Looking Ahead

I try to "work ahead" on my layout construction. That is, while I am working on one phase, such as tracklaying, I take some time to begin planning upcoming phases, such as wiring. Looking further ahead, I am beginning to consider scenery and structures.

For example, I have been studying a 1917 vintage book on wharf construction, even though that is still pretty far down the road. I originally thought I'd build an all-wood wharf, but now I think it will have be of the paved variety, though with a wood framework; the book I've been studying has several examples.

Another project in months to come is the depot. One of my favorite movies is the Hitchcock thriller Shadow Of A Doubt, which was filmed on location in Santa Rosa, California. One of the early scenes...and one of the last...was shot at the Santa Rosa depot (Southern Pacific, I'm sure). That type of station is perfect for my layout, and it still exists, so there are online photos available. While I don't intend to model that particular depot, I like the look and feel of it and plan to build something similar incorporating some of the features.

The same goes for the residential streets shown in the movie; while my layout only has room for depicting the edge of a residential area, I at least know the 1940s-era look I'm after.

Modeling the look of 1947 is made easier by the wealth of movies and other available material from that year, such as photos on the websites of historical societies, etc.

Tracklaying Continues

Tracklaying continues, with the end in sight as the sections salvaged from my previous layout are progressively connected, which has involved adding six new turnouts. Above are a couple of views of recent progress

Top Photo:

Looking east. The foreground track will lead to the wharf area. The turnout and the tracks crossing the wharf lead, which will lead to a couple of industry spurs, are laid directly on the roadbed, as this area will be in the middle of a street and no ties would be visible.

Bottom Photo:

The view west. A short runaround track is in the foreground. To the left are industry spurs. The "main", which has a couple of cars on it, leads to the stub-end depot tracks.

General:

Turnout laying is going well, though it has required some careful (and tedious!) alignment where switches closely branch off one another. My procedure is to thoroughly test turnouts during all construction stages by running a couple of my "fussiest" cars...a gondola and a hopper...through them at higher than normal speeds. Same goes for the double crossing...laying that was really tedious and very time consuming; it's done, except for easer rails.

I've also begun installing 6-inch hardboard fascia, which gives the layout a more finished look.

I've still got about a half-dozen switch points to make, and then I'll be able to add tie rods and ground throws.

It seems like it's taking a while to get the track done, but I've learned through experience that it's far better to take time at this stage and get things right.

So, I hope, tracklaying is on the home stretch...then comes wiring.