A micro layout (well a little bigger than a micro...)

[jpec]

I've been a fan of the smaller space layouts since stumbling on the late Carl Arendt's site about ten years ago. Seeing the work of David K. Smith, Lee Weldon and others here, I decided to embark on one of my own. I started on it about a year ago and have been tweaking the trackplan and rough scenery along the way. One of the great things about a micro is you can stop and change direction without hesitation because the investment of time and materials is smaller. So here's our initial concept...stay tuned it takes some twists and turns along the way.

Jeff

[Chris333]

You have my attention 

[jpec]

The beginnings of the layout began with an e-mail from my small space partner in crime, Mat Chibbaro.  " There's a 4 x 8 sheet of gatorfoam they're throwing out at my office. Want some?" Want some? Can a fat man sweat? This, coupled with Kato's release of 7" radius Unitrak and turnouts got it going.  "Benchwork" is 16" x 27"  1/2" foamcore - no sawdust or power tools required.  A little slicing and dicing and this is what we ended up with the bracing doesn't show up well with the black paint...

[jpec]

After the benchwork, I did a little surgery for a stream then laid the Unitrak. I secured the track with Dap bathroom caulk. You can get a tube for about $4 at your local home improvement store. To span the stream, I made a bridge from the sides of an Atlas viaduct and styrene.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I like the bridge. But... I feel like you should do something with the vaults inside. Maybe use some of the O scale JTT brick sheet so you get a block effect.
http://www.micromark.com/JTT-Plastic-Pattern-Sheets-O-Scale-Red-Brick-75-x12-Sheets-2-Sheets-per-Pkg,11624.html

Looks like this: http://conrail1285.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-11-16-20.00.13.jpg

[jpec]

I can dig it - just part way up the arch or completely cover it?

I like the bridge. But... I feel like you should do something with the vaults inside. Maybe use some of the O scale JTT brick sheet so you get a block effect.
http://www.micromark.com/JTT-Plastic-Pattern-Sheets-O-Scale-Red-Brick-75-x12-Sheets-2-Sheets-per-Pkg,11624.html

Looks like this: http://conrail1285.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016-11-16-20.00.13.jpg

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Not to cover the arch, but inside it, where the plain sheet is now.

[jpec]

Not to cover the arch, but inside it, where the plain sheet is now.

Like this? Of course weathering is in order and the crack will be hidden with growth of some sort.

[DeltaBravo]

I've been a fan of the smaller space layouts since stumbling on the late Carl Arendt's site about ten years ago. Seeing the work of David K. Smith, Lee Weldon and others here, I decided to embark on one of my own. I started on it about a year ago and have been tweaking the trackplan and rough scenery along the way. One of the great things about a micro is you can stop and change direction without hesitation because the investment of time and materials is smaller. So here's our initial concept...stay tuned it takes some twists and turns along the way.

Jeff

I like the plan Jeff

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Exactly like that.

[jpec]

Exactly like that.

After the weathering (think maybe some graffiti may be in order) and hiding the crack with some dead stuff since we're going winter...

[DeltaBravo]

After the weathering (think maybe some graffiti may be in order) and hiding the crack with some dead stuff since we're going winter...

The inside of the arch weathering looks great.

[chuck geiger]

Small layouts suck!

[jpec]

Ever listen to the Opie and Anthony Show? Anthony had a sound effect he played when someone told a joke that missed the mark or a bit just burned up on the launch pad of screeching brakes and the sound of a car hitting a wall. After getting the track down and painting it with Krylon Camo flat brown, I made a ridge/tunnel that would serve as  a view block (queue the sound, Anthony). When I put it on the layout I realized I wouldn't have a lot of space for the small town scene I'd planned and 2 customer spots. I set it aside for a couple months while I worked on other projects and had the good fortune to be asked to work on other people's layouts while I mulled over what to do next. On Seusscaboose's Heritage Unit Night, I took it up for Ed K. to look at. One thing I love about Ed is if it don't work, he'll let you know. Ed confirmed my thoughts - the ridge had to go. I also ran the idea past Ed to cut down to one siding and reconfigure the other siding to an interchange track. We agreed on that as well. I was still stuck on some method of hidden staging for the interchange train and I remembered the Air Rights Building in Bethesda MD where the B & O's Georgetown Branch ran under like a tunnel. So here's where we're at now with the reconfigured track and the mockup of the "air rights" tunnel (which would have styrene added as a parking lot/access road with bridges leading off either side of it). The interchange and siding tracks will be replaced with Code 55 trackage; the Unitrak is just there for the mockup.

[DeltaBravo]

Jeff, you should get the paint off the rails as soon as you can. the longer it sits the harder it is to clean off.