The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 2

[ACL1504]

ACL 1504,
    Love the great work you've been doing on your 2nd & 3rd level decks.  I just finished my 2nd level deck and are taking a break as well.  KP-out...

Brother Thom,

Now I know why you are on crutches, you forgot the stairs to get down.

Here's my new tree swing.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Welcome to the shadow Box!  The controlled viewing and lighting makes your great modeling even better. I know when the lights went on it was a revelation for me.

John,

Thank you, I really like the look of the LED viewing. I changed it all.

Tom

[ACL1504]

WOW!

Jim,

Thank you, much appreciated. I sure give a new look to the second level.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,

The LED lighting is stunning!  Yet again you have again caused me to rethink how I go about my modeling.  I now wish I had used a shadowbox approach to building my modules so I could light my layout with LED's as you did.   

Your photos look great.  The corner where the bench work meets the ovalix seems like it could use a little more light.  The contrast between the lighted area and that darker corner seems too abrupt to me.

I do have a question.  I have been wondering for some time if you have thought about adding a backdrop to the ovalix behind the lubritorium?  You could use a convex mirror showing the inside of the ovalix to allow the operator to see the trains while they are negotiating it.

Jerry,

Much appreciate the generous compliment. However, I can't take credit for the idea. Onewolf gave me the idea after viewing his wonderful layout lighting.

You can still use LEDs on your layout. You only need to build a light weight canopy over the existing layout.

Originally I was going to use just a Helix and use the Ovalix space for more layout. I decided I wanted to have a 1% grade so I sacrificed the space. I also knew that the Ovalix wouldn't be hidden. It's just part of what you see.

I did move the south bank of LEDs 8 inches to the right, an idea I was pondering prior to your comment. You were a step ahead of me. Keep this in mind though. This layout is always in the morning and summer. Everything is in full bloom and green. The sun is up but just not to the part of the layout entering the Ovalix! So, it is still a little early for the sun to reach that area.


I'll have new photos of that area later this afternoon.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Great looking lighting for the second level.

Curt,

Thank you my friend and welcome home.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Those LEDs look great.

Jim

Butty Jim,

Thank you kind sir.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Like Jim says, Leds look great my friend... Thanx Thom...

Brother Thom,

I appreciate you following along and the compliment.

Thank you.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I'm not sure I mentioned the color of the LEDs I'm using but they are Cool White. The Warm White were to dark and the Bright White were, er, to bright.

I moved the bank of LEDs on the south end 8 inches to the right. This fills the back area a little more with light.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

The next photo shows some of the new third level decking as it meets the Ovalix top level.



You can also see the inside of the Ovalix and the 9 loops of 1% incline. Each loop is 26 feet and raise 3.25 inches per loop.

The Ovalix is actually 10 loops but the bottom loop is behind the first 1% loop as seen in this early photo.





Third level decking around the Ovalix.



Need a quick fix of Diet Pepsi, back in a few.

[ACL1504]

I forgot to mention that in using the LEDs on the bottom of the cross braces, I no longer have a need/desire to paint the bottom of the third level white.

I did get the plywood on the two sections, one coming off the Ovalix and the other on the south wall.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

These two sections will be screwed in place tomorrow. In preparation, I used a carpenters square and marked where the cross braces are located under the plywood.

Prior to laying the plywood in place I marked the edges of the 1X3 so the screw will be in the center of the 1X3 cross brace. By marking the plywood in the same manner, the screws will be located between the lines which represent the 1X3's below.



Thanks for following along on this new adventure, the third level build.

[BandOGuy]

These two sections will be screwed in place tomorrow. In preparation, I used a carpenters square and marked where the cross braces are located under the plywood.

Prior to laying the plywood in place I marked the edges of the 1X3 so the screw will be in the center of the 1X3 cross brace. By marking the plywood in the same manner, the screws will be located between the lines which represent the 1X3's below.



Thanks for following along on this new adventure, the third level build.

I'm all braced and aligned for more photos Sunday.

[bparrish]

Tom...

I have a solution for the running thread support rod on your upper level.

Go down to a local big box store and get a spray can of clear paint. Gloss, satin or flat does not matter. Clear is clear. Apply vigorously and in several coats.

After that no one will see the rod as it is now clear.

Voila'. Problem solved. Always happy to help. 

See ya
Bob

[jerryrbeach]

Tom,

The LED lighting is stunning!  Yet again you have again caused me to rethink how I go about my modeling.  I now wish I had used a shadowbox approach to building my modules so I could light my layout with LED's as you did.   

Jerry,

You can still use LEDs on your layout. You only need to build a light weight canopy over the existing layout.

Tom

Tom,

Since I saw your photos I have been trying to figure out how I might support such a canopy over the layout.  Right now I am of the opinion that I would have to use some steel or aluminum angle to construct the canopy.  I do not think wood supports would be rigid enough to avoid the canopy sagging over time.  I believe that I could have used wood supports had I designed the modules differently. 

   

[Erieman]

Good Morning Tom.


Love what you are doing with the lighting. I have never been satisfied with the florescent (sp) lighting I have. Since my layout is all curves, can I contour the LED lights to a 7 ft. radius? Your opinion. I would make a support system that would also allow me to include a drape from the ceiling down, giving a greater feeling of depth to the layout. Really like what you are doing, my friend.


Frank / Erieman