Layout Updates

Work on the layout has been on and off. Part of the reason for that is I'm at the stage where I really need to do all the track on the lower level, but there are 3 problems which are coming up:

1. How will the turnouts get thrown (switched)?
   Should I use the caboose hobbies turnout throw stands, build my own (probably a bad idea), or do the wire-under-the-table method? I need to figure this out really before I proceed.
   
   
2. Should I use the turnout throws I already have?
   I have some Caboose Hobbies turnout throw stands, but they're for regular sized HO turnouts. That means they plunge about twice as deep as they should. I don't know if that's really usable for my application.
   
   
3. Do I get a different sized PCB tie?
   The wooden ties that I have are not the same height as the PCB ties. That's kind of a problem, but I've been making due and hiding the size difference. I need to decide if I should continue using them or buy the correct size (which is lame because they're not exactly cheap).

Well in all of that I've still managed to do some things on the layout.

Firstly, I built the right-most lower level tunnel...

I did some experiments in freehand rock formation and painting. I'm not completely happy with this, so I'll probably replace it with something else. The experience of painting the rocks in the color scheme I'll be using though was good.

I've also finished installing almost all of the roadbed...

I'm kind of tempted to actually do all the track laying for the upper level on the workbench, and then glue it in place after. In fact... that's probably what I'll do.

Beginning to Come Together

Last night and later this afternoon I put in some more time on the wooden roadbed. It's starting to really come together now! Because the bottom layer will have to be built before the upper layer can be installed over it, I think it's starting to get close to the time where I start dealing with track and scenery sub-structure....

2 ore hoppers sit, waiting for track to be installed so they can get to work...

Checking the height of the overpass in a very loose fashion. A side from an unfinished Railway Recollections Excursion Car is held in place to eyeball clearance. It will be a little higher with the track, but not by much.

Updated Layout

I've normally spent most of my time designing on the computer. I actually use Adobe Illustrator. It's not the ideal railroad designing program, but I know it well from work, and I've put in the time to design brushes and object sets that I can use to design railroads.

However, this layout is small enough that I've started using a Sharpee to accurately sketch it out. And you know what I noticed -- Designing in real life is totally different than on the computer. Actually, there were two things I noticed:

• It's a whole lot easier to get a sense of how close things are to each other when using a Sharpee pen as opposed to the computer
• The dimensions in real life never lie. On the computer, sometimes it looks like something will fit nice, but when you see it IRL it doesn't.

So having said that, I quit designing on the computer, and finished designing the layout using a Sharpee. Ah, technology. After my design was complete I sketched it out.

I present, the LNI R&R Layout (click for full size image):

LNI -- Initial thoughts

I've been putting together some plans for a very small micro-layout as a little side project, since I have neither the space, tools, or budget for a full on 7/8n2 layout.

What's been decided so far:

• 9mm gauge
• For scale, it will most likely be HO (1:87), though I'm toying with N, 1:150 or 1:160 (That DEKI-3 is just way too cool, but then again so is the Egger-Bahn railcar)
• I'm leaning towards a Southwestern US layout, which would make it HOn30, though I may end up going European, HOe.
• I'm about 85% sure I'm going to hand lay the track and turnouts (oh what am I getting myself into?) I've read code 70 is a better pick for first-timers, but code 55 would be easier to file I'm thinking.
• Being small and compact, I'll most likely end up doing freight, though I haven't yet decided on an industry or motive power yet. Roco makes somes really cool little mining tubs that I may go with if I can find a decent price.

Here's my rough sketch of the layout, sans height indications...

35" x 23", 7.5" radius curves (and some crazy 6" curves on the inner turnouts, that may be really pushing it).