Belgium2

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Belgium part 2.

The first article of Belgium shows what I had in mind to make this part of the layout. This second part will show how it finally will look like.

When I got the idea of building a small part of Belgium on my layout I did not have a home with enough space to build a layout. Now I do have plenty of space and I have dedicated about 8 x 5 ft. of space to make this Belgium part. I am going to split this layout in two sections with a train station on one side and a carnival on the other. Underneath the carnival is a hidden loop that makes the train turn around. The carnival is situated in a big city so city houses will be placed in the background to give this impression.

At the moment the framework, the table, is ready and the track is laying loose on the roadbed. This track still has to be divided in sections to be digitally operated. I always wanted to have a mountain on my layout, but realistically that is not correct. In Belgium you do have mountains though, but not where the Benelux trains run. The name of the city will be Beveren. Since my last name is “van Beveren” this kind of make sense. Also in the real city of Beveren there are no mountains, but he I just want to have one on the layout.

At the left the trains enter trough a hole in the wall. This hole will be camouflaged with a viaduct. The train station has two trough tracks which lead to a hidden loop. A third track is a single branch line to the carnival part of this area. A fourth track is for some freight. Also at the train station is a small piece of track with a old passenger car for museum purpose. On the right the tracks disappear in the mountain.

At the other side only the single track branch line is visible. About 4 inch above this the carnival and big city will be situated. At the left I try to model a big city with viaducts over this branch line. On the left there will be the train station and the carnival.

I keep this article updated with photo’s from during the making of this part of my layout.

Click on the photo for a picture in higher resolution and size.

	The space intended for the Belgium layout.
	The frame for the table, including two book shelves. (left)
	The passage trough the walk-in closet.
	The train will have to go trough a hole in the wall.
	Here an overview of the new part of the total layout.
	My youngest daughter helps me painting the frame work.
	Quickly a sheet of lumber thrown on top to work out my ideas.
	The boxes with track are ready.
	This is how I draw the centerlines of the radius track.
	On every inch I drilled a hole to fit a pencil, and one hole at the beginning is the center of the circle. Simple but effective.
	Instead of gluing roadbed I used sheets of cork I got from the lumber store for a small amount of money.
	While the cork dries, I laid out the remaining track.
	Ready to be installed on the table.
	Supporting lumber to prevent sagging and add strength.
	The train station as I planned it.
	The wood for the remaining track has been cut out.
	To separate the Belgium layout in two sections, I install guides to the wall to support the separation wall.
	I install the guides with long bolts and those special drywall nuts.
	Oops why can't I get the upper bolt trough the drywall?
	Aha... the cabinet is in the way.
	Yep, when removed out the wall, I can shorten the bolt and it will all fit just fine. Including the cabinet of course.
	Here the two guides installed.
	And the guides on the table are installed, ready for the separation wall.
	A quik picture of the train station with a Belgium trainset.
	My twin helps me painting the separation wall.
	Here the separation wall in front of the guides, to show you how I install it to the table and wall.
	Now in place.
	And seen on the other side.
	Little by little it start to become something.
	At the Beneluxrail forum I asked for ideas the way this road goes into the mountain.

And two pictures from today, 4 June 2006:

As off 8 June, the other side:

And the way it looks at 25 May 2007:



And the way it looks at 25 June 2007:

	My daughter has the honor to cut the hole in the wall. Now the track can be made to connect with the rest of the layout.
Back from vacation with some Belgium accessories, for that little accent:


And the way it looks at 26 January 2008: