Layout Progress

[RET USN]

Hello All,

Here are few pictures of the layout that I have been working on.  Here is my track plan.  Over all it's 11 x11 with an 8 foot shelf for the interchange/staging area.



Overall view of the layout.



Interchange / staging



The smaller yard track work is the latest project that I have started.



Aloha

[John]

where are you building this layout?

[RET USN]

John,

I'm building the layout in my finished basement.  I had to remove the carpet due to moisture problems.

[John]

John,

I'm building the layout in my finished basement.  I had to remove the carpet due to moisture problems.

Got it .. what state?

[NorfolkSouthern9708]

Curious: Why are you doing ovals within your layout?

[RET USN]

John,

I live in North East Ohio.

[John]

Cool .. I enlisted in Ohio ... 74 .. what did you do in the USN?

[RET USN]

Curious: Why are you doing ovals within your layout?

My thought with the ovals was to have two modes of operation for the layout.  With the ovals I can run 4 trains at once in a display mode hands free.  (I have not converted to DCC)Then when I wanted to I could run the layout in an operating session mode if you will.

[RET USN]

John,

I enlisted in 1989.  I retired as Senior Chief Sonarman after serving on 4 Fast Attack submarines.  I was stationed in Pearl Harbor, Groton CT and did some shipyard time in Norfolk Va.

[John]

Curious: Why are you doing ovals within your layout?

My thought with the ovals was to have two modes of operation for the layout.  With the ovals I can run 4 trains at once in a display mode hands free.  (I have not converted to DCC)Then when I wanted to I could run the layout in an operating session mode if you will.

Interesting thought .. but I think it will limit you in the long run .. a good dogbone running the entire length of the layout will give you similar capability .. not sure what level of realism you are trying to achieve .. but it will be hard to hide these ovals

[seusscaboose]

John,

I live in North East Ohio.

any chance you are a NKP guy?
EP

[RET USN]

EP,

Sorry but no I'm not.  My grandfather work for NYC starting with steam.  My dad worked for NYC, PC, Conrail and then CSX.

[RET USN]

John,

Yes, I agree that hiding the ovals is going to be hard. While running the layout in the display mode the realizim effect will be lost do to the ovals but I think running the layout in an operating session mode I might be able to reduce the impact of the ovals.