Layout Update & Old Mil Boxcar

Stages 1 through 3 are pretty much complete. Just for my own posterity, I wanted to post a quick update of the layout before I lay the ballast and start working on the streets. Based on the book I am following, here is the Stage 3 layout diagram:



I have added the additional curved dead-end to the right of the diagram. The loop in the middle is a reverse loop (brown loop section above) and I have added a terminal track. I also picked up an Atlas Twin Switch and added plastic joiners to the entrances. This will give me the ability to switch terminals and keep the direction of the engine consistent. Here are the updates:









Pretty cool, eh? Yes it is. I can not wait to set up my command center and get all the switches hooked up! If the rain and cold weather keeps up here in Algonquin, I will be getting that accomplished sooner than later.

Now on to the Old Milwaukee boxcar. In my last post, I mentioned that I picked up an old Tyco boxcar for $1 at the show. I also purchased some Old Milwaukee decals (for a lack of a better word) for $3. The decals are like fake tatoos, you soak them in water and then slide them on to the object. I re-painted the boxcar with a flat white paint. Here is how my cheap, custom made Old Milwaukee boxcar turned out:



Prety sweet, huh?! Perfect for Goebbert's Beertown USA. That's it for now. Oh, some good news for Beertown...a hotel and German beer garden is on it's way via eBay. Yeah baby, were getting out the lederhosen and playing polka music! Update soon.

Great Midwest Train Show

Oh yes folks, I recently hit the Great Midwest Train Show which happens monthly at the Dupage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL. It is 5 buildings of wheeling and dealing with a few exhibits sprinkled in. Typically, you will find vendors selling trains and scenery items for O, HO, and N scale (and some S scale). This is the second time I have gone in the past 3 months. And let me tell you, there is a whole cast of characters at this trainfest swap-o-rama. First, here are a few pictures to set the stage:

This is at 9:45 AM on Sunday, 3/13/2010.

The first time I went to this show I learned 3 things; 1.) model training is not dead, 2.) get to the show early (like when the gates open at 9:30 AM), and 3.) negotiate prices for every single item you are interested in. There are all types of items in different states of condition. For example, one guy had old Tyco, Bachmann, and Plasticville model buildings from the 70's still wrapped and un-opened. Problem is, he wanted $30 to $50 a piece for these classics! It's like he didn't want to part with them. On the other hand, there is a Ma & Pa vendor selling 100's of old Tyco rolling stock for $1 a piece. Nice! I bought a couple of those junkers, repainted them, and turned them into beer cars. I will post a picture of my Old Mil boxcar.

Bottom line, if you are looking for classic items for your layout, bring a list! I bought Atlas switches for half the price you'd find at a hobby store. Bought a jug of Woodland Scenics ballast for $4 (normally $11). And I picked up a lot of used engines that I have got up and rolling now. The people there are great. The vendors are typically very helpful and willing to give you tips. And some of the attendees are hoot also. Sheesh, this one guy looked like he slept under a train and showed up totally hungover. Funny thing is, he spent 100's of dollars on little model people for his layout.

Also want to mention there are a few exhibits. Kids will definitely enjoy coming along for dad's shopping spree. I saw a lot of father-son bonding going on. I would have brought my daughter but she went to the NRMA High Wheeler show a few weeks back. Anyway, here are a couple examples of the exhibits:

The Lionel set above has controllers at each corner. You can run a train yourself!

In conclusion, if you live in the Midwest or are in the Chicagoland area for the weekend, definitely check out the Great Midwest Train Show. It runs once a month, 11 months out of the year and you will never leave empty-handed. Oh, and it will set you back $7 to enter the show. Don't worry, if you buy enough stuff, you'll get that back.

NEXT UPDATE: the track has been layed out and is ready for the ballast. I will post new pics!

2010 High Wheeler Train Show

Yes, this past Sunday my daughter and I went to the NMRA sponsored 2010 High Wheeler Model Train Show at Harper College. That is quite a mouthful. It was a two day event featuring displays by numerous model train clubs. From the Boy Scouts to the Chicago Northwest Train Club, there were trains of all shapes and sizes represented. I guess the item I really enjoyed is that the representatives at the show were truly there to showcase the hobby of model railroading to kids. Keep it alive for the young folk. And along the way, they answered questions for the aging train geeks like me who are just getting back into the hobby.

Below are a few highlights of HO scale model train layouts from the show. As mentioned, there were all scales, from N to garden sized, but I am sticking to HO only for this blog.

Example of scenic backdrop panels:



Great detailed country railroad crossing:



Didn't think I'd see an HO scale baseball diamond:



It's the Goebbert pumpkin farm!:



Freight cars trucking through the countryside:

Just want to give a shout out to two gentlemen that answered my questions at the show. One was a Boy Scout volunteer and he gave me some insights on using foam to build an underground tunnel. The other gentleman I believe was with the Chicago North West Club and he gave me some tips on laying ballast. Speaking of which, that is my next chore. Will update soon!

Laying out the roadbed

I have studied the plan over and over again. The track has been purchased and the table built. It is time to put the roadbed down and start laying the track. I wish it was that simple. Since I am following a well documented track layout book, I feel confident I am prepared. So where to start? Well, I decided to lay the track out on the table first and see how it fit together. My only point of reference was to keep the track on the North side (from my camera perspective) and the East side one and a half inches away from the edge. The only dilemma I had was how much to lay out. What do I mean by that? I will show you. The book is broken out into stages (8 in all). So logically, you build Stage 1 first. However, I felt since I am laying down roadbed, I want to nail down all the non-elevated track at once.

Here is what Stage 1 looks like:

Boring! I am going to lay out all the track up to Stage 3 and that plan looks like this:

So let's get on with the action! The tools: Woodland Scenics Track-Bed and Foam Tack Glue, Atlas Code 100 track, switches, and track nails, a pencil, a ruler, and finally, a T square. Once I measured the edges, I laid the track out according to Stage 3. Here is what that looked like (minus the two switches you will see at the bottom of the above image):

I reversed the perspective so the terminal was facing me where I would sit. That wall behind will eventually be painted sky blue to provide that realistic background. Anyway, from here....honestly, I really wasn't sure what to do. So I traced the outlines of the track that had been laid down and then removed it. From there, I started to lay down the foam roadbed knowing that it is a little bit wider than the outline I drew. I used the Foam Tack Glue and a small art brush to glue down the roadbed. Here is what that looked like:

From there, I started to lay down the track. Woodland Scenics suggests that you glue the track to the foam. I thought that was a bit strange. So I decided to hammer the first track section down with the Atlas track nails I have. Big mistake! The problem is that if you hammer the nail in too far, it pushes the foam down and your track will be uneven. So I glued the rest. I did use a few nails as needed to hold the track in place. I may remove them later.

That's it for now. I am only about half way done. This is a critical stage where I will want to take my time and make sure the track is even and tight. Ugh, it may take me all week! I will post another update soon.

Coming up next.....ballast the tracks!