Terry's Layout

Well it is about time I got some track down, after all, one can't play without track. As I progress in building this layout, I will post my photos here. It is only a humble beginning and subject to many changes, but it is a start.

Terry, Looking good. How about a full photo of the layout? I now it isn't finish, but some would like to see the track plan and stuff. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Jim, here is a quick shot of the current layout. This is going to be expanded quite a bit but at least allows me to try different approaches. I have three sections to fill on this layout which is U-shaped.

Terry, Good job. This will help some folks I'm sure. I like this track plan as well. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Modified layout back to my original tri-circuit oval. Now to work out the switching yard and the inner town areas.

Terry- You have a lot of space to play with.
This certainly is geometrically correct but to me lacks some interest. you can add another separate circuit that goes over and under ( for shorter trains), and shutes off in diagonals, or the complete circuit can be one level above your main lines. Just me thinking out loud and sticking both feet in it. As this is your yard section, you may want to forget about this comment..completely! It might be too soon to see the whole picture.
sputtering and muttering
Fred
I'll post anyways

Hi Fred, I couldn't agree with you more. I hate flat layouts. I just finished the switching yard, until I get more switches. Now I have to address the center section which will feed to town area structures. I have two other sections of the U-shaped layout to plan yet. All three sections will be tied together with the so called over and under connections. This section is three circuits using shunting but allows all trains to cross over to any other track. I will also have sidings which will be on SPST switches which will hold trains in waiting, (Dead leads). Parts of this track will probably be somewhat elevator or at least buried in a tunnel or a cavern. Stay tuned, this is only the initial designing stage. Thanks for your feedback, I surely need all the help I can get. Here's a new pic with the switching yard on it.

Good one Terry! Keep up the good work!

Looks good Terry. Only thing I could see being changed is the yard location. Were it is now in the back , Might make it hard to fix a derailed car, I'd say most your derails would be from going through all the switches so if it is closer to the front might help.
Just thinking and for me that's dangerous.
rich

I thought that too, but I was going to be mum - Terry, I know you have a long reach- but those are little tiny wheels you are trying to get on track.
Another thought-- I'll throw it out here. I know you will be looking for lichen when the snow departs in JULY.. I had some good and bad experiences with liechen. Some stays soft and plyable for ever. Good stuff.. and then I had some that got brittle and just broke apart leaving a terrible mess. Does anyone know the process to keep liechen plyable?? A little help here might help many. Thanks in advance
Fred

While lichen never appealed to me for so reason, I think Terry would be better of with Woodland Scenics lichen if he must use it. It come in many colors and is unform and predictable. Cheers, Jim CCRR:)

Fred wrote:
Does anyone know the process to keep liechen plyable?? A little help here might help many. Thanks in advance
Fred[/quote]


Fred,
I believe you soak it in a solution of glycerin and water for a period of time.....maybe pure glycerin............don't remember as it was over 30 years ago that I did that process. I don't even recall the end result, but I believe it did work. Sorry I can't recall more of the details. The glycerin is what makes it soft. Seems that the drying process took a long time after it was removed from the solution.

"Better not try this at home" as the saying goes. I'll bet someone on Trainboard would remember the procedure.

I'd stick with buying the commercial brand like Jim suggests.
Loren

Terry,

Thank you for posting photos showing how you are experimenting with track layout. We haven't gotten to that stage yet and your photos are helping me understand the some of the possibilities I liked the first track layout the most because it had the most interesting "oval" shape, though having the track in the centre of the layout wasted space where buildings could be. Just a few thoughts on what caught my eye

Thank you all for the feedback, it is very much appreciated. I will turn the track 180 degrees, putting the switching yard at the front. Move the hill and create a few more. As far as products for scenery, I will try to utilize whatever I can obtain locally for little or no costs. If they don't work well, I will have to but the real stuff.

I am thinking of maybe making the center section elevated, possibly multi-levels to allow for bridges and tunnels. I have to step back and think on it for awhile. I will not be on as much for the next few months as I have to get these home improvements done. This list just keeps getting longer, now painting the exterior of the house has been added to the list. All in a days work, I guess. Thanks everyone.

Considering my poor eye sight, I decided to leave the switch yard where it is. I can not see the alignment of the wheels to the tracks. I must use a rerailer to set a car on the track and I always place it on the closest track and then drive it to where I want it. My biggest concern is problems with the switches and I rather have the three main lines at the closest location. Problems in the switching yard do not require immediate attention. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Looks good Terry,

Go with your gut on how you want the layout to come out. Either way you are doing a good job so far and I like your ambition of the yard and the 3 short mains. Down the road you be able to expand off of that current setup. Keep up the good work.

Back to the design board. I am not happy with the ovals and the flatness.

Terry,

We don't have a track plan yet but I've been doing a bit of research on the subject. Here are a few links I found that you might find inspiring in some way. I don't think any of them are in Z scale, but nonetheless, here they are...

www.oldcrows.net/~patchell/hobbies/mr.html

www.katousa.com/track-plans/scenic-ridge.html

www.katousa.com/track-plans/richfield-fond-du-lac.html

www.building-your-model-railroad.com/model-railroad-track-plans.html

Thanks Beverly, I'll check em out, I have finally worked out the layout, at least in my head. Currently doing some landscaping and should have the basic form in a week or so.

This is the first section of the new layout. I decided to complete this section before laying out the remaining sections. Spur lines are likely to change as required.