Nice!!

I would start with the junction and coal loader to get started. The staging area behind could serve the interchange track and a simple line of trees to conceal the standing cars.

Later, when time permits, the right hand side could be developed and connect the lines. Start slowly and do a good job. I find that doing one area as far along as possible to a stage of scenery and building completion keeps things interesting and you don't get bogged down in any one area. This has been called, loosely, the one module approach or toma. In your case it isn't modules as much as scenes.

As for adding tracks, don't mess with a good thing. This plan seems to have everything you could want. Using some technology later on would allow multiple trains of different types to take turns running around the layout with time delays to make things interesting. You may find, like I have, that this part of the hobby helps extend your interest when building the layout seems overwhelming.

Thanks Neil!! I tried calling

Thanks Neil!! I tried calling your number, and sending you a text message. Sorry I didn't ask before hand.

I will follow your advice, and start the parts you say would be a good idea.

Stay tuned, and I will keep everyone updated with pictures!!!

I loved Hawaii when I was there. Sun, People/// military was great to me and my family....

Keep in touch!! I will definaltey have more questions when the time comes!!!

Blessings to you and yours!!!

Taz...

What Neil Said

Phone Number

Taz - I just noticed that my published number is really a virtual one and probably doesn’t do text messages. I’ll try to remember how to forward those calls to my cell phone. Sorry I missed you. 
 

Keep us posted of your progress and questions along the way. A lot has changed in the last few years and I look forward to seeing how you get along. 

See, a question already!!!!

See, Neil? I have a question already!!!! Lol!!! I am assuming that the red color track is elevated slightly, and the blue track is below it. It's really hard to tell. Funny thing, I was making a few curved turnouts to use a few months ago, and I have the right amount, and diverging direction to boot. Coincidence??? I think not... The good Lord answered my prayers earlier, for sure. I am ready to star the mine side this weekend, so stay tuned because I surely will need some advice. I want this done right, I have designed a plug n play signal system, to use on it. All micro controller controlled!!

i'll have to take pictures as I am building to show here...

thanks again, Neil! It's bed time and time to watch Danny Harmon's Distant Signal Productions on YouTube. He's got some great videos while rail fanning the FEC, and other roads too.

Blessings....

Taz...

Email....

Here is my email - BNSF_fan1@mail.com

have a great evening....

Taz...

Elevated Red Line

Agreed! Consider dropping the blue line (BNSF?) an inch or so as well. From the diamond that would only be about a 1% grade and the staging would have a slight rise that way as well - not a bad thing unless things uncouple! The red line (noted as C&O but could be SP or whatever) would be at least a 2-3% grade depending on how much separation you might need for those double stacks. 

I’me very interested in your signal system design as I’m nearly ready to figure out my semaphores using servos for the aspects. Thanks for the heads up on Danny Harmon.  

Ok, Now, I am starting the

Ok, Now, I am starting the part of the table suggested. Should I just make the risers for the TRACK base only, or set up the area for the buildings along with? Can you show me an example? Anyone? I want this done completely right, and this is different than my first layout. It was all flat and boring.

Can someone be so kind to give me a lesson on doing this? I would be forever grateful for anyone's help. Neil? Joe? Please let loose the idea train!!! lol!!!

I like the shadowbox method Joe does. But I have windows at a low level in my house. The bottom of the window frames are only 2 1/2 ft from the floor. So, I will not be able to avoid covering them a bit, but, for me that's ok.

Thanks for this venue, for it is a very helpful means. of learning!

Blessings to all...

Taz...

Check out my question below.

Check out my question below. Somehow, it got marked read, right after I post it, and no one looked at it. I guess I did it...

THANKS!!!

Taz...

Durn this work stuff!

Making a living is getting in the way of playing with trains and reading posts. Keep it simple. If you like the cookie cutter method (Raise and lower track from a single sheet of plywood) or cut out the subroadbed and put it on risers (or even try spline roadbed) then it all adds to the learning experience - never too old to play with trains. 
 

I cut out my plywood into shapes that match my track plan and adjust as I go.  Right now a helix, or spiral,  s in the works using straight segments joined with truss plates. So far, well the jury is out. Another project is the gate across a door opening. I’m thinking of a base on top of half of a door or sort of a such door without the upper. 
 

Keep those questions coming but do t freeze up overanalyzing how or why to do something. There really are no right or wrong ways. I’ve seen layouts built with foamcore and others that you could walk on.  

"Should I just make the

  I'd recommend doing all the base benchwork at once( for each module or the whole layout depending on your construction method)  Install roadbed on the desired alignment and grade, create building pads from sheet material and install them at correct grade., cut out vehicle roads base  and install them, then connect all the various elevations with cuts or fills or whatever terrain needs to go between them. This would all be rough in work, base layer only at this time. When the rough in is done then move on to track laying, scenery, etc. ...DaveB 

The value of this forum

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what's the value of a thousand words of commentary alongside those photos?  Priceless?

Grab a glass of your favorite beverage and settle in for a long reading session.  Andre's Building the Ozark Sub is the best "How to..." for building a layout's substructure I've come across in a long while.  Wall brackets to cookie-cutter, it's all there.

Might reread it myself, get some inspiration for the mess upstairs.  

VERY NICE!!!!

Thank you!!! I will look at it and read it!!!

Keep 'em commin', folks. I am excited about gittin 'er done!!! lol!!!

Taz...

SEE

It seems that both ideas are a great starter, and combining them may be a good thing also... ONE STEP AT A TIME! lol!!!

Thank you sir, very much!!

Taz...

I AGREE!!!

Thank you Neil!! I will always keep that in mind! ONE STEP AT A TIME!! I am retired, but, I seem to have more work sometimes then when I WAS working! lol!! NOT ANYMORE!!! I have decided this winter, I am working on my layout the most!Mama has been warned!! lol!!

I had thought, like you, that a combination of BOTH may be good, and it should be a BLAST doing it...

I will certainly have more questions for y'all, so stay tuned. I REALLY thank all of your advice, and respect it!!

Blessings to all!!

Taz...

Layout Building the Framework...

Hello, y'all!!! Here is an update on the layout. I have half of the room framed up, and ready to build upon that. Here, I have placed the supports for the middle portion of the layout. I have measured, and cut pieces of 1/2" pine plywood, as my roadbed base. It has worked great for me in the past, and should not be a problem here.

I have designed this so that it could be taken down and moved easily, so it's kind of modular, but, not in the preferred way! IT WORKS, if it works, don't fix it.... lol!!!

It will be a breeze to wire, and lay track. I'll have more photo's fairly soon. If not before Christmas, for sure just after the first of the year.

Here's one to tease ya, and get reaction from... lol!! HEY, reaction is C-O-O-L!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!! MAY YOU BE BLESSED IN THE CELEBRATION OF OUR LORD'S BIRTH!

Best Regards to all;

Taz...