OK here we go....did you check out the previous post     Alright       

Here's the new section height...56" (same as the rest). These shots show the shelf height and location...
the blue line "marks the spot"...    
Looking out the door.....


Looking at the corner....    


And finally the 'connecting point'    


I hope all this isn't too much "going round-n'-round-back-n-'forth" etc....  I just sometimes get my 'wants' mixed up together with my 'druthers' and lose sight of the obvious FACTS...."reason/purpose; viability/cost; and logical expectations/time-work & effort;"     OH yeauh...am I "pissing uphill?"        
Patrice is excited to watch the trains run, and THAT'S A BIGGIE    so I'll go out in the garage and 'rustle up some lumber'(there's a bunch to look through); and as soon as we find out about her hand, I'll plan a schedule to begin work.    She and Gage are going to New York (Putnam Valley in the Peekskills) to visit Jeremy and Georgia (son and daughter-in-law) and the grandkids from May 30th till June 3rd.        I can work on the thing then.     I figure the first 2 days 30th & 31st I'll build the hand laid trackage/cork roadbed; then on the 1st and 2nd I'll put up the 'shelves' and install the 'preassembled trackwork'.          I'll screw around with the ballast and ground cover later on this summer.  I want to make sure we do all we need to regarding her 'floppy-hand'.    

Ya'll stay tuned...keep those cards n' letters coming......see ya.....      

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry. Co. 

Thanx Phillip, thanx Carl, thanx Larry C., thanx Rick, and thanx Ron;

...Patrice woke up this morning(Saturday) with limited use of her left hand..??      
I'll call for an appt. with our Dr. on Monday.  She's in no pain, just a kinda 'floppy left hand'.  She can grip, although not quite as firmly as with her right hand.  When she rotates her left forearm to 'palms up'- she can lift her left hand.  When rotated to 'palms down' she can't. She also can only use all her fingers at once  on her left hand.  I did some online research, and it seems to have something to do with her Carpal Tunnel she suffered in the last 10 or so years of flying. (international flight attendant w/American)  SO thoughts and prayers are requested. :      

On the RR front   I REALLY AM CRAZY            ...I've decided (after much careful thought and considerable deliberation..     ...I'M NOT GOING TO THE EXPENSE AND EXTRA WORK TO........
1. Tear out the existing layout; and instead....    
2. Put that energy to use adding a 'finishing touch' to the existing project..   ...
3. Make the layout a 'point to point/loop configuration' by adding a simple narrow 4" wide shelf 7 long', a
   corner piece, and a slightly wider 6" section 5' long (for a passing siding) to continue to the door.    
     .  This will give me a point to point from Grizzly to Dilapidated, turn the loco, work the industries,
   and take a train back to Grizzly.  Or I can simply 'let em' roll...           ........
4. Build either a simple removeable 'lift-out'section, or a combination 'drop/rotate'section.  I favor the lift-
   out section. It could have a cool bridge or trestle incorporated in it at some point.  
5. Patrice (floppy hand & all) agreed......            "cause then I can watch TV AND the trains"
         ............

Here's the plan.....one cool   thing is that it will 'traverse through the taller plants' on the plant shelf below the RR, I'm not going to put up a backdrop and the only 'scenery' will be the lightly 'sculpted ground surface' with weathered and ballasted hand laid rail.     Simple and effective.  That part will be like an indoor 'garden RR'       .........

So here's the track plan showing the existing part and the part to be built.
Thanx for the comments and thoughts, and for stoppin by, ya'll come back now...  
I feel SO much better now.....      

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry. Co.   

Here we are NOW.....  


Here's what's 'coming up doc'      
The green and orange arrows denote the 'drop/rotate idea      The blue arrows show the new
'shelf-work'       I like the 'through the plants bit'    
Here's an 'unmarked-up' look......          


The next post will show how it will 'go' in the room......

 

The story continues.......

By October we were finally......   ......... all dressed up for the show........

And they all lived happily ever after......
Till January 2023; when I tore it all down... ...     and moved in March 2023......     .....then built another version of the G&D Ry. Co.       .....
But that's another story         ...... 

Thanx again for stoppin' by....see ya...

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry. Co.

Thanx Curt;

Yes, here are some shots of the 'layout on top of a layout'.    

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry. Co.

In the beginning in Feburary 2022......there was an idea.....  

Then Mark & I started to work...  


Sometimes it looked very strange.....    

Then late spring and into summer, things really took off.....    

We soldiered on into the early fall...    
to be continued.......      

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry. Co.

Hi Fellas;  I'm overwhelmed and so thankful to have friends like ya'll.  Thanx for thinking of me...I'm doing much better, and I'm getting used to not having the 'same old left arm'.  I'll be back at work on the RR soon.  I'd like to thank each of you so here goes......

Thanx Dave, thanx Rick, thanx Phillip, thanx Jerry, thanx Larry C., thanx Mark, and thanx Tom.       

I've been taking the 'time off' to consider my future Model Railroading 'exploits'; and have decided a number of things.    

1. I'm not and should not go to the expense and trouble of changing scales to HOn3.
2. The current layout as constructed is interesting but not fulfilling, and has no 'long term intrigue' or
    allure.
3. As silly as it sounds-I HAVE TO HAVE A LOOP-; of some sort or fashion.  
4.  "    "    "    "     "       "    "      "      "      " - POINT TO POINT- of some sort.  
5. If I'm going to build a different layout, then it should be the one I most want and can afford, manage and
    (long term) enjoy.    
6. In 2022 Mark helped me build a 'new layout'- "on top of an old one".  Many of you commented on how inventive
    and 'outside the box' the concept was.      
7. That brings me to to this....I'm going to recreate that layout; instead of  50"x110"- it'll be reduced to 4'x
    8' and built in three 32"x 48" sections for easier storage and transport, be built entirely of pink foam
    board with texture paint instead of plaster, removeable mountains and rock work, and utilize the 26"x40" TT
    & 2 stall 'roundhouse' section from the current project, and previous layouts.  The basic sections  will be
    trimmed in 1"x3"s for support.  I will use the current backdrop as a 'background scene effect' around the
    layout, but leave it on the walls.  I've talked the idea over with Patrice; and she said "You mean now we can
    just watch the trains run?"      
8. During the 2022 Southwest O Scale Show Home Layout Tours, a number of people commented how cool it was that I
    just built another layout 'on top of' the old one, without removing it.  The highest compliment I got was
    from Barry Bogs; who said "I love the track plan, it's very well thought out,...you built it on top of the
    old one?"
9. That's good enough for me; Barry's an amazing modeler, an MMR, and he scratch builds EVERYTHING on his G
    Scale layout in Houston; locomotives and rolling stock included.      

So, in all its' absurdity, I'm scrapping the current build, keeping the bldgs., bridge, trees, turnouts, hand laid track, and anything else I'll need, pink foam board, and the partial 4% grade incline for example.

I've spent the time I've been recovering from the injury working up the track plan in 1-1/2" = 1 foot scale and will post it here.  It includes all the industries and something new...     .....the JOHN W. ALLEN MEMORIAL "UNFINISHED BRIDGE".         ...I love it....     .....All for now, thanx again for all the well wishes and support; ya'll stay tuned......see ya......    

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry Co.

Here it is......the green lines are the 'cut lines' for the 32x48 sections; the red arrow is the highest track elevation-4"; the yellow line marks the joint of the 40"x26" section and the Main 4x8 section.  I'll get a full color rendition ready asap..    

CUSTER..." What are we to do NOW???"
CHIEF OF THE FAKAWI....... "What-chu-mean-WE....PALEFACE"          
 
KYLE CREEL
GOODE FOOTE RR Co.

Quote from: deemery on May 09, 2025, 06:47:48 PMWell, Kyle, I'd say "Stay away from the Furniture!"   

dave
Rightee-oh sir....          

Thanx James; You are correct.  My apologies; I didn't draw the section of track in question very accurately.  You are talking about the turnout at the top of the layout above (in the drawing) the turntable where the main line continues around and exits the tunnel as it climbs up to the upper part, right?  The turnout in question will be slightly further to the left (not like in the track plan) and be located roughly in the middle of a 10" section of straight track.  It'll have about 2" of straight track before the turnout, appx. 7" of turnout, and all straight track till the continous loop exits the tunnel portal in the upper left of the track plan.  I thank you for your comment and suggestion, hope you liked the design...

Ya'll let me know what ya think     
KYLE CREEL
GOODE FOOTE RR Co.

The green line shows the length of straight track, so the turnout will work properly.  The yellow line 'marks out' where I 'messed up' the drawing.....
Thanx again...................

"OUCH"- OK- Here's my 'war stories'          

6-ACL/MCL/PCL tears with meniscus tears in each knee; -football-no surgery only drainings each time
both rotator cuffs are still torn;-football-no surgery
2 blown discs in my lumbar; -lifting stuff improperly-no surgery
and now a torn bicep- moving furniture;-no surgery
30% heart function after heart attack.......no surgery.......
But I did have my tonsils taken out                      

Thanx for the well wishes.......

Thanx Ron, thanx Phillip, and thanx Darryl; 
   I,ve done nothing on the RR lately....       I've been toying with the idea of a 4'x 6' HOn3 layout.     So I drew up a couple of ideas and posted them on the HO/HOn3/HOn30 Line.  Then I tore (ruptured) my left bicep last Friday (May 2nd) moving furniture.  I completely tore it loose from the bone at the bottom.  It 'hurt like hell';        and I posted all the details on the HO/HOn3/Hon30 Line; so the short versions is...no surgery at my age and with my heart condition.  It'll quit hurting in about 2-3 weeks, take extra strength Acetaminophen for the 'discomfort' and wear a 'support sleve' if you need it.  WHAY??        

   I'll get back to work on the RR as soon as I can....              

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Thanx Larry C.;

  I decided to try one more track plan; this time in only a 3'x 6' format.  This'll be a point to point/continous plan also.  It's an oval with a 'semi-concealed' cutoff turnout that sends the main line up to the 'higher level' via a WS 12' 3% grade incline set.  All turnouts and the wye are #4, and the min. radius is 16". 

  The reason for the different plan is I have already done a 'G&D' "copy/version" (in On30), so why not try a different 'tried 'n true' (somebody's done it before) idea for my HOn3 project.  I also like the size.  If I make all the elements of the rock formations that rise above the 4-1/2" elevation out of pink foam and texture paint or Sculptamold, they can be removable- allowing the RR to be stored vertically on its' 6' side in my 'train room' and not need any 'extra area'.  It also 'fits' on top of the 'murphy bed' when it's folded down/out; no legs needed.  I still have the framework I built for the 'Apartment Layout' if I want to move it to another room for photos or whatever.  The frame is 2'x 5'; and supported a layout that's 4'x 6'.  This size layout is also good for any 'future developements' that require a 'relocation to smaller surroundings'       

  All this will have to wait awhile till my left arm gets to feeling better.  I ruptured my left bicep muscle       while moving a piece of furniture last Friday. (May 2nd)  I completely tore it lose from the bone in my elbow.    It hurt 'like a son of a bitch'; and it looked like there was a 'hole in my arm' just below the bottom of my bicep.  I went to the doctor on Tuesday and my doctor said that at my age-71- he won't "do a damn thing about it".         He said " if you were 25 and playing football or something; you'd need and get surgery"; "but with your heart condition and age, it's not worth it.  "You'll get more movement and use out of the arm as time passes, a couple of months or so; but surgery is not an option."  "The sorness and pain will subside in about a week or two, so buy and wear a 'support sleeve' to help it 'get better', and for when you need some extra support." "Congratulations on losing 20 lbs."  "No, it won't 'grow back' and 're-attach itself."      

  That's about all for now......thanx for stoppin by, and stay tuned.......

KYLE CREEL
GOODE-FOOTE RR Co.
The plan.........

  OK-I'm back with another rendition of of my G&D Ry. in HOn3.  This version is done to include something I've not seen done before; in HO, HOn3, or On30.  This plan has the same measurements....6'-6" x 3'-6".  It does however include a staging track on the 'lower level' with a siding for a locomotive (& tender) up to 12" long.  This gives the opertator a way to bring trains onto the layout via the interchange trackage @ GRIZZLY and PEAU DUNQUE JCT.  This feature can also be used as a passing siding when doing 2 train continous or 'loop' running.  The grades are still all 4% and the minium radius is still 18"- 20".  All turnouts are #5 or #6.  There is still a 10" Turntable in GRIZZLY and a 10" sector plate in DILAPIDATED for 'point to point' operations.

  I believe I'm going to (with Mgt. approval) start building it this winter or next spring- if I can 'finish up' the On30 G&D Ry. layout this summer.  The On30 layout will never be COMPLETELY DONE as they say, but the fun is in the doing.  This fall I'll get back to work on the O scale 2 rail switching layout, "on a 28x80 door" that's waiting on me in the garage.  I have 3 locos and 6 pieces of rolling stock, so it'll be 'good to go'...............

  Am I too deep in trains         ?

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Here's the latest version....."Lower level".......
Red arrows show the staging track & siding; Black arrows are staging track clearance limits, Green arrows are the D&GRW interchanges @ GRIZZLY & PEAU DUNQUE JCT......

Here's the "main level"........


   I hope it's not too convoluted and/or confusing, I think it'll be a lot of fun to build and run trains on.
I won't have to have a whole "stable" of locomotives either, I think I'll be fine with a K27, a Mogul, and a C-16.  There are some deals out there if you look, and are prudent.  K27s go for around $400 - $600, and the others a little less.  I'll take my time and shop..........
   
   Thanx again for stoppin by and ya'll stay tuned......
 
 

Love the layout.  The progress is impressive.  I hope (I'm new to the forum) that I might ask a question about something  you may or may not have covered?; Are you going to paint the rails?  The track work is superb, and I've done my share of hand laid track, so I was just wondering if you were-how are you going to proceed with that task; and if not - what your reasoning is.  I'm 71- so no impertinence is intended....

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Thanx Mike, thanx Larry C., thanx Rick, and thanx Michael;

  Now that Easter has "come'n gone"- (I hope ya'll all had a wonderful holiday) I suppose I should 'get back to work' and start on the plastering.  It's SO MESSY,   that it "gives one pause" to begin such an undertaking.  Although this time there's not THAT much area I actually need to do.   I'll 'fill in' between the ramp and the mountain, and also along the side that 'fronts' or parallels the main line.  I'll also need to probably 'fiddle' around in between the various 'hunks' of leftover rockwork I've saved from previous adventures in this sort of undertaking.  I figure it's gonna take about 2 to 2-1/2 days to get it all done...dried, painted & weathered.

  At least after that I can proceed with one of my favorite tasks... installing track     .  I have everything for my main buss and feeders.  I'm going to use the 'little clamps' instead of soldering every single connection along the buss.  The only solder joints will be on the track.  I've seen so many people in videos use them and all I've read about them is good.  I guess it's like anything else, if I use them properly with the right size wire and connectors I'll be fine.  I'm going to pre-drill holes along the track's route-main and sidings; then I'll insert a short 3" piece of straw about 1/4" in diameter.  I'll poke both feeders up through the straw, and decide then whether to 'pull the straw up and out of the hole, or leave it as a sort of spacer; solder the wires accordingly-red & black; and since there's no loop or turnback in direction-it'll be simple 'RED-outside rail- Black-inside rail'.  The only other thing in regards to track & wiring is adding the auto reverser to the sector plate in Dilapidated; which will be just like I did on the TT in Grizzly.    

   Well, that's about all for now.. I'll post some shots once the plaster "has started to be slung"         ....Thanx again for stoppin' by and ya'll keep those cards 'n letters coming.......have fun; see ya 

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

Thanx John, and thanx Greg;

  Here's a twist...     Cut the pink foam base down to 6'-6"x 3'-6" just as in the other plan.  Now cut it diagonally @ a 100 degree angle to make each section a matching trapezoid, one parallel side is 3'-6" the opposite side is 3'; each section is exactly the same width-3'-6" (42").  Now slide one section over 4-1/2" to create an "offset alignment"....a sort of 'zig-zag' appearance.       This shortens the layout by 1", but gives it a totally new dimension in look and track arrangement possibilities.  This also is very strange looking to the viewer, who is thinking what happened to the 'loopty-loop'....?      

  This arrangement, sort of a 'peanut shaped plan, at first glance looks 'roundy-roundy'...sorta..but something's "off" .  There's 3 track portal entrances on the right and only ONE one the left ?? (the return track  portal exit to Grizzly is 'cleverly hidden' ? on the lower left side)  The center track on the right is left unkempt and slightly overgrown to imply very little use.  This is the return (roundy-roundy) track to Grizzly. 

  I came up with this idea last year for an On30 project.  I went a different route, but kept the thing in my head for 'what ifs'.

  This Version has a mine (not coal) up in Dilapidated; a gas or oil well head in Peau Dunque Jct.; and it interchanges freight with the D&RGW via.. the 'CLEVERLY HIDDEN' return track exiting the lower left tunnel portal.       I've moved the TT and engine facilities to the right side.  This sorta balances out the overall appearance, I think.  I did leave the yard and freight/interchange house on the left side.  I think it looks OK there.  There's also a stream or creek meandering its' way down from "The Dilapidated Cliffs" into and through Grizzly.  Lots of spruce, pine and other tall trees will also 'grace the landscape; but it will have a very 'rugged overall appearance' and 'feel' via the geology and terrain.   

    I'm slowly talking myself into...................  

  So here it is....


Whadda ya think?
KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.