Well, I'm finally working on a layout in ernest. I have 'started' at least four layouts in the past but never really got too far. You know, lack of time, space, patience. About a year ago my wife suggested a change. She suggested I start over and build in the patio enclosure instead of the basement. I could go from 10' x 18' to 16' x 20'. Hum, not a bad idea, especially since we never use the patio for anything but storing junk. So I cleaned out the area and started building. Here are a few photos of my work so far.
Here I go again.
This one I am pleased with, but I fell it can be better. If you all would please look and give me your opinions, It would be appreciated.
Gauge is ho and all turnouts are #6. Solo operation. Curves are 22 or better. Table size is 24 ft on top and 20 ft down the side, 2 ft wide. I plan on running 10 car trains usually. The island is the 12 x 2 layout that I have in the house now. Boss said she likes it, so I need to keep it
Industries will be a mixture, mainly manufacturing. Three sidings can be change to passing tracks in case I find an RDC someday. Or, I might just use a couple little Overton coaches for a daily passenger run.
Any questions or comments are more then welcome.
Oh, and to save room, the staging track will be in the yard, I plan on removing the engine when it is not running.
The interchange will be for that area only, which will have its own switcher. I figure the yard switcher can take cars to the interchange as part of its duties.
It took forever for the "gauge logo" thread to load, and many of the avatars didn't show up until the page had completely downloaded. Found out that there were two 297K file size pictures about mid thread, so half a meg. had to complete loading before the rest of the page could complete.
Every dial-up user would have the same "problem".
Edit: I will post some photos once I get back home. I had to take down the pics I put up at the bosses request as it shows company operations. The management is considering letting me take the big camera with me next week to get plenty of photos, so I'll post a bunch more pics of the countryside when I get back. I can't do it here as the net conection is VERY slow and spotty at best. I did get some photos of the countryside (the REAL Jamaica, not the one they show on TV). We are completely opposite side of the island from the tourist areas. People here are GREAT. VERY friendly, very laid back. They'll do anything for you.
has anyone read the book that recently came out about Bethelem Steel Railroading? i am thinking about getting it, but wanted to see if anyone had read it, before i bought it. thanks very much.
I am looking to buy Code 83 and Code 70 rail for my Highway.Switching Layout project im working on. im going to be using Central Valley turnouts and tie strips so i will need the rail to finish them.
I would like them in 36" lengths if possible, but i will take 24" and up pieces too. I also prefer for the rail to be unused and in good condition, no bends, kinks......
If you have some extra rail in Code 83 and/or 70, please let me know
Greetings all, I created this thread to document the progress of my Chessie System layout. I hope to gain some good feedback and I hope that you all enjoy following my progress. The line I model is the Athens Subdivision of the Chessie System in the 1970's. The line ran from Parsons Yard in Columbus, Ohio to Athens, Ohio. The real Athens sub was once the main coal artery of the Hocking Valley Railway, but during the 30's the coal mines played out and the C&O merged the Hocking Valley to utilize it's line from Parsons Yard to Toledo. As traffic declined over the years the Athens sub was little more than a branch on the C&O system.
I chose to model this line as a "what if". In my world, the coal mines are still running strong and the Chessie uses this line as a vital link in it's system. The Penn Central also takes full advantage of trackage rights to bypass it's own hilly and curvy West Virginia secondary, which the NYC really did. I like big six axle 2nd generation power and coal and I represent them both well on my layout. You'll see six axle PC power, leased Reading Geep's and even a DT&I SD38 that finds it's way to Logan once in a while. I built this layout largely out of my head meaning that I had a plan and just started building benchwork. I also laid out the trackage without a trackplan, just a general idea of how I wanted it to look. I've reconfigured the layout several times mostly to enhance the operation and in the last case to open up my train area. I think I've finally settled on something and I've been busy building scenery and trying out various techniques. I'll post pictures as I go along and I hope that you all enjoy watching my progress. To start out here is my layout as it exists today. I figured this way it would be easy to look at a picture and find it on the layout. This should be fun. Take care all until next time.
On February 28 and Mar 1 there will be a train show in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This is a nationally recognized train show. My beautiful wife and I plan to attend. For more info, PM me and I will be happy to send you the details.
