LooVille Extention to a L shape....

[Steve Smith]

Hi Evert,
 
Opinionated as always, I would make the following suggestions for your amended layout -

1 - extend the yard tail track to join up with the track running at the back of the roundhouse; this will give you
     a double ended yard.
2 - plan to put in a rounaround track, even at the expense of yard track length at one end of the yard
3 - consider a pinwheel ladder at the right end of the yard to maximise yard track length
3 - run the turntable lead tracks off one of the yard lead tracks, which will make it a lot easier to get from the
     yard to the turntable
5 - do away with one or possibly two of the tracks leading to the yard/turntable as it creates too much track
     complexity and waste of space that could be used for scenery or switching
6 - the roundhouse lead tracks are by my calculation about 1200mm long, and could be shortened to around
     700mm which will still allow plenty of track for the services, and give other scenery/switching possibilities.

I would also try and increase the minimum track radius to around 360mm; it appears if you are looking at a 300 mm radius in your plan.

Good luck,
Steve     

[capeklr]

5 - do away with one or possibly two of the tracks leading to the yard/turntable as it creates too much track
     complexity and waste of space that could be used for scenery or switching

After reading this comment and looking at your plan again I have to agree.

[Freightcars]

Steve spent a lot of time thinking about this.  Nice job!!

Cheers,

Niel

[LooVille]

Yes, Steve made me think now again too.
Thank you for the comments and input all.

5 was easy to do, I just hope it make sence the way I did it.
1, 2 and 3 I' not to sure about. 1, the track at the back of the round house will be inside a mountain, so might not work.
2 and 3 I don't really understand.
4 I can also do fairly easy.
6 is that the track going to the turn table or from the turntable to the roundhouse. Not to sure?

To make the radius bigger than 300 will be a problem as I really don't have more space. I'm already pushing it. On my current layout I have 250 and the Atherns Challenger goes with out issues.

Any help with the questions or sugestions wiĺl be welcome. I really want to build something that is well worth it and works well. Going to take a long time to build and will cost a bit.

Cheers, Evert

[LooVille]

Hi All,

OK, finally prep work is starting to happen 
I'm going to lift the track infront of the station and add 6 points. This will connect everything as well as provide exit to the new trainyard.

Below is the idea layed out.
Will post againg once it is built.

Cool, speak again.
Cheers.

[capeklr]

Nice, will be following along.

[LooVille]

OK, so last night I finished another bit

The first picture is the fittings for the point motors. I made cardboard boxes. I paint them a concrete grey and fit it to the base board. Point motor fit nice and tight from under the layout.

Then I also fitted all the fish plates and connected the two points that will be against each other. Next is to cut all the straight pieces and solder all the power leads.

Here is the pictures.
Cheers, speak again.

[LooVille]

Good Morning All,

Last night I decided to clear the section on my Layout where the NEW track sections must go in.
Lifted all the track and cleaned the base board. Then cut the holes for the point motor fittings.

Next is to paint the cardboard boxes and fit them.
Then I can lay the track and wire everything up again

Then to finish the landscape again.

[LooVille]

WHooooooHooooooo, the track is layed. 
Felt so good to work on the layout. Now everything is connected, so the trains can go anywhere. And I have a connection for the new layout - train yard. (bottom right of the 2nd picture)
I also added another rail in front of the coaling station. (left of the 2nd picture)
Really worked out well.

Next step is to get power to the new track.
Then I can operate my trains again. Can't wait !!!!

[LooVille]

So, last week Wednesday the guys came to visit and we were running trains the whole evening. track and layout works well.
I did a lot of work over the past week and the weekend. Last night I finished the balast. Next is to add some green "grass" and bushes 

Here are some pictures. Check out the 3rd pic. Thought that looks quite impressive.....

[capeklr]

Looking good, now its time for that extension. 

[LooVille]

Good Morning All.......

Jip, it is time..... The frame for the new extension Layout is built 
Wow, it feel so good to build again....

The next step is to add the cross braising on the inside and then I can glue the sheet foam on again.
Then the fun will start with the track laying. Going to be LOTS of hard work and looooong hours, but I can't wait for it.

I'll update as I go along.
Cheers and speak again.

[capeklr]

 

[BigEd]

Nice!!!!

[LooVille]

Good Morning All.....

Little bit further again. Frame is done, cross bracing is in. I'll drill some holes for all the wiring to go through still. I have also bought the Styrofoam sheets last night so will glue that on over the weekend.

Then the legs is done and I started to stane them. Once it is dry I'll give it a light sand and another coat.

Cool, enjoy the weekend all.
Cheers.