What's New on the PRR Panhandle Division?

[G3750]

Updated 5/30/2016:

Managed to apply two coats of Gesso to the remaining piece of masonite. This will be Backdrop #3.5 (for those of you keeping score ).

I also cut and glued some 5" styrofoam supports that will be used for Backdrop #2 when I re-install it some time this week.

W_Rebuild_79_.JPG (39.12 KiB) Viewed 3524 times

George

[healey36]

We are now about 1 year away from retirement (and re-location).

Nothing like a deadline to motivate...

What? Are you saying all this potentially comes down in twelve months? If so, I admire your perseverance...I'd have packed it in a long time ago...

[G3750]

We are now about 1 year away from retirement (and re-location).

Nothing like a deadline to motivate...

What? Are you saying all this potentially comes down in twelve months? If so, I admire your perseverance...I'd have packed it in a long time ago...

I am determined to have the layout operational for my grandson and for a few operational sessions / open houses. Then, it will come down so that we can sell the house.

George

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Then, it will come down so that we can sell the house.

And travel with you - salvage all that work, yes?

[rogruth]

I'll be 82 in June. I have worked on my layout for @ 10 years now. Made a lot of mistakes but it runs pretty good and I am fairly satisfied.
The layout George is building is far beyond my thinking and his track-work is meticulous. I just can't imagine tearing it down so soon.
There are sections of my layout that could be improved or the whole layout could be improved but I can notconsider starting over at this point.

More power George.

[healey36]

Nothing like a deadline to motivate...

What? Are you saying all this potentially comes down in twelve months? If so, I admire your perseverance...I'd have packed it in a long time ago...

I am determined to have the layout operational for my grandson and for a few operational sessions / open houses. Then, it will come down so that we can sell the house.

George

Wow...well, if that's the plan you need to get Christopher over to your place for a long weekend. He could have you up and running by Monday.

[J. S. Bach]

I'll be 82 in June. I have worked on my layout for @ 10 years now. Made a lot of mistakes but it runs pretty good and I am fairly satisfied. The layout George is building is far beyond my thinking and his track-work is meticulous. I just can't imagine tearing it down so soon.
There are sections of my layout that could be improved or the whole layout could be improved but I can notconsider starting over at this point. More power George.

Your layout is just fine; far better than anything I could come up with.

[rogruth]

Sincere thanks, Dave. I doubt it is better than you could do.
As you know, I don't operate it. It runs and I watch it and it makes me happy.

[J. S. Bach]

...snip... It runs and I watch it and it makes me happy.

That is the best kind of layout; sit back and watch the trains run.

[G3750]

I'll be 82 in June. I have worked on my layout for @ 10 years now. Made a lot of mistakes but it runs pretty good and I am fairly satisfied.
The layout George is building is far beyond my thinking and his track-work is meticulous. I just can't imagine tearing it down so soon.
There are sections of my layout that could be improved or the whole layout could be improved but I can notconsider starting over at this point.

More power George.

God bless you, Roger.

But truth is, your layout is the strong one. You are able to consistently run trains and it looks great! I've been working on this layout for almost 10 years, with major interruptions from life. Because it was my first permanent layout, I made a number of serious mistakes that had to be re-done or re-built. The track work is much better than initially built, but it is far from meticulous.

I can easily imagine tearing it down. My only regret is that I made so many mistakes. And yet, building it was a necessary part of the learning curve that will ultimately lead to a much better layout. Barring the unforeseen, I expect the new one will be operational soon after the move.

George

[healey36]

It's been a great journey George...enjoyed the thread immensely. Looking forward to seeing how you close it out and then "on to the next"...

What's the plan on relocation? Heading south, west, or staying local and just down-sizing?

Healey

[Rufus T. Firefly]

What's the plan on relocation? Heading south, west, or staying local and just down-sizing?

I am given to understand that he may be running away to join the circus and be a............clown!

[gregj410]

I've been working on this layout for almost 10 years, with major interruptions from life. Because it was my first permanent layout, I made a number of serious mistakes that had to be re-done or re-built. The track work is much better than initially built, but it is far from meticulous.

I can easily imagine tearing it down. My only regret is that I made so many mistakes. And yet, building it was a necessary part of the learning curve that will ultimately lead to a much better layout. Barring the unforeseen, I expect the new one will be operational soon after the move.

George

This is my story nearly word for word. The only difference is I've only been working on my layout for about 6 years. So much to learn along the way...... trial by fire. Though I've not read this thread from the beginning I gather from what I've read this is a sizable layout. The guys over in NK would bemoan having more space. I've learned that a big space can be a little overwhelming, especially if you want to super detail a layout. My next layout will be much smaller and well thought out before the first piece of track goes down.

[G3750]

What's the plan on relocation? Heading south, west, or staying local and just down-sizing?

I am given to understand that he may be running away to join the circus and be a............clown!

Some might say that I already am a clown. Or that I may become a recluse contributor to a famous hobby publication.

The plan is to head west to the Pittsburgh area (north of city), downsize the house, but upsize the layout.

We'll see what reality brings.

George

[G3750]

I've been working on this layout for almost 10 years, with major interruptions from life. Because it was my first permanent layout, I made a number of serious mistakes that had to be re-done or re-built. The track work is much better than initially built, but it is far from meticulous.

I can easily imagine tearing it down. My only regret is that I made so many mistakes. And yet, building it was a necessary part of the learning curve that will ultimately lead to a much better layout. Barring the unforeseen, I expect the new one will be operational soon after the move.

George

This is my story nearly word for word. The only difference is I've only been working on my layout for about 6 years. So much to learn along the way...... trial by fire. Though I've not read this thread from the beginning I gather from what I've read this is a sizable layout. The guys over in NK would bemoan having more space. I've learned that a big space can be a little overwhelming, especially if you want to super detail a layout. My next layout will be much smaller and well thought out before the first piece of track goes down.

Greg,

I wouldn't say this is a huge layout (18.5' x 10' roughly). I would characterize it as exceedingly ambitious, far outstripping my abilities initially. As time has gone by, I've closed that gap, rebuilding major portions of the layout and eliminating problem areas. The new version will be a chance to do things right the first time and build on what I've learned.

Big space can be overwhelming. I want to go a bit bigger so as to accommodate O72 curves. That will permit me (and others) to run the bigger locomotives. It will also permit me a greater amount of green space (scenery) vs. track.

George