Here we go! Gotta start somewhere.

[nscaler711]

Trainnut that looks really good bud cant wait for more pics!

[CraigN]

It's been fun watching all the progress on this layout!

Talk about a railroad that grows!

Craig

[hickstmj]

Trainnut,
Do you use track nails or track spikes to tack the track to the roadbed/foam?

Thank you

[TrainNut]

Ahhh, you got me! I'm pretty sure in the past I have used the two terms inter-changeably without really thinking about how different they are. I use N scale track nails (the little tiny black ones) through the center of the ties every other hole. I put them closer where needed like where two pieces of flex come together, right before a switch and especially on tighter curves.

[steamhead]

Hi...Good progress on that layout...!!

I use transparent latex caulk to glue the track down. I use push pins to hold it in place while the caulk dries. I use track nails where I want a really good alignment, like around turnouts and such...Works like a charm.

[Hoghead]

Originally Posted by TrainNut

As I said, I dabbed on a bunch more colors. A little bit of red oxide, some yellow ochre, and then I thought the whole scene had too much yellow and the rocks were too dark in general. I took concrete and mixed it 50 50 with white and caught a lot of the highlights. Then of course, I added some real rocks and dirt on some of the ledges as well as bushes and grass. There are very few parts of my layout that I feel are complete. This is now one of them... minus the foreground of course. I have not decided what to put there just yet.

I have to commend you on some awesome work!

[Hoghead]

Originally Posted by TrainNut

I haven't been doing much lately except tinkering with the canyon and experimenting with different types of trees. Here is the latest on the canyon...


And here's the thread showing my experimentation with trees...
My take on easy trees

As far as the bike in the background to boot, I'm a bit puzzled. I'm guessing but I think you are referring to the one partially visible in a picture of my garage back towards the beginning of this thread. I love that thing but have not ridden it much since the birth of my two boys 5 years ago.


I look forward to seeing updates of your layout in the attic as well... B&B willing!

Excellent!

[Highlander1]

Hi there I am glad I put a tick on my subscribed threads what a wonderful surprise to find your progress this morning absolutley breathtaking.

I haven't had much time in fact i haven't been in the loft since 2007 teaching oldest to drive and get through her test, youngest daugter to ride a motor bike and my 13 yr old son to run his trials bike.

With that and organising the kids trial bike club time has flown by.

However the kids grow up so fast so I think I will probably put the railway on hold till i have more time.

What started out as a wee project for my son seems to have evolved and escalated into a project which will carry on for many years.

I can't wait to get back to the loft but am not in a hurry if that makes sense.

Till then I shall continue to pop in now and then and watch the developements on here.


Keep up the good work How's the weather it's peeing down here and I am about to embark on a business trip 500 miles in the rain on my motor bike yesterday was so nice I was looking forward to doing the trip this morning but not anymore.

Cheers H

[viperman]

I haven't been in this thread in a long time. TN, love the progress!

[clarkrw3]

Wow....I love the progress. The only problem is it makes me want to start over on my own layout. I was making a mobile layout so was using a 4x8 free floating layout. Seeing many others I understand the freedom using backgrounds and walls as backdrops.


btw I live in phx as well and have a couple small track inspectors myself...would love to see the layout some time.

[Mountain Man]

That is a fantastic layout, and tour de force on how you built it, and while I'm at it, thank you for restoring my faith in what it possible in N-scale.

[Buzzee]

I like the layout and at first I was thinking on the HO scale then I remembered you are "N" Hey we all can't be perfect
I just wish I could get mine in my front room, It is looking good and not bad at all. I'm looking forward to seeing more as you build and it is great that your wife is also getting into it, it makes it a bit easier to explain why you spent HOW MUCH .....

I have used up my allotment for the next 6 months, but what a buy...Keep it up I'll be watching

[TrainNut]

Originally Posted by clarkrw3

Seeing many others I understand the freedom using backgrounds and walls as backdrops.
btw I live in phx as well and have a couple small track inspectors myself...would love to see the layout some time.

First off, welcome to The Gauge! I feel honored that my thread was worthy of your first comment. Regarding the backdrops, this is the first layout I've put backdrops on and I like the effect. I still have not decided if I am going to have a custom backdrop printed or whether I will try and paint little clouds n stuff on it.
Regarding Phoenix, there are a few of us that try and meet up at each swap meet. The next one I know of in the Phoenix area will be Saturday, July 26th at the North Phoenix Baptist Church on 5757 N Central Ave. If your interested, send me or EZdays a PM in advance and we can fine tune the logisitics of meetin' up. Sometimes after the meets, we meander over to somebodies house and check out how much progress they've failed to make since last time we met there!

Mountain Man, Thanks for the comment. After reading some of your posts about small layouts, I figured my layout wasn't even close to what you were looking to do.

Buzzee, with the exception of new engines coming out every so often, I haven't spent that much on it lately. I'm in tree mode now and have decided that I can make some pretty cheap convincing trees out of weeds n stuff. From my index page - My take on easy trees

[clarkrw3]

Thanks...sounds good I will see what I can do.

[MadHatter]

TN- I dunno why it took me soooo long to find this thread of yours but I've just gone through all thte posts and MAN this is one super layou- your work is really professional. And those F- Units look so ''Dynamic" comming out of the tunnel!

You get a 20 out of 10 for this thread and layout.