I found a basic track plan online that would work for my table size, then just added to it out of my head to fit the table without too much crowding. I had my mainline done, then had to decided what i was going to do for commercial and industrial services. As my old Friend Wounded bear would say, "You need to justify everything that goes on the layout, it has to be real and have a purpose."

I will see if i can find the link for the basic track plan.

Sheldon.

First section in place.

Sat down on the bench today, have not been down on that side of the basement since Sid passed away. I took a break and worked on model cars for a while. Time to get back to the train layout, i have lots to do and it is very relaxing . So i decided to make my own rural fencing, I am going to need a lot of it. I bought 300 wooden matches and a roll of florists wire.  Here is my first attempt.

That is incredible. I like your trees. the telephone poles look spot on as well.

I spent 3 days with Sid at his place in July 2019. His bench room where he does all his work is very old school, he has a great collection, selection of tools for modelling. It was great to watch his technique and have him explain things he does in person. I am forever grateful for his friendship.

It's been 1 week since Sid has passed away. I sat on the bench every day working on something, wishing my Friend was still here. There was one day i couldn't bring myself to go down there, every time i look at my layout i think of Sid.

May God Bless you and keep you Sid.  Thank you for teaching me as much as you did, i will never forget you.

How are you making out, did you get it figured out?

Thanks for posting that, i never thought of that, lol. I have seen all his pictures, and his layout in person. we have been friends for 20 years.

Sadly i no longer have anymore of the pics he sent me.

The new Sw 1500 loco and caboose are mine from when i was up there, he wanted to see how it ran on a layout.

From what i know Sid was in the hobby for 12 years, Sid is a self taught man.

This is a start, i have more in other folders i have to collect.

I have a bunch of pictures from when i was there, i willgather them up and post them here.

Sid's layout was insane. I got to see it in person. He spent a year with track software program designing it,then the next 10 years creating it. It had multi layers at opposite ends, and went into 2 different rooms with an upper and lower grade. His work shop was next to the layout room, and the train would make its way through the workshop. lol it took 9 minutes to make a lap around his layout.

He told me.. " Never plan on finishing your layout, it's not something you finish, it's something you do" The results will be way better and you will take your time that way.

Sid was a pretty cool cat. We spent hours on the phone chatting about cars, drag racing, growing up etc. He made me a better model builder, and i now have a new way of looking at things that i build be it trains or plastic model cars. He was a very patient teacher, he just expected me to apply myself and try.