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 Posted - August 14 2019 : 11:07:17 AM
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I am truly considering tearing down the Horseshoe Curve Branch Line, and re-using the benchwork to build a bigger version of a purely Tyco layout - hence RETRO TYCO II. While I am quite proud of all of the hard work put into the Horseshoe Curve N-Scale layout, I think it is time to begin a new project, for the following reasons:
#1 - and the biggest problem with the Horseshoe Curve Branch Line.....the Dollar Store "black sand" ballast stone has been a curse for several of my N-Scale locomotives, which upon derailment, picked up some stones which wrecked the gears; essentially ruining some of my best locomotives. In fact, I pretty much gave up on operating the layout when my most expensive and favorite N-Scale diesel - this awesome Pennsylvania RR E8 - was ruined by stones which jammed and broke the plastic drive gears. In addition, the trailing GP30 in this photo was dummy-ized after it too was ruined by the black sand.
#2 - I have been having issues with one entire track on the Horseshoe Curve layout - locomotives keep going dead in one particular stretch of straight track. Tried diagnosing the problem, and never figured it out.
#3 - RETRO TYCO is getting too small! With the acquisition of the Piggyback Tractor Loader & Unloader Accessory, I am now officially out of space....and I also got a MIB Mail Unloading Car that I'd love to set up.
With that being said, I am open to any suggestions/advice on this idea. Either way, I wouldn't just "destroy" the Horseshoe Curve Branch Line, as there's plenty of valuable Woodland Scenics foliage I will save to either sell or keep for another project. Also, I might even turn the old "RETRO TYCO" into a new N-Scale layout...as a 5'x'4 table would provide plenty of space for N-Scale trains. In addition, beings that the Horseshoe Curve Branch Line is 5' x 8', I probably won't need to have elevated slot car track, but rather have a road n' rail set up -- something I've always dreamed of.
Please inform me of your thoughts.
-RP
"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 - August 14 2019 : 6:35:39 PM
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Sounds like you've already decided!
I don't understand the ballast danger though - isn't it locked down with scenic cement?
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Posted - August 14 2019 : 7:17:34 PM
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I haven't officially decided....but am leaning towards tearing it down at this point.
When building this layout, I was only like 14/15 years old, so the ballast stone was laid down heavily and not affixed. Lesson learned. 
"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 - August 14 2019 : 9:41:40 PM
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Considering the amount of time and energy spent constructing
a model railroad, the decision to retire a layout is never easy. However,
if you feel as though you have wrung all the enjoyment you can get out
of a given model railroad, it is time to retire it and replace it with
something even better. The death of a layout should never be seen as
an "end" but rather a chance for a new, better beginning.
Proudly keeping Tyco Pluggers out of landfills since 2016
Edited by - Srenchin on August 14 2019 9:42:37 PM
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Posted - August 14 2019 : 10:05:16 PM
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I would take time to decide. That is a very attractive N scale layout.
You may have a change of heart if you take your time to evaluate this.
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Posted - August 15 2019 : 10:05:02 AM
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Yeah, me, I'll do something, then get tired of it, and want to expand
or add something, and that means another layout. You got lots of photos'
of the Horshoe Curve, make and album and use the space...I agree with
Srenchin, you're just flexing your creative bent to go forward.
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Posted - August 15 2019 : 9:59:56 PM
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Thank you, guys, for all of the advice. I have now officially decided to tear down the Horseshoe Curve Branch Line...and I'm thinking of posting the progress.
Regarding RETRO TYCO II, I am already speculating about having enough space for two, maybe 3 rail lines, a slot car track, a US1 slot truck track, and last but not least, the Tyco Superb Turbo Train. We shall see.
"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 - August 15 2019 : 10:39:24 PM
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| IMO, that looks great. I'd take up all the ballast, fix the track issues, then put the ballast down and glue it. Not securing ballast in any scale is a recipe for disaster. Or I'll come take it off your hands
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Posted - August 16 2019 : 10:38:45 AM
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More I viddy it, this is a right nice piece to display the elements of
the Horse Shoe. How would you feel about taking it out to to a
display show and run it for a bit, demonstrate the modeled curve?
Or you could store it for another day, wrap it up good, or you can
scrape the surface down to bare would and annex it to Pure Tyco
or to the EVRR.
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Posted - August 17 2019 : 10:15:38 AM
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I would love to store the Horseshoe Curve Branch Line for future use, but at this point, I have no room for another layout, much less RETRO TYCO currently, which has cramped my former LEGO Display room.....
I would be willing to sell it to someone...however, in it's present assembled state, it will nearly impossible to remove from my family's basement without severely damaging the basement stairs, the layout benchwork, or the scenery.
With that being said, I will begin destroying it, which will be somewhat fun, considering what I plan to do in the future. Maybe I can build a "mini" Horseshoe Curve in the future, that takes up less space and is operationally perfect.
Speaking of which, if anyone is interested in the Woodland Scenics Clump Foliage mix of greens, PM me. I'd be willing to sell or trade it, as I already have tons.
"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 - August 17 2019 : 12:04:35 PM
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It's obviously your call, RP - so run with it.
Personally, though - I think the Horseshoe Curve layout was your best layout. Hopefully one day in the future you can revisit that idea bigger and better.
I go more for realism then the Tyco-centric themes.
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Posted - August 17 2019 : 1:26:39 PM
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| did you know this isn't the only railroad that has a Horseshoe Curve?
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Posted - August 17 2019 : 5:45:54 PM
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| Or, you could use it for a door stop.
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Posted - August 17 2019 : 10:04:33 PM
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Thank You, Crown Vic. Certainly - in the future, I dream of building an HO-Scale Horseshoe Curve model...
Buss, I know.
LOL Chops.
"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 - August 18 2019 : 11:23:41 AM
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quote:
Buss, I know.
Originally posted by RP model railroads - August 17 2019 : 10:04:33 PM
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where is it?
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Posted - August 18 2019 : 10:27:56 PM
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Oh...CSX's "Mance Curve" in PA. Along the Sand Patch...
"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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