Frisco River Division - Cape Girardeau Southwestern

Chris, the southern staging will be along that (north, in my house) wall as indicated on my existing plans. Unless... I change my mind.

 

Yahoo! Construction has started. This evening, fellow Frisco folk, Rick McClellan came over and we mounted the built-up studs with cantilevers that I had made. They were fastened to the bare concrete walls with Tapcon screws. The cantilevers will support the benchwork without the need for knee braces from the benchwork to the walls underneath. Some additional framing, boxing in of a soil stack needs to be completed before electrical work and then insulation will be added.

The area with these built-up studs represents the riverfront along the old shops area just south of downtown Cape, but north of Cape LaCroix Creek.

 

The space encompasses just under 600 square feet; 30' x 20'.

 

Yahoo, indeed, Keith. Thanks very much for the update. I always thought this would make for a fun layout, and I might get there someday. Meanwhile, I'll enjoy living vicariously through your efforts.

 

It's certainly nice to see another Southeast Missouri area layout. Thank goodness for Louis Houck!

 

Re: Frisco River Division - Cape Girardeau & Southwestern

I think I am excited as you are Keith!
Keep the progress notes and pictures coming.

 

Sheet rock is up on all the walls, ready for taping and jointing. The built-in cantilevers for the some of the benchwork are now readily visible. The walls without cantilevers were already studded.
The short stub wall runs plumbing into a nice work sink that will be at the end of a short peninsula for Central Packing Company.
The sub-panel to the left of the main panel contains the breakers for all of the lighting and outlets in the layout and work spaces of the basement. The outlets up high under the cantilevers are switched with a wall switch and the outlets down low are hot all the time for tools, vacuuming, etc.

 

Re: Frisco River Division - Cape Girardeau & Southwestern

Man, that looks good! This is going to be a first rate layout for sure. I can just smell the fresh cut lumber now. Keep us updated.

 

I am going to pay the daughter of local modeler and model railroading legend, Chuck Hitchcock, to do the taping, jointing and finish work. She is very quick and does excellent work. Then comes the painting of the walls for backdrop sky before putting in the drop ceiling grid, lighting and tiles.

 

Keith, I"m a little late on replying to this one, but the layout space is looking good. Makes me wish I'd spent a little more time tidying up my space before excitedly putting up some benchwork. I'll look forward to more as it progresses!

Any significant changes to your layout plan from what you'd initially sketched?

Best Regards,

 

Attached are new photos taken last night after Rick McClellan helped me finish painting the backdrop area (Valspar Perfectly Blue 4007-9B) and the below benchwork area (Valspar Polished Silver 4008-1B). I went with the gray color below the benchwork in order to allow the roll-around bench that I have to"hide"under the layout where the Frisco yard in Cape resides. The next step is drop ceiling grid and lighting.

 

I also updated the layout plan and included a new possibility. Take a second look at post #1 on this thread.

 

I can almost smell the paint and fresh cut wood! Looks like a great layout in the works.

 

Keith, I think the north (St. Louis/Lindenwood) staging yard in the crew lounge is a good idea. Are you leaning toward a swing bridge connection? Either way, I think it makes good use of the available space and might provide some extra room for the Cape Rock scene.

Regarding Post #3 and your responses to Mike Corley's inquiry on facing point switches, I think this is a great example of how sticking to the prototype makes for what I see as some potentially fascinating operations and local switching opportunities.

Thanks very much for the update!

 

Keith I cant wait to bring a couple Geeps out your way and take'm for a spin.