The Beginnings of the G-Shaped Pacific NW Layout

[Moose2013]

I had mentioned that I was working on a G-shaped layout a few days back, and it was suggested I post a few photos as the build progresses ... So, here's what I have thus far, just the bench work ... Perhaps not quite "G-shaped"... It consists of three sections and eleven legs built in the garage and bolted together in a small 10 x 10 foot bedroom. As is typical, there always seems to be an extra part (see extra leg on floor) - how'd that happen? ;-)
DSCF2972.jpgDSCF2977.jpg

[Wrath_of_Wotan]

Look at the bright side, Moose: if an area begins sagging, you'll have a quick fix! Seriously tho, that is some hell-for-stout looking benchwork! My house is so cluttered(I'm a bit of a packrat) that a large U-shaped computer desk is going to be my first benchwork; after all the "stuff" sitting on top is relocated elsewhere...

[Moose2013]

Look at the bright side, Moose: if an area begins sagging, you'll have a quick fix! Seriously tho, that is some hell-for-stout looking benchwork! My house is so cluttered(I'm a bit of a packrat) that a large U-shaped computer desk is going to be my first benchwork; after all the "stuff" sitting on top is relocated elsewhere...

Hi Ron and thank you.

Good luck developing your first work-bench and layout. The nice thing about this hobby is that it can really bring out the innovator in us, and you'll no doubt get some great results!

My bench work is fairly stout, yes, but I might have to install that extra leg just above where it is laying - there's a screwed end plate at the joint between two of the sections there that I'm afraid may fail if someone leans on it.

You're lucky you still have a desk! I had to part with mine as I could not build the bench-work to include it. And clutter, I had to build storage in the garage for much of what was in this room and the rest either is train stuff sitting in boxes and boxes in the hallway outside this room, or had to go bye bye (aka Goodwill or oddly enough, the dump - why did I ever keep things that were only worthy of the dump?).

And you know, it took me 8-9 months to research & design what has evolved (or devolved?) into a rather simple layout plan, and in the process, I visited many a hobby store, train show and many many online train stores. Sadly for my wallet, every visit was with credit card in hand. I could run trains for a month (if I had a layout!) without running the same loco twice (slight exaggeration for effect!)...

This wee hobby I have taken up is danger-filled!

[Moose2013]

I managed to get something done on the bench work this weekend. Cut plywood for the first 30% - 40% of the double-main track. The remnants of the original single-main plywood have been strewn to the corner like yesterday's trash...

IMG_6583.jpgIMG_6584.jpgIMG_6585.jpg

For a kinda sorta explanation for creating easements in the curved sections, see this link.

[OTFan]

Awesome, more Pacific NW stuff. Any thoughts on what railroad, what kind of scenery and industries, etc? Inquiring minds want to know

[Moose2013]

Awesome, more Pacific NW stuff. Any thoughts on what railroad, what kind of scenery and industries, etc? Inquiring minds want to know

Thank you...

Railroads: Any railroad that may have traversed the rails of the Pacific NW in the late '30's - early '40's, primarily through the Tacoma, WA area. That would include the NP & GN, as well as some very small wharf and logging operations. Because of some of the equipment in my collection, I'll have to find an excuse to include the odd train from CP, UP, D&RGW, and a few other RR's...

Industries: There will be the odd warehouse, depot and small locomotive serving facilities on the outskirts of a small town.

Scenery: The aforementioned logging operation dictates trees and since this is the late 1930's, we're talking big'uns! There will be, of course, the waterfront, actually the walk-in area of the layout is essentially a bay ... so we'll have to learn how to make lotsa' trees and water!

[OTFan]

Very cool. MC Fujiwara (also on this forum) had a thread about a layout he built modeling the Columbia river, and I think it was roughly that era. He had some great water scenes and lots of trees, and it would be worth checking out if you're looking for inspiration. My great grandpa was a logger in the Cascades all his life, including during the era you're modeling. If I had pictures I'd send them to you, but nobody carried a camera to work back then Keep posting pictures please, I'm looking forward to seeing this.

[Vince P]

don't forget the milwaukee + the onion patch served the mining and timber industry in and around tacoma, black diamond area. and yes black diamond is a town east north east of tacoma hope this help some

[Vince P]

[QUOTE=Moose2013;318828]Thank you...

Railroads: Any railroad that may have traversed the rails of the Pacific NW in the late '30's - early '40's, primarily through the Tacoma, WA area. That would include the NP & GN, as well as some very small wharf and logging operations. Because of some of the equipment in my collection, I'll have to find an excuse to include the odd train from CP, UP, D&RGW, and a few other RR's...

Industries: There will be the odd warehouse, depot and small locomotive serving facilities on the outskirts of a small town.

Scenery: The aforementioned logging operation dictates trees and since this is the late 1930's, we're talking big'uns!.


i'll post a pic when i can of the type of big'un your talking about as a local town has a park with the a core chunk of one from bygone days

[Moose2013]

don't forget the milwaukee + the onion patch served the mining and timber industry in and around tacoma, black diamond area. and yes black diamond is a town east north east of tacoma hope this help some

I know Black Diamond, I've ridden (cycled) out that way often enough, through Maple Valley, Ravensdale, Enumscratch... There's a thought - If I decide to model some mining, the Ravensdale area has plenty of history associated with underground coal mining. Might have to look into that...

Okay, I give: whats the "onion patch?"

[Vince P]

Okay, I give: whats the "onion patch?"[/QUOTE]

think yeller & gray with red stripes or in your era greyhound colors of Uncle Pete

[Moose2013]

Okay, I give: whats the "onion patch?"

think yeller & gray with red stripes or in your era greyhound colors of Uncle Pete

Ahhh, U.P...

U.P. will be well represented, why, there might even be a nice big 4-8-8-4 hauling a freight train through town. Yep, someone threw the wrong switch some where out in Utah , and ole' number 4014 went out west, waaay west...

But, why "onion patch?"

[Vince P]

personal reasons like 2 months worth b4 going 2 work for bn

[Moose2013]

It's official: I'm the slowest, least talented "carpenter" in the whole of model railroading ... All day I spent on the layout, and this is the meager results: screwing & gluing the flat area (far right photo), cutting and splicing the two hidden straight sections (left & middle photos) and installing three risers (middle photo, under yellow level) ... ... ... Oh yeah, and and I glued my fingers together...
IMG_6593.jpgIMG_6597.jpgIMG_6592.jpg

[OTFan]

It wouldn't be a "real" project without gluing your fingers together at least once

[Moose2013]

Worked mostly on the backyard this weekend because of the nice weather, so I only spent a wee bit of time on the layout today:
IMG_6602.jpgIMG_6603.jpg
Spliced in most of the seaside mainline sections and widen an area to allow for installation of four or five turnouts of which two will be for a cross-over between mainlines, a third will possibly be to a mill, a fourth will be to the port and a fifth, well, who knows...

[Moose2013]

We finally settled on a name for our "G-Shaped Pacific Northwest Layout..." Drum roll please ... ... ... ... The Mt. Tahoma & Pacific Railroad. Yeah!

[WP&P]

Hmm... the "M.T.P.R."... like "Empty P.R."?

Your layout is looking good, almost too good perhaps. It's far too neat and tidy, when are ya gonna start getting sloppy?

[Vince P]

okay Moose sorry it took so long to get these folowing pics up for you but here they are so enjoy also zoomed in on the plaque that says it was harvested in 1976 the tree was estimated to be approx' 1000 years old and the timber companies name is pronounced reeseler so here is the plaque first


and here is from across hwy 2 in sultan Wa



so this is for you or anyone that wants to make a roadside attraction for their logging or timber related layout

[Moose2013]

okay Moose sorry it took so long to get these folowing pics up for you but here they are so enjoy also zoomed in on the plaque that says it was harvested in 1976 the tree was estimated to be approx' 1000 years old and the timber companies name is pronounced reeseler so here is the plaque first ... ... ... and here is from across hwy 2 in sultan Wa ... ... ... so this is for you or anyone that wants to make a roadside attraction for their logging or timber related layout

Awesome! Thank you Green Machine, this will be a great wee detail to place on the layout somewhere ... ... ... And another excuse to drive northwards this summer, if it ever stops raining that is...