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Posted - July 15 2019 : 07:14:26 AM
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I am getting older and will try to get a layout running to enjoy my trains on. So far just main lines are done and tie in to yard maintenance area is just started. A back piece with a later on shaped hilltop them later ribbing for strength was done then rounding off the hilltop. A roadway was added going up one side of the hill. I started to add the y track reversing track . With this smaller running layout I didn't want to put a reverse loop in with another tunnel through the hill. That is where I am now. frank 1 Just the hill supporting board is added.
2-hilltop is shaped and track is done.
3-ribbing to make it stronger.
4- roadway support in.
5- The "Y" track still not done. waiting for completion of the hill area.
Thanks Bob, Gary and Richie for your encouragement. frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on March 19 2020 07:07:55 AM
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Posted - July 15 2019 : 08:02:28 AM
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Looking good, TopTrain!! Keep up the great work!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - July 15 2019 : 09:17:17 AM
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It looks like you're off to a good start. Looking forward to seeing it progress.
Master Of Plasticville
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Posted - July 15 2019 : 11:58:16 AM
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Interesting new set up Frank. I know you like to have your engines and cars exercise around your layout. Look forward to more photos.
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Posted - July 15 2019 : 6:55:42 PM
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Very interesting Y diversion, I have not seen that done before. I am guessing the diversion goes to a staging yard or yard, and the cross over allows the train to divert from outer to inner. Very slick. I like it.
Edited by - Chops124 on July 15 2019 6:56:22 PM
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Posted - September 21 2019 : 08:38:08 AM
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Here is my layout today still not done. frank
toptrain
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Posted - September 21 2019 : 08:39:53 AM
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Here is a second view from the other end. frank
toptrain
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Bamos
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Posted - September 21 2019 : 1:25:48 PM
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Very nice rock work and layout Toptrain. I've been working with some plastering myself lately. I have a love hate relationship with it I love the way it transforms the layout but hate the way the way the white shows through when you accidentally hit something against it.
Bill
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Posted - September 21 2019 : 3:50:30 PM
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Nice, Frank! I agree with Bamos on the plaster... I have not done it again since the 1970s. My slot car bridge was done with light cardboard as a base and auto-body filler to cover it.
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Posted - September 21 2019 : 8:52:32 PM
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Hi Bill and Walt. I do agree that plaster can easily be damaged. I am looking to make this appear like a river gorge with all is rocky outcroppings, steep treed slops, and interesting hill tops with mudslide areas and everything else you see in nature, even a flower or two. frank
toptrain
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Posted - September 21 2019 : 10:12:13 PM
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Looks impressive, Frank! Can't wait to see more of your progress.
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Posted - September 21 2019 : 10:22:57 PM
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It does look really good, Frank!
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Posted - September 27 2019 : 07:47:16 AM
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Here is where I am today with the layout. frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
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Posted - September 27 2019 : 12:48:14 PM
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Looks great Frank. Glad you are enjoying your new layout. Look forward to more photos and possible videos of it.
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Posted - September 27 2019 : 5:29:32 PM
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Awesome!
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Posted - October 31 2019 : 08:36:42 AM
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The big brown hill is growing. frank
toptrain
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Posted - October 31 2019 : 10:44:12 AM
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I do believe it looks like a valley in Jim Thorpe, PA, though I have only seen JT from WKS photography.
I've known several guys in my age bracket who bit hard on model rail, and ended up trying to build empires only to get bogged down. It is wise to build something of reasonable size that can be put to good use than build a metropolis that requires constant tuning, repairs, and the rest of it. Honestly, it has been a struggle to keep Armadilloville in the 4x8 size, and I recently added on another 4x4 to manage my structure acquisitions.
It has to share the garage with my 4x8 Hornby layout, and I keep wanting to build more micro layouts in addition to the trolley layout and the Harte's Mill layout: finish the subway point-to-point, a 3x4 AHM layout, a micro 3.5 x 3.5 Florida Everglades layout, and a First Gen 3x3 micro layout.
I am fortunate that El Paso has a model train club that enables me to run long trains, which is not practical for the 4x8 Armadilloville.
Anyways, congratulations on keeping a fairly tight reign on your ambitions- that will enable you to run and show your extraordinary Dawn-of-HO collection. From whatever I've read, HO was really like Z, or even T scale, up until the later 1950's. Before that, one had to do most of it from scratch or a few rather crude kits that required a lot of filing and fitting.
I remember when "Postage Stamp Trains," N scale was coming into the fore, back in the mid 1970's, and we were all amazed. Stuff ran like crud, too: either full of or 242 SMPH and couplers that looked like miniature fists.
Edited by - Chops124 on October 31 2019 10:48:11 AM
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Posted - November 22 2019 : 7:50:33 PM
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Jeff, this is my basic plain for this layout. The swinging gate bridge will need some changes to remove at least half of the 3, 90 degree turns that are shown in the same section of track.. I’ll try for closer to 3, 45 degree turns. I am certain I can improve on what you see on the drawing. As to joining a club, all clubs here have converted to DCC. None of them will let your run DC trains. frank
toptrain
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Posted - November 22 2019 : 9:56:42 PM
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this the kind of thing I want to do with that N scale Red Oak Line that MR did a year or so ago but in HO scale instead I'd do it with a modern twist to like just after BN took over Modernize a few sections too
looking good yours is
Edited by - microbusss on November 22 2019 9:57:11 PM
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Posted - November 24 2019 : 07:59:02 AM
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The last quarter os the hill has been built. Now all that is left to do is the trees bushes grass and brush. Then move on to the next section of the layout. frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on November 24 2019 08:20:25 AM
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Posted - November 24 2019 : 08:21:44 AM
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Second layout photo; frank
toptrain
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Posted - November 24 2019 : 08:23:13 AM
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Third layout photo view. frank
toptrain
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Posted - November 24 2019 : 08:25:57 AM
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forth layout photo view. frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on November 24 2019 08:29:30 AM
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Posted - November 24 2019 : 08:35:21 AM
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Last view of the Layout today. Loco chose to run special train is a Varney little Joe! Now onto the work to be done at the station in the Y, and what lays beyond. frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on November 24 2019 08:49:41 AM
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Posted - November 24 2019 : 10:58:55 AM
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It's really starting to take shape. The hidden staging yard makes this creation perfect for show and tell of all these great pieces.
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Posted - November 24 2019 : 10:55:33 PM
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Looking good TopTrain!
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Posted - November 28 2019 : 06:28:39 AM
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Well The town on the south side of the hill is Deep Gulch. The town on the North side hasn't been named just yet. There is a lot of noisy town meetings going on to decide the name. I'll tell everyone once they make up their minds, and inform me. The new construction on the south side going on right now is for its first Hotel. Their is some dispute over its name, but I know what it will be because I seen the sign they will put up on the roof. As to the construction, here is where the hotel is right now. frank
toptrain
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Posted - December 09 2019 : 9:09:31 PM
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Well the layout expansion has gone under way. It probably looks like very little is done. I do have some more hours into this new whatever it will be. I have been planning it as I go. I sent these photos to wks and now realize they should go here also. frank
toptrain
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Posted - December 09 2019 : 9:39:30 PM
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Looking good! Keep it up, Frank!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
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Posted - December 10 2019 : 12:12:18 AM
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Wow, this looks like a major staging yard taking shape for rolling out all those great vintage pieces. Great concept. I envy how neatly everything is organized in the background. Clutter is my Waterloo.
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Posted - December 13 2019 : 6:20:52 PM
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Here is what the yard looks like. I am not done with it yet. frank
toptrain
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Posted - December 13 2019 : 7:13:46 PM
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Nice photos of your layout. This yard is reminiscent of the yard on your previous layout Frank.
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Posted - December 13 2019 : 7:44:06 PM
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Richie it was the same on the left side but different on the right . This made the yards longer on the old layout. frank
toptrain
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Posted - December 20 2019 : 06:01:37 AM
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I've had the set at least 40 hours and now the cars of it are all ready for a picture. frank
HObbyline set #466 " The Frontiersman " A Western Pacific Railroad Train Set.
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on December 20 2019 06:07:53 AM
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Posted - December 20 2019 : 06:34:36 AM
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That looks great Top Train The Southern Mansion In the background looks perfect. Also seen houses Like that in Denver. Your scenery allows for Different geography just by sliding a new road name Through- a great visual trick.
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Posted - December 20 2019 : 11:18:37 AM
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Nice engine Frank. Seems your layout is evolving with every new photo.
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Posted - December 20 2019 : 8:35:17 PM
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Love the retro-ness!!
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Posted - December 20 2019 : 9:04:50 PM
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I know what the town is missing! the Railroad Hotel kit!
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Posted - December 20 2019 : 9:55:37 PM
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Hey Buss , You if you reconcoginzed The 3 story wood kit I am working on. I painted it blue a few days ago. It is red now. I need to do the trim white,and the floors of the porches i don't know what color they will be. I have come fencing for railings which should look good. We will see how it comes out. I am tempted to put a Mansard roof instead of a flat roof on it. Again we we'll see pal. The special roof I will have to make from scratch. And what good would this roof be without at least 2 dormer windows on each side. Lots to make and do before I am through. Buss did you notice the Rock Island Rocket? frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on December 26 2019 7:56:32 PM
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Posted - December 26 2019 : 8:04:28 PM
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Here is the Grand Hotel completed filling in the Old Quarry here in what is known as Rockport. frank
This is one of the buildings in the OLD West Miniature town by Dura-Craft. Next to be done is the Victorian Mansion. Here is the kit box.
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on December 26 2019 8:08:55 PM
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Posted - December 26 2019 : 9:12:20 PM
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Looks awesome - great craftsmanship, Frank!
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Posted - December 26 2019 : 9:16:32 PM
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Very nice hotel, Frank !
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Posted - December 27 2019 : 12:32:28 AM
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The Dinky toy behind the hotel is A great detail.
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Posted - December 28 2019 : 6:46:08 PM
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Thanks everyone. I moved the 5 shelf unit to over where it was before to open the way for a new table or tables To provide space for my new engine facility. frank
In here is my open space to fill.
The old spot in the dormer.
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on December 28 2019 6:50:46 PM
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Posted - December 30 2019 : 07:40:12 AM
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Here is a drawing of my new train board and where it is going. I haven't got it yet. frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on December 30 2019 08:45:53 AM
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Posted - December 30 2019 : 3:42:37 PM
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It keeps growing!
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Bamos
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Posted - January 01 2020 : 04:24:03 AM
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Layout is looking good. I like the new train board it eliminates that S curve.
Bill
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Posted - January 02 2020 : 08:15:05 AM
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A few days of work with some help from my wife and son in law. and a table has taken form. A few more legs put on today and the table is done. Next the bridge and track with iit into mane line. frank
toptrain
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Posted - January 02 2020 : 9:22:05 PM
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Looking good! Keep us updated!
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Bamos
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Posted - January 04 2020 : 6:58:55 PM
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The new table looks good Frank. I have the same ploblem with the turntable even with the smallest one I could find it's still not enough room for everything I want. I could not see your Video is set to private still, need to change to public or view with link.
Bill
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Posted - January 04 2020 : 10:08:39 PM
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quote:The new table looks good Frank. I have the same ploblem with the turntable even with the smallest one I could find it's still not enough room for everything I want. I could not see your Video is set to private still, need to change to public or view with link.
Originally posted by Bamos - January 04 2020 : 6:58:55 PM
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Bill I just didn't like and deleted it. frank
toptrain
" It's a Heck of a Day " !!!
Edited by - toptrain on January 05 2020 8:00:24 PM
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