FEC Key West Extension Exhibition layout.

[JoeD]

Howdy.

Contemplating life and the color of my walls at work and was thinking about the show we hold every year here in Medford.  I have always planned on doing some sort of N scale layout to display but the idea of something big or complicated competes with my desire to do pretty much nothing after a long day elbow deep in N scale at work.  I get Continental  Modeler and have been interested in the Exhibition Style layouts you see in the UK all the time and was wondering if anyone has done something like this with a US theme?  For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, an Exhibition layout is generally a dioramic run through with hidden staging in the rear...so instead of trying to create a miniature of the C&O railroad, you model a yard or a single location.  Just wondering.

Here is an example of a small one...Godinez built by UK modeler Peter North (who also did the circular Virginian layout).  https://godinezho.wordpress.com/2013/10/ 

Joe

[Chris333]

That is pretty small for HO, imagine what you could do with N?

I built a HOn30 layout like that where the rear half folded up to the backdrop. I did that so I could put it on a shelf when not running trains.
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HOn30#6166336591975485762
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HOn30#6166336585836241538
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HOn30#6167901938801075122
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HOn30#6172735276431386722
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HOn30#6172735226938040450
Whole thing is about 2x 4.5'.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I bet an interchange point with two railroads crossing could be pretty fun.

Or, hell, just a stretch of beautiful mountain scenery. Maybe with a town nestled in a valley?

Are you thinking of following your usual SP proclivities, or something completely different?

[JoeD]

Actually, something really different.  I was thinking doing part of the FEC in the Keys using two 18" wide bi fold HCD's end to end for the visible part.  All water, elevated stone bridges and a few of the smaller islands with structures...sidings and a station.    The back would have a scenic back board and the ends of the tracks would be on spits of land with a stand of slash pines to mask the opening in the backdrop.  Miss doing boats and I think this might be a lot of fun...and really interesting.       Cal Winters did a nice HO room size layout that's the inspiration here.

Joe

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh *****.

Yes.

Do that.

Do that today.

Right now.

Put down whatever else you're doing and do that.

I have a bunch of books you'd be interested in if you're going to do that. I'm happy to loan them to you for postage.

[JoeD]

Hit a nerve   

I'll noodle it around tonight. 

Joe

[Dave V]

'Nother closet FEC Key Weet Extension fan here.  +1 on that!!!

[JoeD]

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFH5HJlmQDk/VvBydH_IbGI/AAAAAAAAA5U/MA3uIWRrph8o_Ds6vBmaU5Op3qsxppTdg/s1600/fec.jpg 

quick idea here, maybe too much land.  The gap between the two modules will be covered with a sea wall and jetty I guess.  The track goes behind to a staging yard.

Joe

[dougnelson]

Not the Florida keys, but a similar if much smaller "exhibition" module (I hesitate to call it a layout) - bridge, water, and backdrop:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cFH5HJlmQDk/VvBydH_IbGI/AAAAAAAAA5U/MA3uIWRrph8o_Ds6vBmaU5Op3qsxppTdg/s1600/fec.jpg 

quick idea here, maybe too much land.  The gap between the two modules will be covered with a sea wall and jetty I guess.  The track goes behind to a staging yard.

Joe

Yep, too much land. I'd say eliminate the second island from the left, the one with the runaround, then do a long straight concrete arch bridge in that section.

How much do you know about FEC steam?

[davefoxx]

Actually, something really different.  I was thinking doing part of the FEC in the Keys using two 18" wide bi fold HCD's end to end for the visible part.  All water, elevated stone bridges and a few of the smaller islands with structures...sidings and a station.    The back would have a scenic back board and the ends of the tracks would be on spits of land with a stand of slash pines to mask the opening in the backdrop.  Miss doing boats and I think this might be a lot of fun...and really interesting.       Cal Winters did a nice HO room size layout that's the inspiration here.

Joe

Oh, hell yeah!  Dooooooooooo it!  Now!  Post often, so we can follow along.  Oh, and I have an FEC book that belong to @Ed Kapuscinski in my possession, so if you like and he gives me permission, I can send the book to you.

DFF

[eric220]

Do it. Doooo iiiit.

[delamaize]

Dear god yes, do it.

DO IT! DO IT NOW! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!

[JoeD]

such pressure...    Yea, I went home and sketched the idea out in real size and I need to get rid of most of the land...want it to look more real and less Disney. 

I did some test cutting on the laser to get a good size to work with.  After looking at all the different photo's on line the viaducts seemed to be different designs and heights...   

[JoeD]

At this point, little to nothing.  I'm sure that can be fixed     I went through our back product and we did an FEC Coach, but not the other cars...that I can fix too.  I'll adjust the drawings...thanks for the input!

Yep, too much land. I'd say eliminate the second island from the left, the one with the runaround, then do a long straight concrete arch bridge in that section.

How much do you know about FEC steam?