Here we go! Gotta start somewhere.
- Thread starter TrainNut
- Start date
Did they give you a bulk discount on all that foam or just a charge account?
Your foam stacking on the layout is almost as awe inspiring as that excellent reference photo you have supplied.
Can't wait to see this progress..
Your foam stacking on the layout is almost as awe inspiring as that excellent reference photo you have supplied.
Can't wait to see this progress..
Right you are Don. The depths from my bridges ranges from 8 to 10 inches which equals an N scale range of 106 to 133 feet.ezdays said:You've got canyons there that are at least 150' deep. I'm really jelous that I don't have the room to do something like that.
I hope you're going to take pictures as you progress.
I don't see why you can't do it also. The whole canyon section only takes up 21.5"wide by 28" deep by 10" down. It's not that big. Illusion my friend... illusion.
Yes, I definitely want to update with pictures. Should I keep them all in this thread thus having the potential of ending up with a thread a zillion pages long or should I post a new thread with each update (such as "gotta start somewhere. Here we go 10-18-6"?)
Funny you should say that! I have not used that much foam. What you don't see are the big holes within the structure where I just used spacers to keep from using so much foam. I think I am up to 6 sheets of 2'x8'. I only expect to need 2 more for the second level of the long leg. The rest, I will build up using newspaper and Woodland Scenics plastercloth. I may be up to $200 so far for the entire layout (lumber, cork, foam, wheels, screws, etc.)Matthew Mahling said:
Use different kinds for at least some of them. You can have, say, two the same, but five the same will look boring.
When I built my last layout I had a section of foam that was supported on 3 corners (it was triangular shaped in the corner of my L-shaped layout) so it bridged an area of about 12-14 inches. Not unlike what you see in the photos above. Compaired to the fully supported areas it was extremely noisy. This area was not at all sceniked, so I can't tell you if it would have been quiet, but it sure didn't seem like it would be.
Just a heads up.
It was also in HO.
Just a heads up.
It was also in HO.
Wow, that canyon's just about as large as I've seen on a layout that size. VERY impressive. And the description was a little clearer than mud. it'll look AWFULLY impressive when it's all in place, even without being completely scenic'd, the bridges with the foam look pretty cool I think. Keep it coming!
Comment: I think railroads tended to put most of the bridge under the track unless there were clearance or construction issues. Think about using the truss bridgeeither at the lowest point or if one trach is close to another.
John Allen built a mountainside where he had a pile of bridges going up and each one was different.
John Allen built a mountainside where he had a pile of bridges going up and each one was different.
TrainNut
What a great job you're doing! That canyon is going to be a wonderful focal point!:thumb: I'm planing a small canyon (ravine) that goes down below the bench work....but nothing like that! I love the idea of multiple bridges.:thumb: :thumb: GOOD STUFF! keep posting
What a great job you're doing! That canyon is going to be a wonderful focal point!:thumb: I'm planing a small canyon (ravine) that goes down below the bench work....but nothing like that! I love the idea of multiple bridges.:thumb: :thumb: GOOD STUFF! keep posting
WOOOOWWW!!!!! jawdrop EXCELLENT WORK TRAINNUT!!!! Can't wait to see what you're going to do with that canyon!!! 
Are you just going to use those kato bridges? it would look rather monotonous wouldn't it?
Are you just going to use those kato bridges? it would look rather monotonous wouldn't it? Great looking design TN, very impressive. :thumb: Thought I might share an idea that I came up with on a design I came up with several years ago. On the back wall of the canyon position a mirror that reflects the hidden back curve of the canyon. It will give the illusion of more depth. Don't know if that would work with yours, just a thought.
Nahhhh, the image with all the Kato bridges was just a little Photoshop magic to give me an idea of what it could look like. Since then, due to some thinking of my own and some advice of others, I have decided to break it up a little. In the following pictures, you can see kind of where I am at now with the three bridges. The other two bridges (not in the picture) are very close but different elevations. I was thinking of trying to bash some sort of a Californian concrete arch design for both bridges (not sure how to go about this just yet). I dunno yet - work in progress!
I like the mirror idea. I've always liked the way the mirrors work but it takes some trickery to make 'em look just right... for me it does anyways. I will continue to think on this idea. Right now, towards the back, my canyon takes a sharp hook to the right and then peters out into nothing out of sight. I'm gonna have to think about where to place that mirror to make it look just right.
As you can also see, the left leg has been under development as well this week. I've pretty much gotten all the major pieces of foam cut and the rest of the terrain forming will be done with newspaper and WS plaster cloth. Currently, I am cutting pieces to act as supports for the second and third level.
Up on the third level towards the left end where I used to have the dead end branch into the mine, I have decided to be brave and attempt to add a very tight radius (8") reverse loop. I think that will improve mine operations instead of having to stop on the main and back all the way up that grade to the mine (or some kind of industry... haven't decided for sure just yet).
Thanks all for the comments. I thrive on that kind of stuff and it is really neat to get feedback.
I like the mirror idea. I've always liked the way the mirrors work but it takes some trickery to make 'em look just right... for me it does anyways. I will continue to think on this idea. Right now, towards the back, my canyon takes a sharp hook to the right and then peters out into nothing out of sight. I'm gonna have to think about where to place that mirror to make it look just right.
As you can also see, the left leg has been under development as well this week. I've pretty much gotten all the major pieces of foam cut and the rest of the terrain forming will be done with newspaper and WS plaster cloth. Currently, I am cutting pieces to act as supports for the second and third level.
Up on the third level towards the left end where I used to have the dead end branch into the mine, I have decided to be brave and attempt to add a very tight radius (8") reverse loop. I think that will improve mine operations instead of having to stop on the main and back all the way up that grade to the mine (or some kind of industry... haven't decided for sure just yet).
Thanks all for the comments. I thrive on that kind of stuff and it is really neat to get feedback.
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WOW, this layout is looking sooooo great Trainnut!!:thumb: :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
Keep up the awsome progress and work:thumb:
Keep up the awsome progress and work:thumb: