New house - New Layout, Ripley802's layout build!

As far as sloping rails are concerned I never really liked them, and prefer to use normal straights going up half a girder at a time. Not only is it more realistic, but the gradient is slightly decreased while still gaining the same height, as it doesn't straighten out all the time like when multiple sloped rails are put together. (Put 2 straights and a sloped rail side by side and you'll see what I mean) For single girder elevations the sloped rails do have their place, but any higher and I break out the normal track. Just my humble view on this. I don't expect you to follow this advice.

[ripley802]

I still have some more tweaks to do and maybe some more lights... I was going to have the one side with the Monorail be more Japanese inspired and then the other side more traditional but the sort of merged a bit.

BTW: for future reference the snow sprinkled on the track (especially slopes) is not he best idea, although my daughter likes do that part..

I am hoping to get a video together soon and will show the lights, etc..

[Super]

Fantastic, wow, lots going on there, can't wait to see it all lit up in the dark. So how did you like erecting this off the floor Ripley? I really like your idea and use of the mirror as a frozen pond, that should look fantastic when the lights are reflecting off it at night, thats just a great idea.

[ripley802]

Thanks Super. Yeah I started out smaller and only had a few things then thought it needed more, and finally went all in and added everything I could fit..lol

I must say I do like the elevated layout more so than the floor, much easier on the back, knees, and mostly things seem to stay in place and feel more sturdy up off the floor. The down side is, you are limited by the size of the layout area, meaning if you need another 2” for a piece of track like I did (where the clear tunnel is by the Monorail side) then you may need to get creative. Other than that, elevated layout all the way..

I would love to take credit for the ice rink (mirror trick), but that was all the wife. I had an open area there and she said wait one min, and came back in with the mirror.. ah, genius.. haha... It does look pretty cool with all of the lights but may need some more..

[Super]

I would love to take credit for the ice rink (mirror trick), but that was all the wife. I had an open area there and she said wait one min, and came back in with the mirror.. ah, genius.. haha... It does look pretty cool with all of the lights but may need some more..

Funny, because I wondered if your wife had any input and if she liked the Xmas Layout off the floor too?

[ripley802]

Yes on both accounts.. she was putting trees everywhere then when I would run a train it would knock them over or get stuck.. At the other house the layout sometimes spanned the whole basement so yes having this mostly all in one room was a win for her I think. I say mostly one room because I have a large area in the basement for storage and repairs..

Nice!

What station is that with the coiled mic?

That looks very cool! I especially appreciate the advice about the snow since my daughter mentioned using that stuff on our Christmas layout and I saw it creating a huge mess. We’re going to stick with the white batting material.

[ripley802]

Thanks AC..

The station is called “Station Master” I believe is what we determined when I got it. I won one then found another, and for some reason I am trying to win a 3rd..haha.

Here is the thread I had, which is useless pretty much with no phots so I will try and fix those at some point.
https://www.blueplastictracks.com/showth...p?tid=2440


I do not like this station as much as some of the other ones functionality wise but I like the look.

[Super]

and for some reason I am trying to win a 3rd.