New 8Paws RR - Construction Begins

After much consideration we had one last run of the old 6x8ft layout that was crafted over the last 14 yrs, saved as much scenery and structures as possible and began a new.

Only harvested section from the old layout:

And placed in the new location:

Engine Shed harvested from old layout

This layout started as 20x10ft and is somewhat modular for necessity of cutting the sections and moving them from the garage to the basement.  There is an upper section that is dual track 10x10ft that will someday be the mountain pass.  The lower level is 42" high and the upper is 57" high.    We went with old school construction method of frame and board (brick-sh*t house with over engineering methods liberally applied) as the exact placement of hills,town and industry were to be flexible for the foreseeable future.  I also wanted to be able to sit/stand/lean on the layout if needed to reach the back corners of the upper track design during construction as some are 3 to 4 feet away in the corners.  Don't even get me going about where the water shut off for the outside tap is located.  There is currently being planned an additional 10x16ft section to the loop in the foreground where the lamp is in the pic below.

New Freight Yard being mocked-up