The Layout

Table Construction:

The construction of my layout table is quite simple. I started out with a 1X4 frame (a rectangular outer frame with several 1X3 center supports). The frame is supported by 6 2X2 legs which are attached using carriage bolts and wingnuts for easy removal and transport. The table top is in two layers. The bottom layer is a 3/8" sheet of particle board and the top layer is a 3/8" sheet of Homosote. The Homosote provides excellent sound absorbtion, as well as, a duriable and plyable construction surface. It is soft enough to bend into realistic grades and easily install and remove pins or tacks, but strong enough to provide a stable base for scenery (or crawling around on).

Track/Roadbed:

I used code 100 nickel silver sectional track. This was the easiest approach , as I am new to the game! I laid the track over cork roadbed using the 3/8" layer of Homasote as a sub-roadbed. This combination helps eliminate most the road noise produced by running trains over sectional track.

Structures & Scenes:

I'm in the process of adding structures and scenes to the layout. That way, my trains have somewhere to go and something to do.

• J&S Rail Yard: The J&S Rail Yard features a Model Power Locomotive shed and a scratch build diesel fueling station. I will be adding other structures to the J&S yard as time goes by. Eventually, the yard will extend to the end of the layout making use of the space between the mainline and the down grade section.
• Hillside Junction Hillside Junction features an Atlas interlocking tower and a Model Power Signal Bridge. The tower kit was an older kit with green walls. I painted the tower to resemble the newer white-walled kit. Hillside Junction sits at the base of the future mountain that will envelope the entire end (and most of the back) of the layout and will contain the Stuber Coal Mine named after a friend from High School.
• Gutzman Freight: Gutzman Frieght features a kit-bashed DPM depot. I added two freight docks, one to either side and several smaller details to help bring the depot to life (I'm still in the process of getting the depot painted). The name for this one came from another friend from High School.
• Fleming Coal Co.: This is the project that I put the freight depot on hold for. On a whim, I got really adventurous and decided to try my hand at scratch building. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted, so I decided to build my own! I named the Fleming Coal Co. after one of my roommates. I started with sheets of Evergreen corrugated styrene. I added Grandt Line windows and doors. I also added several details including the stairway made by Plastruct.
• Starr Oil Co.: I'm in the planing stages of Starr Oil Co. This industry is named after my other roommate. It will feature two large storage tanks and a loading platform for loading tank cars. This outfit will be located just behind the J&S Locomotive Shed.
• Rolling "M" Ranch: This structure is also in the planning stages. Its named after my old homestead and will feature livestock pens for both horses and cattle. You'll find the Ranch just to the left of the J&S shed and Starr Oil Co.
• Miscellaneous: Along the way, I have built an extra structure or two. There is the deisel fueling tank located next to the J&S Loco Shed, which I built from stratch using an old tank car and Plastruct scale lumber. It services all of the J&S Locos. Also, I took a Model Power dummy Signal Bridge and added working signal lights to it.

Scenery:

Give me a break, I'm not finished yet!!!