Richard Beverly said:(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcReJxseOh4TJFpjkGqi0Jf69rTlLzd4tC6ysd42R-0kWdMP6dfF)
Sean he wants a mt. not a volcano http://norfolkfireworkvolcano.com/2013/09/23/the-birth-of-a-norfolk-volcano/
Best pic to go with the thought!
I’m surprised Rooster didn’t say that!
I received my load of dirt today. I finished most of the wall and got most of the area leveled. I had to tamp the new soil down with each load. Im trying to get a laser level so I can find tune the grades. I want to get it as level as possible. The bubble level only goes so far. Once I start laying track I can build up or down as I can along. Once I do my final leveling the rock wall will get capped on top with nice flat rock to even it out all around.
I did about a dozen more loads of dirt after the picture was taken.
(http://oi57.tinypic.com/314a5wk.jpg)
My helper
Is he for hire?
Laser? Oh my. I didn’t think we needed THAT kind of precision.
Gee, maybe I should fire my track crew, because they use the olde fashioned, tried and true, bubble level.
Looking good so far Shawn. If you can get the cap stones even enough for one track close to the edge that would help us old pharts service steamers. If you want to pour a cap from concrete next spring I can bring over my mixer. It’s getting a bit cold for concrete work now.
Nice work, Shawn
Haha David if I can, I need it to be perfectly level. Its easier for the non geared steamers. If I cant no big deal. Got to try.
Jon I might take you up on that. I want to have a nice flat top along the wall to help with prepping steamers and help the old farts lol… I have to give it the winter for everything to settle. Spring will work.
Shawn …Leave the steamer service track low …that way you can take pictures of the old pharts getting up! If they can’t get up steal their loco and run it!! (you can always give it back later)
OK. You buy the beer and the concrete. I’ll bring the mixer and finishing tools!
Daktah John said:
OK. You buy the beer and the concrete. I’ll bring the mixer and finishing tools!
You got yourself a deal. Ill get some good micro brews.
Work will be delayed today. Have to run up to urgent care. Was up half the night, got a scratch or something in my eye grrrrrrrr… shut up Rooster
Shawn (napkin builder) Viggiano said:
Work will be delayed today. Have to run up to urgent care. Was up half the night, got a scratch or something in my eye grrrrrrrr… shut up Rooster
Been there, and it’s not fun. Hopefully they can fix it.
Hi all
I love layout planning; it is almost as fun as actual building: you can easily – and cheaply - experiment with alternatives. Of course, the fun increases if you have good tools to aid in realistic planning.
I am a civil engineer, and I use CAD in my daily work (MicroStation for those who want to know). I use it mainly for 2D drafting; although it can work in 3D, it’s too much of a hassle to be fun. For some time I’ve been dabbling with SketchUp, which is fully 3D, easy to use and free - if its not the pro version (formerly developed by Google and now owned by Trimble).
I wasn’t sure if SketchUp could be used for RR planning, so I decided to try it with the Kittatinny layout I sketched last week. Last Sunday I gave it a try. I’ve imported the CAD layout and the made the global composition. I’ve used props (locomotive and trains, trees, mine, station) imported from the SketchUp free “warehouse” and scaled to fit.
The results are shown in the pictures below - by the way, the tunnels are now much shorter. I think it can really be useful tool for global composition of the layout, access paths and shadow analysis, etc. – it deserves a try if you are planning a new layout…
Shawn, I’ve just read now about your predicament. Hope everything returns to normal soon.
(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/josé_morais/Kittatinny2comp.jpg)
José Morais
Headmaster of the Lapa Furada RR
Seems to me, you don’t want to be standing beside your garden watching your trains, but you want to be IN your garden WITH your train.
Jose that is fantastic. I may have to give SketchUp a try. I use Solid Works, but agree a lighter program might be good for this. Very nicely done. I like how you raised it all up a bit.
Tom, I agree but for this design a duck under or step over might need to be employed, and I don’t know that Shawn would want to give up all that scenicable area. Perhaps the eventual addition will create the area where you can be In the garden With them trains.
Did you get your finger out of your eye?
the LEGO Movie theme song is running in my head “Everything is Awesome”…
WOW!!! That is a really nice layout Jose’. The Sketchup 3D works very well and gives a great overview to the plans. Good job.
Doc Tom
Wow Jose. I love the layout you did. I plan on bending the track Friday to get an idea how it will all fit together. My plan is to use the above plan. I think it gives me great options and keeps it simple, no clutter of track.
Randy I think the wall Jose used is to represent the wall that I will have along the garage and front side. The actual wall i have is much lower. Jose thanks for the CAD drawing, realy helps to visualize everything
I ended up having a small scratch on my eye. Whoever thought something so small could be so painful (shut up Rooster). Have to use drops every four hours. I feel like a vampire in the light lol…
Off to layout
Shawn, there is nothing wrong with being nocturnal. I used to be, and my furry little girl was. 
This post by Tom is what I was talking about Shawn.
http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/22533/making-mountains-the-rayon-way
