Build Progress - 05/23 (1)

Build Progress - 05/23 (1)

Now that the helix is pretty much complete, things are continuing to motor along.

  • Procrastination got the better of me, and I dropped the baseboards down to the bottom to give more depth in the Omega Tunnels section. In reality it wasn't a difficult task, I kind of wish I did it on other parts of Level 1 too.
  • Having that depth now allows a bit more variety in the hillside down to the ocean. I've attached a reference image below from a Slow TV train ride down the Illawarra :ine, which is a great reference point: LINK
The area I'm aiming to squash into that section.
  • I've completed all the ply benchwork down to the other end of Level 2. There's a cutout remaining for the transition over to the Peninsula which I think I'll start later this month.
The new corner piece required for the L1-L2 transition
  • I've started putting down the XPS Foam around Level 2. Since Bunnings don't sell the decent stuff anymore, went with a local place in Newcastle. Easily cut with a craft knife and where I needed a bit more accuracy - my hot wire cutter.
Foam being glued with all the weighty things in the shed I could find
  • As I neared the door I started looking at a gate design. once I started mocking this up, I realised I didn't actually need it. I instead opted for a permanent bridge with as minimal bracing as possible. At 196cm I can easily step up into the railway room simply by leaning forward slightly. This saved a lot of fidding and allowed me to get over to the other side fairly quickly and finish the foam along the other side.
Mocked up and in place
  • Once this was done I started on the surface for the roadbed. I use an approach from Jason Wood's layout The Escarpment where he uses felt to help dampen the sound of the locomotives running along the track.
More Felt, More Weight
Roughed in across the door and around the corner
  • I've pretty much reached the limit of my felt supply, so i'll be leaving it there for now until that arrives.
  • Have also printed and cut out the curves around the corners, so I can mark them and hopefully have a nice curve and easement on each side. Am planning to superelevate these with masking tape.
  • I've ordered another bunch of things of AliExpress that'll create some more work in the future. Another post on that soon.
  • One last thing. My 2 yr old was scribbling on some of the offcuts as I cut out the benchwork last week, so I've dated and installed it on a location on the layout. Nice little easter egg for when he is older and hopefully helping as dispatcher!