Benchwork construction has begun on my newest layout. This time I am designing a shelf/switching layout, inspired by various railroad and industrial activities close to home. While I don't yet have an official name for the layout, I am calling it the UP Council Bluffs Subdivision, since that is were I am doing a lot of my research and train watching for model railroad ideas. Who knows, it might just stick.
The layout will be 16' in length, using a twin pair of 8' tables that are 18" wide. I am using a very similar design to the Marias Pass benchwork, with plywood for the frame and folding legs that collapse into the recess of the benchwork. The track plan is not yet finished, but wanted to get started with construction anyway. I'll continue to share more as I make progress. Here is a short video of the new layout:
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ReplyDeleteWell it is about time you started a new layout LOL. Can't wait to see the track plan. keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. I've had the itch for some time now. I was at Home Depot getting some remodel stuff and thought I would throw in a couple sheets of plywood since I was there. Gave me a good excuse to cobble some new benchwork together.
DeleteThe great thing about N scale is you can fit a lot of railroading into 16x1.5 feet! My Aroostook Valley is progressing, with work now focussed on completing the paper mill in the space originally intended for the industrial park. The mill's really starting to look good (pics to come). And as far as the name - don't worry - for something that small simply changing motive power and a few structures or signs creates a whole new railroad!
ReplyDeleteGeof, you have far to few photos of your work on your blog. I would love to see more. From what I can see, you have a really nice start, and like the footprint you have established. Keep up the great work.
DeleteYou could do the Elevator on Harry Langdon (Bartlet) and put the RI Museum on there and do the interchange wit the IAIS and the BNSF. FV does some nice Gevos and Atlas the GP38-2's in IAIS. Look forward to watching this layout grow.
ReplyDeleteI do like the idea of using UP, BNSF, and IAIS power all on the same layout. However, I don't know if that would be too much in the space that I have. I either need a realistic means of interchanging 2 (maybe 3) railroads in the space I have, or simply have UP own the entire thing. Designing is always the hardest part of the project for me. Too many ideas.
DeleteHave you thought of having return loops on both ends. All of you layouts have been continues running this one wouldn't be. You might not like the fact that you can't just have trains running as you are working on something. You could make the turns 12" and hide them with a view block so you don't see the long trains going around a 12" radius. Just a though
ReplyDeleteJeff, great ideas. I am certainly designing this to be either stand alone or part of a larger operation, regardless whether it is more modules or something to make a continuous run like you mentioned. I really like the "bendtrack", "free-mo" and similar concepts, and am using that same concept here. The end loops are a great idea and would be simple to build. Thanks!
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