Here is the drawings for my layout. I used the MS 2007 Student and Teacher software to make the drawings. I find the program to be relaxing to work with and a lot of fun too! Enjoy!!! Joe
Joe, Your layout and the attached track plan look very nice. From looking at your plans, it looks like you are still using DC with block wiring? Have you considered switching to DCC?
Rich, at this time I'm using DC because I can't afford DCC. Also building the layout is my priority but I plan on making the switch at a later date. I'm on a fixed income and I have to choose between the two. Joe
I've been able to make some progress on my layout in the last week. I built the L-Girder supports last Sunday and have installed track on modules 04 and 06. Today thru Sunday will be preparing our spare bedroom for the layout. I need to move some boxes around and install the L-Girders. Next week will start loading the layout onto the L-Girders. Afterwards progress should be a lot better because I won't have to crawl around on the floor to work on the layout. Will post photos after I get modules 04, 05, 06 and 07 loaded. Joe
As one who unloaded coal hoppers for a living for eight years I can tell you that you need walkways (and likely handrails depending on the era) on both sides of the track since most 50T and 70T hoppers had individual latches on either side that have to be tripped so the doors can be opened. On most hoppers tripping only one side opens the doors just a little (often not enough to get much coal to fall) though there were the occasional hopper that did not have a channel or some other steel structure connecting the doors (side to side) together. Was always welcome when they weren't connected since one side could be dealt with at a time, especially if it was cheap "crap" coal that often was more dirt than actual coal.
Thank you for your kind words about my layout!!! My wife and I had to move last March, so I haven't been able to work on my layout for some time. I will send you photos and keep you posted on the project when there is progress. Joe
I bought some wood to finish the L-Grider support for my layout. Need to buy a skill saw and cordless drill because the old ones crapped out on me. Hopefully will be able to get them this week. Joe
Yesterday afternoon I started working on my layout after a long time off. It was something simple, I cut four 2x2x39 1/2in. long legs. This afternoon I built the last L-Grider supports. I now have all three supports completed, will tie them together tomorrow morning. Joe
The layout will have a 40in. track level to the floor height. My eye level will be six inches above track level when seated in my wife's old wheelchair. At first I thought about making track level 53in. but changed my mind because I've been having trouble with my right leg. Sometimes I can hardly walk and standing is even worse. I have a doctor's appointment later in the month. Joe
Nice work Joe, thanks for the update! Sorry to hear about the leg, but glad to hear you are going to see the doc.
Joe, Your track plan is one of the best I have seen, you have a lot of detail and if the rest of your skills are as good as your track plan, you will have a great layout. Keep the progress photo coming!!!
Today's accomplishment was to bolt the two previously built L-Grider supports to the walls and then start loading modules 03, 04 corner, 05 complete and module 06. It looks like module 06 will have to be cut to a smaller length, maybe four to six inches, so module 07, the other corner, will fit correctly. Tomorrow I will bolt the third L-Grider support to the wall and load more modules. This is the supports I built last Saturday. Joe