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Model Railroading
Above is the layout I am working toward. I am fairly new to model railroading, been doing it for a number of years but since it takes me a while to collect the pieces not a lot gets done. Currently I'm buying the track I need for the above layout. I'm still at a level where I need the ease of snap-together track, and I am very limited on space so this one seemed to be workable.
After I built the bench (currently acting as my workbench) in my office, I was unable to resist the urge to lay track. Not wanting to ruin the bench, I started making shelf diaramas for my rolling stock to rest on and to give me some practice. I just used pieces of track which I couldn't use on the bigger layout and then treated the shelf as though it were a layout on its own.
Pictures Pending - Bet that didn't surprise you :-)
The first shelf I did, simply has a whistle stop platform at one end, and an engine house at the other. I made a bunch of wire trees (the beginning products of yet another hobby), applied surface foams, rocks, ballasts, made paths and a gravel parking lot, etc. Built a flat scene for the engine and a few cars to rest on.
The second one, currently under construction, has raised track, and a small bridge. It will be styled as if on a mountainside, with a tunnel mouth at either end, rock wall background, waterfall and stream.
I have no idea what is going to go on the last one. I have the track, but I'll work out a design for it when I'm ready to work on it. Until then it's just a shelf for all my buildings, rolling stock, accessories, etc.
I'm not in any rush with these. It'll be a while before I have collected all of the track for the big layout, and these little shelves fill the gap whenever the urge gets strong. I would like to say that Atlas should re-vamp their books to reflect modern pricing. This layout is in their $175-$275 price range, I'll be lucky if that covers the switches.
Anyhow, This page will be updated to include cheap methods, techniques, and substitutes for model railroaders on a budget.
Brett