The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[ACL1504]

Great progress Tom!  I'm happy to see the second level is starting to take shape.  I'm honored to have built the first structure to find a home on the new layout.     That was a really enjoyable kit to build and I'm looking forward to building it again sometime in the future.     It's one of my favorite FSM kits.

Bob,

Thanks for stopping by and checking in. The FSM kit is one of my favorites also. I'm very happy to have it built.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom...I've been sitting in the back row watching your bench work come together. Now that Bob has started
you on beautiful and highly detailed craftsman kits, he has set the bar. You do realize that the future will
require equal detail throughout the layout. That is a blessing. I had the same experience many decades ago.
John

John,

Thanks for checking in, much appreciated. Yes, this is one of Bob's kits but I have several I haven't pictured as yet, a few he has built and ones I've built. I had to box up and protect all the FSM and others structures already built during the old layout demolition. I'll be getting them out later this summer.

Yes, Bob has certainly set the bar but I'm also up to the challenge.

Tom  

[ACL1504]

Okay, Tom,
How 'bout a preview of coming attractions. You have a plywood base for the big areas. What goes on top, please, layer by layer?
I've got the plywood down, but not sure what goes up next.
Thanks,
A lurker.

Chip - a Lurker,

Thanks for the questions. I think we covered everything in our emails. If not, let me know.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Cut Uncle Tommy some slack - when he was buildin' the center aisle, he dropped his Diet Pepsi and bent
over real quick to get it before it all spewed out!
Well, us old fart's backs don't like them quick and awkard movements much less pickin' up somethin' off
the floor!!
But he carried on and is makin' great progress - he just qualified for the Old Fart's 'CAN DO CLUB' with
a 'TOP NOTCH' gold star!!!

Gman,

How did you know? I was so fast I didn't loose one single drop of my favorite libation. However, I'm just now recovering from the sudden move.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom, I'll admit I am a little jealous. It is really taking shape.

Dustin,

Thanks very much. I'm having lots of fun on this build.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,,

Great talking with you earlier in the day. Skype can be such a great tool. I guess i saw your progress prior to your post, but this is looking awesome , my friend. Really a great job. Isn't nice to be retired and have a wife let you play all day on trains. Well, almost all day. I told you that you would like retirement!!!. Russ and I spent the afternoon replacing a control panel for one of the towns. The track configuration had changed, etc.,etc... Probably another day or two. I am also changing out the old PFM switch machines with tortoise machines. They just work so much better. I'll be on the roof painting the soffit tomorrow, but hoping to see more pics on the forum of your progress. Again, it is really coming along nicely. Keep up the good work.

Frank / Erieman

Frank,

I'm a bit late responding to all these post. Thank you for the kind words and support. This has really been fun. Did I mention, I love retirement?

Tom

[ACL1504]

Most excellent progress Dr. Evil!  Ya Know, I few years ago I was impressed by how fast you could build a Moon Base!  But after seeing today's layout progress photos, I am more blown away than ever! 

BTW, How did you get that realistic looking "Plywood color" on your tabletops?

Hehe

Cousin Brucie,

Very kind words my friend, thank you. I have time to be fast when necessary and the slowness to be patient when necessary. As far as the natural look of the plywood here is what I do.

I let the plywood age at the local Lowes's and when it's ready I pick it up and install it. Very simple process.

Dr. Evil on Diet Pepsi.

[ACL1504]

Tom, put me in the jealous column. It's a nice structure with enough details to draw in the interest. Everything looks like it belonged there and nothing stood out; except the exceptional craftsmanship.


Marty

Marty,

Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment. I must admit I'm very fortunate to have Reading Bob building some kits for me. I need to get all I can before he starts his own layout.   He is a master at this.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom


Looks great - what a nice way to start the structures!

John,

Thank you my friend. One can't go to wrong with a Bob Butts structure on the layout.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,
I have been following along and am in awe of not only how quickly you are making major progress, but mostly of your excellent work!

Jerry,

You are very kind and I appreciate you checking in. Thanks for following along, its nice to know folks are interested in what I'm building.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Today was a very productive workday on the Atlantic & Southern RR. I started the second level on the east side.



The 1x4's were held on the wall with tapcon screws and the short 2x2's were screwed on from the back. The 2x2's are spaced every 18 inches. Oh wait, I explained all this in an earlier post. I'll just say it is a senior moment. My Babe would say, "It's nothing new".






Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

 I even got the Judge to pull buss wire for me.



Anyway, here is all we got done this afternoon.





Continued in a few.

[gnatshop]

What better way to have the first structure on the layout than to have one built by a Master Kit Builder, Mr. Robert Butts (Reading Bob) and a SBG in good standing! 

Does all that back-slappin' mean that it's his turn to buy BBQ

[ACL1504]

Here is how the east staging looks with the second level bracing in place.

Looking south towards the Ovalix.



Looking north from the Ovalix.

[ACL1504]

What better way to have the first structure on the layout than to have one built by a Master Kit Builder, Mr. Robert Butts (Reading Bob) and a SBG in good standing! 

Does all that back-slappin' mean that it's his turn to buy BBQ

Gman,

No, He will never have to buy the BBQ. It's my treat everytime. As a SBG member, I only let him come by twice a year. So I don't mind the cost!

Tom