LordFattee

Thanks for the responses guys. Good ideas. @cimddwc, I was afraid that what you suggested might be the best solution. As I was typing my question, I thought it might all come down to balast. I haven't even started balasting yet and have been hesitant to commit to it. As much as I love the way it looks, I can only see $$ when I think about it. But yeah, balast covers a myriad of sins. Also, reading your post, it sounds like you have both the raised track and the rising scenery attached to baseplates. Is that an accurate assumption? Keeping them both attached to the same baseplate is what will stretch the track, as you spoke of. I wasn't sure I was going to have baseplates under the risen track, but it sounds like I may need to do that, too. If only I had an infinite supply of the bricks I need...the eternal Lego problem!

Hello folks, I've got a decent sized layout in my basement that I've been working on for the past year. My initial intent was to keep the whole layout roughly level (ie all track on the surface of the tables). Lately, I've been playing with the idea of having a section of one of my loops rise up as it moves out of town and into the country providing some increased visual interest to the layout. I have the room to keep the incline minimal (one plate per track section) and will only have a moderate rise of 6 bricks at the highest level of track. My challenge is this: I don't want this to be an elevated track. I want the scenery to rise with the track, like the track is going up a gentle hill. Obviously, building the scenery isn't an issue, because that is what lego is all about, but how do I attach the track to the rising scenery? If the scenery is built on level (parallel with the table) and the track is on a slight incline, how can I keep the transition between landscape and track looking normal? How can I build the track bed so that the track doesn't have gaps underneath it between connection points? (Like the track is floating above the balast.) How have you done it, if you have? Can people with such an incline on your layout post pictures of what you've done? Maybe I'm over thinking this, but it has me a bit stumped. I think I now understand why most layouts either remain level, or use elevated track. Thanks in advance for your help.

I love the tunnel! But would hate to live in the apartment above it!

Love it. You did a great job with both function and beauty. Great design!

Welcome Arkeeos. I'm only about 6 months into the Lego train hobbie myself, so I'll lend a hand. Others are far more knowledgeable, but I'm happy to share my thoughts. I, too, went power functions. The older power styles are cool, but more expensive since they are no longer being produced. I started by buying an official Lego set (60052). It was a great way to begin to see how basic trains are made. In our words, it's a nice intro to the necessary parts. It's also a cheap way to get started. Buying the power functions, track, and bricks separate will run you more money than a basic starter set. However, don't pay full price. I bought mine for $135 US. Search around online and find a sale. I've seen each of the three current train sets for under $150 US, and the 60051 for below $100!! You asked about magnets. Lego is currently using sealed magnets. These are very similar to the older unsealed magnets, but just coated in plastic. I guess it keeps them from chipping? Either way, they are pretty interchangeable. I have both sealed and unsealed and they work together fine. I bought my steam engine wheels from Big Ben Bricks. He only sells wheels, but has a great selection of you want to MOC steam engines. You should also check out bricklink. The stores there sell EVERYTHING Lego related. It can be a bit overwhelming at first and the assumption is you know what you want, but as you get more comfortable with it, it will be indispensable. Hope this helps somewhat. If you have other specific questions, just ask away. I, or someone else, will answer you.

Just have to say, I really like this station. Simple, yet elegant. Really eye catching. I might choose a lighter or brighter color scheme, but that's irrelevant. Great work.

I like it. The black is a little too "heavey" for me, but I like the overall design. I also have to say I really like the tall smoke stack on your father's original. That really add a touch of realism for me. Great job! I should do something similar when I can.

Left Side by Dale Azevedo, on Flickr EDIT: Whohoo! It worked!

Testing out adding pictures here. Trying to see if I can post an image directly from MS Onedrive or if I need to go through Flicker, etc. [img=https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOvZW76GBRiYBpAakoZXtdE2fpU0frHE5oMwP1W] EDIT: Guess not! EDIT2: Tried again! EDIT3+: