The building of the store layout
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Our original showroom O gauge layout was built quickly and cheaply.
After a year of use demonstrating trains to the public, we quickly
had outgrown it. We decided to build a new showroom layout and
decided on a goal of completion within 30 days. |
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We began on April 10, 2002
Here is the empty space after the old layout was taken down and
the area cleaned up. |
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The first step was to build the
frame and support legs. Ours was made of 1" x 3" pine
assembled using drywall screws. Watch your levels. Our support
legs are 1 x 2" oak, as we plan to build oak showcases under
the layout later, most people use 2x4" legs, but that's
overbuilding unless you intend to spend lots of time crawling
on the layout. |
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Next comes the table surface. We
recommend homosote, a pressed 1/2" paper product. It's inexpensive,
and available at most hardware stores. It also has sound deadening
qualities. |
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Next comes the track laying. We
did not use a plan. The track was dumped on the table, and was
laid as new ideas came to us. Some people are more comfortable
with a plan. Do what works for you. |
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Track laying continues and elevations
are laid out. The finished loop is tested. This is a good time
to test several track plans for an additional loop. |
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A second loop is built on blocks
of wood and foamcore to elavate the track. It is a dogbone loop.
The train reverses itself each time around the loop. A small
oval is added for running a small maintenance car. Bridges are
positioned, and planning for the scenery continues. |
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Using foamcore, we built a surface
that was covered in plaster cloth. Mountains and valleys are
created, and tunnel portals are installed. Planning for buildings
positions begins. Another great way to build up your structure
for scenery is to stack and glue 1" foam insulation panels.
You can carve it, cut it with a hot wire tool, and plaster right
over it. |
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The plaster is stained with watered
down latex paint. Gray for stone, brown for dirt, and green for
grass. This is only for coloring the surface so when you glue
down grass or lichen or other groundcover, no white plaster shows
through. |
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Trees, bushes, roads, signals...
More scenery is installed, the park is built.
The completed layout, finished
May 29, 2002. |
March 15th, 2008.
We have made many changes since then, and will ad the updated
photos soon. Remember, a train layout is never really finished! |
