Re: Bill's Home Layout

Sounds great, Bill.

I'd love to come by sometime soon and run my new Lionel Legacy Texas Special set that has only seen the test bench. I can build some pretty good freight consists as well with my TMCC 1 Big Boy or some 80's era Katy power.

My wife is encouraging me to build a layout in the garage and I might start on it in the next 8 months. I had one at my old house that I had to tear down when we moved in 2005. I learned a lot of lessons from that one I want to incorporate in any new one I build.

What part of town do you live in?

Ed Weltens
ed.weltens@sbcglobal.net

From: Bill Lohman <844bill@gmail.com>
To: "ttat-board@aoot.com" <ttat-board@aoot.com>
Cc: ttat-members@aoot.com
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:37:03 PM
Subject: Bill's Home Layout

Hi Gang,

After several months of off and on work, I finally have my 17 feet X 32 feet home layout upgrades to the point where I'm able to operate again. The only major addition that remains is a 28 inch Bowser turntable -- at the opposite end of the point-to-point part of the layout -- from the 32 inch Bowser turntable in the engine service yard. The loops and service trackage are in reliable operation. The layout is 100 percent Atlas O. All mainline turnouts at now 7.5 degree high speed Atlas O. Minimum mainline radius is now 090 in one spot and all the rest are 099. Maximum grade is 3 percent between the two levels.

A couple of months ago I brought up the idea of a inviting the club for a fun run at my layout -- and still intend to work with the board to schedule this -- at some point after the second turntable is installed and the turnouts are wired and a few more structures are in place. Probably January or later after the busy holiday season.

In the meantime, any and all club members are always welcome to individually come by most days/evenings and see what I've been up to -- and run trains. Just call me at 512-663-4599 or email me at 844bill@gmail.com. I'd appreciate a day or so advanced notice.

For those of you who have plans to build a permanent layout in the future this might be a good time to see mine -- before the scenery hides the benchwork and wiring. It's bare bones at this point, but, the engine service facility coaling tower, sanding tower, water tower are in place and there are some other buildings as place holders. But, no scenery or track ballasting yet.

I have Lionel TMCC1, Lionel Legacy (TMCC2) and MTH DCS 2.0 up and operating. Lionel TMCC1 and Legacy operate flawlessly. I still have minor glitches with DCS 2.0. But, it mostly works.

I primarily model the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific with a nod to two railroads who tried harder in competition with the UP and SP -- the Rio Grande and the Western Pacific.

Come on by!! Bring a locomotive!! Run trains!! Critique my layout!! Have fun!!!

Bill Lohman