Michael — my track plan layout was on a computer that crashed without any backup, so my pictures are what I have. Per Uli’s request (dated in July proving that I am always behind), I am posting more photos now. My big projects on deck: (1) completing Catenary for analog track including the mountain run; (2) building/buying?? Two long bridges to cross the upbound staircase; (3) building a platform control station that permits me to have a better view of the entire layout and will have two computer monitors operating DCC; (4) finishing the landscape for the first mountain. All that before building the next section across the staircase which will have a mountain village. Finally, build the sort-of hidden storage station behind the bulkhead in the gable facing East.
All comments (including constructive criticism) welcome. The new section will be built more conventionally where I will spend a lot more time on the landscape before installing any track. I needed an area to operate the trains sooner rather than later in order to keep my interest elevated.
I just returned from a trip to Switzerland and discovered your post of September 23, Chip. There I had the fortune to once again ride the narrow gauge Rhätische Bahn that MichaelE models so eloquently in his layout.
Two thank-yous are in order, one for your kind comment in my Scenery Pitfalls overcome post, and one big one for following up on my earlier request to show us more of your layout. Folks particularly like you, MichaelE, Ulrich and station187 to name just a few simply make my jaw drop. How do you get all this intricate, detailed and gorgeous work done in a reasonable time on such a large scale? Your layout is both enormous and captivating. I still struggle with my small N-Scale layout.
You ask for ideas to cover the staircase in your layout. I like a challenge but I am also quite reluctant to dish out advice to very experienced builders like you. For this reason, I have posted possible ideas separately in the Scenery Tips section called “Ideas to bridge a staircase”. I did not want to contaminate your post. I trust you get many more ideas from other builders to stir your imagination and creativity and I look forward to the solution you implement in the end.
Uli
I appreciate your comments very much, Uli. Thank you. Separately I find your commentary on the bridge issue fascinating and very helpful. I had not thought about the idea of building scenery below the bridge crossing the staircase. Very thoughtful.
Comments
I will post videos later. Set in SW Germany
Wow, that is a most interesting track plan. At times sinuous and laced with diamonds. Very enjoyable to see and get ideas from. Thank you for posting!
Chip:
Interesting track plan and nice layout.
Ulrich
Do you have a track plan drawing you could share with us so we could see it all at once?
Michael — my track plan layout was on a computer that crashed without any backup, so my pictures are what I have. Per Uli’s request (dated in July proving that I am always behind), I am posting more photos now. My big projects on deck: (1) completing Catenary for analog track including the mountain run; (2) building/buying?? Two long bridges to cross the upbound staircase; (3) building a platform control station that permits me to have a better view of the entire layout and will have two computer monitors operating DCC; (4) finishing the landscape for the first mountain. All that before building the next section across the staircase which will have a mountain village. Finally, build the sort-of hidden storage station behind the bulkhead in the gable facing East.
This photo is from April 2023
Photos from today including the not yet built section where I need advice on building two large bridges to span my staircase.
All comments (including constructive criticism) welcome. The new section will be built more conventionally where I will spend a lot more time on the landscape before installing any track. I needed an area to operate the trains sooner rather than later in order to keep my interest elevated.
Some night time photos.
Finally, daylight shots that I like
I just returned from a trip to Switzerland and discovered your post of September 23, Chip. There I had the fortune to once again ride the narrow gauge Rhätische Bahn that MichaelE models so eloquently in his layout.
Two thank-yous are in order, one for your kind comment in my Scenery Pitfalls overcome post, and one big one for following up on my earlier request to show us more of your layout. Folks particularly like you, MichaelE, Ulrich and station187 to name just a few simply make my jaw drop. How do you get all this intricate, detailed and gorgeous work done in a reasonable time on such a large scale? Your layout is both enormous and captivating. I still struggle with my small N-Scale layout.
You ask for ideas to cover the staircase in your layout. I like a challenge but I am also quite reluctant to dish out advice to very experienced builders like you. For this reason, I have posted possible ideas separately in the Scenery Tips section called “Ideas to bridge a staircase”. I did not want to contaminate your post. I trust you get many more ideas from other builders to stir your imagination and creativity and I look forward to the solution you implement in the end.
Uli
I appreciate your comments very much, Uli. Thank you. Separately I find your commentary on the bridge issue fascinating and very helpful. I had not thought about the idea of building scenery below the bridge crossing the staircase. Very thoughtful.