The Original Lizard Attititude Railroad was started on this bit of land that you see to the left. That current Layout is on a portion of dirt that measures about 28 foot by 20. The current Highline Rail line that services the Mine, sits in the corner. To see construction of the NEW LiZarD AtTiTuDe RR - click here.
On the right, you see the small mountain that occupied that section of land now.
I initially started the line with a Loop. Since the Yard was flat - the dirt from the pool we had dug came in handy. The dirt in the SE corner from that was used to make the Hightine.
Just West of the Highline, I dug a small ditch to resemble a wash. What you see on the right is the first attempt.
Lizard Attitude Railroad
Construction
Big Rocks in your layout? Well don't make the common mistake of most people - when setting rocks near or around your layout - setting them like the rock on the left makes it look like this rock was their by a giant [which is what really happened]. How many rocks really look like that in natural settings?
Bury about 1/4 to 1/3 of the rock. Look at the difference it makes. It looks like a natural stone formation versus a Big Rock placed near the tracks.
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Rock before....
Looking toward the Mining Mountain
This photo shows what happens when it rains in Arizona - it pours! There is little detail in the Line at the time this photo was taken - I needed something to break up the monontony of the line.
I planted Golden Arborvitaes. These seemed to survive the hot summers although I lost a record 7 the summer of 2000.
And Rock after...
Basic Landscaping Tip
Simple river [ only when it rains ].
Looking toward the Mining Mountain
Adding to the Mountain line. The line is extending west along the wall.
Looking back towards the original mountain line section. The trestle will connect the Mountain line to the raised section along the wall. An interesting outdoor railroad should have some "height" height to it...in short a 3 dimensional feel. The Mountain line is a good 12- 18 inches higher than the "flatland".
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The backyard is covered in pea gravel. The track merely floats on the gravel. On the left, you see red soil and granite being built up on top of the gravel. Several layers will be needed to build up the support under the gravel. It is suggested that you do not use pea gravel as a base as heavy rains will wash the soil away. Very little rain here so this is not a major issue. More on ballast, click here.
Aristocraft snow plow on the trestle that connects the original mountain line with the new elevated section.
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On the left - the Main street is coming along. This photo was taken late Spring, 2001. Much has been added since then with more to come right after Christmas 2001. There will be a total of about 12 buildings "downtown". I have sketched out building placements.
Trolley is coming down the line to the new Trolley stop that is under condtruction.
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Bridges/ trestles are good to have on a layout. I currently have 4.
Note: Most of these photos were digital capture from an 8 mm video camera, hence the poor quality.
