Moving along nicely

That's looking pretty good, Rob.  How long before the first tracks are laid?

Excellent Progress

Hey Rob, Good to see You making progress. Maybe next time I come to Michigan You will be running trains!!

Laying tracks

Hi Ken,

Soon,

I have just received my first order of On30 Flex track. But WOW, have you seen the prices of turnouts! Might try my hand at hand laying them. I also ordered some Flex Track at a LHS but they haven't called to say its in.

Rob Teed

Here is Ken Rickmans winning entry Level 1

This is the layout design first level. I may change things but overall I like this plan

Here is Ken Rickmans winning entry Level 2

Track plan thoughts

One of my favorite aspects of this plan (aside form what looks to me like a lot of fascinating operation) is the semi-mushroom design.  The top deck is a combination of a "normal" top deck, visible above the main deck and almost entirely devoted to scenery.  However, when it reaches the end of the long wall, it inverts to become a mushroom, making room for an operator to work unimpeded and out of the way of other operators.  I wouldn't claim that the design is better in general than any other, but in this situation it's what made the most sense to me.

Also, by locating the backdrops as I drew them, there is no direct line of sight from one side to the other, but there is no tunnel either.  Of course, there's nothing stopping Rob from putting a tunnel there, but there does not have to be one.

this is the first layout I've designed for anyone other than myself, and I am more than a little excited to see it.  also, I consider this to be one of the best track plans I've ever come up with.  I really hope it turns out well.  Maybe some day I'll even get a chance to operate on it.

Operating on the NN&ND

Hi Ken,

Operating on the NN&ND (No Name & Not Dun) is a bit away but you are more then welcome to drop in anytime.

Rob Teed