Wonderful ...

Nice write-up on an exceptional layout Prof!  Loved the accompanying pictures as well.

A 'small' layout such as this could literally fill an entire volume without exhausting all of its potential.  Chicago Fork really does remove two of the largest obstacles to building a layout ... finding the space, and simple (noiseless) construction of the baseboard ... even the apartment dweller can build and operate this layout.

In the Small Layout Scrapbook some ideas for operating the Chicago Fork were offered ... here's the link (scroll to near the bottom of the page):

http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page98a/

And more info on its big brother in O-scale can be found here:

  http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page97a/index.html#chicago

As always, thanks for sharing.

Kudos

Loved the foamcore benchwork concept and the diorama/shadowbox design.  The dimensions for my layout are somewhat larger, so I may subsititue Gatorfoam or lauan (or a combo of both).  BTW, I remember your Brooklyn 3AM project form the Micro Layout site.  Any updates on that?  

Cheers.

Dear Jeff G, Thanks for the

Dear Jeff G,

Thanks for the feedback. It's worth noting that using 2x 60"x40" foamcore sheets, a module of overall dimensions 5' x 2' x 2' tall, with integrated lighting-rig/roof/pelmet is do-able. For longer (than 5') modules, you'll be looking for either a longer sheet, or laminating lengths together. My "Brooklyn : 3AM" layout http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page87/ uses exactly the same design but limited to a 4' overall length.

Personally I'm not sure Gatorfoam or Luan is actually required for structural purposes, even at such overall module dimensions. However, if you do give these materials a go, I know I'd be very interested in seeing the results and final module specs 
(FWIW, 4' x 2' x 2' Foamcore module a la "Brooklyn : 3AM" weighs in at 3 kilos,
INC lighting rig, ready for tracklaying and scenery).

"Brooklyn ; 3AM" http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page87/ is currently in storage, as my limited layout workspace is being monopolised by a new layout build which is booked for an event in March 2014. However, once I've got a few other projects off the workbench, I hope to get "Brooklyn" back on the local exhibition circuit...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Dear Dave, Thanks for the

Dear Dave,

Thanks for the feedback and linked info. Glad to hear the info is helpful...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

O scale 2R in 8x1 for $500?

Dear MRH $500 fans,

Out of interest, I went back to the documentation for the O scale 2R SG "Chicago Fork" layout which inspired the HO version, and made a rather amusing discovery.

If we:
- don't include the O scale loco (2nd-hand CLW brass GP35 @ US$300 on eBay,
would consider replacing with an New Atlas 2R SW9/1200 switcher if starting again)

- don't include the set of 4x cars
(2x Atlas Highcubes, + Red Caboose Flat + Red Caboose Tankcar, + Atlas RB trucks and Kadee 802s all round, avg US$45 per car)

- recognize the track was handlaid using Code 100 rail stripped from cheapo NS HO flextrack,
(Track gauge was a quicky styrene assembly,
flangeways and guardrails set by styrene "feeler gauge" spacers against NMRA RP25 O gauge specs,
with the turnouts built in-situ over FastTracks Printable #5 O gauge template.
Sleepers/ties were balsawood, spikes were PECO SL14s,
and tieplates were resin castings from Wisemans Models)

- and that the "Warehouse" was a piece of offcut foamcore faced with corrugated cardboard from a Valentine's Day rose box with appropriate painting and weathering,

The O scale "Chicago Fork" came in at under AUD$500 too!

Just to recap, that means, for AUD$500, and a total "shelf space" outlay of 8'x1' x 2' tall, we got:

- a 4x1 x 2' tall foamcore proscenium module
(2x 60"x40"x3/16" foamcore sheet + 1x 1.5mm matteboard)

- inc heavy-duty aluminium "Qubelok" exoskeleton and related fascias
(Honesty Note: Qubelok was purchased from and cut to nominated lengths by wholesaler, big $$$ and effort savings!)

- a 4x1 "sectorplate" module constructed of same "Qubelok" aluminium and some MDF
(see Honesty Note above)

- all track, fully laid and wired
- a 2x 12V 20W halogen lighting rig built-in
- basic ballast and scenery
- a "industrial flat" structure with 3 - 4x carspots
- and basic Analog DC control

Due to the "omissions",
(does not include trains),

I wouldn't enter the O scale version in a "$500 layout" competition
(does not forfill all of the stated entry critieria),

but if N and HO are simply too small for your eyes/hands/heart, and On30 doesn't quite cut it for you,
it is entirely possible to build a "O scale SG 2R layout you can actually live with" for under $500...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

GP35 @ US$300 on eBay

One can get a good running O scale loco for $100-150  if they look around a bit and quality used cars can be had for $20-25.  O actually is a bargain if you price it by the cubic foot as many folks just don't have the room for it  and O has been around since the flood so there's tons of it to choose from....DaveBranum

Dear Dave, Possibly you and

Dear Dave,

Possibly you and I are not looking at the same eBay listings then. I see plenty of 3-rail and Lionel GP35s going for between US$250 - $400,

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Lionel-/4144/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=gp35

but nary a 2-rail scale or brass one...
(That said, there's a KTM Brass GN GP35 on for US$45 now 13/09/13 13:23 AEST,
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Great-Northern-GN-GP35-US-Hobbies-KTM-not-DCC-O-scale-Brass-Diesel-/141058988083?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item20d7c55833

Deadset bargain... but again outside the contest rules as it's an exception, not a "regularly available buy"...)

If we're talking Atlas, which seems to be leading in affordable 2R scale offerings, I see the following

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Atlas-/38279/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=gp35

which span the low $3xx to high $4xx,

and if we ignore the pain of potentially having-to rewire an MTH unit, there appear to be some rare 2R offerings within a similar budget range

http://www.ebay.com/sch/MTH-/4730/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=gp35

Stepping away from the GPs, and looking at SWs
(In building "Chicago Fork", I wanted to strenuously avoid opening the door to the alegation of
"sure you can build a 2R O scale layout in a small space, if you use lo-fi "PDT/MDT" switchers a la http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-O-scale-2-rail-MDT-IC-switcher-New-in-the-box-Mint-/380717638172?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item58a48a221c#ht_26wt_1172 , and similar shorty cars,

but those aren't "real railroad" SW/GP/SD/RS type locos, so your effort doesn't count"...)

Atlas steps up again in the $300-$400 region with http://www.ebay.com/sch/Atlas-/38279/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=sw9 , and you'll have to be "on the spot at the right time" to snag a 2R version...

As for cars, The Atlas Highcubes were a good deal, barring the need to replace the couplers with real Kadee 802s... (example, albeit again frustratingly, if not explicitly noted, one has to assume it'll be 3R, Grrr!!!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atlas-O-Trainman-Milwaukee-Boxcar-/360738012061?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item53fda93b9d#ht_92wt_1172 )

The Red Caboose UTLX tank and (MILW?) flatcar kits were IMHO good buys at around US$15 + shipping, although to suit the "more modern era" I was aiming for, adding Atlas RB trucks, and the obligatory Kadees upped the final cost a little bit...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-Caboose-UTLX-Tank-Car-85346-/121173661711?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item1c3683580f#ht_23wt_1172

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Undecorated-Red-Caboose-O-42-flat-car-/121165230634?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item1c3602b22a#ht_278wt_934
(RTR version shown, kit is the cheaper/better buy IMHO, is easy to assemble, and a lot of fun!)

The key is that I was attempting to build a scale 2R "O scale" layout in a size (8x1 shelf) that a space-challenged modeler may consider is "oh well, only N or HO can fit here".

http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page97a/#chicago

Furthur,  I wanted to see if the alegation that,
"...an experienced and comfy "HO style/level detail" modeller could be happy "upscaling" and working in O scale 2R SG...", would hold up under a real-world test...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

"affordable 2R scale offerings"

  Hi Prof, The most affordable semi- modern era 2 rail scale stuff is Weaver. They make decent boxcars, hoppers, reefers, tank cars, etc. plus a nice GP38-2 . For older era prototypes Athearn or All Nation or again Weaver. Early Atlas Roco is inexpensive too. If I was trying to fit O scale into a small space I'd model the 1950's or earlier and just use 40  foot or shorter cars. If I wanted a more modern era in the same space I'd go with S scale as a 50 foot car would take up a bit less room in S scale than a 40 foot car would in O scale. S costs a lot more per cubic foot due to scale equipment shortage but if you ain't got the space you gotta pay the price....DaveBranum 

Links

Sorry for the late reply.  I

Sorry for the late reply.  I actually aim to do something first; then I can aim to improve!  

Right now, I'm having way too much fun with SketchUp and Shapeways designing rolling stock end el components (hence my interest in Brooklyn, 3AM) as masters for casting.  Incidentally, I grew up in Brooklyn and we always referred to that area (Sunset Park) as "down by the docks."  I hope to incorporate some sort of a switching line that runs in the streets beneath the el tracks.  

Will keep you posted as/when things materialize.

Best.