Author Archives: narrowtracks

SR&RL Size Perspective

Posted on April 10, 2021 by narrowtracks

Denis, a local friend who does narrow gauge live steam and dabbles in On30, has started following my blog. He has a keen interest for the two-footers so my version of the SR&RL intrigues him. Last week he send me … Continue reading →

Posted in Comentary | 2 Comments

Farmington Planning – Part 1

Posted on April 10, 2021 by narrowtracks

I’m making a push to formalize the track plan sufficiently to explain it to others. Farmington became the starting point. I had worked out Farmington on the floor and now transferring those thoughts into the 2D plan. Here are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Farmington, Layout Design | 2 Comments

Progress – Locking in the roadbed and Spline for first turnout

Posted on March 28, 2021 by narrowtracks

At the end of February, I worked to locate the first turnout. The first one is the turnout at south end of Reeds to the Reeds Mill(s). This is south of the Reeds depot, and is the turnout before crossing … Continue reading →

Posted in Layout Construction, Reeds | Leave a comment

Starting homasote spline roadbed (rather than foam board)

Posted on January 16, 2021 by narrowtracks

Last week I started putting in the “brackets” and roadbed under the new roadbed.  This supports from Madrid to Perham Junction and back up the Barnjam branch.  I will not go into the details of the design.  That is for … Continue reading →

Posted in Comentary, Current Layout, Layout Construction | Leave a comment

2020 Wrapup

Posted on January 3, 2021 by narrowtracks

2020 has ended with lots of action here on the web site.  For 10 or so years, I’d been wandering in the hobby.  No rudder.  I would dream of S, Sn3, and Sn2…Even HO and more.  These wanderings resulted in … Continue reading →

Posted in Comentary | Leave a comment

Harry decides to flip decks on his Sn2 SR&RL

Posted on January 2, 2021 by narrowtracks

A while back I designed a version of Farmington for Harry Downey. Recently he and I have been corresponding about the decks on his SR&RL layout.  As these discussions have progressed Harry has decided to flips his top deck for … Continue reading →

Posted in Layout Design | 1 Comment

Phillips planning

Posted on January 2, 2021 by narrowtracks

I started putting up backdrop last week with the goal to complete the upper level backdrop around the room by the end of this weekend.   Before the backdrop can go up, I needed locate a few key elements which required … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Layout, Layout Construction, Layout Design, Phillips | 3 Comments

40 Feet of backdrop

Posted on December 30, 2020 by narrowtracks

Having proved that I could build mushroom benchwork, I’ve changed directions. Rather than continue to build the mushroom into the middle of the room, I decided to start working the perimeter of the room while I can still move materials … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

In Progress – Tom Sulivan’s On30 SR&RL – Lower Deck

Posted on December 29, 2020 by narrowtracks

Tom Sullivan is building an On30 version of the SR&RL. You may remember that I designed an upper deck (Kingfield to Bigelow) for him. Here are progress photos on the lower deck, along with a rough trackplan.  I appreciate Tom … Continue reading →

Posted in Layout Tours | 2 Comments

Sn2 layout traveled to shows

Posted on December 29, 2020 by narrowtracks

A look back…  The original Sn2 layout traveled to Gary Kohler’s 2-Foot meet, later the Midwest 2-foot show.  The original layout sections were built form 4″ of foam board, laminated with plywood and Masonite.  Gary Kohler provided the photos, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Layout #1 - Portable, Layouts | 1 Comment