PNWRR Design and Build

[Locoman]

I'm new to RailModeller. I'm a retired tech executive with experience in designing, marketing, using, and supporting a number of technologies. My adult son and I are designing and building an HO code 83 6 ft x 8 ft layout. We currently have completed the benchwork and elevated roadbed with all risers for elevation.

I took the task of finding and using layout design SW, so I am the RM user. I learned quite a bit that is not covered in the documentation. As - and If - I find time I will share what I learned.

We're building using flex track and Walther's switches. We also have two Atlas 30 degree crossings I found no Walthers track in the library. We originally planned on using PECO Unifrog switches but it seems they started producing the N scale for that line and are not yet producing HO code 83 switches. However, there are PECO code 83 switches and track elements in the library. For these reasons, I used PECO switches and flex track wlong with and two Atlas 30 degree crossings.

Before cutting the roadbed, I printed the 1:1 sections of the layout where there were switches to confirm the Walthers switches and Atlas corssings would fit by placing the actual Walthers and Atlas parts on the printed out 1:1 plans. We printed the entire layout 1:1 on 8.5" x 11" printer paper. We then pasted them to 1 4ft x 8ft 1/2" ply and another 2ft x 8ft ply (for the elevated section crossing the lower track) using spray adhesive. We spread some Elmer's white glue on top to ensure it held, then cut the roadbeds out using a jig saw.

J have posted some pictures of the layout. I have more, but was unable to attach them - I could not figure out why the forum would not take them even after trying several different versions of the file type. All under 1MB.

Hopefully more to come.

Locoman