Model Train Talk South Africa

General Model Train Talk and Calendar => Layout Showcase => Topic started by: BigEd on February 17, 2016, 10:41:38 AM

Title: My new layout...now my old layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 17, 2016, 10:41:38 AM
Ok, let me be honest: I did not build it! I bought it! I will make a few little scenic changes in the years to come.

I am however installing it and I wonder if that is/was not more difficult...

Its a classic dog-bone layout, double tracked with a reverse loop. The mountain is removable for maintenance and trouble shooting but the biggest surprise of it all - its Kato Unitrack all the way!!! Length is 4.1m by 0.8m at the widest. Layout wired for DCC with a Digitrax auto reverser in (AR) and all wired Kato switches and a double crossover. Lovely stuff these...

It was build by Graham Page (a builder of anything railways extraordinaire) who decided he needed to fixate on his live steam building exercise rather. I have seen what's he done so far - amazing does not describe it remotely... wonderful craftsman!

Any way, enough bragging with someone else's work. Some pics to brag even more  :biggrin:

The last 2 pics show my shelves up on the wall, complete with tons of crap! That took hours to remove. Then they were removed off the wall and modified... Hellava job!!
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 17, 2016, 10:46:07 AM
So, yesterday was a good day for me. I first (with help obviously) fitted the last piece of the layout and then started on the shelves again. I am very near completing the fitting of them and then I'll complete the layout's wiring and hook it up for the first time!!!

Note the dust covers!

Backdrops will be fitted once I paint the wall were the shelves were...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 17, 2016, 10:52:10 AM
Some pics of what the layout looked like when it was still up and running at Graham's house. It performed extremely well!
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 17, 2016, 10:54:36 AM
Last for now...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on February 17, 2016, 11:18:32 AM
AWESOME Ed !!!!!  :thumb:

I can't wait for everything to be done. Then we can play and run some trains...... Nice......
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: capeklr on February 17, 2016, 03:07:43 PM
Wow, very nice.  :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on February 17, 2016, 07:02:13 PM
Grandios!  :biggrin:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Kevin C on February 17, 2016, 08:29:06 PM
I am glad for you Ed. We talked about a layout of your own, how many times. Finally something small to get your collection running again. I can't wait for my next trip to Cape Town. With the layout, bottomless coffee and Pink Floyd, there are going to be late nights again.

Kevin.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 18, 2016, 07:44:04 AM
Hi Kev. Yes, there will be very late nights!!!
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 18, 2016, 07:55:40 AM
Made some progress last night.

Juan and Evert came around. Juan cleverly disappeared when we started working... :biggrin:

Tonight I'll just fix the shelves to the wall with hilti's and then replace the shelves. Then to repack everything... :eek:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Steve Smith on February 18, 2016, 08:40:32 AM
Methinks you are going to have to add a fairly significantly sized staging yard to the layout if you ever want to get more than a few pieces of rolling stock at a time out of your storage cabinets !

Steve  :peep:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 18, 2016, 10:09:07 AM
If I want to stage my drawers I'll need a block of flats of at least 16 units! That might be enough...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on February 18, 2016, 06:45:30 PM
He he, ek sê niks.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 18, 2016, 09:57:27 PM
Shelves done...

Now I need to get the Toy fair behind me to complete the rest...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on February 19, 2016, 02:07:27 PM
Hi Ed, what are you doing between 12 and 5 at night?  ::) Plenty of time.  ::)
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on February 19, 2016, 03:01:29 PM
Hi Ed, what are you doing between 12 and 5 at night?  ::) Plenty of time.  ::)

Ha Ha! That's about the only time I sleep...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Freightcars on February 19, 2016, 07:15:54 PM
That's a neat looking layout Ed  :thumb:

Who needs sleep when you have energy drinks?   :innocent:

Later,

Niel
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 12, 2016, 07:48:14 AM
So, last Saturday the first trains ran...

Still a few "to do" items but things are coming to a point now. :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on March 12, 2016, 12:16:45 PM
Nice to see progress Ed, keep it up!  :thumb:

I just bought 25kg of cretestone to continue with my mountain. :biggrin:

cheers.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Kevin C on March 13, 2016, 06:47:27 AM
Trains running. Cool. Enjoy.....
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on March 14, 2016, 07:29:01 AM
Was awesome, thank you Ed.
Looking forward to the next time. Layout looks awesome.
Now we just need to lift the tunnels 2 or 3 mm  :thumb:

Cheers.....
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 14, 2016, 08:03:35 AM
Trains running. Cool. Enjoy.....

When you visiting...? ;)
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 17, 2016, 11:47:52 PM
Shelf completed. Now to get it up the wall...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on March 18, 2016, 07:20:23 AM
Nice...... Mmmm that's going to way a bit.
Awesome to see it comming together, almost done..... :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on March 18, 2016, 02:35:07 PM
Nice Ed. Got the long weekend to finish it!  :stir:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: capeklr on March 18, 2016, 07:45:52 PM
Now throw some paint at that wall please.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on March 19, 2016, 01:20:06 PM
Hmmmm. I think it is out of reach by now.  :stir:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 19, 2016, 08:23:52 PM
Shelf up on the wall! Need to go buy some paint now...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Kevin C on March 19, 2016, 09:16:29 PM
What happened to the backdrop that was on the layout before you bought it. Will that not cover the wall...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 19, 2016, 11:47:35 PM
Nope. I need to paint 2 rows of bricks then the old backdrop will be enough.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Steve Smith on March 20, 2016, 06:22:18 AM
You should have painted before the shelves went up; ask me how I know .........

Steve
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 20, 2016, 08:42:18 AM
Hah! Area behind the shelf is painted already! :biggrin:

I should have painted BEFORE I put up the layout however... :P
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 20, 2016, 11:43:39 PM
Shelf on the wall...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on March 21, 2016, 08:51:39 AM
Hmmmm. Wall still not painted though.  ::)
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 21, 2016, 04:48:48 PM
Werner, too late... it's now painted :biggrin:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on March 21, 2016, 04:50:48 PM
Nice!  :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 21, 2016, 04:51:57 PM
Somma added an on\off switch with a power light to show when switched on or not to my 220v to 110v step down transformer.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on March 22, 2016, 07:12:25 AM
Baie nice..... And so slowly but surely everything gets a place  :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 22, 2016, 11:37:28 PM
Somma added an on\off switch with a power light to show when switched on or not to my 220v to 110v step down transformer.

Seems the POS is not working. Man, I'm going to be pissed...

The transformer, not my work...I think... :-\

I did add another shelf to my tool trolley. And ammo box trolley to the right.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on March 23, 2016, 08:32:25 AM
A trolley on wheels is always much needed. I mean, where do you put all the tools!

Mooi man.  :thumb: ;D
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Steve Smith on March 23, 2016, 09:38:47 AM
Somma added an on\off switch with a power light to show when switched on or not to my 220v to 110v step down transformer.

Seems the POS is not working. Man, I'm going to be pissed...

The transformer, not my work...I think... :-\

I did add another shelf to my tool trolley. And ammo box trolley to the right.

You're supposed to be the main man on this forum; can't you even upload pictures orientated properly ?

Steve ( :stir: and heading for cover)
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 23, 2016, 11:18:57 PM
You're supposed to be the main man on this forum; can't you even upload pictures orientated properly ?

Steve ( :stir: and heading for cover)

Kiss the hairy cheeks... :howzit:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 27, 2016, 08:21:03 PM
More progress made...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 27, 2016, 08:22:24 PM
Somma added an on\off switch with a power light to show when switched on or not to my 220v to 110v step down transformer.

Sorted! Working now...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: capeklr on March 28, 2016, 11:25:10 AM
Looking good, you will have to arrange a operating session soon.  >:D
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on March 28, 2016, 08:38:00 PM
This is showing progress. Can the trains run?  ;)
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 28, 2016, 10:05:54 PM
I might have too much shit...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 28, 2016, 10:10:07 PM
This is showing progress. Can the trains run?  ;)

Yep, with a little tweaking I'll get even more running. I need to level the layout and then re-align the track on the join. Then, voila!
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on March 29, 2016, 01:33:15 PM
Nice...... It's almost there.....  :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: capeklr on March 30, 2016, 12:12:16 AM
I might have too much shit...

Don't we all!
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Freightcars on March 30, 2016, 08:50:17 AM
I might have too much shit...

You may need a bigger toilet  :innocent:

But seriously we all have that problem.  Nice work on the layout and shelving.

Niel
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 31, 2016, 10:43:35 PM
Evert came around tonight and we completed the levelling of the layout and then the backdrop.

See the pics...

Firstly a test fit of the backdrops...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 31, 2016, 10:47:47 PM
These pins are rests for the dust covers...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 31, 2016, 10:48:37 PM
And completed.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 31, 2016, 10:49:47 PM
And with the dust covers on.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on March 31, 2016, 10:54:58 PM
We had help - protection, supervision, clark of works and just general companionship...

Thank you Shelby, daddy feel so loved :biggrin: :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on April 01, 2016, 07:19:39 AM
Baie, Baie Cool Ed....... Nou is dit ook mooi klaar  :thumb:

Now you can sort out the power and we can start to run trains again when we visit.
Awesome :)

Cheers,
Evert
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on April 01, 2016, 02:15:56 PM
Well done Evert. And Ed!  :innocent:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 17, 2016, 10:49:11 AM
Decided to make a little difference by painting the facia black. First coat applied but will take another coat or 2 before done.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on May 17, 2016, 02:37:09 PM
I like the idea...... to me it does look a bit more elegant also.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on May 17, 2016, 05:18:43 PM
Very nice Ed! Will the wive make the drapes for the front of the layout?  ;D
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: capeklr on May 17, 2016, 07:00:26 PM
Very nice, now you just need a black curtain down to the floor. That will finish it of nicely.
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 17, 2016, 10:31:41 PM
Might need another coat of paint...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 17, 2016, 10:33:44 PM
Big Boy keeping a keen eye on my work and progress... :biggrin:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 17, 2016, 10:34:57 PM
My work was really closely watched from all sides. Awaiting feedback... :innocent:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on May 18, 2016, 07:26:43 AM
Nice Ed.....  :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: ColWer on May 18, 2016, 04:54:33 PM
The furry friends are a must for every layout. They give you a wagging tail when things are not going as they suppose to on the layout and they understand every word.  ;D
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 30, 2016, 01:48:29 PM
Finally, the car can sleep inside...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 30, 2016, 02:03:30 PM
Very nice Ed! Will the wive make the drapes for the front of the layout?  ;D

Great idea as I have some drapes from the little show layout I have and will now be scrapping... :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: LooVille on May 31, 2016, 07:50:57 AM
WhoooHooooo...... That's awesome Ed.

You have worked hard on Sunday, Saturday the garage was still full  ;D

Cheers,
Evert
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 31, 2016, 09:52:39 AM
Yep, no rest for the wicked... >:D
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: Kevin C on June 01, 2016, 09:15:10 PM
Cool Ed. Now I have to sort out the pickle in my train room. What a mess.  ;)
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on May 31, 2019, 10:32:23 AM
3 years down the line (pun intended) and this layout have given me tremendous pleasure.

I know a lot of people hate the set track idea of Kato Unitrack, but it cannot be beaten for reliability, ease of use and just general great track to use. The points just works effortlessly.

I can highly recommend this to someone to just "get something going" to Njoy our trains. :thumb:
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on November 11, 2020, 08:19:06 AM
This is all gone now...

The garage was converted into a granny flat - complete with a granny...

But it's not the end... Look for the new thread...
Title: Re: My new layout...
Post by: BigEd on November 11, 2020, 11:24:56 AM
http://www.modeltraintalk.co.za/index.php?topic=518.0