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Graffen
Crew Chief
Sweden
861 Posts |
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Graffen
Crew Chief
Sweden
861 Posts |
 Posted - 03/01/2010 : 7:14:09 PM
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Hi all, I have now started on the spangling new shelf addition to the M-K & Easter RR in HO.
It will be 120"x 17" and with no elevations, curved or double slip turnouts or any other "difficult" objects. After some great help here on the Forum I came up with this layout:
I have built the frames and am currently waiting for my tracks and turnouts to arrive from the UK.
In the meantime I will mount the hardboard backdrop and paint it. |
Swedish custom painter
http://sites.google.com/site/graffairbrushart |
Edited by - Graffen on 09/24/2010 11:48:59 AM |
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bcfan1064
Engine Wiper
USA
164 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2010 : 8:49:45 PM
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I see you drew that plan with Xtrkcad. Could I get a copy to try out? I like the plan an enjoy trying new plans out.
-Barry S |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9272 Posts |
Posted - 03/01/2010 : 11:06:44 PM
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| Michael, now THAT is a great trackplan! Lot's of interesting switching, which I am sure will challenge anyone who tries it, and the potential for some great urban scenery. I'll be watching this one closely! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Graffen
Crew Chief
Sweden
861 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 8:05:18 PM
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Now it's serious! 
I have made the framework (300x42 cm) and had the electric work done, I opted for a built-in switch so I can turn on and off optional features.
A picture of the basic construction
The framework is built using 90x20 mm pine with 9mm MDF as a top.
I glued 20 mm styrofoam as a sound-dampener on top of the MDF.
Everything is glued with "No-Nails" from Pattex, which I think is a really good glue.
I used Pelly-consoles to attach the layout on the wall, it is a good system in my opinion.
It was very easy to mount the background and the shelf above the layout.
The shelf serves as the holder for the flourescent tubes and the light-valance.
The background is plain 1/8:th masonite glued with 18 x 18 mm strips on the back for stiffening it up.
I have also started painting the background and primed it with a blue color fading down to a light, almost white color.
I prefer to let the "chaos theory" rule when I paint my backgrounds, it gives me a bit to play with when I start with the detail painting (the clouds, etc.).
I want to get a framed effect when looking at the layout, and as it is in our living room,
I want it to have a certain "elegance furniture", which is difficult because I'm not a carpenter  .
I have painted the front of the valance a neutral gray color (NCS 6000 N), it provides a rather neat appearance.
I have also primed the foam in an earth color to make it a little nicer in appearance than the original pink color.
I had some luck when the local "cheapy store" in the city sold matte latex paint in last years fashion-colors for $5 quart [:-bigeyes2].
On top of it all it was the colors that was great to use as "earth" that was on sale  .
I wanted to see how the buildings look "in situ", so I've placed them temporarily before commencing with track laying.
Now I'll just have to nail and glue the masonite on the fascia and cut it to match the landscape contours, then I´m ready to start with the trackwork.
Not so bad in just 3 days I think (it´s always nice to get rid of the hard work to start with). |
Swedish custom painter
http://sites.google.com/site/graffairbrushart |
Edited by - Graffen on 09/24/2010 11:53:02 AM |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16455 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2010 : 01:41:12 AM
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Very nice start, it should make into a beautiful scene.
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Frederic Testard |
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INRAIL
Crew Chief
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2010 : 5:02:44 PM
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This is going to be very nice!
Tom Johnson |
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nhguy
Fireman
USA
3666 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2010 : 12:37:26 PM
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| I agree with all the comments so far myself. Very good scene coming together. |
Bill Shanaman
Superintendent, New Haven RR in the 1948 to 1952 era
PMRA President 2013-14, OpSIG Member
NCE User Since 1999
Sugar City, Colorado |
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Boss Boomer
Section Hand
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 2:37:30 PM
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That's a rather nice start you have made of it, Graffen. I like the shelving and lighting effect you have created. You have given me enough inspiration that I may have to re-consider my plans for a shelf lay-out.
Keep posting your progress, please! |
I live in my own little world, but it's OK--they know me here! |
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Graffen
Crew Chief
Sweden
861 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 4:00:22 PM
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Thanks for the positive responses!
I have gotten a bit further on the way now,
I have started the tracklaying and landscaping.
I don´t want to do one thing at a time and running the risk to get "blind" .
This is the mockup of buildings I made before tracklaying:
I have started the tracklaying,
I use Peco code 75 track and turnouts.
I think it is a very good looking track system.
I opted for all Electrofrog turnouts (& crossings),
as I hate it when short wheelbase loco´s stall on the turnouts.
I glued the tracks directly on the foam using No Nails glue.
After that I painted the track:
I decided after some pondering that I wanted manual turnout controls,
and as I use Electrofrog turnouts,
I needed some way to switch the frog polarity.
After some searching on the web and in my old mags,
I found that the most usual way was this:
A DPDT switch coupled to the switchbar with a 1 mm piano wire.
I used a 2 mm pianowire as a pushrod from the front of the layout,
where I use a 20 mm wooden ball as a knob:
As can be seen I have also started ballasting.
I wanted the look of the rails almost buried in fine gravel,
so I thought that some fine sand would be fine,
but as ordinary sand contains quartz here,
making it shimmer, it is a no go.
I decided to try something else.
As Woodland scenics ballast is made of colored nutshells,
I started to think about some alternatives.
I have a history as a zookeeper for tropical animals,
and we had some Chinchillas that we used a special soft sand for.
I bought a bag and tried it. BINGO!
It is irregular in size and has sound dampening qualities as well.
I use Diluted Matte medium to glue it and it works a charm.
More updates is on it´s way... |
Swedish custom painter
http://sites.google.com/site/graffairbrushart |
Edited by - Graffen on 09/24/2010 11:57:23 AM |
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kirk
Fireman
Sweden
4526 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 5:08:25 PM
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| Graffen, you're off to a great looking and fast start! |
Troels Kirk
Näsum, Sweden
http://coastline.no13.se |
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Graffen
Crew Chief
Sweden
861 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 5:56:49 PM
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Thanks Troels, it is a little smaller in size than yours , so it is progressing rather fast.
There is a bit of a roadblock now as
I´m currently waiting for the last turnouts to arrive,
and on a side note, a English friend from the AMR Forum is sending me some Jute-Sisal "basket liner" to try out for the grass. It isn´t available in Sweden, so I´m very happy to see that the helpfulness of model railroaders is still at the best!
I´m very anxiuous to try it! |
Swedish custom painter
http://sites.google.com/site/graffairbrushart |
Edited by - Graffen on 03/18/2010 6:01:08 PM |
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Neil M
Fireman
Australia
2173 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 6:44:27 PM
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Excellent progress Graffen. I really like the plan and you seem to be getting stuck in very fast. I like the lighting rig.
If the road is a sign of things to come I can't wait |
Built a waterfront HO layout in Ireland http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=22161 but now making a start in On30 in Australia |
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Frederic Testard
Engineer
France
16455 Posts |
Posted - 03/18/2010 : 6:48:23 PM
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I like what you've already done, Graffen.
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Frederic Testard |
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racedirector
Engine Wiper
Australia
330 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2010 : 01:08:56 AM
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| What a cool switching layout! My son would love this in N scale, might give it a try....... |
Bruce Nordstrand, Riverstone, NSW, Oz-stralia
Back in HO...and stayin there! |
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George D
Moderator
USA
9912 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2010 : 07:59:41 AM
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Nice progress, Graffen. It looks like you are using under the track magnets for uncoupling. Are you using anything else for uncoupling?
George
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The M-K & Eastern RR
