New Hope & Ivyland shelf layout (ex-Reading)

[CRL]

I think I’ll stick with a cheap razor saw for cutting rail gaps.

[amato1969]

Started laying the "main" track and industry switches over the weekend (carpenters glue still wet):

[amato1969]

Trackwork continues, with pushpins holding the passing siding in place while the glue dries:

[amato1969]

Outrageous work travel has put a crimp in layout construction time, but the long siding for CRC and the printing company is in place:



This completes all the track on the north half (got some extra glue on the right-hand siding to address though  ).

[amato1969]

Put in some quality time over the weekend, and completed the track installation:



As you can see, a backdrop is needed, but feeder wiring is next, in order to JFRT:

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[amato1969]

Feeder wiring is done!  I also took a small file to those pesky code 40 spike heads; my Kato and BLI locos run fine, but Atlas geeps rattled on them.

Here's some power from the old layout testing the trackwork:

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh geez that Valley geep is hot!

Have you glued everything down yet? If not... I might recommend doing one of the most annoying but worth it tasks in model railroading. Snipping between the ties of the flex and spreading them out on sidings and secondary tracks.

I did this on Windsor St and really loved the effect. I hated doing it, but I loved the look.

[amato1969]

Appreciate the comments, @Ed Kapuscinski , especially for a quick iphone shot (crappy focus).  I did not do any extensive snip-and-respace work on the flextrack, but I have laid some abandoned sidings for effect :

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I dig those too!

That snip snip routine really IS incredibly annoying to do, so I don't blame you. In fact, I'm having strong second thoughts about my own use of it on the current layout too, but I'll probably relent.

[amato1969]

Speaking of annoying, adding ties under the switches and feeders, ugh!  Slowly but surely...

(gap in the abandoned siding will be a grade crossing)

[amato1969]

All crossties are now in place!  While waiting for the glue to dry, I started to mock out the scene at the Ivyland end of the layout (using paper to judge the height of the printing warehouse):

[Hawghead]

Looking great so far.  I'm really getting into the idea of using mock ups as well, they give you such a sense of size and scale.  I just did one for the Rico engine house on my layout.

Scott

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I'm a big fan of mockups. I've used all sorts of stuff to do the job in the past including books, rolling stock boxes and liquor bottles.

[milw12]

Always good to see another shelf layout! The Railwire is due for a shelf layout phase like the old HCD phase and the current narrow gauge phase 

Lucas

[amato1969]

Fired up the airbrush and sprayed a base coat of dark gray onto the track; touchups definitely needed, but drybrushing of ties is next: