NRAIL extension plans

((NOTE: I wrote this ages ago, but it looks like I never pushed it live. :) Oops ))


I'm inching closer to committing to the NRAIL extension plan of taking the subway section and pushing it through the wall to the other room of my office.I'm current;y working out budget items with the Mrs. and trying to sort out the execution. It's a bit tricky and I'm trying to do it without a drastic change in the current setup. (This might be a long winded article today! :)  )

PLANS

My first thought was to rip everything up and start over with a new Master Plan®. I'd basically start from scratch, rethinking both the top deck and subway areas, ripping out all the work so far and rebuilding the whole of it to work in all the items that I learned AFTER building what I currently have. While this is somewhat exciting, it's also a bit...disheartening. I'm finally at a stage where I'm working on scenes and adding people and small items and it would be a rather major step backward in the process. Not sure I want to do that at this point.

So, the idea was that I could take what I have and work with it, building a sort of visual story for the reason why it was set up the way it is. The top deck would not change - it would operate the way it currently is with maybe the exception of opening up the center station area - removing the Modemo (which doesn't run well on my layout) and making it somewhere I can run the Portram to for "operations". The Modemo unit would be addressed in the future - maybe dropping another electrical pickup on it...once I figure out how to do that. :)

The subway section would be extended (the green areas in the images below) and would run through the wall into the next room.

I'll have to work out where this desk would go. A logistical choice, really.

NEW SPACE

The new space that I've opened up with contain some of the things that I wanted to have in my original layout plan three years back. I'm going to look back on some of the things that I had to omit and see which ones could be folded into this section. Lush green spaces that creep in on the track areas is one thing I want to make sure I get in. Elevated track running past trees and water is another. Hillside vistas. I had the bridge section pictured below a while back and that may be a lovely centerpiece to the hillside / tree / water area.

THE STORY

 The idea is somewhat simple, though not linear. The subway section is in Shizuka and the story will be that it's traveling to another location miles away. Passing through and under the current layout is simply traveling underground and under the water. Then, when it passes through the wall, it's miles away in a new city or town area - TBD. I was giving through to how I see it if I want to do things like stop at stations and the like if the control is in the other room. Well, I thought a simple webcam might be fun at some point. CCTV style. It will still be fun to see it roll through at speed even if I can't stop it in the exact location.

And, yes, down the line, I can run DCC. :)  That would solve that issue 100%. Watching the guys walk around with handheld throttles during MODEL RAIL RADIO SHOW 100 was an eye opener for sure. That combined with on-board power would make me so happy. :)

Need to break through this wall...without hitting wires! :)

THE SCENE

Like I said, I had some items I wanted on my layout scene wise that I had to bail on due to space constraints and building priority over nature. However, opening up the back room might provide a great opportunity to get some of the more natural and scenic looking area. Lost of trees, bushes and green. Some of the images below reflect the look I'm researching now.

This is a great chance to do a train line that's higher up on a hillside or mountain because then I don't have to worry about switching elevations from the level the subway is on to the current height of the table space in the back room. I can build up a mountain/hillside, have the track up on it like the image directly above, then have a nice space for small water areas, houses and roads below it. I think it would look super cool. :)

IN OTHER NEWS
I was originally thinking that my Hillside Tram would fill in another part of the back room area in the far future. This is a cool, yet somewhat complex idea.  A few MRR folks have been playing around with it. In Japan, there are areas where trams and trains run up hillside areas. There are stations in various locations. When the trams pass, they pull into the station area, then switch to either the higher or lower track and proceed on their way. It's a cool little system. I'd love to get something like it going. I have it worked out in my head. I just keep plotting.

So, I'm making an effort to keep my eye on the goals and tasks at hand. It's fun to think through and think about. I have to admit, I'm still thinking about long term changes and how they can work with what I'm doing now. (SEE: Hillside Tramway :::grin::) For example, in the future if I want to expand some more, I can move MORE stuff out of my office and build the mountain for this tramway project. That, in turn, may even be connected to my current layout - taking the spur that runs off past my harbor area, pushing it through the wall, then running it over to the mountain for use in the tramway area. Pretty slick. :)

But....for now....this extension.  Time to look over old notes and see what I can weave in here! 

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Memories of Tokyo

More amazing reference material for my layout! :) A fantastic little film from Miguel Santana.

It's good for me to remember that reference material can come from many sources.



Memories of Tokyo from Miguel Santana on Vimeo.

June photo flood

A flood of photos and small bits of information for entering June.



SOYOKAZE
 

SHIZUKA
 

New Section Module
I'm giving thought to using this old module as part of my new extension.  I really like it and it stands alone well, but it might be fun to use it directly on the new section. Jury isn't out on it yet.

 

O SCALE shelf
I have a space now in my office for this bad boy. I'd like to get some O scale items to go with it. People, a car or truck and a building or two....might be fun.

Soyokaze Harbor is still plugging along. Nothing new, really.

 
 

Naze hashi なぜ橋

MECHA ATTACK
Gundam made an appearance on the layout recently. The scale is right for N and it's fun tossing them on from time to time for photos.   I don't like leaving them on the layout ALL the time, but I dig seeing them stomping around from time to time. :)

Love this shot :)

 IN OTHER NEWS
I've finished my ceiling panels...for better or worse... and cleaning and I can start in on my extension construction. Now I just need to keep planning and plotting for how to execute. I have a general idea, but I need to sort some things out.
• How to cut through the wall in my office?
• What are the levels going to be?

• What can I fit into the space without making things too cramped in the back room area?

I've started pulling reference images for what I want, but still need to figure out the general layout scheme. We'll see how it goes. 

I have track and I've started playing with layout options. 

 ONWARD!

Ukraine's Leafy Green 'Tunnel of Love'

I just discovered this beautiful area. Ukraine's Leafy Green 'Tunnel of Love'

From: http://inhabitat.com/ukraines-tunnel-of-love-is-a-natural-passageway-for-trains-and-lovers/
"We love seeing natural architecture here at Inhabitat, and the leafy green Kleven train tunnel is a beautiful example of what happens when nature is allowed to grow freely around manmade infrastructure. The tunnel was made over many years as the passing train molded the trees’ lines. The train turned a luscious piece of woodland into a unique passageway as it traveled back and forth 3 times a day over several years.

In addition to serving as a train route, the tunnel is used by lovers to make a wish – it is said that if they are sincere in their love, their wishes will come true. If you are out and about Ukraine, don’t miss this fantastic green passageway – whether you are with a loved one, or on your own."

Very cool!

Suzukawa Ayako

The super cool, super sweet, Chō kawaīdesu (super cute) Suzukawa Ayako! :)

She does various train and toy reviews (all in Japanese - no captions, sadly) that you don't REALLY need to know what she's saying to enjoy. Her enthusiasm and odd laughter while reviewing some of the items really brings a smile to my face. It's very sweet.

She uses this little set of melodies in her videos that manages to up the cute factor about 50%, bringing the grand total to something like 350% CUTE. :)

A fun slice of Japanese culture and some fantastic video production.

Check out more of her videos here.
https://www.youtube.com/user/suzukawaayako/videos







Below, a massive Thomas layout. :)



TRANSLATED: Suzukawa It is a channel of Ayako . Around the railway -related , we will continue to raise the various videos that there is my interest . We have updated almost daily . It is a loose feel , but I would appreciate your favor .Suzukawa Ayako ( Suzukawa Ayako ) March 25, 1991 born

Born : Chiba Prefecture

Tobu Railway Type YO101

Loving it. :)
The Tomytec Tobu Railway Type YO101 is a fun little car. :)