Mark, I am that "one of our group members [who] has also visited Jim's layout - it would be interesting to hear his perspective. He was there in the early construction phase I believe."
I agree that the method Jim is using is cheap, durable, easy to alter, and very quiet. I hope to use a modified version for my own layout. The problem is that, while Jim's (and your) layout is of Indiana flatland, my prototype is in the "Switzerland of Ohio." Even in the urban areas there is significant variation is elevation. My variation (I hope it will work!) is to glue together rough cookie-cutter layers (topographical sections) of foamboard for a base, over which more layers of the ceiling tile are to be glued for finishing. You may ask why not just stick with the foamboard only? Because the adherence of different plies of different densities is the primary function of sound deadening. I am also building my "layout" piecemeal. Or more specifically, I am building separate dioramas of specific prototype locations, which may at some future time be joined by generic "scenic sections", which could perhaps be assembled into a "working layout" similar to a modular layout. But not in my house. I don't have that much room. I would need to display it at a venue suitable for the assembly. All this is mostly just dreaming, but I do have a clear vision of what I plan on doing, and am getting a start on it. BTW, my prototype is Narrow Gauge (Bellaire Zanesville & Cincinnati) which connected to Standard Gauge (Baltimore & Ohio) and (Cleveland & Pittsburg) in 1885. Guess how much of that I can just go out and buy? For the sake of scale appearance, I am using code 55 rail for the narrow gauge, and code 70 for standard gauge. All hand-laid. I hope to use Proto-64 standards, but that remains to be seen. Will NWSL go out of business? Will there be another source for Proto-64 wheelsets? Darrell (masochist) Smith --- In [email protected], "Mark Plank" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > It's been quite some time since we talked about our layouts, so let us know what you have and why you built it that way (or how you plan to build it). What would you do differently if you could start over? > > In my case, I have a planned layout in an area about 11 x 35 and am planning on an around the wall layout. I never thought much of this until Jim Six happened to move nearby and I've been helping him on his 11 x 55 around the wall layout (in HO unfortunately). I was impressed with the looks of it, and especially the cost of the benchwork (under 350 bucks total for wood, foamboard, ceiling tile and drywall screws) and no legs to trip over! This layout uses a foamboard base with ceiling tiles on top and it is probably the quietest layout I've ever heard. I'll be using the same process on my Winona Railroad in northern Indiana in early 1947, so will have some hills, but not much elevation. Photos of Jim's construction techniques are at <http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/jsix/?start=all> - my Surfoam is even pictured! <vbg> > > At least one of our group members has also visited Jim's layout - it would be interesting to hear his perspective. He was there in the early construction phase I believe. > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
