A bit of everything at the same time

Latest update,

      I'm so anxious to get trains running that I've started working on installing some roadbed. In reality I've divided my time on frame work, roadbed (tracks soon), and structures...... so much to do.

      Here's my Sunrise Feed Mill almost completed. I still need to do some touch ups here and there. I had planned to install some lights in and out but went to fast in building and forgot about it. I need to build a schedule of things to do so I don't forget......age does that to you...lol. Also 3/4 of the way through I also forgot I wanted to take pictures and videos of the build.....oh well, got to remember for the next structure.

     When I was building the structure, I had taken the base to measure where to put my track on the layout so that I would have enough room for the building. I then went ahead and installed my roadbed. Well my first mistake of this layout occurred. The overhang of the building prevented the boxcar from going through. I had to remove the roadbed which was glued down and install it a little further, now everything is honky dory.

     My next structures are 2 bridges which are going to be build from scratch. One is a covered bridge which is mainly going to be used by the passenger train near the wall and the other will be a trestle for the freight train.

     By the end of the year, I would like to have all the elevations and roadbed done, just pass the peninsula, so I can start installing some tracks in the new year.

      For now, back to the grind on the layout.

Later

More work as been done

     It's been a week, so it's time for a new update.

     Only got my wood Friday so it was a slow week, but a busy weekend.

     

     While waiting, I decided to work on the the track framework elevations. Even though the design showed a flat track, I wanted to put some elevations, so needed to do lots of calculation to keep the slope at a max of 2%. Also the design is a double track, but I wanted the tracks to spread out before they each hit the bridge, so I can put a rock outcrop between the tracks. Even with these changes, the rest is still intact................for now.

      On the weekend, I finish the length of the back wall for the framework under the tracks.

 

     I'm printing my track plan in sections, here's the first peninsula.

     Working on the second peninsula. This one is a long one, measuring about 16' long and between 4-5' wide. Once this is done, this whole part of the layout is what I'll be working on till my wife moves out of her office in May. Then I will start on the second half of the layout.

     So I've got plenty of work waiting for me. So far 70 1''x4"x 8' and 900 screws. I pre drilled before every screw so that the wood wouldn't crack. I've got this useful drill bit/screw bit flip, saves lots of time. Oh and everything is level and sturdy.

     Will try to make a video next week explaining the layout.

Later

A bit more work done

     Manage to do a bit in the last 3 days. I've got about 20% of the frame work done and about to run out of 1x4, should be getting some next week. The peninsula you see, still needs to be secured to the rest of the layout, than I will be starting on the long peninsula. This layout is so much better than my first try, I have lots of accessibility everywhere on the layout, there's no place I can't access.

      To diversify my work, I'll be working on buildings (in a box) and bridges (from scratch), will post when I get started

Here's a video of what's been done so far.

 

Later

It's been a while, but I'm back

      Went on vacation and came back with a man's cold which lasted a bit more than a week, therefore another delay. BUT, now that all the walls have been painted, wood is in, work as now began on the new layout. I'm only 52 days of my supposedly starting date, but things should be on a roll now.

      Little things left to do, but nothing urgent. Still need to put molding along the ceiling edge and my wife will still use her space till till April/May, besides, I have lots to do before reaching her area.

Here's 3 pictures to get you started.

     This is the area I will be concentrating to start with. I know I should be starting with the first level (staging level), but since it's at the other end and includes my wife's office, it can wait.

 Later

Latest update of the NEW layout

Latest update:

      I'm a bit off schedule due to a few unforeseen problems, but will be ready for November.

      This is the before picture. I had to take all the wall boards down, the brick wall and brick floor.

     The after picture. Next week will be the painting. I'll have so much work to do in building the layout, that the office you see in the second picture, is my wife's office which will move upstairs probably at the end of April, unless the building of the layout goes fast.

     The following week I'm on vacation for 10 days and when I get back on the 4th of November, I'll be starting on my new layout. In the mean time you can all enjoy this little video of my new layout.

     

     See you all at the beginning of November for the start of my new layout.

Later.