ROCK 3.0: A New Vision

In general, I have been dragging my feet with the rebuild of the layout.  I don't know why, but wasn't excited about the plan.  So, last week, I was working on the benchwork for layout 2.0.  I had the peninsula up, but the plywood not secured.  I laid out some track pieces to see how the layout would come together.  It was evident to me that the layout was still way to big.  I wanted a smaller, prototypical, but manageable layout.  This layout would be just as time consuming as the old layout.

So, I started thinking, what if I got rid of the peninsula, scaled the plan back, but tried to keep the same semblance of the 2.0 vision.  I started laying out track in the area of the 16” shelf along the back wall.  It would be tight, but it is doable.   So, I drew out a new plan that would be U-Shaped around three walls of the room.  The bottom of the U would be 18" deep, left side, 16" and the right side 18" but tapering off to 6" at the entrance of the room.

My vision would be for the bonus room to transition from a layout room to family craft/hobby room.  Our house is a descent size, but with the girls getting older, we are requiring more space.  I don't care to move anytime soon, so I need to better utilize the area I have.  I would like to place a sofa and flat screen in the room for the kids/family to enjoy.  Also, I would like to construct a custom craft/modeling table that the girls could use for painting and craft projects, my wife for scrapbooking and me for modeling projects.  

So, my wife picked up on the tell-tale signs that something was up (mainly benchwork coming down and new going back up).  I presented this idea to her and she looked at me like I was crazy.  Why?  Why?  Why?  We discussed and I have come to the following conclusions:

• Simplify - 
• Smaller layout - It was great building the double deck layout of the Rock: Illinois Division and we had great times running it.  It's a chore to maintain though.  I have offers all the time to run large layouts in the area to get my fill of distance running, but for home, I just don't want that anymore.  
• I want a layout that I can tinker with when I want to, run trains anytime I want to (with little re-staging or preparation needed), but without the expense of a large layout, or time required to work on the layout, or the physical consumption of nearly 300 sqft of our living space when only operated 3 or 4 times a year.
• Time - I have found over the last year or so that I'm heavily involved with spending time with my family, girls events, etc.  I just don't have the time to work on a layout as much.  
• Space - A large layout is great, but it consumes a lot of space that is completely unusable the remaining 361 days of the year when not operating.  My wife has been gracious to allow me that space, but I can't be so self-centered anymore.  It's time to share the area.
• $ - Money is the name of the game.  We have went through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace class a few years back.  It has changed my outlook on a lot of things.  I've made a complete 180 degree turn in my spending habits and control of money.  Instead of buying that next new freight car that comes out (and I don't need), I'd rather put the money toward paying off debt and saving so I can enjoy my retirement traveling all over the world with my wife.  All this stuff filling up the house doesn't bring happiness.  Spending time with my family does.
• Operations -
• As has been witnessed by my past layout and many others in the area, you can fit a lot of railroad in a little area with N scale.  I plan on doing that.  My favorite job on the railroad is running a big ol' hairy local.  With the preliminary design I proposed, I could still operate 2 Rock Island locals plus a 3rd CB&Q local.  So, there is no loss of entertainment value for running trains.  
• Ottawa Local - works from the yard to Ottawa Silica and L-O.F.
• LaSalle Local - works from the yard to Utica and LaSalle.
• CB&Q Local - starts from the junction, working Ottawa Silica as needed.

Most of you probably think I have completely lost my mind.  You might be right, but I feel it's the best route for me to take in the future with my hobby.

So, I present to you the preliminary 3.0 track plan.

ROCK 2.0: Progress Report 09.03.13

During the evening last night, I moved some plywood up to rest on the newly built peninsula benchwork.  I had declared earlier that I wanted the benchwork height to be around 50-52".

So, last night, I woke up around 3am thinking, no!  This isn't going to work!  I need to lower the benchwork (not much, but a few inches).  The benchwork along the wall was around 48".  That felt more natural and not so overwhelming for my 5'8" stature.

This morning, I lowered all the benchwork to the 48" range (give or take an inch or two across the length of the layout).  Whew!  I feel much better now!

I moved the plywood I brought up yesterday to the Ottawa Yard section, marked and cut out the lumber.  Tomorrow, I will work on the risers for that area as I need to cut a creek through the yard (just past the yard ladder).  Craziness, I know, but that's the way the prototype is/was.

ROCK 2.0: Progress Report Labor Day Weekend

I was busy last week and into Saturday moving our office, but did manage to get a little bit of work completed.

I cut and installed the cross bracing for the peninsula and secured to the main benchwork.  This evening, I wrestled a sheet of plywood upstairs.  I will draw out the track plan and then trim up the board to fit the track plan.

Back to School and Back to Work on the Layout!

Well, it's that time of year again.  Back to school!  I really enjoy summer, but man it's fast paced!  I'm glad to get back into a routine, schedule time to work on the layout in the morning before work.  Let the games begin!!!

A small section of benchwork was installed last night to complete along the right wall.  This evening, I worked on the framework for the peninsula.  I got the basic box built and temporary held in place thanks to help from my daughter.

In other news, my initial order of 27 custom built turnouts should be shipping in about a week or so.  This will be enough turnouts to complete all the track for Ottawa Silica and Libbey-Owens-Ford.

The ROCK 2.0 - More Benchwork Installed

I installed another long section of benchwork this evening before heading to the pool.  It took about 5 minutes to install.  You gotta love the pre-built sections.

The ROCK 2.0 - More Benchwork, New Forms, Lumber Run

The other night, I added another 18" by 4ft section of benchwork at West Ottawa Yard toward Utica. I have another pre-built section that will span the rest of that wall down to Utica proper.

I found a copy of the RI Yard Clerk Manual from back int he 70s on the net.  I read through that with great enjoyment.  I found this form used when moving explosive cars.  Since, we move dynamite on the ROCK to the Ottawa Silica plant, I must re-create these forms.  I wasn't sure of the color of the original form, but I like safety yellow.  Here's what I created below.  It's pretty darn close to the real thing.

In other news, I need to make a lumber run.  The pre-built sections I have will not last much longer.  I need some 8ft long 1x4s.  

eBay sales have been going well this week.  eBay has been pushing fast and free shipping.  So, I decided to comply.  I then commenced in adding shipping to the low price that I would have took for the car.  Low and behold stuff is selling faster than with the lower price and shipping separate.  Go figure.  It works out better for me in the long run as I don't have to combine shipping on multiple items sold.  The average price received per car has gone up.

The ROCK 2.0 - The ROCK Rises Again!

In a brief 10 to 15 minute period available to me while waiting on the girls, I reviewed the plans and sized up my existing benchwork pieces.  Aha!  I have a piece that would be perfect for Ottawa Yard!  With the assistance of my little helper Elizabeth, the first piece of benchwork has been installed.

ROCK 2.0 rises from the ashes!