Liam_uk

I had a play last night after seeing posts. I dont want the station to be most of the layout but a part of it. This would offer 2 into 1 running, bay operation, trains can be looped and work the yard, so this does offer options. I would probably change the branch station for another industry in there for shunting purposes, maybe a Dairy or Creamery (spelt wrong in the picture).

I agree. When I first set the room up in late 2020/early 2021 I didnt understand or know as much as I did do now. I just saw peoples lofts and thought that would be great place to try and make a big layout, got it converted and chucked the biggest boards I could in there. I then spent the next 2 years trying to come up with something I liked, kind of too much space, but again not enough. I think half the battle is that I am trying to make it quite trainset like (with 90 degree curve straight, 90 degree curve, straight), whilst at the same time wanting it to be realistic and hands on. I dont know if I could make the long section on a curve to soften the curves at the end and add bankings, cuttings etc.

I fully get what you are saying, and for the most part agree. However, I do not have the cash available to convert the loft from a storage space. I spent a few thousand to redo the floor for thicker beams, loft hatch, roof insulation, electrics, lights, window and carpet when I first did it. I have a few options I suppose. A - Accept the trusses and either try and make the layout on a curve so try and lighten the sharpness at the end, or make the a branch to the end or 2 end to ends. B - Abandon the loft and build a garden building. I have priced up a 14x8 building (to make small exhibition layouts). This would be sub £5k all in from what I can quote. C - Instead of my partner using the garage space, I could use one side to build smaller portable layouts and put my partners idea in the garden instead. She is after a home gym and wont need insulation etc in her building.

Something along these lines:???

The last picture was just me changing it round. It currently sits on the long side, but if I got a plan I was happy with I would gladly move it all

What sheds would serve this line?

Although not fully done are you talking something like this?

That does sound like a good idea.

I believe that might be the issue due to trying to get the right curve. That is why I considered two smaller end to end layouts down each side

Hi All, Thank you to everyone who posted about layout baseboards it has helped no end for a future layout. Anyway onto today conundrum! I have a loft layout, the boards have been there roughly 18 months, however I cant come up with a design I am happy with. I have laid the track several times, including roundy roundy and as an end to end using one half of the loft. Here is the current design: The station is a scratch built item based on Highley on the SVR, which I would like to keep. The station area features a passing loop, bay, goods shed and yard, headshunt and loco line This is the current loft. It is a state at the moment as I have stock everywhere, as well as working on my American exhibition layout (pre previous layout topic). What Am I After? Well, I am not fussed on a mainline with several trains wizzing round. I quite like the single line branch line approach. It doesnt have to be a roundy roundy, as you can see I am currently using the junction area as my work bench due to not having anywhere else. I would mind a small fiddleyard one end and then a journey to a terminus. I could then use one side as a work bench. I dont mind changing the baseboards to make an embankment etc for the right design. I just want the play value. AREA? Well the current area was going to be the Cambrian line, but anywhere where GWR, Midland and Standard BR designs all ran, and maybe incorporating a few type 2s and DMUs. INSPIRATION! I like the idea of a single line so you have to play trains and I am not fussed in just letting the same trains run round and round etc. I like the Yorkshire Steam Railway (mouldy Raspberry on Youtube) as well as several small exhibition layouts including Half Penny Green, Frampton Upon Severn, Halland, Heath Green and Catsfield to name but a few. AS well as layouts like Penhydd and Lowleigh. STOCK. My current roster stands at: 2 x 4-6-0 Standard 4s (my favourite Loco) 2-6-0 Standard 4 Standard 4 Tank Standard 3 Tank Black 5 Fairburn Tank 2 x Ivatt 2-6-0 3F 4F (another favourite of mine) 2 x Small Prairie Manor 8750 Pannier 94xx Collett Goods 3200 Earl Modified Hall 56xx Class 24/0 Class 25 Class 108 Class 122 As well as a few odd ones out including an S15, J94 and K1. Now I know all of these wouldnt have ran on a branch line, but if I could include as many as possible I am not adverse to swapping some for the right plan and would like to add at least a Large Prairie, 43xx, crab, 2P and 16/14xx to may roster at some point if right for the layout. Again it can be either an End to End or roundy with play value. Here is the space I am working with (all sizes in cm): If you have made it this far, thank you for reading and look forward to seeing any ideas

Do you have any pictures? Thank you everyone for your responses, it has given me much to further research.

Hi, Not sure if this is the correct place to place this question, however my question is basically how do you construct a sturdy but lightweight baseboard? I am looking to make an exhibition layout. However the layout MAY end up getting stored in the loft with my other railway stuff between shows. I am not planning on any more than 8ft x 18 inches as 2 4ft x 18 inch boards. The layout wont be going out every weekend, however the only space I may have available (pending the boss's ideas for the garage) would be in the loft. This obviously would mean 2 man lift to get it in and out, but I do have a large opening loft hatch. But how do I make the boards light enough to not break my back putting them up and down the ladder, but strong enough not to distort when being hauled around? Would laser cut boards be best for this, or can I build them myself? Thanks in advance Liam

Sorry to hear that the layout has been dismantled, however I am looking forward the new layout and updates

I hadn't realised but it has been nearly 2 months since my last update. The layout has progressed some, I'm currently working on 1 board, although I have ballasted and flocked the other board. I decided to do away with the grade crossing in the end. This is how the board currently sits. I am going to add a layer of static grass to the ground covering as well as trees in the back corner. My first go at scratch building. It isnt a revolution in structures, but it is good for me. It is painted with Greenscene textured paint. The cement terminal has been weathered. I may add a bit more to it yet. the hardstanding is made up of cardboard and again painted with Greenscene paints. I am just working on the small concrete pad for the cement "shed". this has now been glued down and now the ground covering is upto its edges. Finally, I have made my own custom pipe work. This is simply parts of sprue with masking tape. I will add a hose to the end soon.

any updates on the layout?

HAPPY CHRISTMAS to everybody. Hope Santa has bought you something nice. Oliver Springs has seen Santa's arrival with 2 Conrail 2 bay hoppers and a Broadway Ltd SD40-2 in NS were delivered!! I've also applied the coat of rust to the rails and I'm currently onto my first load of Ballasting (no pictures as yet).

So the back end of last week was spent playing Testing! Lots of different combinations of consists into and out of the industrial spur. This was done by both myself and my uncle. Then came the day, I made a start of some scenery!! All the stock was taken off, buildings removed (with the baseboard being marked for where they will sit. I then masked off the backscene and fiddleyard and sprayed the track...... However I started on the right hand side, started spraying and then realised I had forgotten to mask of the blades of the run round switch! Too late now, I will have to get some thinners and clean it the best I can!! However I remembered before going any further, masked the other 4 points and sprayed away. It is a Humbrol brown. Tomorrow I will see how it has dried and may apply another coat, or if I feel it is enough I will move onto rusting the rails, track grime and then a bit of ballasting......

It was my first go at it, no real "system" such as car cards or switch list as yet. Just the type of car was unique to a certain industry. Because the layout is small and space is limited you really have to think about what movements are being done and what order to switch in. I am sure as time moves on the same switch wont take as long, but as suggested by @long island jack having the transrail facility cars being put onto the spur in a set order adds to the switching. In the scenario I did I had to pull 2 cars out to switch the rear of the 2. Then swap them round so the loaded car goes back on the right spot and the 1st car spot is returned to its position. This works the same for the other 2 industries with box cars having to be moved to gain access for either the hopper cars or the tank cars. It is all still a big journey of discovery and I am sure there will be mistakes and improvements along the way, but this is my first real go at it all. I am hoping to get a video done the back end of the week, keep testing before the layout is split again so I can start track weathering and ballasting.

AND FINALLY for tonight and at least until the middle of next week (I am on night shifts from tomorrow 😒). I've had a play with a highly detailed picture program (or Paint to you and me), I've done a basic colouring by numbers to get a feel for the layouts final appearance. I am hoping for the trees and grass to have autmnal colours, with the layout being late summer/fall. Here is the layout currently This is my highly detailed plan with the Transrail building, tank unloading facility and cement terminal This is the same layout, but instead of just an open yard where the box car is loaded at the cement terminal, there is small building which the forklift brings the palletised loads from to be loaded.

As well as the switching (more pictures I'm afraid) I painted my point lever handles yellow (as seen on several pictures). I then had a go at adding a bit of frame dirt to the the handles and the body of the lever. Trying to be inconsistent on the body part and put the dirt where the handle is most likely to get grabbed, again this is my first go at this, it may not be perfect but I like the finish for my first go. These are now ready to be passed over to the track gang for fitting (after track weather but before ballasting). Finally on the weathering front I finished the bumpers and placed them on the layout to get an idea of their placement (roughly placed for now, again need to be transferred to the track gang).

Part 2 of switching: 2598 now couples to the bulk box car before joining it to the 3 centre beams: The load is then pulled out of the spur: The 3 empty 2 bays are then left and the box car taken to couple onto the 3 bays for returning down the spur 2598 running round its train after taking the centre beam car from its spur and completing the train to return to the Yard. 2598 and its consist now depart Oliver Springs

So Part 1 of my first day switching (for some reason the forum wont let me upload many pictures at once). This was a simple switch, swap the "loaded" centre beam car for the empty car (2nd car spot) and replace the 3 2 bays. This activity took me over an hour just to do this and presented me with several challenges due to the size of the layout and maybe to many cars to switch in one go but I managed it. GP30 2598 arrive at Oliver Springs for its morning switch 2598 blocks the access road ready for the conductor to throw the switch to the Transrail facility: With the "loaded" centre beam car waiting on the "main", the rest of the consist reverses onto the spur to drag out 2 cars. After dragging out the cars the cements hoppers are placed on the lower run round road With the "loaded" centre beam and timber products box car now at the rear of the consist, 2598 pushes the train back into the transrail facility before bring the empty centre beam outside of the derailer.

Thats good news 👍

So much of the layout has come together over the last few evenings and today I took over 45 pictures. I will probably upload these as several posts to group them all together. Firstly, I painted all the back scenes and joined the boards together. I then levelled them the best I could with so 2x1 off cuts supporting the joint and corners. I have then laid the Transrail track and 3 staging tracks: Ive tried to give myself plenty of room between each road for stock changing, with the Transrail track holding 4 cars. I will stick a 2x1 off cut at the end as a buffer eventually, but the staging tracks will have a ply box around them eventually. Next I wired up all these tracks. I went to test them and remembered I needed to redo 2 of the tracks on the scenic area. So the boards went back on there side and this was done: I then tested all the tracks with my GP30. No faults found so the staging yard was stocked up: Im not 100% if the smaller 2 bay hoppers are correct for 2000 onwards, but I have them so they went with the "loaded" centre beam to be swapped out. I did get photos of this and will post them in my next post (I need to reduce the size of them from my phone for the forum).

Well, I've been waiting for my switches for my mimic panel for over a week! They have been dispatched BUT are somewhere in Royal Mail land. I really wanted to get the panel done before I moved the layout....... I started the week by making another hole in the backscene, removing the underlay and taking the track up. Unfortunately, I slipped with a hand file and knocked the track to the staging yard, meaning that had to come off to be relaid.... However, before I finished this (mainly dragging my feet when in the week and not really touching the layout), I was evicted from my current spot and had to clear off for Christmas: It was expected though as management had already told me this would be the case, so the layout was relocated to the loft: I then recycled one of the original Oliver Springs V1 boards to make my new staging yard. This will be 4ft x 18 inch, have 3 tracks ( 2 for staging and 1 for shunting moves in and out of the scenic area). I then laid my cork for the point work and Transrail facility. Im only using small raduis turn outs in the staging area just for space: I then mounted the boards together (bit more wood work), and painted the scenic sections backscene: The updated track work is now laid, as well as the Transrail staging track and the staging yard point work ( I didnt get a picture of these). Whilst waiting for things to dry I did a few small scenic bits/track details. First I built my bumps for the run round loop and maybe the cement spur. I gave them a spray with the same brown that I will use for the track, and then dry brushed some Frame Dirt onto them. There not complete yet, I am going to add a bit more weather to them, bit of grease etc. This is also my first time having a go at painting anything like this too: Ive also be working on the switch levers. These are 00 Gauge, and marketed as US spec point levers. There 3D printed, and quite easy to build, although I did break the first housing I tried and I was a little heavy handed. Then I hand drilled out the hole to make it slightly larger and they went together lovely. I then primed them and I am now in the process of painting. Currently painting black on the bottom half, then will paint the handles yellow: