YES, Loopers do rule, because they run circles around their point-to-point friends. 
Sometimes it's nice to sit back, relax, and watch/listen to trains run in a circle. Nothing wrong with that. I find a lot of satisfaction watching model trains move autonomously through the scenery. Your layout is beautiful and I'll bet runs flawlessly.
Jim.. layout looks just AWESOME!!
Really happy for you... enjoy!!
I really have enjoyed this thread. and look forward to the various updates. I thought I would share my control panels for my layout
The first is my overall layout. It goes through four rooms in my basement. The upper left is a bedroom. , the lower left is the main room. There is also a laundry room that connects the bedroom and the mechanical room. The mechanical room on the right part of the main panel also has it's own control panel, second picture.
In each of the rooms (laundry room excluded), I also have a self-contained loop which is a bit hard to see from the panel but has a loop of its own and then an elevated set in honor of the Chicago elevated subway. With the main lines, the Chicago elevated and three contained lines, I can run 6 trains pretty effortlessly. Using blocks on the main lines, 3 signals creating 4 distinct block on the layout I can run an additional 2 trains but that requires paying some level of attention.
John
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My son was over the other day and made this short slide show and video of my layout. Hope you can view this.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GNwfa1yX5jH8eFkq7
Looks really nice Jim. Great to see a project come together and the final product is as good as, or better then you had hoped.
Charlie
At the moment I have 6 perfect circles, 4 ovals (7 counting ho), 2 squared loops on a ceiling and a 60ft point to point on the floor from kitchen to bed..... with a reversing loop on each end 😬
I'm obviously kinda loopy 😲
Five of the six circles .....
"Below the Christmas loop"
"Above" (middle level isnt done and is #6)
0-19 hand bent
The train circles Casey...it's the white blob of light. Each pass; Mouth opens and Casey screams while his eyes light up
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I have my cake and eat it too! My railroad has loops plus end-to-end trackage.
Populated my lumber yard for just $20. Saw this at hobby shop last week and picked it since my lumber yard looked like a ghost town.
The package contains 30 pieces each measuring 2" x 1/2" x 1/4". The ends are ALL painted red. All I had to to was paint the ends what ever color was handy.
Sorry that I did not take any "before" pictures, but here are a few "after" pic.
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It looks great, Jim! The scene reminds me a lot of going to Hohmann's Lumber at Bakerstown Station (top of Bakerstown Hill) right beside the B&O with my dad when I was growing up!!
Very nice layout Jim!
SantaFeJim posted:My son was over the other day and made this short slide show and video of my layout. Hope you can view this.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GNwfa1yX5jH8eFkq7
Very Very nice...exceptional layout and pics
It has been about a month since I posted any pictures. I will start with the lumber yard. Added some more details: a couple of fork lifts, more lumber loads, some pallets scattered around, propane tanks, local handy man with a load of lumber on his '57 wagon and some scattered figures.
I also added more people, benches, automobiles, baggage and baggage carts to the passenger station. I'll post those pictures a in a day or two.
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Jim, I think I mentioned before going with my dad to Hohmann's lumber right along the tracks at the B&O Bakerstown Station, about 3 miles from the village of Bakerstown, Pennsylvania. Now the lumber on the roof of the '57 wagon reminds me of lumber tied to the roof of Dad's '62 Ford Galaxie. Before that, Dad had a '49 Chevy 2-door fastback style, but I don't recall going with him to haul lumber in that car. It's a great scene you have!
Thanks for the updates and the scene is wonderful.
I’m a looper and always will be I’m in it for the fun not so much of the realism of how real trains run
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Good loopin’ Lee!
lee drennen posted:I’m a looper and always will be I’m in it for the fun not so much of the realism of how real trains run
Ni Lee, but isn't the train going the wrong way for the siding? LOL
mike g. posted:lee drennen posted:I’m a looper and always will be I’m in it for the fun not so much of the realism of how real trains run
Ni Lee, but isn't the train going the wrong way for the siding? LOL
Yes it is with looping you have to change it up lol. When I get the other section done that will make sense
Adriatic posted:At the moment I have 6 perfect circles, 4 ovals (7 counting ho), 2 squared loops on a ceiling and a 60ft point to point on the floor from kitchen to bed..... with a reversing loop on each end 😬
I'm obviously kinda loopy 😲
Five of the six circles .....
"Below the Christmas loop"
"Above" (middle level isnt done and is #6)
0-19 hand bent
The train circles Casey...it's the white blob of light. Each pass; Mouth opens and Casey screams while his eyes light up
What is the origin of the cratered landscape in your layout? It looks like a manufactured toy for a play set, so I am curious about its origin.
John
I have posted many "birds eye" views of my layout so I figured I would change things up a bit and post some "street level" views of various sections.
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Hi Jim,
Thanks for your thread. Thoroughly enjoying it! The design and buildout was fabulous, the attention to detail exquisite. Also, your artist that you chose to do the backdrop was exceptional, beautifully blended outcome.
I have a couple of questions. One: what was the time between conception of your layout to the delivery and final installation? Two: because I am interested in something similar, might I ask what was the ballpark cost of this project from soup to nuts?
Looking forward to your additional posts!
Best,
JohnJr
Looking great! How about some photos of the El Capitan or Super Chief, and a freight train with a string of Santa Fe mechanical reefers? It would remind me of the first time I saw the Museum and Santa Fe layout. I can't remember if the first time I saw the layout there were blue SF F units, or if they already had the SD45s on the point. I know the first time I went with a class field trip, the SD45s were in service.
I remember both passenger trains on the layout, and one of them was always sitting in the passing siding on the south side of the railroad.
The other thing that stands out from my memory was two back to back NW-2s sitting on the lead to the hump yard, in the SF black switcher scheme. I only remember seeing the hump work one time, and it required a guy standing on the layout to "help" it.
Regards,
Jerry
gnnpnut posted:Looking great! How about some photos of the El Capitan or Super Chief, and a freight train with a string of Santa Fe mechanical reefers?
The El Capitan is up and running with A-B-B-A F3 War Bonnets on the point. No mechanical reefers but a string of 22 forty footers are in regular service.
I remember both passenger trains on the layout, and one of them was always sitting in the passing siding on the south side of the railroad.
Both the El Cap & Super Chief are on the layout at all times.
The other thing that stands out from my memory was two back to back NW-2s sitting on the lead to the hump yard, in the SF black switcher scheme. I only remember seeing the hump work one time, and it required a guy standing on the layout to "help" it.
Sorry, though I am fond of the Zebra stripes I do not have the space, finances or desire for a hump yard. Remember... I am a LOOPER.
BTW, maybe you missed a earlier post that showed the El Cap (at that time A-B only) running. Jeff took the video a couple of weeks ago. My video cameras are still packed away from my move last year. I hope to post some videos later in the year. Still learning NCE & TrainController software. Also having a problem with headlights on the lead unit of EVERY consist I assemble. Maybe you can give me some "insider information" when you visit my layout next Saturday, Jack, Mark, Charlie, Bill Chambers and a few others are invited. Your invitation and my address are in your in box.
Here is a link to the slid show and short video Jeff assembled last month.
CU on Saturday?
JohnJr posted:Hi Jim,
Thanks for your thread. Thoroughly enjoying it! The design and buildout was fabulous, the attention to detail exquisite. Also, your artist that you chose to do the backdrop was exceptional, beautifully blended outcome.
Thanks for the nice comments.
I have a couple of questions. One: what was the time between conception of your layout to the delivery and final installation?
From the day I gave my first deposit until the layout was exactly 51 weeks. There were several delays as the guys made 2 trips to California to assist and expand on a previous clients layout. Also my project was delayed for a few weeks as there is a major shortage of 3-aspect HO block signals. The driver boards were out of stock and some strings were pulled by the builder to get the circuits. All the delays probably added 7-8 weeks to my build.
Two: because I am interested in something similar, might I ask what was the ballpark cost of this project from soup to nuts?
Too many variables. Your location, your choice of track, ballast, turnouts, control systems, level of fine detail, painted rails, custom structures, weathering, lighting packages, switchboard, control panels on and on and on.
I suggest you draw up a layout and submit your plan to any number of builders. I do not know where you live but you might want to visit the closest one. Go to their shop, see their work and get estimates.
I was lucky. my builder is only 30 minutes from my house and it still cost $600 for professional movers.
Sorry, but that is the ONLY cost I will share.
My builder has a detailed website breaking down MOST of the major expenses. Visit it at your convenience.
Looking forward to your additional posts!
Best,
JohnJr
Jim,
What is your builders website address?
Thanks,
JohnJr
You do good work SANTAFEJIM 
JohnJr posted:Jim,
What is your builders website address?
Thanks,
JohnJr
Website:
I added bodies, baggage and benches to the Fort Madison Passenger Station.
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Time to share some close up pictures of the water scene. So get your trunks on and grab shovel and pail.
Sorry for the GIANT finger in the upper right. I just notices it.
Any fishermen on the forum?
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Jim what a great layout, your picture taking skills are first class, but the water scenes are fantastic.
What are you using for the water?
I believe that is the best water modeling I've seen.
Agree with everyone on the fantastic water scenes...will you share your secret?
Don
Don McErlean posted:Agree with everyone on the fantastic water scenes...will you share your secret?
Don
Don, if it were my secret, I would certainly share it. If you have read my thread from the beginning you would know that I did not build my layout. I provided the track plan, street layout, building locations, bridges, mountains. grade crossing, signal locations, mountains etc.
Then I would visit each month to check progress, listen to suggestions and occasionally write a check.
Long story short... the “water secret” shall remain property of the builder.
There are many YouTube videos that offer a variety of methods for “doing water”.
SantaFeJim: OK thanks I fully understand. Whoever did the modeling work did an absolutely fantastic job. To apologize, I am sending you two of my favorite recent "Santa Fe" pictures from my (VERY modest) layout. Both trains circa 1950's.
The classic "warbonnet" F-3 as interpreted in litho by Marx
An Alco S-3 also by Marx
Don McErlean
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Don,
No need to apologize... Thanks for the pictures. My first Santa Fe set was a Marx A-A from 1953-54. The engines were plastic. The track was 027. It had 3 freight cars and a caboose. Wish I had a quarter for every lap that train traveled. 
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Had my first run session on Saturday. A BIG thanks to Jack(aka Hot Water), Bill Chambers, Bill Flynn, Mark, Charlie, Lou, and Ray. We all had a blast.
First video... coming soon.
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First video... short freight and the El Capitan.
SantaFeJim posted:First video... short freight and the El Capitan.
Jim,
It popped up with a notice, that this is a "private video" and one must "sign in in order to view it".
Jack,
Thanks for the notice. i changed it to public. Should work now.
jim
