In the fall of 2011, we built a new layout to display in the window of the clubhouse so people will have something to look at and enjoy when we're not there.  They can push a button that starts the train running.  And when we are there, it is designed for kids to play with: it's lower down and has no Plexiglas panels to protect the layout.  Everything on the layout will be designed to be less fragile (and less valuable) than the things on the modular layout.  There will be a road to drive toy cars and trucks on, a transformer for kids to run the train themselves, and pickup rail for operating cars.

Like the modules, it was laid out using 4thPlanIt software.  It's a figure-8 folded back over itself, one loop within another.

The layout started as two 6 foot by 4 foot panels with Styrofoam glued onto plywood on a 1X4 frame.  For the track bed we used the same HomoBed material as on the main layout.

The crossover is a 30-degree crossing from American Models.  Raulf donated enough of the spare American Models track he had.

Laying the track turned out to be a challenge because the curves are tighter than on our modules.  We had to fit the curves and hold them in place until they were willing to hold their shape.  Then we added the straight pieces in between.

With all the track in place, we staged an initial test run.

We mounted a transformer on the side, in the corner, to see how well that would work.  Not very fancy, but it's the simplest way to mount it.  Initial results are mixed: the first child to run a train with it did just fine, but the next two wanted to play with the wires on the top.  We may need to build a shelf and/or imbed it in a box.

With Christmas approaching, Mike brought in a tree to add interest until the landscaping is finished.  So it's out of scale ... no big deal.

This side of the layout will feature a double tunnel so viewers at the window will see the train come out of the window.  The scenery will be somewhat minimalist and generic so that we can change it with the seasons - Christmas and Hanukkah during December, giving way to winter scenes, then spring, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, summer fun, and fall with Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Progress continued, with the road crossings installed and track ballasting underway.


Skirting makes it look so much nicer!