Progress report #2

[ginzokid]

I locked the other thread. There is some good stuff in there that probably has been reposted in other threads. I'll check. In the meantime, here's another place to write. B-)

[barrysfp45]

Pete, I have a small mechanics seat with wheels that I'm sure would make an easy roll under for your layout, check the tool outlet and maybe it would suit you. ]:)

[dl85vette]

I installed the backdrop ( 1/8 hardboard painted light blue) That goes between my helix area and indust park. I now have quite the reach in order to work on the industries next to the backdrop as the indust park is 36"x40". This A.M. I will paint the other side of backdrop and start installing my loop & helix frame.

[ginzokid]

Good idea Barry. I have seen roll about stools, but they don't roll if you sit on them. I'll have to check out the Home Despot..... :-p Princess Auto too if you have one there Pete or Cdn Tire -- Edited by dl85vette at 12/18/2010 7:21 AM PST It will have to be Canadian Frier..... -- Edited by ginzokid at 12/19/2010 4:21 AM PST

[ginzokid]

Put up the tree and layout yesterday. Everything works and it looks cool with the two new buildings. Went out for dinner to our fave place last night a got STUFFED!!!!!!! Today I am making banana bread for Kimmers to take in to her office for their Christmas goodie pot luck. I have to fix one set of lights in the gas station. I had them set in series instead of parallel and they are not bright enough. Hope I can get ot the tiny wires inside the building......?:|

[barrysfp45]

Pete, I sent an ebay listing for a very similar to my mechanic seat that I mentioned, check the same listing for others to give you an idea or two for your roll under for the layout. ]:)

[ginzokid]

Thanks Barry. I went to Canuk Frier this morning and found the exact same thing for $14.00 Can. I'll have to put it together. Now I can chase Kimmers around the floor easier. Oops! I mean now I can easily work under the duckunder and the entire layout. Phew! Hope no one noticed my Freudian slip...... :O $14?? pretty good price. (seen them pricier) -- Edited by dl85vette at 12/20/2010 8:15 AM PST

[barrysfp45]

$14 is an excellent price, mine was dearer, now we hope it is the right height for you. ]:)

[ginzokid]

It's perfect. I can just sit on it and be upright and slide right under the duckunder. I have about an inch of clearance. Will be great for any additional wiring I have to do too. Of course it was made in Chinkland! You expected anything else? ]:)

[barrysfp45]

They keep telling me I'm not just a pretty face, I guess I have to agree LOL ]:) Remember, you sent me a picture......I've seen your face! :-p -- Edited by ginzokid at 12/22/2010 4:02 AM PST

[dl85vette]

progress, lack of progress, irritation.... I think I'm in over my head for wanting to build a helix in order to hve an upper level. Not that I lack the carpentry skills but just the time involved and material. I still need more plywood, and I did a mock up with what I did have for sections cut to shape, and I'm just shaking my head and the amount of flextrack needed. Helix would have been 2x3 feet and need to climb about 15 inches. Thi thing would be huge in height. Plus this area is starting to cramp my modelling area more than I wish so not sure if the trade off is worth it. It would be nice to have an uppershelf (constructed of rigid foam) for running coal trains to/from, but then I also start losing real estate on the walls for train photos, pictures, artwork,etc. If I abandon the idea and scrap what I have it's not a big loss, 20 bucks or so of foam insulation board, 4x4 sheet of plywood that sat in my garage for past year or so, and 2x4 sheet that I bought today and cut up. I am looking and cutting my helix table frame in half er and just building an up-and-over loop to access the original upper level (4 inches higher and behind the main shelf) By taking the quick n easy abort from the helix will allow me to quickly construct the loop and spend much valuable time on wiring, running, scenicing rest of layout. I just won't have my powder river basin branch to ruun coal trains. Could always build a branch extending into recroom for that 🙂

[barrysfp45]

Just build a bigger room, saves all the hassles. ]:)

[ginzokid]

In AZ I built four turn double track helix out of plywood. It was 48" in diameter and took a lot of N scale flextrack. Gave me a rise of 16" with a 2.25% grade and about four scale miles of track. I'll have to send you a picture of it since it won't post here. It was worth the hassle of building it and the space it took up. You can do a tighter diameter but it will result in a steeper grade. Don't give up on it just yet. Stick it in a dead corner if possible. You could always look into the precut kits that are for sale on ebay. We used one for George's HO layout recently and it sure cut down on the construction time. They are not cheap though. I'll send that picture if I remember..... :-D

[dl85vette]

I already went out to the garage and cut the helix domino smaller for the up-n-over. At least it is a domino so in years to come I could always try the helix . I would rather truly work on my existing layout than to spend the time doing a helix,etc. I got most of the indust park track laid, so just need to wire the mainline and the park, lay/wire track for the up-n-over and I can run trains and then work on the scenery in the indust park. Had a can of 5% liquid motivation when I was thinking about it all and posting the conundrum. 🙂

[dl85vette]

Besides, aren't we all going to win the lottery so we can build our 2000 sq ft empires ?

[ginzokid]

All I want for Christmas is a 2000 sq. ft. basement with a hobby shop over it. :^O:-D;-) I'll mail ya a hammer and nails for christmas. yuk yuk -- Edited by dl85vette at 12/24/2010 7:18 AM PST