New Layout Plan, Help Needed

[roxyguy]

Hi All,

 

For the last 2 years I've just had a basic 7X4 roundie-roundie layout in the corner of the spare room. This is about to change. This is the space I have and the proposed "plan". I have never embarked on something as large scale as this. I need a chippie to knock up the base boards - anyone know anybody? I am based in Co. Galway.

Any help or suggestions welcome. I want to get it underway in the next month or so.

[GSR 800]

Dave is your only man! I'm sure he will be along soon..

[roxyguy]

I eagerly await for Dave

[DiveController]

Fiddle yard in general but especially top right corner may be hard to reach unless you're tall. Presume no acces from the back just crawl through on the bottom?

Station on one side planned?. Looks about 10x7, maybe enough room for split level/gradient to add a little appeal/variety?

[roxyguy]

Fiddle yard in general but especially top right corner may be hard to reach unless you're tall. Presume no acces from the back just crawl through on the bottom?

Station on one side planned?. Looks about 10x7, maybe enough room for split level/gradient to add a little appeal/variety?

 

No access at back, the fiddle yard will be directly under the window of the room. That part of the layout will be about 3ft across, so a little bit of a stretch alright. I don't think I'll be adding much scenic stuff as my skill set is just not up to it. I will however be printing huge panoramic backdrops the full length of the layout.

[Dave]

Hi Roxyguy. I'm a baseboard specialist have a look at my website http://www.modelrailbaseboards.com to see some of my work. I'll be at the Wexford model railway exhibition this weekend if you can make it down.

My baseboards are made from MDF, they are a torsion box design and do not warp twist or sag. They are immensely strong too.

They are a little bit more expensive over softwood and ply but for the cost of a loco they are far superior.

 

You can email me at david@modelrailbaseboards.com for a quote.

[Dave]

I also meant to say I can help with track design too!

[roxyguy]

Hi Guys, Long absence from forum. Had a lot of stuff going on and haven't been at the trains in ages. Thanks Dave.

 

I actually had a go at this myself recently, with a small bit of help. Its basically a great big train set now. 4 lanes + 5 long working sidings. Can have 9 trains on the layout at anytime which compared to my old roundie roundie is great. Its still a bit of a mess, but getting there.

 

[Noel]

Hi Roxyguy. I love it, looks great. Like the diversity of rolling stock too. Noel

[roxyguy]

Thanks Noel. Mostly Irish and American stuff.

[krose]

Looking good so far Roxy, You did a great job on the baseboards.

[roxyguy]

Cheers, it's just painted plywood. I am rubbish at landscaping so that's on the long finger.

[DiveController]

Cheers, it's just painted plywood. I am rubbish at landscaping so that's on the long finger.

Irishrailwayman did a quick tutorial on the the basic method about 4 days ago plus you can use the polystyrene cutters on the thread today if you go that route;)

[roxyguy]

Irishrailwayman did a quick tutorial on the the basic method about 4 days ago plus you can use the polystyrene cutters on the thread today if you go that route;)

 

Cheers for that. I am enjoying the freedom of no scenic stuff. I can add/remove sidings and so on. But still it would be better landscaped, the prospect of doing it terrifies me. I used foam underlay before - i don't think it looks great unless its the ballasted stuff - which is expensive.

[DiveController]

Cheers for that. I am enjoying the freedom of no scenic stuff. I can add/remove sidings and so on. But still it would be better landscaped, the prospect of doing it terrifies me. I used foam underlay before - i don't think it looks great unless its the ballasted stuff - which is expensive.

It would probably be cheaper (and not too hard but a little time commitment required) to lay a closed foam underlay for noise reduction and ballast the track using PVA glue when you have decided on a final layout. Playing around with the design for a while may be helpful to ensure it continues to stimulate your interest and enjoyment first.

[roxyguy]

It would probably be cheaper (and not too hard but a little time commitment required) to lay a closed foam underlay for noise reduction and ballast the track using PVA glue when you have decided on a final layout. Playing around with the design for a while may be helpful to ensure it continues to stimulate your interest and enjoyment first.

 

That's it, even though its analogue control, with the right timing I can switch trains to and from sidings. Terribly exciting.

[roxyguy]

Quick video of some trains running

[GNRi1959]

Roxyguy, this was an absolute thrill to watch, you have done an amazing job and you couldn't have chosen a better background soundtrack . The trains run so smoothly and travel such distance. I love it.

[roxyguy]

Roxyguy, this was an absolute thrill to watch, you have done an amazing job and you couldn't have chosen a better background soundtrack . The trains run so smoothly and travel such distance. I love it.

 

Kind words thank you. It's basically a very big train set. My inner child looses their mind every time they see it.

[Colin R]

Hi Roxyguy, that may not be to everyone's liking, but you know what, that looks fun and that is what it should be all about, well done sir. I love it.