Helping a friend build his layout.

[capeklr]

Hi all,

I've have started to help a good friend to build his first layout one year ago.
We had been chatting about this for some time, but the first photo which I took on my phone is dated the 30/10/2025.
It's of the first design on the PC.
Staging yard with Märklin c track. This is an early design still using the R 1 curved points.
We later decided to do away with these and changed them to the newer wide radius R 3 curved points.
But as neither of us have the newer design programs incorporating these we had to buy a few and try it by trail and error.
Got it to work. 
First design.

[capeklr]

Main line with the station.
Very rough design, was changed a bit as you will see in later photos.

[capeklr]

Rough design for the upper level.

[capeklr]

We started by laying out the track on the floor to check for fit and get a feel for it.
This is still with the R 1 curved points.

[capeklr]

We decided to ban the R 1 points and all R 1 curves on this layout.
So here is the same staging yard with the R 3 curved points.
Just for reference R 1 is 360 mm radius while R 3 is 515 mm. Much better.
Note that the two rear lines run very close together as this was never intended to be used in this way by Märklin.
But it works perfectly. 

[capeklr]

Then we made lots of saw dust. 
First few pieces cut.

[capeklr]

More saw dust, legs and the beginnings of the bench work.
First photo.
Second photo shows the completed staging yard, first test drives where also done successfully. 

[capeklr]

Bench work continued around the front to complete the loop.

[capeklr]

Graham surveying our work.

[capeklr]

Building the station, marking the center lines of the track.
Laying down the road bed.
Laying the track and testing off course.

[capeklr]

First building mounted on the layout.
Built by Graham some time ago.
Complete with lights.

[capeklr]

Some more progress.
Working out the lines at the front of the layout going up to the upper level.
As well as two separate outer lines, one will be analog AC, running from a traditional Märklin transformer.
The other one will be analog DC.

[capeklr]

Station taking shape.
Trying out lighting effects in the building.

[capeklr]

Working outside again.
Laying out the upper level, working out how it fits best.
Considering the bridge as well.
Then more saw dust will be made.

[capeklr]

Saw dust was made, the next few pieces of plywood have been carried upstairs and fitted
to the layout.
All fitting together very nicely. 
Station also showing good signs of progress.