New Layout in a new country

[Andy Glascott]

A few months ago I packed up my entire Lego collection and handed it over to the hopefully trustworthy hands of a shipping company as I prepared to move from the UK to the US, and after 2 months waiting it finally arrived this side of the pond - guess which boxes were unpacked first!? It's the only time in my life I trusted someone else to move my collection, I was very glad it arrived intact! The wait gave me time to find a place to live with enough space for a layout, and after some work in the basement to repair a cracked pipe, I've begun building again.

The layout (in rough numbers) is 15' x 4' (4.6m x 1.25m) or 18 x 5 in the "standard" Lego measurement of 32x32 baseplates. It's based on previous multi-level layouts I've done, running 2 x 12v and 1 9v loop(s) on each level. The top level will run approx 2/3 of the length of the bottom level, allowing me to create a bit more landscape this time. As before it's entirely modular, breaking into 6 sections for relatively easy transport.

It's still very much a WIP, though as I now have dedicated space I can leave it set up and run trains as it progresses. There are several months of work ahead yet :-)

From one end:

DSC00872 by andyglascott, on Flickr

And the other...

DSC00871 by andyglascott, on Flickr

I've even found a use for the few 12v rails that I've managed to break, there's a repair crew doing their best to salvage them!

DSC00882 by andyglascott, on Flickr

I've also made the switch from Brickshelf to Flickr, my apologies of the images/links above don't work properly, the album is here. I'll add more images over the coming weeks/months.

[kieran]

Looks nice, good luck in the new house

[Rail Co]

Looks to be off to an amazing start! I wish I was able to have the space you do! Also glad your collection made it safe and sound. Enjoy the house and welcome to the U.S.A.!

Have a good day.

-RailCo

[cgarison]

That is a really nice layout. I am glad it made its journey well.

Welcome to the U.S.A.

[Andy Glascott]

Thanks for the comments and welcomes to the US. I'm making progress, and while I'm waiting for a Bricklink order to arrive I took a few more pics with a bit more effort this time:

The second level of track will go over the top of this road tunnel. I'm not a huge fan of PF but it does give a lot of flexibility for "extras", so I've put a set of red/green closed/open lights in the tunnel. Ok, it's not really long enough to warrant such lights but apart from that, why not?

DSC00897 by andyglascott, on Flickr

The main level crossing is 12v, the switch is buried in the green mound on the left with a wire running under the layout to the control panels. Thanks to a long exposure the barriers are up and down! The lights for the other crossings are run off the old 9v Light & Sound system, no power to the barriers.

DSC00900 by andyglascott, on Flickr

Lastly, a better pic of the whole layout.

PerspectiveDSC00927 by andyglascott, on Flickr

PS Not sure why the images aren't embedding, I did the same as last time...? Any ideas?

Edited September 14, 2014 by Andy Glascott

[Rail Co]

Looked at the flicker Photos, I love the tunnel idea with the lights! I like your layout already! I would love to see updates when you can. I do not have enough space for a layout like that I just have enough for a small loop to run them on so layout's like these fill me with envy!

With the flickr photos, are you using the BBCode? If so make sure they are not too large.

Keep Brick'in

-RailCo

[Andy Glascott]

Looked at the flicker Photos, I love the tunnel idea with the lights! I like your layout already! I would love to see updates when you can. I do not have enough space for a layout like that I just have enough for a small loop to run them on so layout's like these fill me with envy!

With the flickr photos, are you using the BBCode? If so make sure they are not too large.

Keep Brick'in

-RailCo

Thank you. I've just tried reducing the size of the image, doesn't seem to work. Maybe I'm just having an off day...

[Rail Co]

Another thing is just paste the link (BBcode) onto the post not in the "Image" Button in the tool bar.

Love to see more!

-RailCo

[Andy Glascott]

PS Not sure why the images aren't embedding, I did the same as last time...? Any ideas?

Thanks RailCo!

[rogul]

really like how you have done the entire landscaping.. wish i had the vision to be able to do something similar with my layout :)

[Scheemdalegotrain]

Thanks for the comments and welcomes to the US. I'm making progress, and while I'm waiting for a Bricklink order to arrive I took a few more pics with a bit more effort this time:

The second level of track will go over the top of this road tunnel. I'm not a huge fan of PF but it does give a lot of flexibility for "extras", so I've put a set of red/green closed/open lights in the tunnel. Ok, it's not really long enough to warrant such lights but apart from that, why not?

DSC00897 by andyglascott, on Flickr

The main level crossing is 12v, the switch is buried in the green mound on the left with a wire running under the layout to the control panels. Thanks to a long exposure the barriers are up and down! The lights for the other crossings are run off the old 9v Light & Sound system, no power to the barriers.

DSC00900 by andyglascott, on Flickr

Lastly, a better pic of the whole layout.

PerspectiveDSC00927 by andyglascott, on Flickr

PS Not sure why the images aren't embedding, I did the same as last time...? Any ideas?

Great pictures! I like the way in which you combine 12v en 9v (or is it PF? I'm not sure) and the mountain with the rail construction on top... Brick on!

[Andy Glascott]

Great pictures! I like the way in which you combine 12v en 9v (or is it PF? I'm not sure) and the mountain with the rail construction on top... Brick on!

It's 9v. I have a little bit of PF stuff but I'm not a huge fan of it. Eventually the upper level will all connect through a station and another mountain/viaduct section.

[baard]

_{Nice layout! Like it. Are you planning to make the train able to switch between the levels?}

[Andy Glascott]

_{Nice layout! Like it. Are you planning to make the train able to switch between the levels?}

No. With three loops on each level and using 12v and 9v on each level I think it would just be too complicated. If I ever expand the space I'd love to though.

[Sanoj]

I wish I had the space to build one.

That's a great idea with the broken tracks.

Love the layout.

[Adolfo]

I had this experience once and I'm happy for you! Sometimes, it's almost a torture wait the end of shipping and we need courage to trust in someone to transport our collection.. But now, it's time to be happy again and enjoy your beautiful layout. Keep on track!

[Andy Glascott]

If two months since the last post counts as bumping an old topic I apologise but I've finally got both levels working, it took a while to get the pieces together PAB was very slow in delivering.... Anyway, on with the pics and the update:

DSC00139 by andyglascott, on Flickr

The view from one end with all the tunnels etc now covered.

DSC00141 by andyglascott, on Flickr

And from the other end. The opening is a) to save bricks and b) so I can stick an arm in on rescue duty! So far I've not had any derailments....

DSC00145 by andyglascott, on Flickr

I don't like the station, it's going to be rebuilt, I threw it together while waiting for parts to build the viaduct at the back of the layout. I do like the 2-way signals though. Each 12v line has a signal at each end of the platform that work in tandem - when one shows red the other is green. The one at the front end of the train is the controlling light, when it is showing green the red nominally prevents another train from entering the section in the opposite direction.

DSC00144 by andyglascott, on Flickr

The switches controlling the 12v points and signals are all built into the viaduct at the back which makes it easier to transport the whole layout to shows and so on, it's built in 6 sections and the wiring is contained within each section apart from the wires connecting the paired signals.

There are a couple more pics on Flickr, I'll add a video over the weekend hopefully.

[Steph 104th]

This is a fantastic layout. The station is amazing!

[Duq]

Hi Andy,

Good to see everything arrived ok. Looks like you've got yourself a nice bit of space there!

[Andy Glascott]

Cheers Duq. Yup, space is certainly available over here!

[detjensrobert]

The station is going to be rebuilt?

I think it looks awesome! Don't tear it down!

Edited November 14, 2014 by detjensrobert

[Rail Co]

Wow Andy! Has come a major way since the last post! Love to see more 12v incorperated (Never have experienced the joys of the 12 volt era). Station looks fine to me, but remember everyone it is HIS layout so he can change it .

Dieing to see more!

-RailCo

[BricksMcgee]

Ditto on that - great layout and I love the station. Love the multilevel set up particularly.

[Andy Glascott]

Thanks for the comments, and the doubt now growing in my mind. I don't know what it is about the station, it just doesn't feel right to me. Whatever happens, it will be after Christmas before I do anything to it so it might grow on me....

Anyway, I've been working on video this afternoon, not my strong point, I'd rather be building, but here it is, complete with authentic 12v soundtrack, including I think the sound of signals being switched for those of you old enough to remember the the 12v signal switches that really needed to be pressed solidly to work! PF (and 9v to an extent) just don't sound the same....

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ipncr8uMF98" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And in case embedding didn't work, here's the direct

. Edited November 15, 2014 by Andy Glascott

[Scheemdalegotrain]

Okay Andy, great video, great layout - love the way you integrated 9v en 12v into one layout! One thought on the station though - I agree with those (including yourself?) who don't particularly fancy your station, especially the station building. I think the main problem with it is that it's simply too large for the rest of the landscape - it sort of looks like a beached, yellow whale... might downsizing it help?