OK...Steve brought up a point when he says "I copy everybody"...So, I'm thinking maybe we all do, in greater or lesser degree, and would like to know how much you've "picked up" through participating in the forum. Pick the option which comes closest to what your level of "copying" has been.....

Looks as though the spur is no longer used, but still a nice structure, one of those generic warehouse type boxes. I didn't take many photos of the non-railroad side. I can get more photos if anyone wants them.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

Not a question for the "linear walkaround, once through the scene" types. And not a question about a specific layout, but I think this still goes here.

I've drawn many twice-around plans. In some cases, parts of these layouts were forced to have three or even four routes through a scene. I could never figure how to make the more extreme cases look convincing.

Only recently did I realize that my difficulty was forced by requiring space between each lap. Many published and constructed layouts have, for example, two single-track lines running through a scene as a double-track line. Visually, this is actually more convincing. A multi-track line looks more believable than multiple separate routes close by. And, if there are no crossovers between the laps, operational separation is maintained. But I've always avoided it. I require the ability to suspend disbelief and accept that the laps aren't actually in the same place, and putting them right against each other is the final step I can't take.

So, my question is: What are your limits on suspension of disbelief? What produces a "wedding cake" reaction? And what makes tracks "feel" close together or far apart?

Anyone interested in NASCAR Fantasy 2010?????

I'll be getting the e-mail in the next week or so, I guess....

Been a while since Ive been on, so hey everybody! Havent done anything really train related lately, and last I was on here, I was having issues figureing out a trackplan. I came to the idea the other day though, that if placing track, and then structures didnt work, why not put stuff where I wanted it and then place track. I tried that tonight and now have a rough trackplan figured out that looks very promising. I also have plenty of stuff to have some good operating interest. I decided that a yard would take up too much space, so I opted for a siding, long enough to create a train on, and this is where every operating session will begin, with a inbound train entering the town to drop/off pick up, and when finished the train can return to the siding which I will just say leads off to another track. Industry wise, ther will be a grain elevator, lumber yard, good size gern complex, and a coal or gravel company (havent made up my mind). I guess Im kinda to a point where I can start laying roadbed down, I just need to finish drawing the trackplan onto the benchwork to make sure it will all work out.

I bought this Roco track cleaner car off the bargain shelf for $5. I plan on adding body mounted couplers, screw mounted trucks, and whatever else I can think of to make it servicable.

Now, the reason I am posting this is because the "instruction" sheet was downright comical in some of its translations to english.

For example: "Attention! At an incorrect use there exists danger of hurting because of cutting edges and tips!"

...since anyone has posted here. if you all ain't careful, I'll start posting here even if I don't have anything to say!! (like now, for example)

Here's the plan... Finally received tentative approval for this! Final approval depends on how it is attached to the wall.

[album]1803[/album]

I was thinking about brackets, but could also simply place the modules on top of shelving units at an appropriate height. Since I belong to <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.HOTrak.ca">www.HOTrak.ca</a><!-- w --> (a modular club) these have to make about 1/2 dozen trips per year out of the house, so permanent mounting is not possible.

Here are my options:

1) Single brackets mounted at ~50" (constrained by wall structure) gives overall height to the railhead of about 60". Easily visible, but not so easy to work on. Ceiling height in this part of the basement is about 6'6" due to being under the sunken living room.

2) Adjustable brackets (channel brackets?) would allow any height to be chosen, plus easily give the option of having shelves above the layout for storage, to mount lighting, etc.

3) Directly on shelves. This option requires investment in additional shelving, but with a little bit of sawing also allows any height.

Due to the options, you can vote for more than one thing. Please indicate the method of supporting the modules, and then indicate whether shelves above is a good idea...!

Thanks for your feedback!

Andrew

About a minute of live steam locomotive action in 55n3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODWNxJr9HHk

Harold

Actually, I see trains almost everyday because I drive past the Mykawa yard on my commute.

Here is an nteresting mix of locos and some interesting and not so interesting cars in the yard today. Of course there were many other ones, tank cars, container cars (what are those actually called?), and autoracks.

On the lead, a silver and red warbonnet! How long before these are painted over and gone forever?



Second, a BNSF orange and black unit:



And a KCS loco... rather gaudy in my view!



Some generic covered hoppers, size LARGE. Lots and lots of these down here due to the petroleum refineries and plastics industry.




Now here is something I haven't seen... hoppers with solar panels.... are these ballast cars? And what of the photovoltaics?




A couple of coil cars:



And an interesting covered hopper, apparently advertising the Canadian census in 2000? Anyone know anything about this one?



An ex-Wisconsin Central boxcar, now EEC:




And bringing up the rear, some CSXT covered hoppers, one clean one and two very dirty ones: