[rsv1ho]

After a couple of months knocking wood together and running newly acquired engines I finally started laying track.

Cork roadbed and N/S flex and Atlas 22 r sections make up the mainline with only one inlet/outlet switch connecting the rest of the soon to be determined layout.

I looked at a lot of layouts and decided that I'm just going to wing it and construct my own based on other layouts that I have done in the past customized to the parameters.

Going to add another set of track parallel to what is pictured. Then add figure 8's, reverse loops etc. interior to that. Smaller engines will work there.

I'm tempted to build a 1X4 ledge around the whole layout and lay some 24 r track there.

Lot's to do to flesh this out, but I am going to keep it simple. Maybe a tunnel on the far left but no grades or bridges.

 

[MichaelE]

You have a nice start. The track is straight and you shouldn't have any equipment problems. Nice work.

 

[Dennis461]

I'm tempted to build a 1X4 ledge around the whole layout and lay some 24 r track there.
.

Instead put a 1/4" x 4" wall around the outside, before you lose a train over the side

 

[MichaelE]

Yes, that could give you equipment problems.

I lost ÖBB 2143 from a 4'+ fall off the branch line about six months ago. Not a lot of damage except to the coupler and both buffers. It could have been a lot worse on a hardwood floor. This room is carpeted.

New buffers and a coupler with a good inspection put it back in service. But, the unexpected can, and does happen.

 

[Lehigh74]

Looks like a good start. I would add another switch in the other direction so when you bring a train back to the outer loop, you don’t need to do it in reverse.

 

[wvgca]

the track is a little close to the edge for my liking ... but it's your layout ...

 

[D&J Railroad]

I would just extend the edge of the table out a couple or few inches as scenery.

 

[65446]

Aside from track being close to the edge, if you don't keep the table top about 1.5' or more feet from the back wall it will be very unnerving trying to reach across it to rescue a stalled, derailed train in the rear to re-rail it / lift away or push it. Especially if you now have track in middle and structures..

 

[Chaostrain]

Nice layout. I can see a lot of pleasure in your future. I'm looking forward to watching it develop.

 

[rsv1ho]

Thanks all.

A while back I started a thread asking about fencing and got some good advice. It has always been my intention to fence the entire perimeter of the layout to prevent a derailment to the floor disaster and to add some flavor.

Still thinking about that one. Maybe graffiti stained sound barriers on the far side to conventional fencing depending on the neighborhood.

My worry is that I should have started the layout from the inside out rather than from the outside in. I have to climb aboard to lay interior track and am worried about disturbing what has already been done.

I'm just glad that I built the base out of steel and 2 X 4's.

I might add that second switch. I had that variation on one of my other layouts and enjoyed that option.

 

[CTValleyRR]

Thanks all.

A while back I started a thread asking about fencing and got some good advice. It has always been my intention to fence the entire perimeter of the layout to prevent a derailment to the floor disaster and to add some flavor.

Still thinking about that one. Maybe graffiti stained sound barriers on the far side to conventional fencing depending on the neighborhood.

My worry is that I should have started the layout from the inside out rather than from the outside in. I have to climb aboard to lay interior track and am worried about disturbing what has already been done.

I'm just glad that I built the base out of steel and 2 X 4's.

I might add that second switch. I had that variation on one of my other layouts and enjoyed that option.

Steel and 2x4's? Unless you're in an earthquake prone area and intend to use this layout to shelter under, that is grossly overengineered. L-girders made from 1x2 and 1x3 lumber and 1" extruded foam insulation panels on joists spaced at 18'" will hold my weight (230#).

If you can't get some more separation from that back wall, you might want to invest in a topside creeper, to enable you to reach the back without lying on the layout. After you actually have scenery and structures, you won't be able to crawl on the layout anyway.

 

[rsv1ho]

Steel and 2x4's? Unless you're in an earthquake prone area and intend to use this layout to shelter under, that is grossly overengineered. L-girders made from 1x2 and 1x3 lumber and 1" extruded foam insulation panels on joists spaced at 18'" will hold my weight (230#).

If you can't get some more separation from that back wall, you might want to invest in a topside creeper, to enable you to reach the back without lying on the layout. After you actually have scenery and structures, you won't be able to crawl on the layout anyway.

I like your New England style humor *, being originally from New Hampshire I may understand it better than most.

Perhaps you missed my thread where I mentioned that I used an existing twin style bedframe and on-hand 2X4's to build the main base. Wing additions are 1X4's with 1X2 furring for legs.

There is about 10" between the wall and the layout, plenty of room to get my moderate frame back there. It's how I laid the roadbed and track on that side. Only had to climb aboard to reach the end under the window. Entertaining at 82.

I finished nailing the track down this afternoon. I started out using brads, then thought of my son's track nails in his N gauge box. Atlas, and a much better idea. I like the black domed little critters, blends right in. Just snugged them down against the ties.

First go-around honor went to one of my first locomotives, an Atlas RS-3 and a fine runner. Second went to my newly acquired Rivarossi Big Boy which will derail it's rear drivers on 18 r. New clean track made for perfect rotations.

Used a little tapping hammer to set the track nails, a pass down from a couple of grandfathers long removed.

Also pictured, todays mail. Two little switchers ran well, rest are works in progress.

* Translation: We Yankees can be a little snippy at times.

 

[CTValleyRR]

Perhaps you missed my thread where I mentioned that I used an existing twin style bedframe and on-hand 2X4's to build the main base. Wing additions are 1X4's with 1X2 furring for legs.

Yeah, I don't keep a mental index file of all the threads describing everyone's layouts. Not enough gigabytes left in the old noodle for that.

 

[rsv1ho]

Yeah, I don't keep a mental index file of all the threads describing everyone's layouts. Not enough gigabytes left in the old noodle for that.

From one old noodle to another..

Anyone know anything about the Pemco locomotive pictured in the group of engines above.

This is all that I could find on the web:

ho-scaletrains.com/pemco/

 

[Eilif]

I've heard that Pemco may have been started by ex Tyco employees. Much of their product line is very similar though I've been told that their version of the pancake motor was superior to others. I have a couple pieces of Pemco freight and they are satisfactory but still on the basic end of things.

 

[Eilif]

Sources for Pemco info
Basic history and lots of links to rolling stock
http://tycotrain.tripod.com/pemcorailwaysystem/

Some rather specific history info here if you scroll down.
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,451099

 

[rsv1ho]

Sources for Pemco info
Basic history and lots of links to rolling stock
http://tycotrain.tripod.com/pemcorailwaysystem/

Some rather specific history info here if you scroll down.
https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,451099

Thanks for those links. I especially enjoyed Tony's last paragraph.

Tyco, yes I always shied away from - Bachmann too. But look at Bachmann now turning out quality stuff.

I found another Pemco Southern Crescent smoker on ebay and bought it. May help me put the broken one back together.

Reported to run great, but as the blind man said - We shall see!

 

[rsv1ho]

Progress but I'm at a point where I could use comments, criticisms, suggestions, opinions, improvements.

I'm building this layout as an expanded version of a previous layout that I made a long time ago and one that I had a lot of fun with.

A figure 8, reverse loops, two trains at a time, spurs made for interesting situations. I had packed a lot of switches in close proximity to one another, but somehow it worked.

New layout is an "L" with descending 22 r, 20 r, and 18 r curves. I still am going to incorporate a figure 8 and reverse loops, and spurs for railyards.

????

Thanks

Edit add:

I have been looking for years for a picture of my first layout built many years ago. Never found one, then thought of my Corvette album in which I documented my restoration of a 1959 Corvette. I used it to store parts on.