My New Layout Pt 1

[Hhmarshall]

My first post was about the construction of my new train table.

I left it with this vision of the layout.

Here is the reality.

As you can see, with the help of some flex track, I was able to make it pretty close to the blueprint.

This is a fantasy layout meant to show off my collection. It is heavily influenced by the design of Disneyland in Anaheim. Separate "lands" that use colour among other things to distinguish them from one another.

For better or for worse, I don't use base plates due to budgetary concerns. To help distinguish the areas or "lands" of my layout, I like to use coloured construction paper.

The right hand corner has the mountain from my old layout. It's a cardboard strip frame with some grey mesh fabric and white cloth to suggest snow. I am not 100% happy with it but I really wanted a tunnel and past a certain point we need to move on to get it done.

I am quite proud of the tunnel entrances though. Built using what I had on hand.

The bridge was built using scrap wood and vinyl and spare bricks. It is a placeholder until I can bricklink something more realistic.

One thing I have experimented with is using ballast as a border between the different areas and add some realism. The ballast is parcel paper with a colour photo of model train ballast printed on it.

The next step: Populating the world. I will let you know how it goes.

Edited February 9, 2014 by Hhmarshall

[BimmerBoy]

I wish I could comment on the layout design, but I think it looks good for running trains. I'm fairly new to LEGO trains. I'm interested to see how you work buildings and scenery into some of the spaces. Although slightly large (compared to the set), I adore your PF tender for the Toy Story train.

[Doom2099]

Very nice work on the layout. Besides lots of nice looping options, the colors you added underneath really help bring the table to life. Can't wait to see what else gets added to the top!

[zephyr1934]

At first glance I did not even notice that the roads were print outs too. The ballast and roads are a good call. Maybe you could do that for the mountain too (I say only partially kidding).