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Nelson458
Fireman
   
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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 3:01:26 PM
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I have only recently, after some 5 or 6 years, started building a small layout. Although I am not much into operations, I do enjoy a little switching, and have found Peco insulfrog turnouts just the ticket for me, easy to throw the points, very little wiring. In fact, I might have gotten a little carried away with their turnouts . My 5' by 10' layout, is more destined to be a large diorama than an operating layout. And that was my intention.
Soooo, that being said, I have always wanted a small facility for the engines, nothing big, an engine shed (rather than a roundhouse) and machine shop, coaling station and a source of water. Ever since I built Sierra West's engine house, I thought that might be just the thing for this layout. Since that shed is HOn3, it won't do well here, besides, I have plans for that later.
So I set about planning the actual size of the shed. I already knew from the beginning what I wanted, and where, I just hadn't gotten the track set up and everything 'sized' so it would fit. It will be about 13.5" deep, contain 3 tracks, and one off to the side. I'm building it on 3/16" ply, it is pretty flat now, but after I glue stuff down that might change, so I am going to re-enforce the bottom with some sturdy hardwood. The layout sits on 2" foam, so I would need to cut into that for the added strips underneath.
The engine shed will be built very similarly to the Sierra West model, board by board on a framework of 6x6 stripwood. Or maybe 4x6. The roof will be peaked in the center, and the right hand stall will be set back 4.5" which will be used for small engines.
So far, I made a simple cardboard moch-up to see how it fits. I am glad I did, as the two r/h tracks didn't line up like I wanted. I had a short l/h turnout leading into those stalls and open area, and replaced it with a medium length 'Y' turnout. That proved to be much better. Sometimes a simple change is all that is needed.
So here are a couple of pictures, a birds-eye view and a sketch of the front of the shed. I hope to start on the project soon, but with an upcoming trip to Colorado for the show, not sure how far I will get before the next weekend.


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Tony Burgess Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.~ Brian Greene |
Country: USA
| Posts: 3151 |
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desertdrover
Engineer
    

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 3:16:48 PM
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Looking forward to your progress Tony!
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 Louis Pacific Northwest Logging in the East Coast Post count: 5000 posts added to below count.
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Country: USA
| Posts: 16103 |
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tct855
Crew Chief
  
Premium Member

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 3:37:36 PM
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Nelson458, Well I must say we have at least 3 things in common right off the bat.
1) We both like model railroading with peco. 2) We both like switching dioramas. 3) We both like following Brian Greene.
I'm willing to bet we have even more in common on this 3rd celestial rock riding along a sea of dark matter in a uni/multi verse?
Can't wait to see more! Thanx Thom...
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Edited by - tct855 on 08/20/2017 3:39:20 PM |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 558 |
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Nelson458
Fireman
   

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 3:50:36 PM
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quote: Originally posted by tct855
Nelson458, Well I must say we have at least 3 things in common right off the bat.
1) We both like model railroading with peco. 2) We both like switching dioramas. 3) We both like following Brian Greene.
I'm willing to bet we have even more in common on this 3rd celestial rock riding along a sea of dark matter in a uni/multi verse?
Can't wait to see more! Thanx Thom...
Thanks Thom, you nailed it, now I know that I have an 'operating diorama' (a small twist of names), not a small layout. It even makes more sense. 
How can a speck of a universe be physically identical to the great expanse we view in the heavens above?
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Tony Burgess Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.~ Brian Greene |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 3151 |
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Nelson458
Fireman
   

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 3:53:55 PM
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quote: Originally posted by desertdrover
Looking forward to your progress Tony!
Thanks Louis, hope I don't disappoint.
The wonders of life and the universe are mere reflections of microscopic particles engaged in a pointless dance fully choreographed by the laws of physics. ― Brian Greene,
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Tony Burgess Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.~ Brian Greene |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 3151 |
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George D
Moderator
    
Premium Member

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 4:24:22 PM
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I'll be following your progress, Tony.
George
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Fly Army |
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ed k
Fireman
   
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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 4:43:08 PM
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Guys, I think this is getting a bit too heavy for me, but I do look forward to following along. With respect. ed
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Nelson458
Fireman
   

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 4:46:54 PM
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Thanks George, glad your in for the ride..
Ed, this is something that if done logically, as I hope to show, will be easier than you might think. I hope you get something from it either way.
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Tony Burgess Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.~ Brian Greene |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 3151 |
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Carl B
Fireman
   
Premium Member
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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 5:19:21 PM
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Interesting project Tony....your picture is a nice teaser...any chance we can see the whole thing to get some perspective?
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Country: USA
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Nelson458
Fireman
   

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 8:24:54 PM
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quote: Originally posted by Carl B
Interesting project Tony....your picture is a nice teaser...any chance we can see the whole thing to get some perspective?
Sure, how about a uTube video to start?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5fdN8OxiFQ
The tunnel portals are at the moment represented by one portal on it's own and other monoliths standing as representations of where the others will be, was trying to get an idea of how far from the tracks they needed to be. In that particular corner, I am going to add a hill with a South River Modelworks mill, (Wrisley Papers) on top, where the water coming off the top will power the mill and run down, around and into the basin under the two bridges. On the opposite corner will be a wharf scene. I already have a space for my Bluefin Cannery, I took it out temporarily to add the remaining rail on that end.
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Tony Burgess Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.~ Brian Greene |
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Country: USA
| Posts: 3151 |
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Pennman
Fireman
   
Premium Member

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 8:54:54 PM
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Tony, Being the expert modeler that you are, I will surely be following along with your progress on this as a similar operating diorama may be just my ticket. I don't have a layout started yet and I want something that won't take up a lot of space. Rich
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Nelson458
Fireman
   

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 9:03:03 PM
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quote: Originally posted by Pennman
Tony, Being the expert modeler that you are, I will surely be following along with your progress on this as a similar operating diorama may be just my ticket. I don't have a layout started yet and I want something that won't take up a lot of space. Rich
Oh, the pressure, the pressure! What have I started? , OK, I'll do my best 
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Tony Burgess Exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty.~ Brian Greene |
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Country: USA
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ed k
Fireman
   
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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 10:59:36 PM
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Tony, You can do it. What's the old saying, something about heat and kitchen!
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Country: USA
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Michael Hohn
Fireman
   

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Posted - 08/20/2017 : 11:18:52 PM
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Tony,
Looks like you're starting out on an interesting structure.
I know you do not need advice. Nevertheless, I would be inclined to use 6 by 6 for the corners, sills, beams at top of walls, and main vertical beams under the roof trusses every 10 to 15', and 4 by 6 for the intermediate verticals.
I think the Sierra RR machine shop has even heavier framing in places.
Mike
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_______________________________________ And we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashin' Bob Dylan |
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Country: USA
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Carl B
Fireman
   
Premium Member
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Posted - 08/21/2017 : 07:20:10 AM
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Thanks for the video tour Tony. Good luck with your new venture!
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Country: USA
| Posts: 4087 |
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BurleyJim
Fireman
   
Premium Member

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Posted - 08/21/2017 : 07:50:47 AM
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Tony,
I see layout expansion in your future...
Jim
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Take the red pill |
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Country: USA
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