Train Layouts

 

                                                      

One of my desires in constructing this layout was to have one of everything.  You will see different styles of bridges.  Also, there is a water feature, namely a small pond with a viaduct.

             

 

I have built two train layouts.  My first was an N gage 4 foot by 8 foot layout that was my first attempt at layout building.  It is a fairly simple construction of poly foam over 1/2 inch plywood.  The underlying frame is L-girder construction using 1x2's; this is a common technique that can be copied from almost any model RR site.  The scenery was scenic foam and the elevations and hills were foam with accents of sculptamold.  By the way, this is where I first discovered that when painting mountains, always start with the darkest color as the undercolor.

 

            

 

 

 

            

 

           

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

This layout is quite a bit larger than "N" with dimensions of 13 feet by 9 feet.  The left half of the near structure is removable from the rest so that you can work on the layout interior.  The plan of the layout is atypical because the basement room has constraints due to interfering columns and walls.  I have considered restructuring it with aisles but haven't done so because I like the depth of the scenery.

The second layout I constructed was HO scale.  Whereas N is good for limited space; it is hard to work on due to the fine detail. 

The rear structure is elevated to accommodate mountains and make better use of structure space and allow more track to be used.  The theme of the layout; western USA was developed for use by my favorite loco, "Big Boy".

 

I had a lot of fun building this and learned a few lessons:

Whatever you do, make sure that all curves are "true".   N scale will not stay on a curve that is not accurate.

Use a lot of scenic material; bare spots on a layout are the first thing that your eyes focus on.

Weather all structures; building kits do not look real in their "native" plastic.

Acquire multiple locomotive's; you get tired of the same one real quick.  Following are a couple of mine.

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

I've had a lot of fun with this layout and have had as much fun constructing the buildings and mountains as I have had putting down the track. 

       

 

       

 

      

 

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I continue to upgrade and improve the layout and I will be adding more info to the site over time.  My next area of interest is building castle replicas.

Big Boy is the largest locomotive ever built for regular deployment and it's wheel configuration is: 4-8-8-4; which means, of course it has 12 axles and 24 wheels.  A total of 25 of these monster locos were built and used primarily to climb Sherman Hill and the Wasatch Range.