Got a bit of work done on the layout today. Laid down more roadbed at Georgetown Junction and laid in the sub roadbed (Homasote) in Bethesda. Did some thinking about track laid flush on the sub roadbed in Bethesda vs. laying it on roadbed. I was originally leaning toward all on the sub roadbed itself but thinking about Bethesda there was a nice track profile on much of it. This will be tricky. I do have some large Homabed panels that would work but I think it may be a waste here. We will see! Going to study some more photos and make a decision. Progress is good!

It has been a very, very long time since I posted an update here on the blog about my model RR progress. Let me get things up to speed. The benchwork for the layout is about 95% complete. I have a few odds and ends to do but that hurdle has been crossed. Now I am working on adding the subroadbed, roadbed and connecting bridges and track. I completed construction on the helix and recently constructed the upper bracket and transition to allow the track to transition off the helix and enter the layout room. Remember, my helix is mobile and must be able to detach and roll away from the wall whenever the HVAC is serviced (like today!)

The staging yard was completed and track laid. I also built and installed a hinged swing-up bridge (with neodymium magnets to hold it in the up position) that connects the staging yard and the staging lead going into the layout room.  With some assistance from my train club several areas were completed, including the base for Rock Creek, and the lower helix lead entry point through the wall. One member, Tom, came over and helped me figure out how to do the entire Georgetown Jct. area, including the subroadbed and track arrangement. I realized I needed to put in the upper helix lead first, so that is what I am working on currently.

All in all, I have not been terribly busy with the layout. There are many distractions and I have many hobbies so I come back to it when I can. Also, I have spent a good bit of time researching the GB and have many, many materials to go through and add to the catalogs and notes and that takes time, too. I’m having a heck of a lot of fun with it.

As always, I try to keep my Gallery up-to-date where you can see snapshots of my progress. Enjoy! http://gallery.sluggyjunx.com/railroad_and_industrial/georgetownbranch/modelrailroad/2010-11_model_rr

It’s been a while since I’ve made an update here, so I figured I’d check in and let everyone know how things have been moving forward. I’m still collecting information on the Georgetown Branch, via friends, acquaintances and online sources like eBay. I’ve found a handful of great images, some of which I’ve shared in the Gallery and others which I’m trying to find ways to scan (odd-shaped negatives). My real focus over the last several months has been working on the model railroad. Well, the room that will house the model RR and the workshop next to it, actually. Between being laid off in November, saving money, planning, buying materials and having friends and family assist in the actual construction, I’ve made some real progress. The layout room and the workshop are nearly complete. Right now I’m in the process of moving back into the rooms and fitting all my tools, model kids and other junk back into them. My layout room is functioning as staging while I outfit the workshop first. One step at a time.

I’m also working out a whole new track plan. The initial track plan I drew up for this new house incorporated nearly all of the GB elements I wanted to include; Georgetown Jct., Rock Creek trestle, Bethesda, Dalecarlia tunnel and the reservoir facilities, C&O Canal bridges and Georgetown. I’d like to include Chevy Chase, but I have to work hard to fit that in. The current space is slightly larger and allows for me to put the helix outside of the room, giving me a whole new approach to the design. As such, I’m attempting to modify the original plan to fit the new space, and hopefully fit Chevy Chase into the design. We shall see.

I hope you all will stay tuned to my progress. I hope to share some stories here as I move forward. I’ve been inspired by similar blogs and sites that outline layout construction and design and if I can find/make the time, I will. I’ve learned so much through this process. From gutting the room right down to the studs, removing and re-routing all of the electrical lines and designing and building the new room from scratch. Learning to frame, install insulation, drywall and electrical, it’s all been awesome. But now the real fun begins. The layout is about to be started. Thanks!