My Layout: Croxton Terminal on 48" X 89.5" plywood

[igmuska]

Wal-Mart was all out of board stretchers, so I couldn't use the original plan calling for 48" X 96" (4'X8') plywood. The other major problem with this layout is that the upper leg is at the exact edge of the board which will make ballasting very difficult. When Wal-Mart restocks their board stretchers, I'll stretch the board out another 6 inches for ballasting.

[tjcruiser]

Just a heads up ...

For some strange reason, a standard sheet of MDF (medium density fiberboard) is 49"x97" ... an extra inch all around, if you need it.

TJ

[igmuska]

Before:


After:

[tankist]

green changes everything, isn't it

[igmuska]

And to think, just a few weeks ago, I was running on bare board but really had no choice as we were planning on moving the layout down two stories to the basement.
Compared to the previous photo sequence, my layout is getting more colorful than it was a couple of weeks ago. I even have a hot pink covered hopper rolling around in there. Excellent.









Of course, my layout would be totally incomplete without a full supply of pot toppers (one topper equals three hours of conditioning, preparation, watching it vanish, then installation of few choice pieces.)

[Reckers]

I give up---what's a pot topper???

[igmuska]

Originally Posted by Reckers

I give up---what's a pot topper???

Pot toppers are a cheap alternative to Silflor grass scenery; originally they are used for seating fake flowers in decorative flower pots.

[igmuska]

A couple of days ago I just got the book Track Planning for Realistic Operation and now I really want to change my layout. I would like to have a yard along with larger radius curves and smoother turnouts.
I can widen the original board to 5 1/2 feet, keeping the original length 89 1/2 inches but add another 4 foot by 8 foot. This addition should be sized to make it so that I won't have to reach across the board. The main problem is that I don't have access to width only the length which will be adjacent to the furnace and water heater.
Anyone have any suggestions and has anyone else ran into similar requirement?

[tankist]

i sure wish i had that book when i was developing my layout.

without access on all 4 sides you will need to have access hole of sort, you really need that reach.
as for smoother turnout i will recommend getting away from atlas. i use peco and things are much smoother. turnouts are shorter, will allow for bit denser yard. even smallest setrack @17.5! radius allows for long 6axle euipment like SD40 without trouble (althoguh looking very funny at it). expencive however... so before you buy plan your layout with some sort of tool (ie anyrail)

[igmuska]

I was thinking about changing over to Peco. I was also thinking that in the near future I would like to invest in the Fast Track system for making my own turnouts and double slips. After reading Armstrong's book, I even changed my mind about trying to construct a double track layout, keeping instead to a single track with passing sidings here and there.
I guess it was a good thing though that I did take the time to build the Croxton Terminal as that was a great learning experience, teaching me about clogging the mainline, DC wiring, ballasting, scenery, Kadee #5 & #148 couplers, uncoupling ramps, soldering and now with the Armstrong book, the physics and mathematics that goes along with passing through that barrier from the roundy round to realistic operation.
As for the Croxton Terminal, during the time from the last sequence of photos, while I was thinking about improving the layout, I was also building trees and a few more houses. I'll post that shortly.
But thanks and if anyone can point me into the right direction cost effectively and design-wise (mainly links) you'll always have my gratitude.