This thread was started in December, 2017
sdrees
December 2017 in Layout Planning & Building
I have been working on the layout for several years now, but until now, I haven’t been able to place permanently place any structures. This picture is of the sawmill area with the Loco Service Shop and the Main Street Structures. I split the Main Street diorama by cutting the base on a table saw. Sound scary, but everything went well. The half with the hotel and store is in the back on the left.
Comments
CarlLaskey
December 2017
That is going to look real good Steve.
brownbr
December 2017
Off to a great start. Love to see the rest of the layout.
sdrees
December 2017
To give you an idea of what the railroad looks like here are a couple of pictures.
I will update with current photo’s in the near future.
MarkG
December 2017
Very nice Steve. I’m in the design phase, have the subroadbed in and have been altering my plan to incorporate SWSM kits from the beginning. I’m impressed with the direction you are going. There is a lot of work represented in your pictures.
Happy New Year.
Mark
petet
December 2017
Steve
What are the dimensions of the layout?
Pete
Robert.G
December 2017
This is already an awesome layout !!! It gives me an idea of how one can integrate the SW dioramas in a layout. Whatever the scale. Nice work and I am sure you’ll be busy for another couple of years… 
sdrees
December 2017
I appreciate all you comments. The layout is approximately 14’ x 17’.
This is how I placed the dioramas in the layout. I cut out the plywood area where the diorama goes. I took some pictures of how I mounted them so when the time comes, they can be removed without a lot of damage.
There will be an A-Frame turntable where the cutout of a circle is located.
KKarns
December 2017
Really nice work Stephen. Fantastic layout and a great gathering of SWSM dioramas. Love how you engineered the placement of the dioramas.
mikemettelka
December 2017
Definitely will be watching how this progresses
sdrees
December 2017
Ed, I have waiting to see something from you. When is that going to be. Thanks Mike and Ken for you thoughts
Dave_S
December 2017
Steve,
I like how the layout is progressing. Great idea for placing structure dioramas that will be removable at a latter time if desired. Using your idea a structure/diorama can be removed separate from the layout grid itself without having to carefully cut it out at a later date.
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
Mario
January 2018
Excellent… I like the helix…
sdrees
January 2018
I have been meaning to post a later picture of the area from the same angle as the last picture I posted with the track installed.
CarlLaskey
January 2018
Great plan Steve.
kebmo
January 2018
i’m jealous. green with envy. outstanding
sdrees
January 2018
Thanks for the comments Carl and Kebmo
SteveCuster
January 2018
Great looking setup Steve. I wish I was half as clean and organized as you. Looks like you’re as good of a carpenter as you are a modeler.
The dioramas are fantastic alone, I can’t wait to see them all tied together.
sdrees
January 2018
I have another day or so and I will have all the tortoise switch machines in, 48 total, and wired, all the feeders and bus wires installed. Now I can concentrate on building more structures and the scenery work.
My sister will be back at the end of next month so she says, to continue to work on the backdrop.
Steve, you haven’t seen the rest of the layout, which is not so clean, but will be shortly since this phase of the layout is done.
My next building project though is not a Sierra West kit. It is going to be a roundhouse.
Jerry
January 2018
That’s really coming along nicely.
Jerry
kebmo
January 2018
really looking forward to seeing what you do next. so far it’s looking great!
admin
January 2018
So interesting to see it all coming together at this early stage. Very informative to so many forum visitors. Love what I see! Thanks for sharing this with us.
brownbr
January 2018
Great looking layout.
ironmountainlumber
February 2018
Steve,
Just saw your Pm and responded. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
Jim
sdrees
May 2018
I have added my latest Sierra West Project to my layout. Here are all the pictures.
vietnamseabee
May 2018 edited May 2018
Very nice…the guy swingin’ The hammer is taking his frustrations out on something
Terry
brownbr
May 2018
Looking great.
Dave_S
May 2018
Well executed Steve. It just seems to belong.
Later, Dave S. Tucson, AZ
Robert.G
May 2018
What a layout !!! Great work on the structures and backdrop. What kind of track work are you using ?
kebmo
May 2018
i haven’t been this jealous since my best friend got a new mustang…in '72
sdrees
May 2018
Thanks for all the complements. The track work is micro engineering code 70 flex track and the switches are custom built.
ironmountainlumber
May 2018
Hi there Steve! The placement looks fantastic! I like the way you did the flex track. I am assuming that you cut off some of the ties to give them a random look. The modeling is top notch. The donkey yard is only the second one I have seen built. Cant wait to get started on mine. I want to complement your sister on the background paintings. Those are amazing. Is the sawmill scratchbuilt. Keep the pictures coming this is going to be an amazing layout.
Jim
KKarns
May 2018 edited May 2018
So nice seeing all those beautifully done SierraWest kits integrated into your layout. Going to be a killer set-up!
nextceo
May 2018
Looks fun…can I come over and play?
Jerry
May 2018
A very nice addition. Great work. Looking forward as you move along with this project.
Once again some fine modeling.
Jerry
sdrees
May 2018
Alan, the next time you are in Tucson come on over and anybody else can come if they want. Thanks for all the encouraging comments.
nextceo
May 2018
Thanks for the invite. Hey, I couldnt find your Awesome Shelby’s dio in any of the pictures…are you going to use it?
sdrees
May 2018 edited May 2018 67.1.101139
The Shelby’s dio will be located in a different part of the layout. If you look at one of the pictures of the layout above, it will be opposite the sawmill area to the right if the helix and below the station and towards the front of that area. Right now I am concentrating on the sawmill area and working my way around to the right of the sawmill. I am starting work on the tractor repair shed and some housing for the sawmill area. To the right of this, I have 3 bridges to build that will cross my Grand Canyon. One of the bridges will be a steel arch bridge similar to the Vance Creek Bridge in Washington State and John Allen’s Scalp Mountain Bridge.
I want to try and put lights in the Shelby’s Marina and take it to the NMRA convention in Salt lake City next year.
vietnamseabee
July 2018
Just read this thread from the beginning (as well as the thread on the other forum)…very interesting read and informative…almost more interesting to read after the thread is well along the to follow when new…well done buddy
Terry
sdrees
September 2018
I just finished the latest addition to the layout, an A-Frame turntable.
nextceo
September 2018
Awesome looking turn table…is that the Gallows Kit?
brownbr
September 2018
That looks great. I have always wanted to build one of those.
sdrees
September 2018
Hi Alan, The turntable is scratch built based on several articles in the March and April Railroad Hobbyist Digital magazine. I use his basic ideas, but made some changes. It is also based on the turntable at El Portal, California which is just outside of Yosemite.
Brownbr, it is not that difficult of a project. The trickiest part for me was cutting out the pit, not having the right tools, but it worked out fine, and with the magazines method for the pivot, it really made it simple.
KKarns
September 2018
Beautiful work Stephen…so nice seeing all those SWSM kits poised for action…
Joel
September 2018
Great work Stephen. I love that you have a big Picture. I get so lost in the details I rarely have any plan. Kudos to you. Looks fantastic
sdrees
September 2018
Hi Ken
Thanks for the complement, The turntable adds to the SWSM world.
sdrees
September 2018
Joel, I may have the big picture, but it is going to take a long time to finish it.
Mario
October 2018
You guys blow me away with your detailing…more great ideas for us mere mortals…thanks…
sdrees
October 2018
Mario. I have seen pictures of your work and it is not to shabby also
Mario
October 2018
Thanks mate
petet
February 2019
Steve
Do you have a layout diagram? I could stare at these photos for hours, but when I am done, I am still confused on where it all goes.
Pete
sdrees
February 2019
Petet,
Did you look at page 1?
petet
February 2019
I did. Not very “space” oriented.
sdrees
February 2019 edited February 2019
Does this help?
petet
February 2019
Yes! Thank you Steve!
Robert.G
February 2019
What a project ! I will gladly follow..
Joel
February 2019
Looks amazing. Would love to have the space for something like that. Looking forward to progress shots.
Dave_S
February 2019
Steve,
Great looking turntable to compliment the existing structures and them.
Later, Dave S Tucson, AZ
sdrees
February 2019
Thanks Robert, Ed, and Dave for stopping by
TomMich
March 2019
The structures and placement look great! Can’t wait to see how you blend it all together.
sdrees
March 2019
Thanks Tom, I can’t wait either. I have completed the logging camp essentials kit which will also be used in this area. I have to get the backdrop painted and then I can start the scenery and final placement of all the structures.
sdrees
April 2019
Here are some pictures of my backdrop that I had done yesterday.
vietnamseabee
April 2019
Very nice…did your sister do this?..or am I thinking of someone else…
Terry
sdrees
April 2019
Some one else did it Terry.
brownbr
April 2019
Impressive background.
ironmountainlumber
April 2019
Hi Steve,
The backdrop is outstanding and will really complement all your fantastic builds!
Jim
JeanGS
April 2019
SUPERBE fond !!!
sdrees
April 2019
Thanks everyone for the nice comments on the backdrop. Now I can start some scenery work and add the 3 bridges across the canyon. I am going to start with the sawmill area where I built the various Sierra West Models.
vietnamseabee
April 2019
Steve…have you held the open house for your layout or is that scheduled later this summer?
Terry
Robert.G
April 2019
Really a fine backdrop. Great colors that give depth to the scene. Well done.
sdrees
April 2019
Terry, the open house is this September. Thanks Robert
Dave_S
April 2019
Steve,
Been meaning to give you a call and stop by to see your current layout progress. It has been a while since I saw your layout in person. My April calendar has been pretty full with visiting family and friends, our granddaughters stay with us for a week, doctors visits for myself and my wife and a date to serve as a Pima County Superior Court juror. After serving as a juror about 10 times in Cook County, IL I thought I had pretty much concluded my civic duty. Guess they just felt the need to tap my service one more time before the clock strokes 75.
Later, Dave S Tucson, AZ
sdrees
April 2019
Everybody thinks that when you have retired that you have a lot of time on your hands. That is not true as Dave points out. I have to keep a schedule of all my appointments, lunches, vacations, visitors, etc. But when I worked, I knew where I had to be 5 days a week.
Pima County will make you do jury duty until your 75, but the Fed’s it is only 70. Several years ago, I had to do Grand Jury duty for Pima County for 5 months. So, get your new friend in Marana, and yourself and come on over.
kebmo
April 2019
believe it or not, i have never been summoned for jury duty.
admin
April 2019
Looks wonderful!
Lynn_Boyd
July 2019
Going to be fantastic scenery when you start filling in, nice structure builds.
sdrees
July 2019
Thanks Lynn
nextceo
August 2019
Backdrop looks awesome. Would love to come see this in person some day once its finished.
Alan
sdrees
August 2019
You are welcome to come, but it will never be finished. Did you see the thread on my adventure to the NMRA convention? Shelby’s Marina won 1st Place in Kit Display, the Chairman’s award the Peoples Choice Award. My sawmill won 1st Place in Scratchbuilt Display, and the Judges Award
vietnamseabee
January 2020
I was fortunate enough to visit with Steve yesterday and view his layout and structures first hand. I have to tell you, the photos don’t do his modeling skills justice. Thanks for being such a gracious host and taking some time to show me your fine skills .
Terry
sdrees
January 2020
It was a pleasure to have you and your wife visit yesterday.
brownbr
January 2020
Sounds like a fun trip.
kebmo
January 2020
sure does…
sdrees
January 2020
If anbody else is in the area, your welcome to stop by.
sdrees
January 2020
Tucson
sdrees
January 2020
What do you know about Red Rocks. It is a hole in the wall north of Tucson. Also, Pulte Homes has a development there out in the middle of no where.
sdrees
January 2020
what Red rocks were you talking about. Oh Sedona? Not close to Tucson
sdrees
February 2020
That is only 900 miles from here
sdrees
February 2020
Let me know when you want to come then
sdrees
July 2020 edited July 2020
OK, I have been taking a break from building structures and started some scenery on my layout. I have started at the back of the layout around the sawmill and will work my way through the other buildings making up the complex.
patrick
July 2020
I am jealous of all the space you have 
Nice project!
admin
July 2020
looking wonderful, great trackside shots, really gives a feel for how well you are blending everything together.
brownbr
July 2020
This is looking great.
Can you add a close up of the log unloader crane?
vietnamseabee
July 2020
Am anxious to follow your progress especially since I’ve seen your layout in person
Terry
sdrees
July 2020
Thanks everyone for your comments. Bryan, the crane is the Jordan Erie crane. So on researching old logging operations, they all had lots of debris that was just left in place that I wanted to capture and the mill sites all seemed to be haphazard with a lot of junk lying around, were very dusty areas and roads going every where.
Everybody talks about doing the ground covers in layers and that is what I have tried to do. And I am not finished yet with that.
I will be installing my Sierra West structures in the coming weeks.
Don’t cut yourself short Ed, your work which you finally showed us is very well done.
EricMG
July 2020
Nice! Will an engine make it over that hump?
sdrees
July 2020
Thanks Eric and Ed, No problem for a geared locomotive
MuddyCreekRR
July 2020
Looking good…sometimes building the structure seems the hardest part…but pulling it all together is no easy task…you are making it happen…
sdrees
July 2020
Thanks, It takes me a lot of time procrastinating about how to do it.
sdrees
July 2020
I have a general idea of what I want in each area of the layout, and I only concentrate on one area at a time. And my testosterone is so low at my age, I can only think about trains!
TomMich
July 2020
The texture and debris ground cover are noticeably well done. I especially noticed the textures in the cut over area. Great work!
sdrees
July 2020
Thanks Tom. That is one thing that I have learned from the excellent modelers on this site.
sdrees
September 2020
Here are some pictures of the Bunk House diorama where it will be incorporated in the layout.
kebmo
September 2020
itd sure be a thrill to see this in person…
Robert.G
September 2020
I like the impressionistic backdrop. Beautiful scenes.
vietnamseabee
October 2020
Kevin…I’ve had the pleasure of seeing it first hand and it’s awesome, however, I think I’m going to have to make a return trip…socially distanced of course
Steve is a great host
Terry
EmeryJ
October 2020
That path is a great idea. Love how you did the topography on that whole thing.
sdrees
October 2020
Come on out Kevin, your welcome any time. The path was Brett’s deal and so was the terrain Emeryl. And thanks for the comments
KCSTrains
October 2020
Steve,
Very, very nice. It will look good on your layout. Phil
admin
October 2020
What a beautiful scene. I love the placement of the structures, so natural.
sdrees
October 2020
Phil check my other thread which ha somepi ctueson the laynout
kebmo
October 2020
TomMich said:
The texture and debris ground cover are noticeably well done. I especially noticed the textures in the cut over area. Great work!
to put it another way; it is so well done that i didn’t notice it…
sdrees
September 2021 edited September 2021
I have been working on the scenery for the sawmill area over the past few months and more or less have finished it in this area.
My railroad time frame is the early 1950’s. So I developed this small community around the sawmill with bunk houses for the lumberjacks, housing for the supervisors, a small commercial area and various shop and out buildings to support the logging operations.
petet
September 2021
Picture didn’t come through
sdrees
September 2021 edited September 2021 67.1.202.200
sdrees said:
I have been working on the scenery for the sawmill area over the past few months and more or less have finished it in this area.
My railroad time frame is the early 1950’s. So I developed this small community around the sawmill with bunk houses for the lumberjacks, housing for the supervisors, a small commercial area and various shop and out buildings to support the logging operations.
petet
September 2021
Awesome
TomMich
September 2021
Beautiful work. Nice placement of structures and scenery.
vietnamseabee
September 2021
Looking good, Steve….I’m glad I was able to see it in person
Terry
SonofVietnamSeabee
September 2021
Wow that is amazing work. I must retire some day.
That turntable looks very realistic. In central Missouri I recall seeing an old turntable in real life that was similar. On the KATY line.
Jerry
September 2021
Very well done! Would be a wonderful RR to visit!!
Jerry
ALCO
September 2021
Magnum Opus! Bravo!
sdrees
September 2021
Thanks for the nice comments guys. Appreciate them very much. When you were here several years ago Terry, a lot of this scenery was not in place.
Mike Engler
September 2021
Really looks great- amazing how much progress you can make given more time to work on the layout. Hope I can see it in person some day.
brownbr
September 2021
Fantastic. Bet you get lots of oohs and ahhs when anyone walks in the room
admin
September 2021
Exceptional. Always a treat to see your work. Since I am never going to have my own layout I cannot tell you how much I love seeing yours!
sdrees
September 2021
Hey Mike, the snowbirds are coming to Tucson. Are you one of them? Appreciate your comments. Also Brett and Bryan your comments are very welcome also
EmeryJ
September 2021
Looking at this excellent layout is making me want to rip mine out and start all over. You sure did a great job on this. Thanks for sharing the pics!!
sdrees
September 2021
Here are several photos of what is left to do and pointing out the location of the area just completed completed. People ask me when I expect to finish the layout and my answer is probably never.
EmeryJ, this was my first try at scenery and it is a whole lot of different skills. So I had to redo a lot of my work as I went along trying different methods until I did something that I liked.
CarlLaskey
September 2021
STEVE.
VERY NICE LOOKS LIKE A GREAT ROOM FOR THE LAYOUT.
sdrees
September 2021
Thanks Carl, this is part of my garage. When I had the house built, I had the garage built to hold my cars and an experimental airplane I was building at the time. The way the rest of the design of the house came out, there was an extension of the third stall. So the measurements of the garage are 24’ x 36’ plus the extension so it made a nice space for the layout.
SonofVietnamSeabee
September 2021
That’s what I like to see. A garage that cars don’t go in to
sdrees
September 2021
Oh the cars go into, but not this area
sdrees
October 2021
OK, I needed some skeleton log cars for my logging operation. I scratch built 4 of these cars the past couple of weeks. The are short because the sawmill will only handle 24’ logs.
CarlLaskey
October 2021
STEVE.
GREAT WORK THEY ARE PERFECT.
Jerry
October 2021
CarlLaskey said:
STEVE.
GREAT WORK THEY ARE PERFECT.
I agree completely!!!
Jerry
KKarns
October 2021
Wow, both the log cars and the layout are quite impressive!
admin
October 2021
Those log cars are wonderful!
ALCOALCO
October 2021
Maybe some day you can post a blog about how you designed and built them!
Robert.G
October 2021
Some really nice log cars. And the back drop is great as well. As a matter of fact, the whole layout looks incredible. Fantastic job !!!
brownbr
October 2021
Those are nice.
CarlLaskey
October 2021
STEVE.
I WANT TO PLACE MY ORDER I WILL TAKE FOUR PLEASE .WAY TO GOOD NOT TO ASK.
sdrees
October 2021
thanks everybody for your words of encouragement. Say Carl, the cars are on back order and I have no idea what the delivery date is.
CarlLaskey
October 2021
I THINK I HAVE HEARD THAT BEFORE. !!! HA
sdrees
October 2021
When I was doing the scenery on my layout, I used a Noch static grass applicator for applying the static grass. It dumped the static grass over everything when I was trying to do small area, and the grass didn’t stand up very well.
So I saw something like I am about to show on the internet and made my own static grass applicator.
I bought the grass king negative ion generator from Amazon. It puts out 15kv and the other parts from a local electronics supply store. I built it so that it could run on a 9v battery, or with a long chord and a AC/DC adapter with an output of 12volts.
I purchased an artist spatula from an art supply store and wired it as shown in the picture below so I can plug it into the negative ion generator.
I also wired a small strainer as shown below.
When using the spatula, I first apply the static grass to small areas with my fingers as shown.
Then I run the spatula across the static grass I just spread, and it stands up very well.
I am very happy the way the static grass turned out on my layout with this system. If you want to highlight your base color of grass with another color of grass, you can easily do it with this method. When I have applied grass with the strainer, sometimes I go over the grass with the spatula to get more of the grass to stand up
ALCO
October 2021
The stuff you can pick up on this Forum is mind-boggling!
kebmo
October 2021
indeed!
SteveCuster
October 2021
Great work so far on the layout Steve! The static grass looks great!
sdrees
October 2021
Thanks Steve, since there was a big deal on the site awhile back about static grass, I thought that I would let you guys know what I came up with.
KCSTrains
October 2021
Steve, that’s amazing. I really like the spatula, but seriously doubt I have the electronic skills to pull off. You need to think about selling these things. Phil
KKarns
October 2021
well done with a nice tutorial.
sdrees
October 2021
Phil, go to this website and they have all the information that you need.
Thanks Ken.
Pappy
October 2021
Thought about buying a static tool to bring up the grass or weeds not sure yet.
Keep up your great work!!
Karl.A
October 2021
Everything else has already been said…
The sawmill though fits beautifully and so well executed.
Caught my eye.
kebmo
October 2021
holy…! that is an awesome layout! well done!
sdrees
October 2021
Thanks Karl, appreciate it very much. Kevin, I also appreciate your comment!