Author Archives: narrowtracks

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 →

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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

Tom Sullivan’s On30 SR&RL Upper Deck – K&DR Again

Posted on December 6, 2020 by narrowtracks

A few of us have been helping Tom Sullivan refine his On30 SR&RL. He has responded by taking in the critiques and making the adjustments to make his version of the SR&RL look more and more like the photos in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bigelow, Kingfield, Layout Design | 10 Comments

Farmington on the Floor

Posted on December 6, 2020 by narrowtracks

I’m not one that pursues a precise trackplan. Instead I pursue a benchwork/deck footprint and then try to confirm that most of what I want will fit. The final track locations get laid out on the finished benchwork/foam. The week … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Layout, Farmington, Trackplanning | 3 Comments

Layout Construction – Begins with 16 Feet of Mushroom

Posted on November 29, 2020 by narrowtracks

Last post, I described the design of the mushroom.  With the design complete, Chris and Phil pushed me to keep moving forward.  Chris came down on Wednesday (day before Thanksgiving) and both game on Saturday after Thanksgiving (for 8 hours).  … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Layout, Layout Construction | 3 Comments