My traveling Grande Valley Railway.(Onandaga sub)

[Catt]

I here by gleefully blame David K Smith and Chris Smuck for this layout I am slowly getting started on.The reason I am blaming them is because they have convinced me with their small layouts that I don't really need a HUGE one to be happy.

Some details are
1- the layout size is 32" x 48" inches (unlike most of my layouts this one will stay small).

2 - Track will be ATLAS True track code 65. I don't plan to alter any pieces but if it needs doing I will.

3 - Even though it is a small layout there is a high probability that it will be DCC.

4 -  Any and all buildings will at least be kit bashed or scratchbuilt.

[Catt]

Ok, some progress if anyone is interested.I now have all the track to get this show started as this pic shows.There is more track coming but I am at the poorhouse door right now.It's a good thing I already have the lumber to build it (starting tomorrow).

[Chris333]

Are those Atlas turnouts? I'm not familiar with Atlas C65.

[Catt]

The whole layout is ATLAS code 65 truetrack.I wish ATLAS would get off the pot and expand the line the only crossover they have is a 90 degree.They could use more turnouts too,the only size they have is a 12.5" radius.The turnout motors are built into the turnouts, though there is a slide switch built into the unit for manual control.

Aside from that I have no complaints.

[Catt]

Took tape measure to Prizm this morning.If I can get Home Depot to cut it for me I can haul the extruded styrofoam I need home in the back seat of the car.

On a Z scale note, with some head scratching done I have figured out that one 4'x8' sheet of hardboard will do the new backdrop for the soon to be 8' long layout and supply enough material for fashia for the new N layout. Problem is there will be 3 pieces coming home 16" wide by 8' long and that will require a bigger vehicle.[]

Anyway here is a picture of the framework.There will be 3 layers of 1/2 or 3/4" blueboard glued to this .

[Philip H]

no need to get HD to cut it - just take the oldest most beat up utility/carpet knife you have - put in a new blade, and then cut it yourself in the parking lot.  I usually carry my 4 ft drywall t-square if I have this need with my Mazda - I generally haul the trailer with the SUV so on those runs its not an issue.

[Catt]

Utility knife I have,trailer I don't.No 4'dry wall T square either.They cut it last time I am hoping they will cut it this time cause there's no way I could get back up after cutting it myself.

[Catt]

Got the styrofoam and a sheet of hardboard yesterday.HD cut both to size for me .Did not get "blueboard" got "pinkboad instead  .

Hardboard will be used for new backdrops for the Z when I stretch it to 8' and the piece left over will do the fashia for this layout.

I have roughly $225 invested so far with some of the material going to other layout projects.

[Catt]

Nuther progress pic this one from a very different angle showing the down grade to the staging yard.My BQ23-7 project shows what the grade is.I've been thinking about doing a couple casettes to enlarge the layout without compromising the current setup.This would give me some varieity for shows so that the layout will look the same but different from one to the next.

I have been thinking about raising the siding on the upper left to get away from so much flatness in that area.

.

[Catt]

I put the BQ23-7 through her paces tonight.Ran both forward and backward with no problems.I will work on the fashia this weekend and get all that pink painted brown.Then I will start creating some cool (I hope) buildings.I've almost talked myself into trashing the big home layout and going to a couple HCDs end to end with a modified Carolina Central track plan.

[Catt]

Track is all glued down and wired .One set of feeders on each side of layout.Turnouts are not wired as I am looking for a better  looking controller for them.

Fashia is installed on the front and the right end (hope to finish that tomorrow).I even got a start on one of the streets yesterday.I hope to post more pics tomorrow.

[Chris333]

Will this end up being a large city area?

[Catt]

That is the plan so far.I'm hoping to do the larger buildings in a plug and play fashion so the layout will look different from show to show.

[Catt]

Progress and non progress pic.This pic shows what I have done so far on the show layout.If you look past it you can see what I haven't got done on the home layout.The front track will go down to a two track yard.(the green building is just to have a building on the layout.

[Catt]

Recieved a care package from Phil H today and this is what was in it.Thanks to Phil I will now have a 32" long staging yard.That is if I don't buy more track and extend the yard to 48".