|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 11, 2023 0:15:15 GMT
The Halloween Theme Park section is all but done. I am waiting for one lousy piece of straight orange Fastrack and a replacement armature for a Lemax piece.
I thought that trimming/cutting a small piece of metal rod shaped like a question mark that provided attachment to a dragon would be simple but oh no. A hack saw blade (sharp) would not cut the metal. A Dremel tool over heated said metal question mark to the extent that the plastic fitting for connection to the dragon became misshapen and is now unsuitable.
(If China is using this same metal in their tanks/armored personnel carriers somebody is in big trouble!)
So I wait.
But on the village side of things, I am ready to complete the trolly line and add a few more upscaled vehicles to the foregraound roadways.
If I had known the difficulties that I would encounter would I have done this? Probably so as the thought, execution, and problem solving have been an oddly rewarding experience.
For those of you with realistic permanent layouts, you have my respect and admiration as I do not have the patience and skill for such things.
My domain is whimsy in which I excel, or at least aspire.
My fault is Icarus like as my aspirations often exceed my grasp, but I keep on trying as only an Icarus can.
I do not learn from my mistakes, I only compound them.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 12, 2023 21:43:11 GMT
To tie the village into the fantasy destination a bit more I decided to run the Halloween Trolley and then the Christmas Trolley at the appropriate times rather than a more conventional theme trolley.
My test run was largely successful as there is a momentary low voltage point in the loop almost exactly diagonal from where the power source for the track is located.
I may swap out the short straight to curve EZ Streets track section to see if it a track problem rather than current.
As noted by others the trolly really slows down coming into the EZStreets curves.
Perhaps I will abandon EZ streets for track which has a more modest profile than Fastrack next time.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 15, 2023 15:16:35 GMT
Phase 2 The Halloween Carnival/Theme Park is nearly completed except for some tweaking of figure placement, one ride to be sited and come cable dressing. The attached photos will give you a sense of it. The placement of the rides/buildings was based solely upon maintaining sight lines and a sense of scale as the buildings are helter skelter size wise. I added a number of Halloween Girder Bridges throughout to break up the orange track a bit and interspersed a few pedestrian crossings to add a bit of semi realism to this whimsy. The area is densely packed as anyone who has been to a carnival can attest. Almost all the rides/structures have dialog and music and trying to balance the sound levels was interesting at best. The end result is the type of cacophony you expect at a carnival. The Lemax stuff does not lend itself to hidden wires unless I was create wire chases which may be in the future but not this time around. Having worked on a carnival as a teenager I can attest to the volumes of cables running all over the place behind the rides/concessions. That is both my rationale and excuse. The Lionel Hallows Eve starter set will be this year's offering for the orange train loop with a few add on cars. I have not yet selected the engine/consist for the perimeter loop. I know what's my hurry?! The final phase is to set the last three tables, complete the perimeter loop and set a more conventional but not realistic Halloween Passenger Terminal. This phase should be done this week as I cannot set the last table because the last Lemax structure to be sited cannot be reached when the last table is in place. I hope that you enjoy the photos. |
|
|
|
Post by Country Joe on Oct 16, 2023 1:50:51 GMT
The Halloween layout is looking great, Chuck. You’re doing a really nice job.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 17, 2023 20:56:20 GMT
All the tables are now in place. The perimeter excursion train loop is complete and a successful test run has been completed on both FasTrack sections and the EZ Streets. The Halloween arrival area is looking a bit underwhelming so I will be keeping my eye out at York for some possible inspiration. My choice for the excursion train is likely going to be the TCA Anniversary passenger train from quite a few years ago if for no reason than the orange and brown color combo. Headed by either K Line diesels or steam with the same color scheme it should look great. The main problem is all are NOS and the engines may need too much in the way of lubrication maintenance to get up and running quickly. After all this work, I would like to sit back and enjoy running the trains for more than a few days before the tear down and rebuild for Christmas.
A video may be in the offing if this site can do that sort of thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 27, 2023 22:36:51 GMT
Since my last photos I determined that I had run out of time to perform the necessary maintenance on the NOS engines that I had intended to use for the excursion loop of the layout. I purchased a Lionel Santa Fe RTR set at my local hobby shop as a stand in. With the addition of a matching baggage car and two vista domes, the consist looks respectable. This Lionel set is IMO an excellent value lacking only in detail and scale.
Unfortunately I do not have a You Tube account nor do I have an interest in having one, consequently posting a video on the forum will not be an option for me at this time.
For those of you who have come along for the layout ride thanks for your interest and I hope you were entertained with my fits and starts at this my first real layout at the age of 73. What's my hurry?
I will conclude by saying that I am satisfied with the results but from lessons learned I know I could have done some things better and faster, but unfortunately not cheaper.
Hopefully there will be a next time and I can improve the outcome, and the time line.
The Halloween portion of the layout will be dismantled and packed away about mid November so I can do the switch over to Christmas up and running right after Thanksgiving.
Until then Happy Holidays to one and all!
|
|
|
|
Post by david1 on Oct 28, 2023 1:12:34 GMT
Pictures please, we all want to see some of the results of your efforts so we can ooh and ahh of the excellent results.
No need to apologize for what you have or not done. As long as your satisfied with effort you put in that's enough. Have fun to you and your family during the holidays, That is what is important.
And I always say MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!
DAVE
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 29, 2023 2:03:33 GMT
Dave, I am trying to load two videos which will give you a feel for what I have done.
Stay tuned.
|
|
|
|
Post by Traindiesel! on Oct 30, 2023 5:37:43 GMT
That table system looks very interesting and seems perfect for a temporary layout. Nice work you've done. Looking forward to the video!
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 30, 2023 12:44:59 GMT
Thanks, it was challenging fun.
Yes, The Centipede while not perfect does have numerous benefits. I plan to do a recap of the pros and cons on a separate thread at some point. In the meantime my rudimentary videos are ready in You Tube but I am having some challenges getting them downloaded from You Tube to the Forum using my Mac.
|
|
|
|
Post by atsda on Oct 30, 2023 15:29:48 GMT
Chuck, I just read your posts since Oct 12 - good design and work. I appreciate your comments about the challenges and successes. Take more videos, so you have a record of your layout. The experience you now have at 73 has added to your good outcome. Have fun with it until you have to transition to the Christmas layout. Alfred
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 30, 2023 17:53:08 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 30, 2023 18:00:11 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 30, 2023 18:06:37 GMT
Chuck, I just read your posts since Oct 12 - good design and work. I appreciate your comments about the challenges and successes. Take more videos, so you have a record of your layout. The experience you now have at 73 has added to your good outcome. Have fun with it until you have to transition to the Christmas layout. Alfred Thanks for the encouragement Alfred. The two videos are up. The first one is of the left half of the layout minus the town. The second longer video is of the town and the right side of the layout. The sound is just like a real carnival. All I needed was the smell of popcorn and sawdust. I hope you enjoy my non Cecile B. DeMille production.
|
|
|
|
Post by runamuckchuck on Oct 30, 2023 18:12:44 GMT
That table system looks very interesting and seems perfect for a temporary layout. Nice work you've done. Looking forward to the video! Both videos are now available.
|
|
