New Train layout 6-1-23

[Smudge617]

I guess you noticed I'm still using Lego's for all of my structures. I'm also getting ready to add 2 more tables to the inside of the layout for Yards & then I will move all of my Transformers & sound systems & other stuff to the end of the table thats closest to what I have now. Today I'm going to work on adding 8 more plugs for my MRC walk around throttle.

Lego has come a long long way since I played with it, love your ingenuity.

 

[Larry Creel]

Does anyone still use chicken wire, newspaper and plaster of paris?

On my last Layout in Arcadia,Fl. before I moved up here I used Pink & Green Foam insulation on 1 of the 20ft long tables & framed up a long mountain on a 16ft long table & added the small chicken wire & covered it with Drywall Mud & on another table that was 20ft long I used Expansion Foam(16 cans) & at the bottom of that mountain I used Drop Ceiling Tiles for the rough mountain side. Everytime I build a new layout I try different things. On this layout I used PINK 2" FOAM on both mountains.

 

[GGNInNScale]

I converted from the plaster and newspaper to foam and caulk. Works great, really fast builds and you can make rock textures with your fingers or a rasp.

 

[Larry Creel]

Here it is March already. had the Flu for about 2 weeks & couldn't work on the layout & then I passed out in the bathroom from not eating hardly anything for 2 weeks, so, now I'm back to building Trains & layout stuff again. I finally got the roof almost finished for the Train Shed & now it actually looks like a beefed up roof.

 

[Larry Creel]

Then I built a 4 pc. Miniature castle out of lego's that I'm going to add to the side of 1 of my mountains. This one took me 3 days to build. These are called Micro Mini Blocks & were very hard for me to hook together w/pains in my hands.

 

[Larry Creel]

This Lego's Build I had to do right on the layout to get everything lined up next to the original Train Shed. Took me about 3 hrs & then I added the 1\16" Peel & Stick foam sheet to the roof panel which I will paint flat black later. The building is 10 by 10 inches & 4 & 1/2" tall. I never glue any roof down until I add LED lighting inside the structures. The Engine shed has a removable roof for derailments, etc.

 

[Larry Creel]

Made engine work stations inside the Engine Shed today. All Lego items & I also added some trim to the front of the roof on the engine shed. There was a 3/8ths opening on the front & about 6" on the sides. I used some wood dowels to fill in that space & glued it all w/E6000 glue.
Tomorrow I hope to start adding LED lighting to both of these buildings & cutting all of the blocks to seperate at least 4 engines on each track in front of both buildings. This part of the layout looks like it is real crowded, but it's not. The next big project is building a fueling & sanding track someplace around these buildings.

 

[Colbert]

Amazing layout. Congrats !

 

[Bruette]

Fantastic work!

 

[Larry Creel]

Made engine work stations inside the Engine Shed today. All Lego items & I also added some trim to the front of the roof on the engine shed. There was a 3/8ths opening on the front & about 6" on the sides. I used some wood dowels to fill in that space & glued it all w/E6000 glue.
Tomorrow I hope to start adding LED lighting to both of these buildings & cutting all of the blocks to seperate at least 4 engines on each track in front of both buildings. This part of the layout looks like it is real crowded, but it's not. The next big project is building a fueling & sanding track someplace around these buildings.

I redid all the tops of the service racks this week to make them look like metal tops. I used plastic canvas & it made a 100% different look. Did the ones in the engine shed & the ones outside the shed too.

 

[Larry Creel]

Started making a Fueling rack for engines this week too. Still need to make an overhead sanding rack w/downspouts. Then will have to buy some small rubber rope to use for hoses at each pump. What do you all think?

 

[Larry Creel]

Been working 4 days hooking up turnout switches & cutting track for 18 blocks in front of & beside the engine shed. Then I hooked up 4 turnout switches & blocks for the passenger station & 8 more for other blocks. Takes a long time when you work by yourself.

 

[Larry Creel]

Castle on a Hill. Micro Mini Lego. 11 by 31 inches. 3-29-24

 

[Larry Creel]

New Sanding Rack I made this morning. 3-2-24

 

[Larry Creel]

Went to Home Depot today & bought enough lumber to add onto my layout in the middle. This Table is 36" wide & 80" long & the same height as the layout is now. This one is on the east end of the layout. Cut the Facia out 3ft wide before I got started. Work on the other end tomorrow if I can get out of bed after crawling around on the floor to make the frame & add legs. I built it upside down & then screwed the one end to the side of the original table. No leg needed there. 4-1-24 There's a 19" clearance on both sides which is enough for me.

 

[Larry Creel]

Finished up the table on the other end this afternoon. 85" long & 36" wide by 70" high. Going to put all my Transformers & sound Systems on the end of this table in the isle. I also made the center isle 36" wide in case I want to add a let down bridge between the 2 tables later. 4-2-24

 

[Smudge617]

Finished up the table on the other end this afternoon. 85" long & 36" wide by 70" high. Going to put all my Transformers & sound Systems on the end of this table in the isle. I also made the center isle 36" wide in case I want to add a let down bridge between the 2 tables later. 4-2-24

Really nice work, you've got a lot done.

 

[Larry Creel]

All new tables are done & painted as of today. 4-14-24. Installed my transformers & sound systems on the end of the west side table & all the wiring is in & I can now run trains. All the turnout switches are hooked up & marked on the front Facia Boards. The only thing that I have to hook up now is the Bachmann EZ track toggles which will be on the new facia Boards that I put on yesterday & today. Next project is laying out all the Brass Turnouts & brass flex for yards on both new tables & every switch will be controlled w/Ground Throws. have you noticed I've been using cut down pencils Erasers to mark all the turnouts & blocks. So far I have hooked up 27 Blocks on the Freight line & 1 on the passenger mainline.

 

[Larry Creel]

Found an item at Dollar Tree yesterday that would be a great item for structures, bridge supports & a hundred other ideas. A box of 72 wood blocks. 1&7/8ths long, 5/8ths wide are most some are narrower & 1/2" thick. Beautiful colors. $1.25 per box. I bought 3 boxes. They are on the bottom shelf in the toy isle. 4-16-24

 

[Larry Creel]

Made another Lego Hotel this morning. 11" high & 5" square. Going to call it the Pyramid Hotel. I also moved the other Hotel up on 1 end of the east mountain. Both sets of pictures here. 4-16-24