Martin you have one thing wrong.

Actually you got # 5 wrong. From everything I have red and every person here at MRH have made a point that you should build the top level first or at least do the finish work on the top level first. Reason being is if you finish the lower levels first then as you finish the levels above you will be dripping plaster or resting your arms on the finished landscape below breaking models and all the fine details you finished.

You can build the frame work any way you want but when it comes to track work, wiring, and landscaping you should start the finish work from the top level and work down to the lowers levels to avoid destroying all your work on the lower levels.

Dan

One of the dilemmas of double

One of the dilemmas of double deck layouts is which level to build first. Finishing the lower level first can be problematic when the upper level scenery installation drips on it. On the other hand, laying track at the rear of a somewhat deep lower deck with upper deck above is a pain in the back (and other places).

I tend to lay the track on the lower deck, either before building the upper deck, while the upper deck is merely joists and spline roadbed, or by removing track base plywood from the lower deck and working on it at the workbench. Then I do the upper deck trackwork. Then I cover the lower deck track with plastic sheeting or newspaper or what not - I also use blue painters tape on the track then do the upper deck scenery. When the upper deck is beyond the drippy stages then I figure its ok to get serious with finishing the lower deck.

YMMV

Charlie

Richfield Rail Runners

Our First night went well. We got started painting the walls. A second coat will go on Thursday night. The wall that supports the pennisula in the middle of the room was built and 1x4's clamped across to represent the 3 levels.

May have to rethink the 3 level idea.  It is a great plan but I should try to comprimise and just do a 2 level and sneak the stagging back into the workshop area.  The upper level ends up being to high for most of the guys and the staging is almost on the floor. The main line and most sidings will be spline roadbed made with 1 5/8" wide x 8'long  homosote strips. I get about 24 strips out of a piece of 4x8 homosote.

Oh yes we plan on scenery top down. Construction seems easier bottom up.

I really need to get a computer drawing of the plan and post it soon.

martin

Rail Runners Model Railroad Club has a NEW TOY

Hey Guys, It has been awhile since my last post, however I plan on updating this more often. We are well on our way with our layout. A lot has changed since my first post. We started over and now the layout is a 2 level layout. The upper level is narrow gauge. We will be on tour for the 2018 Narrow Gauge convention in Minneapolis. Now to our new toy... My wife surprised me with a Cricut Explore for my birthday. I had seen the spot on Model Railroad Hobbiest Train Masters TV. It has taken a few days and a couple phone calls to get everything working correctly. We have designed our first building and cut it out on the Cricut. We have another building we wil be doing this Thursday. We are also going to design and cut out a few boxcar sides. This is an amazing machine guys. Here is a picture of our first building front.