It has been years since I've had trains running and decided it's been too long. My goal with this thread is two fold. One to show the progress on a new mini layout I am beginning and secondly to keep myself honest and to keep myself committed to finishing this project. My intent is to build a mini layout using Kato Unitrack so I've got a reliable set of track so as not to get discouraged with electrical problems. I want to work on scenery with this project more than dealing with electrical. Once I have this up and running I plan on building another project layout where I can work on building my electrical skills. I plan on the bridge traversing a canyon or water feature. The tracks will be surrounded by mountain terrain which will allow me to work on my scenery building skills. This may not be much of layout but hell, I'll be running trains!
One thing I’ve learned is that a small layout is a million times better than no layout. I will enjoy following along as you build these project layouts.
Know about what size it will be? I think you will enjoy the small layout, at least I hope so. I have a 2' x 4' and it is plenty big for me. Have fun!
Great start on a wonderful adventure! Show of hands: How many here ran their own first train on a simple loop of track on their dining room table? Aye!
The track covers 23" by 38". I will be using 2' by 4' foam insulation board as the base and to build up the mountains and canyon.
That's a nice NP Switcher. I know a guy who is looking for one of those! WANTED - N scale Kato NP NW2 176-4371(#102) or 176-4372 (#106) | TrainBoard.com - The Internet's Original
Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!! I live in an apartment. All I have is a big dining room table. When it's not full of crap, I can set up some Unitrack and run whatever I want to.
The downpours finally stopped and I made a halftime run to Home Depot to pick up my base for my layout. I was initially going to cut this into four 2'x4' sections and sandwich them all with fiber board adhesive. I may end up going a little wider for 3 sections and then using the leftover for mountains.
Ok, the hacking and slashing began today. This stuff looks thicker than I was realizing (2 inch thick 4' by 8' sheet). I decided to go bigger than 2' by 4' and pushed it to 2'3" by 4" to add more depth of scenery. I used a drywall framing square and a boxcutter to make the initial cuts. I then used a hacksaw blade to cut through the width of the foam. I was debating on just going 2 sheets thick but will stick with the plan of 3 sheets thick. I ordered a Woodland Scenics Rock Faces Learning Kits and will use this to start my scenery education. This week I'll glue the foam sheets together and next weekend I'll start to cut out foam for the bridge to traverse a canyon.
