Dick’s been back in touch with his N scale model train layout update.
You can see his last post here.
“Hi Al:
I took up all track at Chicago, added 2’8″ length to the table so now it is 10’8″ by 2′ 6″ and relaid track.
Major changes to give a bit more feeling like this is the Union station stub end area.
The track is laid out, not fixed to the board nor rewired yet. Right now all but the last 3′ of each siding is Kato unitrack. I ran out of long straight sections right now.
Now there will be 3 inbound and 3 outbound tracks.
Also there will be diesel services, pullman storage, diner car service, baggage and mail loading, etc.
I may add two spurs in the empty corner area for industry and one more spur by the inbound throat area to hold the switcher for handling inbound train cars.
Or possibly use the empty corner for a turntable for turning locos and servicing needs. Leaning more towards industry spurs though as locos can run around the inside main track to be turned.
This gave me the chance to pull the thin cardboard back off that I had put under the track and did not like it.
Many feeders will be added to insure good DCC connectivity.
Later I will extend the Oakland Division at the other end of the layout another 5′ to give a much longer mainline run, right now Oakland is an end point only.
This is it for now, I hope to have more updates soon and I am still working on a layout diagram to send that can be seen well.
Thanks ever so much for your site Al, there is so much to enjoy from everyone.
Dick Sr
Hardin Mt”
“Hello Alastair:
I’m not sure if you remember me, I wrote to you a few months ago. After trying my luck at scratch building, I decided to try building a diorama.
Naturally, the diorama was based on two of my favorite things, Makers Mark bourbon and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Everything I did to construct the diorama was a first attempt. I have watched quite a bit of You Tube videos to learn the how to’s. I also used a lot of tips from Luke Towen.
I used Sculp-ta-mold for the ground form and used Luke’s home made ground cover applicator(i.e. a spray can top and a stocking). I used your printable roofs for the buildings. The property fence was made from matchsticks and sewing thread.
The buildings were scratch built from photo’s that were taken last year while I was visiting the Distillery in Loretta Kentucky.
I had a GREAT time creating this and can’t wait to start my long awaited layout.
I have included a few photos that I would like to share with you, and hopefully others.
Thanks again
Ernie G
Philadelphia PA”
A big thanks to Ernie and to Dick for sharing his N scale model train layout update.
I do love seeing your updates and creations – I hope you do too.
That’s all for today folks.
Please do keep ’em coming, it’s all getting very thin on the ground again this end.
And don’t forget, the Beginner’s Guide is here if you want to take your first step towards your own layout.
Best
Al
PS Latest ebay cheat sheet is here.
A nice extension for you to get your layout bigger Dick , and a great Diorama Ernie sure looks good …Dangerous Dave
Dick I foresee you having problems on your curves your coaches are long and on some turns the coaches are barely touching.Derailment is inevitable.You might have to reassess your 18* to 24* turns.
The Critic
You, Ernie, is that a Superbowl train? E.A.G.L.E.S.!
Can’t say I like the Eagles but the Maker Mark, I’m all in. Cheers! NJ Mark (go Giants)
Makers Mark has helped get through the pandemic, nice modeling work
Rather than reassess the existing trackwork, it would be a lot easier to get some shorter passenger cars. On a train of 4 cars or more, the appearance would still be good.
I never worked in “N” scale but in “HO” I tried to get parallel tracks close as in real life the trains have only a couple of feet between them. I have a video about going to Chicago on YouTube at Robert D. Bouskill and you can see what I mean. Although your yard looks nice I bet the illusion would be better with tracks placed only a bit over an inch center to center.
Ernie – As a Maker’s Mark Ambassador I really loved your diorama of the distillery! I visited there in 2018 and had a great time. My favorite is Maker’s 46. You should send them these photos, I bet they’d enjoy seeing them.
For all you Maker’s Mark fans, I hope you have explored becoming an Ambassador. It is a really great way to increase your enjoyment of MM. And definitely pay a visit to the distillery – there is no more beautiful distillery anywhere. I used to live in Bardstown, KY. Being Executive Director of the local railway museum and having helped restore a live steam locomotive for operation on our tourist railroad I was in the local tourism industry and have visited the distillery many times.
GReat work Dick!!!
Wondering how much “operations” you plan on doing, and if any of it will be automated. Been working on an automated [n-scale] set of layouts for about 6 years now, and boy are there challenges….
I like both features today. Good jobs, guys! Ernie, I see you worked your “Iggles” into the diorama, lol!
TO GREG; meanwhile what does he do with his existing expensive coaches,Track would be more logical price wise. He’d only be changing curve radius’s.spend the guys money why don’t ya.
The Critic
Go Birds!
Hi,
Just showed your model of the distillery to my son who worked in the US last year and did the tour at Makers mark, said it looks judt like the real one. Hope you don’t mind but will ad one to my future layout. Thanks,