Backwoods NE in Florida

[ACL1504]

John,

One can get overwhelmed with brain ideas and that will shut you down from over analysis. You've been there and done that. So, like Bob said, having fun is what counts.

Tom 

[Jerry]

John looking forward to the new build.

Jerry

[cuse]

Wake up, Sleepy Thread!

the vision for the new layout is quickly becoming clearer.

I have an overall area of 5' x 8'. I plan to blatantly copy a Georgetown Loop layout that I saw on FaceBook. That layout is 4'x8' and has Zero turnouts or structures! When I first saw it - I was bemused..."why would anyone build a layout of this size without a single structure or siding?"...the more I looked at it, the more I thought it was fascinating. One big dramatic bridge and fantastic mountainous scenery as a beautiful backdrop to watch a sound-equipped, minutely detailed Blackstone steamer pull a short train. This goal was developed primarily as "bait" for my 15 month old grandson - who won't be able to resist the appeal of a chuffing locomotive working its way up and around the mountains.

The additional 1'x8' strip along one edge will contain much of the visible HOn30 portion of the layout (overall roughly 2.5' x 8', with quite a bit of concealed trackage underneath the elevated HOn3 loop). This busy little strip will feature some of my beloved waterfront structures and scenes. Given the wide-open spaces in the mountainous portion, I won't hesitate to pack the waterfront with structures, sidings and details.

I love a good track plan and will try to put one together soon, but here's a pic of the Georgetown Loop layout that I'm so inspired by...I do plan to add a siding along the right side to a mine scene and hope to include a strictly scenic siding elsewhere to display my (yet to be built) Sierra West Work Train and a couple of structures and a lot more trees. What Is really appealing is the tremendous depth of negative scenery (below track level) as well as high mountains - which I plan to have crawl up the back wall to well over 6' from the floor. The pic is a screenshot from a YouTube video made by "Historical Modeler"...

[deemery]

That Loop Layout is different in a good way.  I've ridden the Loop and been up to Georgetown/Silver Plume a bunch of times.  

dave

[cuse]

That Loop Layout is different in a good way.  I've ridden the Loop and been up to Georgetown/Silver Plume a bunch of times. 

dave

I was fortunate to ride it at last year's NNGC - with our friend John Siekirk. I've become weirdly obsessed with that layout...it's almost outside of our hobby and just an "operating diorama"  ....Like, "this guy doesn't get it - where are the structures?" and it has slowly evolved into a nearly perfect layout (for it's purpose). I'm going to try not to wreck it's beautiful simplicity (by cramming in) an added mine scene (ostensibly within the tight inner curve) and a siding veering off to the back right ending with my yet to be built Sierra West Engine Svc facility.

[Zephyrus52246]

What a cool small layout.  Looking forward to your rendition. 

Jeff

[cuse]

Thanks guys...

I've finished the HOn30 trackage (other than replacing missing ties, etc) and, just for kicks, mocked up some of the upper Georgetown Loop roadbed to get a sense of fit and elevation...obviously, the grades are just thrown together for now. Ultimately, the port scene (HOn30) will be largely isolated and a good portion of the loop will be in a tunnel. The Masonite mounted to the benchwork is the floor of the deep gorge that will cross the layout diagonally and justify the large steel Georgetown Loop bridge. Some of the HOn30 trackage will run along the inside of the gorge before heading into a tunnel. The elevated area to the back right will be my (someday) highly-detailed Sierra West Engine Svc scene. I'm still hoping to fit a nice mine scene inside the 18" innermost loop (towards the back wall). Ultimately, the mountains will climb the wall to the top of the foam profile on the backdrop...That's my plan but I can't promise I'll stick to it 

John

[deemery]

John, now's a good time to think about how you'll do the water.  If you're going to do an acrylic pour, you can work out "backstop" dams all along the back of the waterfront/banks, to make darn sure the water resin doesn't have any place to leak out.

It'll be fun watching how this comes together.

dave

[cuse]

If I haven't mentioned it yet - I've completely dismantled my layout and re-purposed another room in the house for the next one. I've got this weekend pegged for some groundbreaking.

I'm trying to actively merge the lessons I've learned from previous false starts...so, 
-back to the shadowbox construction for controlled viewing and consistent lighting in a "museum-y" presentation

-plan for lots of negative (below track) scenery in your benchwork

-keep it simple and scenicked...lots of room between track and back wall and between track elevations. I'll never look back and wish I had left less space for scenery...and don't expect to jam in every structure and scene I ever wanted

-patient modular design and construction, particuarly when it comes to  benchwork design. I tend to move fast so I'll try to pump the brakes and enjoy the "engineering" part of the project rather than sprint to get trains moving.

-every step must consider my grandson's reach 

[Jerry]

John looking forward to the new layout.

Jerry

[S&S RR]

John

Looking forward to your next adventure.  You may want to keep in mind that your Grandson's reach will be increasing faster than your build progress.  I have experienced this phenomenon.

John

[cuse]

got a lot done today on the first module. Just basic carpentry, but the first one is certainly the one where I expect to have better ideas as I go along and backtrack here and there trying to solve the riddles as they arise. 

I'm building this one as if I'll relocate to the mountains (or elsewhere) some day. So, modular is the way to go - also good as it doesn't make me crazy looking at a WHOLE layout full of concerns and to-do's. I'm trying to keep it fun...when I join you retired guys who clock in to the train room every morning (lucky  ), maybe I'll think bigger. The module size is 4' long, 2' deep (doorways no prob), and...drumroll...4' high. This is pretty tall for a shadowbox, but I want to have lots of vertical elements and mountainous terrain as well as below track-level negative scenery in places, as well as plenty of room for upper and lower fascia. I'm going to go scene by scene (for now at least), rather than plan a whole layout. I have lots of room in the new space, so I can adjust as I go. This is definitely the exciting time for me as I can see progress in every session.

Next, I'll paint the underside of the "ceiling" white to better reflect the lighting and the backdrop a neutral blue grey...I'm trying to do as much outside in the barn as I can until I get to the little stuff.



John...I'm well aware of that and it's a bit of a duel between raising it up but also keeping it low enough to allow for some grandiose mountains without hitting the ceiling fan parts 

[ReadingBob]

Looking forward to this new adventure, John!  Should be fun.

[ACL1504]

Looking forward to this new adventure, John!  Should be fun.

Only until he comes up with another plan, next month!

Tom 

[cuse]

Looking forward to this new adventure, John!  Should be fun.

Only until he comes up with another plan, next month!

Tom

He's not wrong lol