It all began when I decided that I could really use a storage area close to the mainline to make switching rolling stock on and off the layout easier.

No problem, I thought! I've got this nice long section of the layout where the main yard is located. It borders on a wide aisle. It would be the perfect spot for a long shelf along the edge of the layout.





I figured if I put it down at about the lower edge of the fascia strip it wouldn't block the view of trains up on the main level.

But then I started to think - usually a good sign that a problem would soon arise. I always wanted to try bringing the scenery down over the edge of the layout for a better effect.

I guess the fact that this would mean scenicking twice the shelf length didn't register immediately. I had quite a few rock castings left over from a project for an upcoming OGR article. Plus I wanted to practice some Styrofoam rock carvings for another part of that same project.

So far so good, and it looked like this:




But doing the whole length in rock would be a little boring so I figured I'd switch to a Styrofoam retaining wall for the city end of the shelf. It would match the other stone walls in the area:





But, I had three grade crossings that previously ran off the edge of the layout. Now they hit a stone wall! No problem - add some loading platforms to give the paved areas a place to go:




But when I got down and looked along the length of the shelf, I thought (again!!!) - what a great rustic-looking trolley/interurban line that would make. I guess I'll be adding power to the tracks on the shelf tomorrow.




Which brings me back to the original question --- Now where am I going to put a storage track near the mainline to make transferring rolling stock easier?????!!!

Let me think some more!

Jim

Looks great Jim, is the storage track energized?
Mike CT

Very nice, Jim!!!

And who ever said a layout was ever finished!!!!

That looks spectacular Jim! I think it's time to dig a little deeper and add a an underground subway below the new shelf.

Jim
That is outstanding and it looks great but I would not expect anything else from your great ability. As I was reading down the page I was thinking now just add power to the track for testing and there it was adding power for the trolley line absolutely great. WOW

As always, Jim - you did a great job.

Howsabout you take a trip to Florida for a month and do some thinking down here?

Very nice, Jim. Finding new directions to take is a fun challenge. I like it.

The ACME ANVIL CO. has always been one of my foavorties. Very "Selliosesque".

Jim,
I always admire your work and that rock face looks superior to that classic 2x6 with the screws through the face look
In your 3rd photo down, that shot would almost look like water against that rock face if your skirt were a blueish color. If you angle your camera up slightly where it doesn't pick up the floor it really has a striking look against that black skirt.
That really turned out nice, great work as always Jim.

I didn't even notice Jim in his skirt. Where was it?

Outstanding Jim! Beautiful work. Thanks for the ideas.

Once again strikes the law of unintended consequence.

Next time you have a good idea, I suggest you shelve it.

quote:

Originally posted by Farmer_Bill:
Once again strikes the law of unintended consequence.

Next time you have a good idea, I suggest you shelve it.

Oh my aching sides. That was just a hoot.

Jim that looks great. I know just what you are talking about, before you know it you won't be able to reach the back part of the layout. Hey I got an idea, looks like you have a nice long stretch of layout edge there. Why not build a shelf along the edge so then you could store rolling stock from on and off the layout.

All kidding aside I really like those beat up looking stone walls in between the rock faces. What are they made from?

Not only a great craftsman, a storyteller to boot! Now have you thought about why your town folk would want to ride the trolley / interurban to nowhere? Do I see an amusement park in your future?

Jim - Looks like others have said, wonderful, great, fantastic, etc.

Did you construct the buildings along the wall or are they from manufacturers and, if so, which ones?

I am planning the same idea for a long wall along my basement.

Thanks much! Great pics.

Well, Jim, I'd say that was definitely a "top shelf" addition to the layout, but if you need more storage tracks, you might want to extend that addition under the layout.

Jim,

Nice concept and implementation. That front edge looks a little fragile. Are you concerned about reaching over that edge on a regular basis?

Jim would you please come visit me for the weekend.... I sure could borrow your skills. Fantastic work ! as always!

Jim:

I see another "small improvment" to your already great layout has gotten away from you again ! Excellent work as always.

For forum members who remember Jim's layout --as featured in both OGR & CTT--
when Jim started to build a hill, he ended up with TWO mountains.

I'm looking forward to your convertable Halloween/Christman/Easter/Flag Day/July 4th/Labor Day/Hanaka small layout articles running for the next year (or is it two) in OGR.

Tony
Retired withour talent
Up on "The D & H Bridge Line"

Thanks, guys.

Another one of those projects that just seemed to "happen" as I went along - just as Farmer Bill said, seldom are my consequences intended.

Vulcan, I hide my hairspray under that skirt. (...with the rest of the scenery supplies! )

Chris, You never know where a subway may soon appear.

Greg, I actually thought about a row of docks in front, but it would have been too wide and probably too fragile.

Frank, Make that Florida offer in the middle of January when it's 15 below up here and I may surprise you!

Bob, The trolley to nowhere comes within a stone's throw of Red Rock National Park, so I foresee an expansion in the future now that it's powered up. But for two years, these same people have actually been riding an elevated transit system that has only one station. I guess they just like riding.

Larry, The row of building flats is made from a combination of kitbashed and scratchbuilt structures. The one 4-walled building is an Ameri-Towne kit. Cleaned out my entire supply of leftover Ameri-towne and IHC building parts putting it all together. A few of the bigger ones use the same cardstock strip on plexiglas core method that I used for the big skyscrapers you may have seen on another part of the layout.

Stevin,
That whole section is still only about 3' wide so reach won't be a problem. Hmmm...maybe I can come out a little more! Those beat-up looking stone wall sections were cast from an old mold I made years ago. I can never seem to get the entire wall casting out in one piece, so it always becomes a few sections of wall in between other rock castings.

Buck,
The Structolite-coated Styrofoam is very rugged. The original purpose of the rocky edge in front was really to protect equipment on the storage shelf from being knocked off. Actually, people seem to be more careful around the edge of the layout now that it's scenicked.

Tony,
I think you missed San Gennaro in that list of holidays. Think what I could do with that one!

Jim

Just beautiful Jim........you are a master craftsman. As a previous reply asked, "When can you come to my house" boy could I use your talents.

REV

You are,indeed,an inspiration.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Policastro:

Frank, Make that Florida offer in the middle of January when it's 15 below up here and I may surprise you!

Jim

Redeem that coupon any time you like Jim . . .

Jim;

You forgot about the feasts of St Anthony and St Gabriel. You need to add them to the list.
Capisci, Paisano?

quote:

The ACME ANVIL CO.

Where is the Acme Anvil Co? I need to see that.

Henrysdad,
Looks like our best customer just stopped by to stock up.






Jim

Beautiful!

quote:

Next time you have a good idea, I suggest you shelve it.

The thread was funny enough then this gets said.... 15 yards for piling on...

Great job, Jim..... funny how that stuff happens....