Layout Const 8

Well today I worked on Main street and made some progress. Also finished the first building on the layout!

Here I have the foam core base in the next two photos.

In the next two photos the styrene has been cut and fitted. Not to bad for the first time doing this. 

Next I need to fit the pieces inside the track and then get it painted and weathered. As buildings are added, then sidewalks will be added. The next shots are some close ups of the street showing the spacing. I made it 5  1/4 wide with room for a parked car on each side. Also some shots of the first completed building on the layout. 

Video Update #2

Here is a video version of the photos posted today. Thanks for looking.

Atlas RS 36 W/Tsunami Sound

A quick video of my Atlas RS 36 , IAIS #900 that I installed a Tsunami decoder in. Thanks for looking!

Atlas GP7 With Tsunami Sound ....

Here is a video of my new Atlas HO GP7 with a Soundtrax Tsunami decoder installed. Thanks for looking!

Layout Const 7

11-13-2011

Hi all, a little progress this weekend. I installed the back drop, painted it the base color and began carving some foam terrain and doing a little plaster work. The terrain is just sitting in place for now.. will be melted into the layout later when i decide I am happy with it. Thanks for looking!

Locomotive Test: Proto 1000 GP15-1 With Tsunami Sound

Here is my Walthers Proto 1000 GP15-1 with a Tsunami DSD installed and an MRC 16x35 speaker with enclosure. Lights are not yet hooked up as i want to put a flashing beacon on it. Thanks for looking!

Video Update #1

Here is my first video update on the layout.

Railfanning IAIS 513 and 504

Some photos on the IAIS bridges on the east side of Council Bluffs on the old Rock Island Mainline. Love those old bridges. # 513 in the Heritage pain and 504.

Layout Const 7

Well this weekend I big plans on laying the cork and getting the wiring done and working on a locomotive but as it turns out, I am slow! I got the cork done and that was about it. Wiring is next. Here are a few pics with the cork in place. I used N scale 3 x 30 pieces to keep it on a low profile.

Thanks for looking as always.

The Track Plan

Finally I have a track plan to show all of you what I am planning.  The camera bent the image but I assure you it was square to start with. I don't have time to learn one of those fancy track plan software programs. 


The left side of the layout is 10 foot long and 2 foot deep. The center section is 15 foot long and the right side is 9 foot long. The layout is in HO scale and the control system is the Power Cab System from NCE.  The layout will feature fall scenery as I love that time of year and you can use lots of different colors. The layout will feature the the terrain that is natural to my home town, Council Bluffs, Iowa.  The town get's it's name from the bluffs where the many Indian tribes would gather in the bluffs and hold large council meetings.  The back side in the center will feature a bluff that will run most of it's length and some mainline track will run through the middle of it. I think it will be a nice mix of scenery and operation.  The industry's on the layout are all real but may or may not still be in existence today or may no longer receive rail service.  


The layout is built for operation and designed to keep 1 or 2 operators busy using a scenario card based operating system. Thanks for looking and I hope you follow along with me. click the photo to view in full size. 

Layout Const 6

Well I worked on the trackage this weekend. I have the Phase 1 track the way I want it and most of the Phase 2 section as well. Will tweak some of that later. I will be installing some foam next, then laying my N scale cork sheets. Most of the track is yard and low profile trackage but wanted some lift so i went with the sheets of N Scale.

                                   

The old farm implement section. I will use the Walthers REA warehouse building for the International Harvester Corp manfacuring building and the Walthers Engineering building for the office and warehouse. 

More of the Implement District. The middle track will be a team track and loading platform and also that is the track that the 3 foot cassette will attach to for a temporary yard while operating. The forground building will be a small warehouse that the local newspaper received and stored newsprint at. 

This will be South Main Street area

To the left of the boxcar will be A. I . Root Co. and the Faller kit will represent the Readi Mix plant in town. 

Several scene breaks here in this area in the form of bluffs in the back corner, around the Readi-mix plant and in front of the Red Giant Oil area. 

Red Giant Oil spurs. Not sure on that one yet. 

The look from the far end. 

Layout Const 5

Well here is the final update for the weekend. You can't tell a lot of difference but  I did get the top screwed down and started on the back drops but thought i had more 1 x 2's. Oh well, next weekend. Going to start working on the track layout now. Anyway, thanks for following along!

Layout Const 4

Well today i got another 10 foot section installed. Ran out of 1 x 4's so will have to finish the last 4 feet of the long wall another day. I got plenty to keep me busy in the interim. Now it is ready for the plywood to be screwed down.. will work on that tomorrow.

Also my wife gave me this little cabinet. The drawers are real shallow... shallower than the fronts and perfect for storing the rolling stock in. Here are some photos.

Now the plywood is cut here, layed in place and ready to be screwed down. 

Layout Const 3

Well here is the progress from last night. This doesn't look like it but it is a 2 foot deep x 10 foot long section. Solid as a rock. I took an old computer desk and modified it and made it into my modelling desk. I put furniture sliders on it and it is 2 foot deep and just slides back underneath nice a slick. Hope to get another 10 foot section in today and that will be all the benchwork for a while.

Layout Const 2

Well construction began today... all shop work. I did get the full length of the Phase 1 bench work done and part of the phase 2 bench work before I ran out of lumber. 1 x 4 construction assembled with pocket hole and screws. The bench top will be 1/2 inch plywood sanded one side. I still have to make the wall braces. It's great to get this finally started!

Stay tuned!

Railfanning 8-27-2011

Caught IAIS #709 in action tonight with a drag of double stacks on and headed into the Union Pacific yard.