Operational layout or run my trains through a scene?

Operations or Run for Fun

Art, thanks for the reply.  Yes I totally understand, I think.  This being my 8th layout, I now am shooting for a high-bred.  I dont know about you but sometimes I just want to move stuff around in a yard.  And then sometimes I want to just see those long passenger trains go by...scale speed, that is...and then I feel all artistic and wanna build scenery.  So I have "crammed" some of everything this layout.  But in reality to me it is fun to watch the trains do what they do.  So to me that IS seeing them run through a scene - operations.

Work will now resume now that my Bronco is 5 speeded.

OK here's the plan:  there are three distinct elevations, the highest being the track against the wall.

This is a picture of the yard at the city/bay area, serving multiple roads:  I thought part of the switching fun would be to load and off-load the barge.  Its not huge but it will take three rows, three cars deep.

and then just to see some of the other wall progress...this is coming down out of the mountains into the hills.

Well that's it for now.  I will resume work now that I can focus on the layout.  Four out of 10 modules have the track laid and almost wired.  I want to at least get the upper level and yard powered so I can see trains run again.

thanks for looking and any comments are welcome.

fritzg

Grades?

Wow-

maybe it's just the way the pictures are taken, but those grades look mighty steep. What is the rise?

There also doesn't look to be an easement into the grade rising up in picture one (city / bay area) of the layout. The rapid change in elevation could have you loosing cars there to uncoupling.

yeah wow

Yep you're right.  A very steep grade as it sits...bracing has not been placed on that particular run yet.  All the grades on the the layout are quarter inch in 12...and this one if I remember correctly will be a quarter inch in 10.  Sometimes I just have to build it and put my hands on it to verify things in my mind, even though I had it on paper several times.  As a matter of fact the grade continues thru a tunnel and then passing on the outskirts of the next town.  I think this will always be in the direction of a brake test than a traction test.

thanks for the reply Jeff

More Progress from Weekend

I wanted to get a couple pics posted for the work I have completed this past weekend of May 11-13. 

Like Joe says, wiring is the noticeable progress...well unless you look under the layout.  But I did succeed to complete 5 modules wired with bus, feeder and block switches.  I am wired for DC and DCC (future).  I have yet to wire in auto bulbs for short protection (DCC).  I like that idea but I am not sure if I would use a 1156 lamp for N scale loco's.  Any takers on that???

So I finished my yard track and wiring and broke out all the rolling stock just so I could see it again.  I've got a lot of weathering to do!!  To continue I got all backdrop backings attached.  This is where buildings and scenery will have their foundation as opposed to the walls of the house.  Remember these are module segments and can be removed so I wanted the backdrops to be integral with the module shelf units.  I also corrected the grade on that descending track into the neighboring town.

I also started experimenting again on my switch stands.  As N-scale goes there is not a lot of hand throws that appeal to me.  When I was in HO it was a different story.  So I decided to make my own.  I found an idea on the web somewhere on a model railroad sight useing pierced earring posts and other pieces...well I took it further and this is my first version.  I have another variation in the works and will post that in the near future.

this is one the storage track that runs in front of the window...so experiments are allowed here.  This probably not get ballast either.   I use Atlas code 55 exclusively...the switches are #5's here.  I use mostly #'s 7, 10 and curved turnouts on the layout.

Well that's it fer now, thanx for looking!

fritzg

Beans are Good for a model railroad

Update here: 

yes cans of beans holding down the second of two mainline track laying completions.  The first is to the right (higher elevation).  All feeders have been soldered and are ready to tap into the backbone wiring.  At the same time the module tables are wired with block switches for DC running, or can be used for diagnostic purposes for DCC.  Remember I wired this layout with TWO main truck systems.

Earlier this weekend I finished the "small city's" track work (the other wall)...but I did not take a picture as of yet because I am trying to sort out which industries are going to be resident at that location. 

So next I will finish the small town at the far end of this picture.  It will be in the trees, lumber industry will be there, a small branch, maybe a team track, shipping warehouse, and something like uh crate factory ...or.???

so that's it fer now

thanks for looking, I cant wait to see a train run!!

It's only right that you

Labor Day Challenge Enduced Progress

OK I have time to post so I am going to include some pics of the progress I have made in the last week or two.  I got all the base pink foam in place: 

and another closer to the corner: 

Yeah don't laugh...you've been here too.  I am just trying to get my carving water wings.

So after hacking things up for a day I decided to paint the "brown dirt color" as Joe puts it...

Yeah OK...well its progress.  So here's the last pic, I struggled with the dynamics of the corner where the bridge over troubled waters will be...

well that's it for now.  I'm going to keep hacking and painting until my trees arrive.  Hope there is still mountains left on which to plant them.

thanks for looking, comments are always welcome.

fritz

Labor Day Challenge Update - Opinions?

It has been awhile but I have been busy working on many areas of the layout including metal wheel set and body mount coupler conversions.  I also expanded my largest existing yard so it is accessible at both ends and began planning of building placement of one of the smaller towns.

But the challenge I accepted was to tackle and finish the mountain range section of the layout.  It is not finished but it is carved and stained and dry brushed.  These are all hand carved out of pink foam and colored with acrylics.  I have not planted any trees as of yet.  Last night I began finishing the various tunnel portals.

Here are three views for your reviewing:

hope you enjoy!

thanks for any comments,

fritz

Great rock work!

I have been watching your progress.  I am modeling in N scale too.  I will be using the foam to create my mountains as well.  I am paying attention to what you are doing here.  It looks good to me.  I do plan to do one more experiment with the foam rock work.  I know it has been discussed here on the forum.  I am going to get me a $20 box of colored sand grout for tile floors to test the effects when it is applied to a foam rock carving.  Will it enhance it or take away from it?  That is the question.

Great job so far!  Keep posting!

Den

Thanks for your comments

some great work on the

some great work on the mountains. The drybrushing has come up really well. I am building in NZ120 which is New Zealand Narrow gauge at scale of 1/120 on N scale track. Using a mixture of code 55 for mainline and code 80 for yards. I am also using modules. How are you connecting modules and track? I have bolted modules together at present and run track over top without cutting at module joins as yet. will be interesting to see details of your switch stands. John 

Update On Challenge Mountains

John,

Sorry I didnt get back sooner...tree planting and working on the other wall's modules.

My modules run all code 55 Atlas.  I have them all bolted together as I am not moving anywhere soon.  (but I could)...I have taken them apart twice already to do mods to the bench matrix and backdrop support masonite board.

Uh tried to find a pic of the two bolts and bench work but of no avail.  I use two bolts, washers and wing nuts...NO slop in the hole!  I was nervous the first time I bolted them back together, but I did achieve track alignment!  I guess it is because I do not use legs.  I use 10 x 16 braced angle wall brackets, which have NO give and are rated at 600 pounds each.  The house would fall down first. 

But even with all that support I build very light this time.  Foam rocks and board.  Only my large yard and mainline track runs are half inch MDF.  And I am using mold making latex to coat fill my rock molds I am using elsewhere instead of plaster or plaster of paris.  Very light!

I make the cut at the tracks at each module table separation.  I am going to upgrade the cuts with a fit one inch segment that is removable.  But I will make this mod after my Fast Tracks order shows up.

OK here they with trees planted!!

Bridge is not finished obviously.  Going to be a plate girder I think, with supports into the below creek bed.  Lower crossing is going to be a cemented culvert over-crossing.

Here is another shot moving to the right.

And more to the right:

And finally to the rightest, and elevated shot.  I got some of the cement tunnel portals installed now.

So that is it for now.  I have got several mini projects going...my lift-out door crossing section scenery is being roughed in...and the car barge water section is being experimented on...there are fitting conflicts with the lift-out.

thanks for looking!

fritz

Rock & Trees

Like the coloring on your rockwork - really makes 'em pop!

One comment I will make is that the pines above your bridge look like you've planted a tree farm rather than a forest.  The uniformity of the scene is distracting and, although scenery should be admired, takes your eye away from the trains which is really the focal point. 

I see you were looking for a bit of forced perspective.  Some tips to improve this is to add a bit more variety in the trees by trimming some shorter or taller and, perhaps, throw some ground coverto mute the contrast between light brown and bright green. Also, you can dust the treetops with some greys and/or blues to tone down the bright green and make them appear more distant than they really are.  Think: standing on a summit and viewing the mountains along the horizon.  Each "row" of mountains appears to be a different shade of gree/grey/blue.

I must say, I'm jealous of your rockwork!  The various washes really makes an outstanding scene.

Yeah Johnny

I was afraid of the grove look...I saw it, but it was difficult to steer away from it.  I think maybe dulling down the base brown or cover "bottoms" of the distant trees with something is going to be the next experiment.  I appreciate your comments.  It is always good to get some honest and constructive feed back whenever I can.  I can't get enough...wus up with that??

thanks again!

fritz

More On Switch Stands

At this point with a 20 inch max depth of table, I am going with manual turnout control.  Even if they are somewhat remote with a manual device like humpyard products or home built...I wanted to have a close to scale switch stand that didn't break the bank.  And as much as I liked using N-scale ground throws on my once HO layouts...NOT with an N-scale...just too big.

So I have been experimenting again.  This time with dollar store package of "pierced ear-ring metal stud mounts"like this: 

OK so there's the stud...and then two beads..uh TINY..like 2 mm or smaller and then a clear rubber ear-ring backing and another larger bead.  The larger bead is pictured in one of my earlier posts.  But, the two smaller beads are subjects of this posting.  The larger probably would be cool for HO layouts.  Easier to grab with your finger to move the turnout slid bar.  But the smaller look better.

So I slip the metal post up thru the hole on the slide bar.  I am using altas #5 and #7 turnouts currently.  Then I cut down the clear rubber backing with an exacto knife to a reasonable height for N-scale switchstand base.  The rubber backing is also a dollar store item.  So that's 2 bucks. Push that dude on there tight to the slide bar.  I used to use a sleeve bead next but found that it made the upright of the stand look too fat.  So now I use one of the smaller beads gluing it with CA.  I then give the stand and top of the bead a coat of weathered black or similar color.

So here is a couple of shots of the finished stands.  This one is the using the sleeve bead in the middle...its fat.

And this one is just the small bead and post with the cut down rubber backing.  You've got to be careful when you slide the post up thru the hole if your turnouts are already mounted to the layout.  But I have done this many times already.  Just be careful...and quick.

This is the smaller of the two square beads...sorry no pic using the bigger square bead.  One more thing I have found and I like is that these have just enough ground tension to keep the turnout in the position you moved it to so there is no other device needed.  With remote manual control I am using them for cosmetic purpose only.

So what do think??

thanks for looking!

fritz

Hi Fritz , the greenery

Hi Fritz , the greenery really makes a big difference to your rockwork. I agree with different heights to your trees and also putting groundcover or similar under trees. I have mucked around with putting a mix of twigs and kiwifruit hair under some of my trees.still a work in progress.the kiwifruit hair is from grading machines in packhouse near our home and is a nice brown colour. a friend has even tried using it for static grass with good results.just requires a lot of sieving to get rid of other debris.

switchstands look cool . our stands here are just extended steel  handles with a hand lever to squeeze to pull over point and also move handle to opposite position . your stud  alone would be good for this with shaft bent slightly left or right. must keep a look out for them in our shops. John

Spectacular scenery!

I can't wait for you to post a few photos with trains in the shots for scale - it looks like you have built an entire canyon out of a few blocks of foam - a truly spectacular scene!  I can almost hear the echoes of dynamite blasts as the engineers slowly cut a pass for the track gangs.  I'm in HO, but have done N twice in the past, and admit this is one of the two best things about N: you can really create realistic scenes in which the scenery overwhelms and dwarfs the trains.  (The other best thing is how much railroad you can fit in a small space, of course!)

Keep the photos coming!

Roger

Thanks for the comments guys

They really help me figure out where I am at with realistic scenes. I thought maybe it did not look very real...and then I thought maybe I was getting "snow blind"...if you know what I mean.  I also having done HO and love that size of scale tend to lean to scaling things in my mind for HO and then have to smack myself to reboot and think N scale.  I love N for the pure possibilities of track distance, its great.  But it is soooo tiny!  still I have been doing N for years along with HO and now N scale only.

Kiwi fuzz...interesting, and you are spot on!  I was thinking I need some sort of frock??? or fuzz or something to disguise the distant forest floors and 'thicken' things up....'know what mean?

So, you wanna see trains uh?  how 'bout WP draggin' a stream of silver beauties??  Yeah OK...soon.

I have been workin on more very light weight removable tunnel constructions on various areas of the layout.  I try to keep everything very serviceable...and there is alot of space to do this...basically 10x15 room, 20 inches deep all the way around, with three mains most of the time.  So I am doing a lot of track hiding, but you always get to see some train running.  My idea was rail fan observation and switching challenges...well scenery, but that goes without mention. 

More to follow...

thanks again guys, I really appreciate the comments!!

fritz

Pics of WP Passenger CZ

going through the rocks...the bridge aint done yet...and pic is a tad over-exposed...oops 

coming thru'

and here is an overhead view

so I just keep working on it little by little while I am working on the rest of the layout. 

back to work! hope you enjoyed

thanks for looking

and opinions and comments are always welcome!

fritz

WP passenger

cool shots Fritz! That overhead shot does it for me. Just brilliant.

Catchin' Up Pics - I've been busy

It has been quite some time since I have posted but I had been so busy I rarely took time to check the site except to read the mag and some postings.

Upon receiving my Fast Tracks order I built a few turnouts I needed to finish the modifications on my yards.  Through this experience I began replacing key ties and switch bars on ALL my code 55 altas turnouts.  I then installed slide switches to remotely control and power frogs of the turnouts.  I've been trying to hide the switches for photo shots as you can or can't see in the pics:

here's a different angle:

As I continue to build scenery I am attempting to use different methods involving light weight materials.  I am using poster type board, or picture matte board instead of wood for concrete retaining walls:

I use styrene and balsa wood a lot more for bridges... and foam for tunnels.  So far all the rocks that used to be plaster paris are now rocks made out of mold latex three layers thick in factory rubber molds.  Like these on the tunnel side behind the scratch built Ochs Oil:

For cleaning and working on track I started useing magnets to allow removal of bridges.

and here is removed:

OK so on to the other wall at the base of the Labor Day challenge mountains are located.  There was nothing here, but now I have at least some ideas laid out and track is in and operational.

Bear in mind all of the scenery is in the formative stages.  Nothing is set in place.  All is moveable, so I welcome suggestions from you guys.

And so having almost made it around the room, here is tunnel 4 as it heads to the last table section.

And on the other side before crossing over the removable section at the doorway to the room is the pink foam corner...I told you I am not finished.  This shot is at the final corner looking back at table 3 via tunnel 5.

So there is my progress...not to mention the layout now has fascia made from masonite board.  I dont have any switches mounted or holes through the face because all are tucked behind mounted on frame work for DCC testing and diagnosis if need be.  Otherwise all turnout switches are on top hidden in scenery....well as much as possible.

Thanks for looking!  Suggestions and comments are welcome.

fritzg

Return From the Garage

So since the last time I recorded any activity, there has been much, very much.  The concept of moving the layout has been proven twice.  From the 'man cave' to the garage, and from the COLD garage back to the 'shared' man cave; but I got a separate TV room out of the deal. HA! 

The layout changed from 'round the room to a two level layout with a 3 foot diameter helix at the one end.  The room is 15.5 feet long.  The upper level is about 14 inches deep mostly, and the lower level is all 24 inches deep.  I re-designed it primarily for ops point to point.

I acquired a good size yard for my 'eastward' destinations, storage and staging,  I used it for the upper level, here's another shot after rebuilding the frame work.

I made several mods to the yard so it would connect to the helix to travel down to the existing two towns and industries, and to travel up the helix to the future upper upper 'round-the-room passenger line.  This picure does not show there are 4 curved turnouts leading out of the yard into a single track joining the helix.

As with the previous rendition I have once again a barge/car float at the other end of the lower level. 

Most of the layout is designed for point to point but I built a bubble track anyway at the end of the upper yard for turning complete trains to be ready for the next run out of the 'staging' tracks.'  So here is the pic o that...pretty sparse looking right now.  I wanted a diesel service area and repair facility so that is what the two sets of three tracks are for.

My lower level I a bit more busy because I wanted the SP tracks separate more or less from the WP tracks.  And Santa Fe in my world passes thru with produce and someday a passenger train of some sort.  Seems this may be a stretch for some but you know the old saying.  Then I found a book the other day on the CCT which operated in Stockton CA and was owned by the three at one time or another and together.  Well that's good enough for me.

So here's the lower level track pic.. from the other end. 

Looks like a mess right now but it is changing fast.  It makes more sense with industries and town buildings.

That's it for now.

thanks for looking,

I got Progress Right Here

I find it hard to stop gettin' things done...to take pictures to post.  So I thought I would try this again...posting pictures that is.

So I have been working steady almost every night just trying to do at least something.  Spackling a black top or concrete road in, or ballasting a stretch of track.  I have placed all of the industries along the wall as half buildings but they are not fully detailed yet.  SP track services these.  I finally finished ballast and clean up of track and turnouts.

Heres the start after leaving the helix

Like I said details details...are coming.  Heres a pic o street and diner.

And so I have been trying to place all the industries and finish the basic roads, and get ballast done so I when to the top level and knocked out the far end of the large Yard which is a balloon track and diesel facility.  Both the concrete floor and diesel pad are spackled, painted and weathered.

So then I got brave and decided to do the in-town rails on main street.  What do you think??

It came out OK I guess... So lastly a shot of one of my newer locos, the CCT #60..

well thats it fer now

thanks for looking!

fritz