Bluewater & Grandview Railroad

[Baronjutter]

The top left seems a bit bare.  What are the plans there?

[MichaelWinicki]

Dave, one thing you could do to make it more visually interesting on the right-hand blob side is to put a road through there that goes under the RR OR maybe better simulate another RR by have a single track line go under the operational part of the layout.  You don't even need to have an interchange.

[mightypurdue22]

Baronjutter - Yes I agree in this plan it is without interest, but I have some thoughts on what I might do.  First it would have 6-10" rolling hills with perhaps a road overpass going from one backdrop to the other.  Perhaps a house or two up a knoll.  The left edge of the layout will have a small river/creek which is the reason for the curvature in the tracks near the coal mine.

Michael - Great idea on the branchline.  I had planned on doing a river that wraps behind a foreground hill.  The mainline bridges could also act as an overpass to that branchline.  That will definitely be worth exploring.

[jpec]

I like the latest version (I liked the version with the grade better) but I'm still concerned about access to those rear yard tracks - how deep is the benchwork and could you access them over the backdrop?

Jeff

[mightypurdue22]

No access over the backdrop, that's a wall.  Plan will be to control those with a dcc decoder at each.

[jpec]

Understood...I'd be concerned with access to clean up the inevitable mishap...maybe one of those grabber things that elderly folks use to grab things from tall cabinets would help.

Jeff

No access over the backdrop, that's a wall.  Plan will be to control those with a dcc decoder at each.

[mightypurdue22]

Having made some progress on my layout, I thought I'd post a few updated photos.  I've finished most of my under the layout electrical work, and am moving into terrain shaping.  I've been using a combination of extruded foam, cardboard web, foam core and am trying Woodland Scenics Shaper Sheets.  It's still a work in progress, but here's my brief review of the shaper sheets...

I bought the 18" x 72" version from Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon.  They're a bit salty for what you get at $30 full retail.  Very easy to form and provides believable looking terrain.  Easy to cut and shape.  I glue into place with a just a bit of hot glue.  Holds the shape very well, even without having added the plaster overlay.  I'll be doing that along with adding plaster cloth and sculptamold to my entire layout in due time.  I think this product can be very beneficial on a smaller layouts (4 x 8ish).  On large expansive layouts, I think you'd be better off with other terrain building materials.  I think it's a fine product for planning my terrain as well, as the sheet can be reshaped until it meets my approval.

[coryd]

Hi there, thank you for approving me to the group! I know this is a longshot however I am looking to build this layout, https://www.scarm.info/layouts/track_plans.php?ltp=109 and unable to find the track plan or file. Anyone out there know how I can get the track plan to avoid having to figure this one out from scratch on scarm or anyrail?

Thanks,
Cory

[tjalllen]

Hi, all! I'm finally getting back into the hobby after too many years to admit--some of that due to a military career that had me relocating over and over. I'm excited to get back into it!

Just like the previous post, I'd love to build this layout. It features everything I'm looking for and would fit perfectly in my space. Does anyone have a track plan and track list? Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!!

[OldEastRR]

Which sides of this layout are against walls?