In the original plan Denver was going to be just staging and a Locomotive facility. The new design changed all that and Denver now will become much more of a center piece of the layout.
With that said and staging laid out. It was time to start verifying the Denver Plan. So my first time out to work on the trains in a week (had a cold, now wife has it) I started laying out the major pieces.
Following the plan posted a week or so ago, started with the yard. The key is the turn table so began there. It is the pre-DCC Walthers HO I got from my mentor Barkeep. This unit is reported to be very reliable and the pit is preformed. Laid template in place and added the tracks into roundhouse.
This was the overall scene. The white foundation to front is the car repair facility, the roundhouse to rear of picture, and to the right of the roundhouse is the machine shop. Plan calls also for a coal tower, seen here as dark grey foundation in front of turntable.
Here is a more detailed picture. The Turntable template is marked for 10 degree tracks, Kibri roundhouse is 15 degree. I think the turntable can adjust to any angle so will begin there, if it will not line up I will instead scratch build the roundhouse. Once I verify all will fit, the next task is to cut the TT hole and install, then line up tracks and verify angles. Then building the 10 turn-outs. Will use Fast Track #6 turn-outs. For controls still debating slide-switch or bullfrog.
Next is the new area replacing the relocated staging. This area hopefully will represent a track-side neighborhood in Denver. Plan includes trolley, Synagogue, merchants, theater, etc. shown here against wall. Plan on using shallow fronts of buildings (about 3" with side walk). Then cobblestone street with trolley down middle.
Area to front will be track-side industry ( all FSM including Avrams Bakery, Jacobs Coal, and Butchers Way). The mainline will be parallel to Trolly and thinking a board fence with a strip of grass between street and tract would look good. This will require another 5 turn-outs, same as above #6.
Since time frame is 1916-18, traffic will be mixed horse and car.
Order cobblestone material and will proceed only though track laying until background is either painted or a photo back drop procured. Mainly sky so could go either way. Did look at buying but almost $100 for 10'. Could not find any city backdrops I liked so far.
Read an ideal by Joe Fugate (MRH ezine)to use vinyl remnant as backdrop. Can be gotten with almost no seams and is easy to work on. Thinking it might be best to paint sky before installing, then install and add some radical paper flats to add visual interest.
Advice appreciated.
Thanks Cameron
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