a short line freight or whatever. Still tweaking the center pass-through yard.

I am just getting started with the bench work, but progress should go pretty quick. Overall size is 22'-6" X 12'-4"

Bench work is 2x8 girder with 1x4 flange and 1x4 open-grid on 16" centers. 5/8" B/C plywood and 1/2" homestead.As an old carpenter, I couldn't resist overbuilding some.

I going with Atlas 3-rail as I like the solid rail.

Anyway, I crammed about as much railroad as possible into the space I have available!  My sincere apologies to the hard line prototype guys for not adhering to strict operational protocol, but I just want to sit back with a cold one and watch the cool brass I've been collecting chug around the pike.

Looking forward to feedback.

 

DL

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  • 06.07.2020 - 01
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To Great Lakes RR,

Thank you for the reply. I tried to put a lot in what space I have.

The layout program is Atlas SCARM. The other 3D images are from a software I use for business called 'Tradesmens Software'. It is used for masonry estimating. 3D CAD based.

I exported the SCARM file to BITMAP, Converted the BITMAP to pdf, converted the pdf to tiff and imported that into TSI, scaled and positioned. Easy right?...lol

Spent lots of time staring at a computer screen. Planning, planning, planning...Now I'm sawing, drilling, fastening, making noise and sawdust.

DL

@Lionnnn posted:
 

Bench work is 2x8 girder with 1x4 flange and 1x4 open-grid on 16" centers. 5/8" B/C plywood and 1/2" homestead.As an old carpenter, I couldn't resist overbuilding some. 

DL

Gotta say... I have seen hundreds of layouts bet never saw one constructed using 2x8's.  Yes it may be just slightly overbuilt.  But it is your layout and you are FREE to build it your way.  

 

BTW - I love your trackplan.

 

 

 

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  • mceclip0

The 1 x 4s under the 5/8" may wind up walking and talking.

As long as you are going super heavy duty please consider ripping some 3/4' birch-maple 3 1/2" tall for your 16" centers.  Those 1x4 sticks of dimensional lumber strike me as your Achilles heel.

In keeping with your battleship build I would go with Advantech decking.  Smooth, flat, unable to absorb moisture.  $30.??  per sheet, 84 lumber.

Being wall bound on at least two sides working on this pike will be a young man's task.

The 8" joists combined with the 4" cross members with be a significant obstacle when working from underneath, a 12" reach up!  Might bite you down the road.

If you are  going to stay with the 8" joists you may want to bridge them to restrain their natural movement over time.

I did have a friend with an 9' platform which was very awkward to work on so I cut a river up the center so he could walk in.

Lionel lift bridge 003

Lionel lift bridge 001

 

 

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  • Lionel lift bridge 003
  • Lionel lift bridge 001
Last edited by Tom Tee

To Tom Tee,

Hey Tom Tee! See the photos just posted. Thanks for the tip on the Avantech decking. I'll surely check into it. And thanks for posting those photos.

I'm rigging a 4 wheel moving dolly with a seat and backrest for the work underneath. I placed 2x6 legs at 5' centers so I don't think I'll get much sag.

Thanks to everyone for the interest. As I am just getting started, I know there will be hurdles and challenges. Thanks for the support from all the collective experience.

I foresee this layout to be first rate. Taking my time.

DL

 

@Lionnnn posted:

So here it is. Don't have a name yet although it could be called 'The Crowded and Specific Railroad'. haha

The concept is running passenger trains. The station in the lower goes around to the top and feeds into the outbound main line. After a few laps, switching to the reverse loop and onto the inbound mainline eventually heading back into the station. A second train from the station and the process starts again. A third loop (in yellow) for a short line freight or whatever. Still tweaking the center pass-through yard.

I am just getting started with the bench work, but progress should go pretty quick. Overall size is 22'-6" X 12'-4"

Bench work is 2x8 girder with 1x4 flange and 1x4 open-grid on 16" centers. 5/8" B/C plywood and 1/2" homestead.As an old carpenter, I couldn't resist overbuilding some.

I going with Atlas 3-rail as I like the solid rail.

Anyway, I crammed about as much railroad as possible into the space I have available!  My sincere apologies to the hard line prototype guys for not adhering to strict operational protocol, but I just want to sit back with a cold one and watch the cool brass I've been collecting chug around the pike.

Looking forward to feedback.

 

DL

I can't find fault with anything you're doing.  And I whole-heartedly agree with your ultimate goal!  

I have an old 4 wheel dolly with all swivel wheels. I just have to rig some kind of chair/back-rest to it.

Just finished securing the first half of the bench work to the 2 outside walls. Nice and solid now. Keep from any bumps derailing trains.

This coming weekend, I'll complete the bench work. The girders and grid framework anyway. Plywood and homasote gets delivered next week.

Finally figured a way to have the layout design printed from the SCARM generated layout rendition. The scale was slightly off so they will reprint it. (5) 3' wide x 22'-6" long sheets. Only cost me $70!

More photos after the bench work is done.

DL

 

I'm impressed by your design and construction details. I'm all for bumbling around in a busy switching yard myself, but the idea of sitting back and watching the trains go by does sound appealing. It's been a long time since I've had anything other than a point to point, but I used to run a long freight train on a loop of track and read a book listening to that shushing/clacking sound of wheels over rails. 

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