What's new - 4 February 2010. Spent a nice weekend at the Springfield Train show, and picked up some good stuff - Silfor flowers, static grass, and a trio of Canadian National slab sided hoppers!. Since then, I've been able to get some work done on the Test Mk II layout and the scenery is progressing quickly. I'm also working on learning how to weather a wood sided box car.
18 January 2010. Happy New Year! It's been a while, but I have a lot of new stuff to report - from a new acquisition on my steam motive power (a Brass Texas Type 2-10-4), to some great progress on the Test Mk II layout (including some uses for the Pot Toppers), to a new video of the 7917 in action switching this chainsaw layout (also on the media page)
2 December 2009. Still working on the Test Mk II layout, and also picked up some new storage boxes from Axian.
4 November 2009. Scenery is progressing on the Test Mk II layout.
25 October 2009. Added the rest of the fascia, a rub rail, and a bunch of terrain to the Test Mk II layout.
16 October 2009. Scenery progressing slowly on the the Test Mk II layout. Design is now posted for the new "Layout Element" (module) that will cover the Hartford High Bridge. The Atlas S2 conversion has seen a little more work, including a new video! And if that's not enough, another video of the RS-11 in action.
27 September 2009. The Atlas S2 conversion has moved into the painting and decal stage.
11 September 2009. Updated an Atlas RS-11 to DCC (non sound).
9 September 2009. The Atlas S2 conversion is in full swing, with the sound card installed and the locomotive is running great. Detail work has begun!
21 August 2009. The parts for the Atlas S2 are here, and conversion work has begun on that project. The test Mk II layout section is working, all track is down, I'm now tinkering with scenery work and other fiddly bits like the turntable.
11 July 2009. Just got back from the NMRA show in Hartford, CT. Pictures to come, including a build and installation of the new Bullfrog Turnout Controller from Fast Tracks. I also got a detailed response from Frank Sergent concerning the drawbar strength of his couplers, and found out that Soundtraxx now has a diesel Tsunami with the appropiate sounds for the Alco 539 Turbo.
1 July 2009. Haven't been quiet, the trackwork is almost done on the Test Mk II layout section.. See the Progress Pages for details. I am not planning at this stage to complete the whole thing ,but once the yard is done, to instead begin working on the next round. I've learned a lot from my experience so far - here are just some of my immediate observations I've even added a new video of the layout in action!
Bench work. The metal bench work has worked out, especially for the upper shelf, but I'm really not so sure it's necessary, even in my drastically changing humid basement. I'm not displeased with its strength or design, and it seems very dimensionally stable. My complaint is not with the bench work design in and of itself, but the whole concept of having to go underneath it.
I am planning on making self-contained boxes of no more than 2x4 foot (outside dimensions) from 1x4 lumber in the future. Each box or module will have cross pieces every 12 inches or as needed in special occasions, and will connect to it’s fellows with through bolts. I am also planning on have the electrical connections breaking at each joint to aid in troubleshooting.
I know that I’m describing a modular system, the difference is that once the internal and special track work is installed on each section, and that section is connected to another, than a fixed rail connection and scenery will be put over the joint. I like the idea of being able to finalize the special track work in a convenient manner, and also the fact that with a razor saw it can be moveable and removable.
Lighting. The lighting I chose has been inadequate.
Sub roadbed. This layered sub roadbed (homasote, pink foam, MDF) has worked, but is not necessary. In actuality I cannot see an advantage on this over homasote on plywood; in fact, I don’t think I’ll be working with foam again. I am having a hard time identifying its advantages over other scenery materials; in addition I find it messy to work with. I’m not saying I’ll never use it, but not for sub roadbed, and probably not for terrain either. Cardboard strips, hotglue, and tape seem to work pretty damn well.
Track work. The trackwork has been to me a success across the board. The turnouts, thanks to the Fast Tracks jigs are great, and now that I know where to look for the gaffs I made, should be faultless in the future. Handlaying the rest of the rail has been fun, rewarding, and also successful. I’ve made a few errors and have made notes, such as pre-soldering joiners to just one rail (this resulted in many cases where the solder melted into the “empty” area of the joiner, and the next rail would not slide in tightly, resulting in me having to cut the offending joiner off), and track spacing (I went with 12 scale foot centers, and that’s just a little bit tight in the yard).
I can’t recommend enough to new and inexperienced folks such as myself to make these kind of chainsaw layouts. The cost in time and materials will undoubtedly save me a lot more of both, including frustration, down the road. Now, just a few more pieces of rail to go down on this one….
Other stuff....
Proposed Layout: Name: Test Mk II |
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Current Layout: Name: Test in 4x8 Feet |
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I've always wanted a model railroad, and I finally find myself with the space and resources to be able to pursue this hobby. I can't explain the fascination with trains, but there it is.
Older updates
26 May 2009. Going crazy with the airbrush, started repainting an old fashioned tank car, a building, and began work on the Walther's Turntable. Conveted a bunch more of my rolling stock over to Sergent couplers, and on the test layout, I tore down the back drop I had up and have redone it.. See the Progress Pages for details.
20 May 2009. The compressor for the airbrush arrived yesterday, I have all of the blue point turnout controllers I need, and now I'm just waiting for some more cross ties to arrive so I can finish the main yard area. I have also begun to run electrical, added a back(drop), and started on the fascia. See the Progress Pages for details.
4 May 2009. Work on the layout this weekend was stymied as my rail order arrived, incorrect. A simple picking error led to me getting weathered instead of un-weathered rail, not great for soldering turnouts. While I wait for the correct rail to arrive, I installed two TCS T1 decoders into the Life Like Proto 1000 RS11s (CV 3606 & CV 3614), and put together a video test of the Walthers Proto 2000 F7 units (see the diesel page for details). Fortunately for me, TCS they had a great link of model specific installation photos. The installation was a snap; everything worked the first time. That was truly a first for me, and I was pretty excited. The soldering experience I've picked up from the Fast Tracks switches is really paying off! All of these locos, the RS11s and the F7s, run very well, very smooth (even at low speed), and have a lot of pulling power. Once weathered, and the plastic sheen turned down, they should be real work horses. I was able to consist and run them easily.
I also assembled three packages of Sergent couplers and only managed to lose about 4 springs and no ball bearings. These too are getting easier to put together with added experience. With those put together, I was able to not only Sergent equip these RS-11s, but another 8 cars in my fleet (I'm replacing hork hooks first, than going back over the Kadee compatibles).
I switched a couple of small trains last evening just for kicks, and there are a couple of things I've noticed now with the Sergents that I have them and have begun to use them.
Besides the Sergents, I also upgraded the wheel sets on any car I was working on that didn't already have metal wheels. I've used the Intermountain metal wheels, and I like them.
22 April 2009 - I had the time and materials all together last night to attempt my first turnout using Fast Tracks assembly jigs. How did it go? See for yourself!
21 April 2009 - I've finally managed to come up with a tie color scheme that works for me, details on the hand layed track page. I think this is going to look just about spot on. Now that is sorted out, I'm finally ready to begin my first Fast Tracks turnout. I discovered through their FAQ that you can use the code 83 jigs with code 70 rail; this is great news for me, as I won't need to buy another jig what I want to do at this stage.
Last weekend was a train show in Hookset, NH, and I got some great deals on rolling stock ($8 for intermountain cars!) and some craftsman building kits. As a Spring treat, I have the DCC and sound equipped F3 A&B set from Walthers on order (CN) from Dallas Model Works.
13 April 2009 - The sub roadbed, with the MDF top, proved to be a complete failure, so I've moved onto homasote. I received my jigs from Fast Tracks, so I'm going to begin construction of a couple of turn outs.
18 March 2009. With the hybrid bench work for one side of the new layout finished, I have been able to prepare the lower deck sub roadbed, in preperation for laying the track.
2 March 2009. After playing around, I began assembly of the hybrid bench work for the new layout, finishing one side (14'). I also received my Sergent Couplers; after installing them I am very pleased with them, and I will begin replacing the Kadees on my (still small, currently) fleet. I have a video on Youtube for folks who may be interested in how they actually work.
22 February 2009 - So I’ve been working on my layout, The one call “test” as I wanted to learn some things about how they’re constructed before beginning on the big one. I’ve revised my methods as I’ve gone, and have been generally pleased with the appearance, but some of the operation has left me a bit disappointed – there are some kinks from when I laid the track as a first attempt that still irritate me, the simple loop has grown a bit dull, and while I’m not against the 4x8” layout, I do see its limitations.
As I continue to learn about the hobby, I’ve realized that there are some things that I want to do – I want to use Fast Tracks turnouts, for instance - and while I could just splice one in here or there and extend what I have, I have to wonder to what end? Why am I protecting this layout?
Sure I’ll “lose” some money in pink foam, plaster cloth, ground foam and cork roadbed, but that’s a small price to pay for what I’ve learned so far. The structures, trees, and track should be pretty much recoverable without issue, as I used caulk to hold them down. The rest can be dumperized.
A new test layout will actually let me continue testing areas I still haven’t tried such as
1. Bench work. Such as L girder, dual deck, and a helix (as I’m planning all of these on the final one. I’m thinking it may be a good idea to attempt them now for the experience.
2. Backdrops
3. A lighting scheme, instead of the hodge podge of stuff I have in place now.
4. An operations based plan with at least one functional yard.
5. Basic Trackwork, meaning making this one smooth.
6. Advanced Trackwork, including fast track jigs, and other hand laid rail (I have to at least try it).
7. Turnout control
8. A reverse loop
9. How the hell a turntable actually works.
10. A swing gate
So there it is. I have a 14x10 space in my basement that I can clear out for this easily (I could actually go larger, but I don’t see the point at this time, but the space is a bit flexible). I’m thinking a 24” radius at this time (note all of my equipment has run fine on the previous 22”, and this one isn’t about mega looks either.
I’m going to order the Fast Tracks #5 turnout kit as a starter as I’d like to have one on hand built before finalizing on a track plan. I’m also intending on making this one so it will come apart without too much trouble, so if it turns out decent, it can be donated or saved (the current one, won’t fit up my basement stairs.
10 February 2009 - Been working on the yard with the new static grass applicator, "improving" things. Also Weathering Powders on a box car
3 February 2009 - Have a new planning page, as I've reworked the layout ideas for big one.
January 20, 2009 - besides a new US President, I have posted up a link to a home made static grass applicator that is still in the rough stages.
December 8 2008- added a dynamic track plan link that shows the current progression of the test layout.
December 6 2008, fixed some dead spots on the Yard, and disguised the feeder wires.
October 25 2008, added a new page for the Yard and Facilities area on the test layout. I have a new track plan posted up for the Planning page as well.
Going to add another siding to the yard (Oct 21, 2008) in the empty space here in the middle; and I have a new picture of the Supertrees as installed. I also have a new track plan up for the final build; you can find that on the planning page.
I rewired the front of the layout this past weekend (Oct 18, 2008) and added a simple toggle switch that allows me to change from DCC to DC control.
With my workshop kind of a mess, I assembled a quick display and storage case for my locos, to keep them from getting damaged when not in use.
There is a page up describing my construction of a road crossing at grade, and due to a cliff diving accident, I have a new locomotive conversion, as I've converted the model to DCC with sound. Besides the conversion page, I have a short 4mb quicktime video of the finished product at this time..
The building page has been updated with the yard office for Crosby's Coal completed, and some new features for the Town and West Hill as I add the Scenic Express Trees. I'm really liking these trees for their cost effectiveness, and appearance.
There are some ideas on what to build, which you can find on the planning page, updated 24 June 2008
You can see the progress of the test layout here (construction, updated 28 April 2008) and scenery (broken apart due to the file sizes)