Layout Construction - June 30, 2009

Testing the plan
On this day, I decided to check the accuracy of the XTrkcad program I was using to design the track plan. I laid out the prints from the program on the benchwork to get a feel for the layout (This is Great Falls yard). I designed the yard tracks to all curve slightly to make room for the grain elevator on the right. (The grain elevator will be cut down to hide the pipe coming out of the wall.) I wanted to make sure the curve and track spacing would not cause interference.

This another view of the yard.

Just having some fun using the close-up feature on the camera. Looks like I need to clean the real world weathering from the top of the caboose.

 

Layout Construction - June 24, 2009

Benchwork for the Falls yard (upper level) and Lewistown (lower level) is now built. I dug out building from a previous layout to see how it would look. After months (years actually) of planning, I just had to set out some rolling stock and track to get that layout feel.  

 

This view shows the brackets that will hold the benchwork for the bridge (upper level) and the tunnel (lower level) over the fireplace.

Layout Construction - June 14, 2009

Now we are starting to look like something
More shelf brackets installed. I determined the height of each level by needing to be above the fireplace tiles at the back of the room and a comfortable viewing level. The window provided a challenge since the studs are on 24" centers along the outside walls.

Larger brackets were used to allow for shelving under the lower level.

Another view.

Layout Room Construction - June 7, 2009

Ahh progress!
The ceiling is finally up! You might also notice the shelf brackets on the right-hand side. I had started testing the heights for the different levels of layout benchwork.

The other end of the room with a few panels needing to be placed.

Layout Room Construction – May 2009

Why I don’t do construction for a living
After months of on again and off again work, the walls have been finished and painted. The ceiling still needs to put up. The pile of crap in the middle of the room, was the only place it could go. It was fun working around the pile to finish the room.

This is a view of the other end of the room.

I needed to find a way to allow good airflow into the room and keep the cats out of the room. I finally decided to buy a screen door and remove the screen. In its' place I purchased some "egg crate" style ceiling panels used for drop ceilings. These were cut to size and screwed to the back of the door. The door is held shut by magnets at the top and bottom. Easy opening, but strong enough to keep the cats out.

Layout Room Construction – March 2009

Where do you start? At the beginning.
Before any construction of the layout could begin, the room needed to be finished. This room did not have any finished dry wall or ceiling. The electrical needed to be re-routed for additional wall outlets and ceiling lights. Oh, the joys of remodeling!

 

The challenge here is to enclose the furnace and water heater while allowing access to the crawl space on the left-hand side.

Another view showing the large window.