Delaware & Hudson - Champlain Division

[bdennis]

Just a quick update..
While always looking out for supplies (aka Atlas Code 55 Flex and turnouts) for the new layout, today I decided to visit a few Model railway shops here in Melbourne.
Im glad to say I stumbled across the proverbial "rocking horse dung".
One of the stores has a almost full box of Atlas Code 55 flex.. It was not as cheap as I could import it from the US but it was there an available.
So I grabbed the entire box being 95 lengths.. Yey!.. That gives me all the flex I need to complete the layout..
Sorry to rub salt into old wounds guys as I know how hard this stuff is to find.. Lets hope Atlas comes to the party soon with the new production run.
Now to find some joiners for the track..!

[3DTrains]

I like the shared return loop of the two yards. Very clever.

Cheers!
Marc - Riverside

[bdennis]

Further work now completed on the layout.
Per my blog, (http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/) I have printed out the layout plan in 1:1 scale and taped it together and laid it out.
It has come together a treat!.
My timber arrives during the week and I plan to make a start with the help of a few friends next weekend..

[basementcalling]

Looking good. I like how the plan doesn't have switching locations on both sides of the same aisle.

Are you going to put in some type of floor over the bare concrete? It's much easier to do before building benchwork. Don't ask how I learned that adding a vinyl planked floor under existing benchwork. 

[bdennis]

Peter,
I will be using rubber backed carpet tiles. So they will be easy to install once the layout is built.

[Coxy]

Oops, sorry I was drooling!!! 

[garethashenden]

This is the main deck.

I see that there is a bulge at Corinth to accommodate the loop for the staging. Why don't you eliminate that notch and have a little more room for scenery?

[bdennis]

Gareth,
Thanks for the suggestion.
I need to change that corner, or at least the track layout as the reach from the isle to the siding that is closest to the wall behind the paper mill is too far and cant be reached. If I fill the space (near the word Corinth on the plan) it will reduce the reach available.

In terms of other updates..
The timber has arrived and work starts in ernest this weekend.
Thanks
Brendan.

[basementcalling]

Peter,
I will be using rubber backed carpet tiles. So they will be easy to install once the layout is built.

Good call. Its a long swim for an operating session so even Diana Niad would want an easy on the feet surface. 

Love the flow, and that shared return loop is a stroke of genius.

[bdennis]

Work has begin on the actual build of the D&H. Much timber has been cut and screwed into place.
See my blog update.
http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/

Here are a few pictures of work completed at the end of the weekend.

[bdennis]

Some more updates on the progress on the D&H..
See my blog.
http://dh2ndsub.blogspot.com.au/

[Leggy]

Never realised those sheets were so flexible!

[bdennis]

Leggy, yep 3mm MDF is very forgiving.. but only do it once or twice and leave it be or it will crease and be no good.

[Leggy]

Ah, I've used masonite for splines before (3mm) but never MDF, will keep it in mind....

[bdennis]

The Masonite is best for splines under the road bed. MDF would expand over time. I only use the MDF as a back board / fascia / valance.