Ric,
funny you and David both mention this…
Carla and I have always looked at the GRR as a great tool to teach the kids! As I’ve said before, it’s like having a Shop/Gardening/Ele class in school-in the yard! My Eli really gets it (he is almost 6) and has been a big part of all that has transpired thus far…My Luke (Train-nut and almost 4) is coming around when it comes to “helping”…
cale
Cal: You should also try leaving a section of less track. Especially if you are doing something more on a logging end. You can leave a corner section of the outside loop more wild looking for a logging operation rather then crowed too much track within the entire area. Not sure if that makes sense. Maybe have 1/2 to3/4 of your space layed with track and the rest keep more wild with one main line running through.
did someone here mention replacing the frogs on AC switches? why? and How?
I hear ya Shawn!
cale
“kinda like this?”
Dear Cale,
Poifect !! (Nyuk, Nyuk, Nyuk.)
Joe
C. Nelson said:
did someone here mention replacing the frogs on AC switches? why? and How?I hear ya Shawn!
cale
How: Go to the Aristo On-line Store and look for item FROG. $1 each - Free shipping.
from an unrelated but related email!
.
.
.
.
Quote:
. . . I do agree with Ric and the others who are recommending you avoid always running around the edge to some degree.A few thoughts: Don’t forget that logging RRs typically ran from the
mill out to several dead end branches in the woods. With the great
space you have, you could have at least one lumber camp with timber
falling, yarding, turning (not turning around, but swapping the
locomotive and caboose from the incoming empties to the outbound
loads) loading scene running up to one of the (most shady?) edges.
Additionally, woods camps needed supplies in the form of food
(including refrigerated cars for meat and perishables, tools, parts,
people, etc. Putting the camp at the end of an extended run (including
some round and round) could get away from some of the round and round
appearance.The other end of the logging RR could be a similarly detailed sawmill
and lumber town with some or more of the same action, but including
shipment of the finished lumber by RR. Make the connection between the
woods camp and the mill town do some round and rounds to both provide
a continuous run and to add to the idea that the RR goes somewhere.Don’t forget that building things like camp buildings, loading
equipment, lumber mills, small villages, etc is going to be a great
way to help educate and keep the interest of your growing family. Just
adding a couple of new cabins to an existing scene is a rewarding task
for both father and sons. At least that was how I was raised!Just some thoughts.
Thanks Again & Happy RRing,
Jerry Bowers
Boonville, CA
.
.
.
.
well once out there none of the above, but a variant of…following are some shots I got off today after playing around with the 1/2" PVC… All below are just place holders, I’ll dig trench and set to grade soon, but this gave me an idea of what I was looking at!
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/overview1.jpg)
Outter Loop, appears to be about 130+’ Above is shot from Bonus Room Window above garage. Again from Bonus Room, but a little to the Left:
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/Overview2.jpg)
2 Loops Later.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/3loops.jpg)
Big Outter Loop, 2 inside figure 8’s… Here is a shot from the boys bedroom.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/boysview.jpg)
and for reference, the big wheel has not moved.
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/Bigwheel.jpg)
I think I can get all loops connected, through switching and X-Overs…The loop around the Magnolia is about 100’+ and the other appears to be 120’+…hope I have enough track! cale Comments? Remarks? Ideas?
Your outside loop is too close to the driveway.
Leave some extra space for visitors whose driving skills may not match yours.
Ralph
Good Eye Ralph, but I think it’s a deceiving photo…here are some additional shots: First two looking Down the Drive to the Road:
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/downdrive.jpg)
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/down2.jpg)
This one looking Up the Drive towards house:
(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cale_nelson/Front%20Yard%20Build/updrive.jpg)
looks like you’d hit the Oak before the track…the Buick ain’t that big! :lol:
Yes,
That looks much better!
It sure did look much closer in the other photos.
Looking good.
Did you get my e-mail?
Ralph
not sure, resend?
C. Nelson said:OK, Just did. Ralph
not sure, resend?
Roundy Rounds with some simple switching. I’d “like” a tunnel between the two trees in the center of the area for a visual block. Multiple individual loops that would allow running multi-trains w/o crashing-at least 3, and they could interchange if necessary.
Our grandsons are about the same age as your boys. They like crashes! Expensive way to keep 'em happy.
Outside loop with broad curves for bigger locos (American, Connie, Mogul, K/Meyer), smaller curves on inside loops for small locos (Climax, Shay, LGB). I’d like to utilize the crossovers. Would even consider an Over and Under figure 8 with the tunnel. Plan to keep most track on same grade.
Grades are good! You can weight up your cars, then see which loco can pull the best. Good fun!
Thought of a run-around near point (10’) around those trees near House Number Sign as seen above. Not against using R1 switches for yard. Hope to do late 1800-Early 1900’s, Appalachia, maybe coal, lumber or both. Rolling stock will determine most of that, see below. Most visual breaks will be provided by small plantings. Plan some simple buildings and scenery, nothing too elaborate. Small Homestead or two, Small Town-Early American (Depot/PO, gen store, blacksmith, Church, mill-Much like Walnut Grove in Little House on the Prairie). Industries could be outside of realm…on interchange…trains just passing through with loads? Passenger Service will be limited.
One of these days I am going to go down to K-Mart and buy an imagination. You blokes who can even dream up these ideas amaze me!
I prefer the look of Body Mount KD #1 Couplers and Link & Pins as well. (kids stock to receive H&L)
Smart. H&L is better if you decide to pull weight up grades.
