Tracklaying has begun on the all-new AWRR The very first track section laid was a flat crossing which I purchased during a 1998 visit to a hobbyshop in Bakersfield, Ca. and have just found a use for it! In fact it was essential to my plans The first pic shows the crossing, which allows access to the chemical plant across the main running line. Past the crossing, the tracks split, the left hand one going to a lumbermill complex, and the right hand to a yard which is a sort of on-stage staging yard. Also another line goes off to another connecting railroad (although this is only a short spur on the layout) This picture shows the spur track. This will disappear behind foliage The middle track is to the yard and the near track to the lumbermill
The tracks here are just laid in approximate positions, and not yet pinned down. The three track yard is at rear View down the length of the board with the lumbermill trackage roughly laid in position A large building will be built at the far end, this will be a plant producing plywood, chipboard, etc. I will post regular progress reports in this topic, so that will make me get something done each week
No trackplan yet, as I am working it out as I lay the track No idea yet how the main industrial area will look. First I will get the buildings constructed then see how things fit [ 15. March 2003, 18:49: Message edited by: Alan ]
Alan, Instead of partial overviews, could you post a general overview pic, that would be the same as a trackplan. Paul
I though that you were only going to make some modifications to your existing layout. But seems like you decided to rip it all up and start from scratch (and that way find use for your 'recently' purchased crossover ) . Looks good so far, and of course... please keep us posted. Jesper
Gee Alan, you're laying track like I do! I'm in the process of installing the interchange track between the Frisco's Spring River Sub at Seneca Jct. and the Spring River Railway at Seneca- it runs downhill from SJ to Seneca. Right now I have it sitting on foam pieces to get the incline right- if it looks good, I'll cut the existing benchwork beneath to get the grade installed (in "cookie-cutter" fashion). All in all, it looks really great! You'll be able to put those log cars of yours to work soon (hopefully pulled by AW Alcos, hint hint )
Jesper, I will be doing a new trackplan for my website, and now the layout is all on one level, it will be much simpler
What about a purpose built intermodal module that could be used for both home and exhibiting your products at train shows? Wouldn't that also be tax deductable for your business???
Hi Alan. Looks like you are coming right along. Looks great so far. I drew up a track plan only as a guide. When started laying track I went by the seat of my pants lol. It is close but some differences, especially in the switching yard.
Looks good! I'm also curious about how extensive this project is. Have you scrapped the entire previous layout or are we just looking at a smaller portion?? If it's the whole thing, what will you mainline be like? Russ
Paul, I could have a board with an intermodal terminal for shows, but that may bring in more work and I am overwhelmed with ready-to-run items right now Dick, I have a rough idea what I want in the industries area, so will soon be able to do a tentative track plan Russ, yes, the whole layout was taken apart, and completely new baseboards built. The new layout is entirely different, and is mainly for switching between various industries and yards, so there is no main line as such. My main interest is switching industries, so the new layout will give me much more fun, and better suits the space I have available.
Alan, It is excellent to see the progress you are making. Know it's tough to find the time with all the other things you have going. I am looking forward to seeing the updates as you progress. It is really providuing a lot of inspiration to get back to my own layout.
Thanks Richard. Now that I have started track-laying, it gives me the incentive to press on as fast as I can.
The first train to run under power on the new trackage is shown in the following photos. Leaving the industrial area-to-be (still empty boards!) Arriving at the lumber mill sidings
Standing in the siding, having just arrived The RS1 runs around the train and does a bit of switching
As can be seen, this is just the bare bones of the new yard. Since the pics I have fitted several switch machines. When all are installed, the missing ties will be placed in the track join areas, and the rails painted ready for ballasting. Most of the trackage in these sidings will be done with earth, to give a well-used, under-maintained look! As the layout has been built on modular boards, it is easy to remove individual boards and turn them upside down to fit the switch machines and wiring. (I am getting too old for crouching under the layout in awkward positions to do these tasks) I am really looking forward to getting the ballasting and basic ground cover done, before moving on to the other boards to get the industrial area built.
