Hi all,
I little history for my Rock Island Railroad.
As all lines are either dismantled or in use by Iowa Interstate. I won't be modeling any specific area.
My Rock Island will be a mix of historical units with a modern feel.
a "what if" type of railroad so to speak.
I cleared space and made room for an "L" layout. A 4x8 with a 3x8 to complete the "L" shape.
Bench work is pretty simple. just made a table base with legs and bolted everything to gether. ( although I have a weak spot where the 2 sheets of plywood join.)
Track work has been layed for a loop following the edges about 2-3 inches from the sides. A safty rail will be installed. All track so far has been tacked down on cork roadbed and the roadbed has been painted a dark brown.
Not much scenary at this time, but I do have a siding for a lumber mill (off table), A wood chip company, an area for a small coal mine and a container yard.
All this is on the open end of the 4x8.
Future plans:
The other side of the 4x8 will see a town in support of the mentioned companies.
The 3x8 is pretty much empty at this time. I have plans for a switching yard. but am undecided for this part of the lay out.
Mistakes:
1. The track in a few spots is really close to the edge. A safty rail will be installed to keep expensive power units from jumping track and smashing on the floor.
2. I may have to redo some of my ballist work on the roadbed. ( I didn't buy enough ballest to do the main line). I will/would have 2 types of coloring on the main line.
3. didn't think about the "wall side" of the layout. The 3x8 will have to be reached and built from the end. I didn't leave room to do scenery work so I'll have to do scenery from the inside out.
4. Free hand the track layout. I might have had a better layout if I would have used a layout software program.
I'll post some pics of the work so far.
Thanks for looking.
I little history for my Rock Island Railroad.
As all lines are either dismantled or in use by Iowa Interstate. I won't be modeling any specific area.
My Rock Island will be a mix of historical units with a modern feel.
a "what if" type of railroad so to speak.
I cleared space and made room for an "L" layout. A 4x8 with a 3x8 to complete the "L" shape.
Bench work is pretty simple. just made a table base with legs and bolted everything to gether. ( although I have a weak spot where the 2 sheets of plywood join.)
Track work has been layed for a loop following the edges about 2-3 inches from the sides. A safty rail will be installed. All track so far has been tacked down on cork roadbed and the roadbed has been painted a dark brown.
Not much scenary at this time, but I do have a siding for a lumber mill (off table), A wood chip company, an area for a small coal mine and a container yard.
All this is on the open end of the 4x8.
Future plans:
The other side of the 4x8 will see a town in support of the mentioned companies.
The 3x8 is pretty much empty at this time. I have plans for a switching yard. but am undecided for this part of the lay out.
Mistakes:
1. The track in a few spots is really close to the edge. A safty rail will be installed to keep expensive power units from jumping track and smashing on the floor.
2. I may have to redo some of my ballist work on the roadbed. ( I didn't buy enough ballest to do the main line). I will/would have 2 types of coloring on the main line.
3. didn't think about the "wall side" of the layout. The 3x8 will have to be reached and built from the end. I didn't leave room to do scenery work so I'll have to do scenery from the inside out.
4. Free hand the track layout. I might have had a better layout if I would have used a layout software program.
I'll post some pics of the work so far.
Thanks for looking.
