CodyO`s Pennsy Modular 16'X4'

[CodyO]

Decided to add a skyboard to the layout with some recommendation from Dave Betz.

Glued together 1/4" Ply and Masonite. I bought them pre-cut from Lowes(Plywood) and Home Depot(Masonite) Home Depot charges double what lowes did for the ply and it was cheaper to buy 6 4X2 pieces than 1 4X8 Sheet.

After that I trimmed them all down to 47 3/8" with my circular saw


Then used clamps to hold them in place while I screwed them in.




And in short order I had 3 pieces secured




Really like how it closes off the scene, though my wife said I need to paint clouds...

[Chris333]

wow makes a big difference!

[DeltaBravo]

Really like how it closes off the scene, though my wife said I need to paint clouds...

Your friends said clouds as well. Maybe a bird or two.

[CodyO]

Got some foam mountains in with @Ed Kapuscinski



A new ESU toy after I got jealous of @davefoxx and annoyed at my Zephyr


Lost a day to HVAC work installing a whole home Humidifier and Air Filter. Saved about $800 so I`m happy, a good friend is a HVAC teacher so he helped me out a bit.


Then lost a weekend to a trip to PA to get more of my stuff from my parents.


Now time to design this new module to include my liberated staging yard


Probably do more foam work while I finalize a plan to connect the staging yard and then break out the saws!!!

[wazzou]

Cody, make sure you keep that embankment fill supporting the track to a minimum of 45* if possible.

[CodyO]

Spent Monday securing foam and roughing in this scenery section of layout

Virgin plains


I removed the lower part to use as a template when cutting out 2 pieces of foam, I then secured the plywood back down and liquid nailed the foam to the plywood


Foam secured and roughed in, a single track line will cross over the double trackage below. The single track won’t connect to anything just a scenic addition



I left the staging tracks for now, might be removed after I attach the actual staging yard or use it as an interchange connection. The single track line will follow the ledge and them disappear out of sight behind some trees





I ordered some chooch walls and bridge abutments and want to try and finish this scene up this weekend. Though I’ll still need trees I can at least get the giver cover solved

[Philip H]

That's a mighty railroady scene there sir. 

I'd say keep the staging and use it for interchange options.  Never hurts to have more places to store cars.  I'd also power the "scenery track" across the top.  That way you can at least light locos and such for photo ops.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

That's a mighty railroady scene there sir. 

I'd say keep the staging and use it for interchange options.  Never hurts to have more places to store cars.  I'd also power the "scenery track" across the top.  That way you can at least light locos and such for photo ops.

Now that I think about it, that kinda reminds me of Dupont Jct. where the D&H met the Valley. Of course that didn't go in until 1973, but it's reminiscent, anyway.

[CodyO]

I'd also power the "scenery track" across the top.  That way you can at least light locos and such for photo ops.

I like this idea, I have some old lifelike engines attach the trackage to the DC power bus and just light the engine headlights with it.

[Philip H]

I like this idea, I have some old lifelike engines attach the trackage to the DC power bus and just light the engine headlights with it.

And with the addition of a small toggle switch it could be your programming track as well.

[CodyO]

And with the addition of a small toggle switch it could be your programming track as well.

I'll leave that on the bench with the roller stands!

[CodyO]

Progress!

One benefit of building modular sections that can be taken apart and moved easily is taking it to your friends house to have work done.


After going over some basics and tips with @Ed Kapuscinski and Betz I worked to apply ground cover to the rest of the Module.


End result of planting about 100 trees. I still need to apply more ground covering that just recently arrived.


I also 95% finished contouring and used sultamold to make the riverbed and filled in all gaps and tried to smooth out the terrain. 



Working on a design to replace one of the end cap modules with a set of 3 new modules attached to an already built staging yard from my previous layout.
The plan is to have this built and track laid early next year. Hopefully have plywood cut and modules in place before the New Year.



I`m going to try and post more updates here and on my Facebook page, to catch up on progress over the last few months.

[Missaberoad]

Trailhawk? 

Love the layout progress aswell, nice long mainline run with the new extension...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yep. AND if you do it right, that small section can be set to look like a real 4 track mainline, too.

[CodyO]

Trailhawk? 

Yes!



Updated the design a bit. Added in a climb to a new elevated reversing loop.