Really great start! I was wondering if you could tell me the elevation you have setup for each level?
Craig, The height levels originally designed into the 3 decks are 38" for the staging, 52" for the main level and 62" for the upper level. I have since cut the layout design back to two levels to more fit my needs. PM sent with the original design.
Nice layout indeed , I like the naritive of how the line started , I want to to do that for my freelance line . I liked the geese as well and the old tire ... it's like finding an old rusted out car along the rr track and there are no roads to be found and the fun is guessing how it got there.The water shot is great , don't forget the fly fisherman ! LOL Paul
Jim .. can you go into more detail about your helix (construction, template, etc) and also could you show an overall layout picture
Been a while since I looked and your progress is nice! A bit jealous here! Am SLOWLY making a start here, slowly.
Here are the overall pictures of the layout to date. I still need to add a table to the right side of the table under construction. As far as the helix goes, I will locate my drawings (yes I still do things by pencil) and get my notes posted. The basics for the helix are I went with a 13.5" radius for the turns on each end with a 28.5" straight section between 180 degree turns. The distance between levels of the helix is 2.75" - thats rail to rail. I used 1/2" plywood and cut the 180 degree turns as one piece and the straight sections as one piece. I used 1 x 3s to make the spacers between levels. Here is a link to a video I watched to help me decide on the helix construction, the gentleman does a good job explaining his construction methods. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdrXH--f41Y I will find my build notes and get more posted for you.
I've been working on my trestle lately. Once the trestle is built I will need to lay 1 more piece of flex track to complete all trackage on the DWR. Here are a couple of pictures of the progress. The trestle is not yet complete are I need to build special bents to support the deck bridge.
Jim, greetings and thanks for sharing your model railroad here in this forum. I am sorry for being dense, but I all having trouble following the original track plan from level to level. I am confused as to where in the plan the helix is included. And, are there other connectors from level to level other than the helix? The places where the track ends are several and I am unsure if they are track endings or to be continued up or down to the next level? Any information would be very appreciated! It is a super plan and allows for a good deal of staging which I need to incorporate into my plan. Thanks in advance for any details you might share. Respectfully, Gary L Lake Dillensnyder
Gary, I've dropped the upper level from the layout. Here is the current layout diagram. Let me know if you have any questions. There is only one helix now from the staging level to the main level.
I decided as the build came together that without anyone else near to get together and run trains that the staging plus the main level would be enough for me. Also the thought of building a second helix and the hidden track that goes with it helped change my mind. With the build as it is the main level will be able to keep four operators busy. Two running trains on the line, one in the main yard and one switching the industries in Coldwater. By myself I can have one train running as I switch industries or work the yard.
Yep. I know the feeling. There are some other N scalers in my vicinity, but almost all suffer from lone wolf syndrome. There are plenty of HO folks hereabouts and even they cannot keep a group of three or four together.
I've gotten the trestle just about complete with trains running across it, just some detail work left to go and I've started working on scenery for the layout now that the track is all laid. The second photo is of an abandoned grain elevator no longer serviced by the DWR. It is nice to be able to finally run trains along the entire length of the layout. Here are a couple pictures of the progress.
The trestle looks great! And scary, too. might be a good idea to put up a removeable catch net or fascia at the bottom, just to limit any falls to a few inches vs. a few feet! Looking good, tho!
Thank You for the kind words. A catch net when operating the layout is a good idea. I will have to come up with one. As far as the motive power roster when I have it filled, here it is: 1- 0-8-0 for yard work 1-VO-1000 (only diesel on the layout) for switching Coldwater industries 1 - 4-6-0 for passenger service 5 - 2-8-0 for freight service 1 - 2-10-0 and 1- 2-6-6-2 for heavy freight service
