ok...

Ok, getting started is always the hardest part. Maybe worse in this case, as the module bases have sat for a long time, working as extra work bench and storage space.

yup, it has to go.

With the junk off, I was able to see the track plan (left on top)

and after making some registration marks, it was time to start. The two module bases were pulled down, and securely bolted and screwed together. As a test, I discovered that I could pick it up and put it back on solo, but it goes much easier with some help. As when I'm doing that it will have foam, cork, and track on it, I'll stick with the help.

Nothing like a clean slate.

next up was sizing and cutting up the foam underlayment. I need two layers for the right height here, the pink is foam I brought with me, the blue is a single board I was able to get locally (well, a couple of hours away) thanks to Norman's persistence on finding the product.

and once that was cut and placed, the bottom layer went down with glue - under my very fancy, very advanced, foam-clamping-system.

I'vwe enjoyed folowing all of you layout building adventures.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this new section turns out.  Hopefully you get the layout completed to the point of being able to enjoy it before your return to the states, although the fun of building can be very rewarding in itself.

Suction

Vacuum needs to be on the underside so it sucks the foam down

Upon your return to the western hemisphere....

... are you intending to ship all of your modules back via UPS or DHL or something?

You're building quite an empire there.

Not sure on the future

Not sure on the future, actually, in any way.

My idea was when we're ready to move we'll be able to ship back what we brought - which would include these modules.

I'll remove all the surface features (trees, buildings, etc) and pack them separately, than cut the modules apart along the fault (module edges) lines (rail and lower scenery levels).  No turnouts live on the fault lines, but the bullfrogs are protected below.  If one, two, three, or all modules survive, than great - otherwise, I'll start over again - which to me, has become half the fun!

It's been almost 20 months now to get to this point on the build; if I can get these last modules operational within 2 years (edit -- meant the whole layout functional within 24 months, not an additional 24 months), than I'll be satisfied (although I still have scenery on 2,3, &4 to finish)

Never thought of the vacuum on the bottom side....damn.

Cant wait to see more of it 

Cant wait to see more of it 

I have been waiting to see

I have been waiting to see this Mod 6/7 fished for a long time...

Module 5 was spectacular if I may use that description. Great attention to detail.

Thanks

Chris

Been a couple of days

It's been a couple of days, filled mostly with glue and wait. This evening, everything was firmed up, and I can actually get moving!

First on the list is to check alignment, and to do that, the modules were slid (the wood glides pretty well along the tile) into place.

Than, using a 90 degree cabinet angle I got from Rockler years ago (really handy for framing, in case you're interested), clamped it into position.

With that lined up, I used this ribbon rail guage to help mark out where the roadbed should fall.

Pulling out the 1:1 track plan, I aligned it as it's supposed to go.

uh oh. Missed by a few inches. No stress, as I had decided I wasn't going to worry about that - adjustments can be made now instead on the following modules. I simply don't want to force anything to fit a paper plan.

So, after a few minutes of fiddling...

now that's looking better. A slight slide to the left and back, and voila - we have an alignment that will work. On the other end?

it works  - it's a bit towards the back more than I would like for scenery purposes, but it has one major advantage.

sliding it to the left (or back of the module) adds another inch easy to the front of the layout (as shown by the pink foam), making it a  it a whole lot more fall over friendly. I think this outweighs any adjustments to rear scenery.

With that resolved (at least in my head), I started plotting out the cork roadbed. Well what do you know.

I actually have more than enough! Even after covering this top, I have three more large sheets, not to mention half a box of the split roadbed as well!

Extra roadbed

 I discovered I'd run out of split roadbed as well last Saturday. Happily the LHS was open on Sunday (which I didn't actually expect) and I was able to grab a few extra pieces, some Celluclay to play with, and a couple bottles of Testors glue.

 Your adventures are leading me to a new appreciation of having a local LHS and a couple of exceptional LTS's only 60 or so miles away.

Not to mention a wide assortment of lumber and hardware stores nearby....

Is this the last module you

Is this the last module you have to build or is there more to come.

The last that was planned

This is the last that was planned, once they're done, and depending on my work situation, I wouldn't mind continuing around the room with a much narrower set, mostly to provide a continual and bi-directional staging option.

So as I was looking at the track plan on the foam last night, I started to wonder about this track (see B9 below)

I don't really have a purpose for this track...I had marked it as industry, but now I wonder if I should just drop it and add a short track in front of the freight house (box with B3 marked in it, below) or just simplify it.

Change

I like the change, Scarpia. Not sure what the scenery/road plan is around the freight house, but by removing B9 you now have a larger area to scenic and make the break from the previous module. Even if you don't put the track by the freight house, removing B9 would be a good option, IMO.

Roy

I think I'll pull it

Thanks Roy for confirming what I think I already knew. I'll pull that track, and consider the other one. I think less maybe a bit more in this case.

Good Move

I don't think that track added much operationally, and it did potentially make the scenic transition from the last module more awkward.

This weekend

This weekend I got the cork down and in place, and started transferring the plan to the surface.

I like to print out the Fast Tracks templates, and slide them around. This is after the cork was glued down, but before the plan was transferred.

Starting on the connecting end, tried to get things to line up again

I use a large pencil to punch track centerlines for each turnout, and each track ending. Using these, I try to connect the dots.

I have some time to think on the plan, as I have a few turnouts to get built. I'm going to look at it for a while, and make sure I'm not missing anything.

Change of plans

After a good conversation this morning (well, morning for me) with Jason and Dave, I'm now seriously considering the following plan.

This has the freight house moved to the front, the track shortened, and a short team track added to.

What I don't like about this is the fact that it almost mimics the other side of the layout, but I can live with that.

New New Change of Plans

I think I've finally gotten this to work out.

I've turned the back siding into a passing siding, removing the switchback. Moving the freight house up, and than adding back the other siding provides me a spot for my coal dealer, again without a switchback.

I also slid the yard to the right, shortening the tracks, as I wanted enough room to pull back with at least two cars, both the two middle yard tracks will hold 7 cars (which should be the max for this job), and there is no through track, as this is the end of the branch (it does interchange with a small local road).

So that's the plan - and to size things up, time to go one to one. lets pretend the yard stick is the track for the stone works.

this team track (or off layout industry) to the front of the layout will hold 3 cars, two easy.

moving down the layout...

looking back towards the freight house (team track on the right).

So I'm getting happier - I'm greedy with wanting more track, but I think this scheme will allow for better operations.

Odd...

Am I the only one seeing red X's instead of pictures?

Suddenly my browser is asking me if I want to display unsecured data from the page. I'm guessing there was a change to the forums?

OK here Ken

IE9/ Win 7/64

David

RED XXXX

So am I.

tried to download IE9/ Win 7/64 and is not supported under XP 

I had problems earlier as well

I had problems earlier too - had to restart my browser. Oddly enough the problem showed when I had a vpn client running, on my other machine, no issues. VPN off and restart, and they showed up.

S-curves

I really like watching your progress. Thanks for charing!

Now to your new plan. I would be concerned about the S-kurve you are introducing with the right hand turnout from the upper blue line, that is to your "new siding".

Is it possible to use a left hand turnout which you move more towards the right end of the module?

My Philosophy

I know for some folks, philosophy is as much a part of the hobby as, well, trains. My philosophy, if you can call it that, is a bit more action based.

After a busy week of work, I managed to get back in the train room, to create this monster.

I know, not too scary. It's all one piece, all three turnouts share the same bottom rail.  There are probably more good reasons to not make it this way than to, but I have fun seeing what I can come up with out of the Fast Tracks jigs, and the lack of rail connectors is kind of nice.

Here's where it goes.

I thought about integrating the other three at the far end as well, but it just gets unwieldy. I think I'll do those three as a set though.

Fast Tracks are fun, no doubt.

Ok, just 7 more turnouts to go....

Knut, thanks for your comment. I didn't see that, I'll just advance the upper turnout a car length or so to negate the S curve effect.

Regarding the "S" curve

Regarding the "S" curve issue, how about replacing the right most right hander with a left hander and move it to the right into the curved section coming onto the module. The straight route heads for the spur, the curved route lines up to the siding. Eliminates the "S", and slightly lengthens the siding.

Just sayin'