Bman's U-Shaped Layout

19233 Views 81 Replies 28 Participants Last post by tjcruiser, Jan 21, 2013

Bman

Discussion Starter · May 2, 2011 (Edited)

Ok, I have started in on my new layout. Over the last week I have been busy cutting up the old table, from an 6'x16' to two ~7.5'x5' tables. I also added a 4'x8' and put the three together to make the U (picture below). Before I put the table in place I installed a new 20 amp breaker in the electrical box and ran 8 outlets under the middle table. I'm hoping this will give me enough juice to power all the train goodies

.

I just got done leveling and joining all the tables together, I have painted the foam board a brown color and tomorrow I am gonna glue it down.

I'm trying to go slowly as I am a real impatient person. So I think I will lay down the track first without the roadbed and then get some trains running. That way if I don't like the design I can change it before I get to far in!!

Oh, almost forgot, I installed the new lighting as well, 4 new lights, I think the lighting situation is a little better now.

My workbench is a mess right now

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novice

· #2 · May 2, 2011

I'm impatient as well - looks good though - I did the same - set up the tables, ran/fixed/struggled with the trains for a few weeks.

Can't wait to see more progress pics

swiggy

· #3 · May 2, 2011

looking good, ------------great idea on running them first, I just changed my design 3 times.

i added 2 feet to connect and make a circle with center cut out on my new layout.

I will add pics tomorrow.

tjcruiser

· #4 · May 2, 2011

Bman,

A bit crazy of me, but the photo I'm drooling over most is the one of the 8-stack of electrical outlets ... ohhhhhh ... nice .... I like !!!

TJ

Bman

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 31, 2011

Ok a couple of pics of the new layout. It's going slow but it's going. I'm just testing it out right now. I gonna lay down all the track and "play" trains for a long while first. At least the boy is happy now that he can watch the trains!!

Check out my video as well

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swiggy

· #6 · May 31, 2011

good work bman!!!!! I am a slight touch ahead of you, but i really like the three lines. Mine is extremely similar, but connects with center cut out.

I cannot wait to see what you put everywhere else:thumbsup:

Fighterpilot

· #7 · Jun 1, 2011

Looking good Bman. I know you're anxious to get some progress going, but it's nice to have the trains running while you do the scenery. It's a good break, once in a while, to just sit and watch the trains running.
I like your quad outlet boxes too. I hope you have them wired and fused at more than 15amps, or you have more than one circuit running to them.

Bman

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 4, 2011

Turntable Placement

I just got my new turntable and I wanted to get some opinions on where to put it. I had a couple of Ideas so I did a some mockups and took some pictures. Please let me know what one you like the best.
Thanks

In the first two pictures the turntable and engine house are near the end of the table, the engine house placement is different in the second photo

Here I have moved the turntable closer to the back of the layout nearer to where the rest of the yard action is.

Different location of the engine house

Alternate view of the last photo.

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tjcruiser

· #9 · Jun 4, 2011

Fun progress! I like the placement of photo #2.

TJ

Bman

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 5, 2011

tjcruiser said:
Fun progress! I like the placement of photo #2.

TJ

Thanks TJ for your reply.

I am going to be putting together more of the yard tonight. I think once that's done I can really have some fun!!!

BrooklynBound718

· #11 · Jun 5, 2011

Great job, Bman. I like how your layout is progressing. Does your turntable just sit flat on the table or did you have to hollow out a circular shape to install the turntable?

Bman

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 5, 2011

It's just the inexpensive Atlas turntable but I think it'll do the job. It sits flat on the table you don't need to cut a recess into the top. You do need to have roadbed down under the track so the track and the turntable sits at the same height.

Right now I won't be able to use the turntable because I purposely do not have any roadbed down. I want to "test drive" the layout first to make sure I have good flow.

Gansett

· #13 · Jun 6, 2011

I like the placement in both the #1 and #2 photos, maybe a slight leaning towards #2.

gunrunnerjohn

· #14 · Jun 6, 2011

I like the TT near the other tracks as in #1 or #2. The position of the train house is purely a dealer's choice IMO.

sstlaure

· #15 · Jun 6, 2011

Are you going to have any other support activities for the engine shop? Sanding stations, diesel fuel depot, etc? I like the last couple of pics.

Bman

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 7, 2011

Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate it!!

sstlaure said:
Are you going to have any other support activities for the engine shop? Sanding stations, diesel fuel depot, etc? I like the last couple of pics.

Yes I do have a sanding station and a fuel depot. I'm not really sure right now were the placement of those items will go. I think I will probably have to add another turnout and put them somewhere closer to the yard.

I have moved the turntable as close to the wall/back of the layout as possible, this will free up some space in front of it to add another spur or just leave it alone for some landscaping/other structures. See Picture below.

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Bman

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 27, 2011

Well I ran out of track, so I had to stop with the layout building. But I got pretty far, in fact I am upwards of about 90% complete.

No pictures on purpose, I am planning a video which I think might be pretty cool. I tried to make it tonight but after about the sixth take of getting it wrong I called it quits. Man it would stink to be a director!!!

cabledawg

· #18 · Jun 27, 2011

I like number 4, but couldnt tell you exactly why. Just looks better I guess. Bman I love the space you have and I'm anxious to see the final layout. Curious, what kind of lights do you have overhead? They look pretty bright and clean cut.

Bman

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 29, 2011

cabledawg said:
I like number 4, but couldnt tell you exactly why. Just looks better I guess. Bman I love the space you have and I'm anxious to see the final layout. Curious, what kind of lights do you have overhead? They look pretty bright and clean cut.

The lights I got from craigs list, I think the guy said they were out of a drug store that he remodeled, so I bought a few of them to put over the layout.
I kinda ended up with the look of layout #4, I think I posted a pic of the layout design in my design thread.

I have built all of the layout with the exception of the engine storage track and engine maintenance building area, which will have to be modified as there is not enough room. I think it will be just one long track with a runaround for the engine shed.

I am really liking the method of putting down some track, running the trains, then modifying what needs to be changed before I get too far in with roadbed and landscaping. I don't know how many times I have changed my mind, whether it be after I ran the trains or as I was laying down the track.

Now I am going to buy some more track and have some more fun with the trains before I take the plunge and start laying down the roadbed!!

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Komodo

· #20 · Jun 30, 2011

now all you have to do is everything. I like it so far

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