Posted by Dave on Sun Sep 4 22:54:43 2016 edf40wrjww2msgDetail:detailStr fiogf49gjkf0d There's a long time O-scaler here in Ft. Worth who is building a very large home layout. Benchwork and track work are almost complete and a little bit of scenery has been put in place. He built 2-rail O and 3-rail O on separate track plans but in the same space. I was fortunate enough to get a tour of his layout this afternoon.



Here is the 2-rail track plan. It's on several levels and is built as a helix, with the track bed rising or falling along the way. The 3-rail plan is all on one level.



Here is the 2-rail track plan:







On the bottom of the plan looking up are two sidings; then the passenger yard; and then the freight yard. The main line runs between the two yards. Here is an overview shot of the layout. Even with a wide-angle lens I couldn't get it all in on one shot. You can see both the 2-rail and 3-rail trackwork:







Here you can see two of the 2-rail levels. A PRR McKean motor car rests on the upper level:







Here's another shot of the muli-levels:







All track work on the 2-rail is hand laid. He places down the roadbed, then glues down the ties (pre-stained with shoe dye), ballasts the ties, and afterwards spikes down the track. Turnouts are all hand laid as well and powered by Tortoise switch motors. Minimum radius on the curves is 84":







His attention to detail is astounded. My host alters the dye mix on the ties to vary the color. Each set of rails has a joint bar attached:







The layout is wired for DC. The wiring is a work of art. Every wire is identified and neatly connected with other wiring, making an easier job of tracing shorts:











Dallee Electronics Engineer Throttles are used to power the 2-rail track plan:







Most of the steam locos are brass Max Gray imports, some many years old. I believe KTM was the builder. Back in the day Max Gray/KTM was THE top of the line and they still look fantastic with loads of details. My host's "pride of the fleet" is a Pennsy Q2, a 4-4-6-4 duplex:















Here you can see three levels of his beautiful track work:







This is one of the few scenicked sections. A NYC manifest freight crosses over a bridge:







The Central had problems finding competent help to work as a bridge tender so look who they hired!







Marvin the Martian was doing a bang-up job as the local worked its way across the bridge and down the main line.



Both Pennsy/LIRR P70's and the Texas & Pacific RRs 2-10-4 "Texas" type are well represented on his layout:











A N&W 613, a 4-8-4 J and the last J the N&W built, is hauling the P70s. Don't forget that the PRR held a controlling interest in the N&W. InterMountain boxcars are in the yard:







Here's a shot of the freight yard. Next stop is the 3-rail layout. All aboard!



