Jacobs' Landing Light Railway in On18

[Larry C]

After much contemplation, head scratching , doodling, and searching the internet I've come up with a plan for my small layout. I'm going back to my roots and building a Micro Layout in On18. Years ago, before my foray into On30, I built micro layouts in Gn15 using G scale with standard HO track and chassis which measures out to 15 inches between the tracks in G scale. Micros have a few basic requirements. Firstly they cannot exceed 4 square feet, NOT including a "fiddle track or fiddle yard"; otherwise they're not a Micro but a Mini layout. Secondly you must be able to switch cars on the layout and it must have a clear reason for its existence; otherwise it's considered a diorama.

My new layout measures 36 x 14 inches and weighs in at 3.9 square feet. The construction is pretty straight forward with a 1x3 pine frame screwed and glued together with an extra support in the middle. On top of the frame is a sheet of 1/4 inch birch plywood glued and tacked to the frame. The reason for the ply is twofold, added strength and a base so I can carve out the foam in a few areas. Lastly is a piece of 1 inch green foam glued to that. Now I have a lightweight and strong base for my new empire.

While searching the internet I came across a very simple track plan with two turnouts and a turntable which I've wanted to model and have done so only once. Why a simple track plan for such a small layout you ask? Easy, it will still give me switching opportunities but also a good amount of room for scratched buildings and more of a dramatic scenery profile.

Welcome to Jacobs' Landing Light Railway:

Jacobs' Landing is a light railway set sometime in the 1950's. Its primary purpose is to supply materials and goods to the business located within. This is an area that time forgot with people still using horses and wagons who live in a nearby town down the road a piece or two. About the only modern conveniences  that can be seen is one of those new fangled center cab diesel engines and Mr. Jacobs' 1928 Ford TT pickup truck. Business is good for everyone concerned making Jacobs' Landing very prosperous.

So enough yapping:



This is the foundation for my new layout all set to go and no I'm not listening music; by the obvious CD laying on the foam.



"So why have a CD & case planted in the layout" you may ask. Simple, it's the foundation for my turntable. I traced the case onto the foam then proceeded to carve out the underneath. Once finished it looked like the outside of a golfball on steroids. The case fit well but was a little unstable the way it was. My solution was to place some sheetrock mud (plaster) into the hole then place the case on top and gently rocked the case back and forth until it was level and flush with the top of the green foam. I allowed it to dry for 24 hours which made the case stable and secure.



This is a finished turntable that I did years ago on my GN15 micro. It's cheap, as in free, and works quite well for turning a loco albeit manually.

So this is the beginning, not earth shaking but a beginning  none the less. Next will be some track experimentation then hopefully the track crew will come in and start laying track. Thanks for stopping by for a gander; any comments are appreciated.

[PRR Modeler]

I can't see the second photo. I'll definitely be following.

[Larry C]

Thanks Curt and glad having you follow along. Hopefully the second photo will show up soon.

[kyle creel]

Cool, I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

KYLE CREEL
G&D Ry.

[PRR Modeler]

Larry interesting idea for the TT.

[friscomike]

Wow, Larry, great stuff.  I wish you the maximum amount of fun on this new adventure.  I'll be watching.  Have fun, mike

[Rick]

Larry, congratulations on a new and exciting layout project.
I'll be here to follow along.

[Larry C]

Kyle, Curt, Mike, and Rick thank you guys and it'll be great having all of you following along.

[Jerry]

Holy! Moly! he's going small time on us! 

Looking good so far count me in for the excitement!!

Jerry

[Philip]

Cool Beans!

Real small Jerry!

[Larry C]

Jerry and Philip thanks. Yup I wanted something small and thought this would be
something different; it's all Rob's fault since his layout is so inspiring.

[Philip]

Suddenly my wife's Helen Reddy's CD collection vanished. 

[Zephyrus52246]

Cool.  Will watch your progress with interest. 

Jeff

[Larry C]

Philip I had to laugh when I read your comment.....but it's not my fault.

Jeff thank you and for following along.

[PABOB]

Boy Larry. You are fast. I cant believe you started on it already. Its looking really good Larry.  I really like it. Will be following it very closely. The Turn table is really cool. I saw others build the same thing. Is there a build thread on that turn table some where? Take care Larry. Bob.