Benchwork and roadbed
Yet Another Helix Design
I needed a helix to get between levels on my layout but I had other requirements besides
diameter and grade. The helix is at the end of a peninsula and I wanted to have track and
scenery on both levels on the outside of the helix. This meant the helix needed to support
a smooth backdrop as well as upper foam benchwork, track and scenery. Finally, splice
plates weren’t feasible because of the grade and the required vertical spacing.
Plywood Thickness?
I am soliciting opinions regarding the choice of plywood for sub-roadbed.
My bench work construction method will be open grid 1x4 on 16" centers. A combination of spline and cookie cutter construction will be used as appropriate. The layout is 2 deck so L girder construction was discounted so as to maintain minimum bench thickness.
Transition Curve Templates
Transition curves are very useful for model railroads. They look good and
promote reliable operation. There are quite a few methods available for laying out
transition curves during track planning but some of these don’t scale up well for
use in layout building. I was quickly frustrated trying to define the first transition
curve on my layout. It was an inside corner and I didn’t have a good place to
anchor the center my full size compass. Without a good circle to guide me, it was
hard to do much else with the curve.
Fascia and Skirting
Hi All,
This is my first post so please pardon (and comment on) any errors in format.
I'm putting some finishing touches on my new layout and have just added fascias and skirts. I prefer black over other colors (personal choice) and use corduroy salvaged from a prevuious layout. The skirts are set back 6" from the fascia to give the layout a floating appearance.
Northeast Corridor-New Jersey Division
The first section of benchwork the NEC-NJ Div is up. Its a 2x4 section which will include 2 slip switches as well as FAIR tower (Trenton, NJ). Should be around 8 tracks across when finished.
Spline in bridge?
,Joe, Charley, et al: Much like Joe's high bridge at Slater Creek, I am planning a similar bridge, but the GN's Foss River bridge in WA is a compound curve on 2+% grade. The proto goes from tangent easing to 10 deg. curve, which would be 88"r. but I am going to 13 deg. which is 60"r. My thought is to install temporarily support for the spline while building it, then remove the supports over the 51" span, glue the ME girders to the spline, then do the landforms and install the ME tower bents.
Helix Construction Method?
Does anyone have an opinion of which is the best way to set the vertical loop spacing in a helix? With threaded rod, or glued in fixed spacers.
Steve Raiford
Been thinking about N Scale roadbed...
I have been thinking about a way to have cork under all of my N Scale track, yet get the sidings lower than the main line....
Has anyone ever used HO Scale cork for the main line and N Scale cork for the secondary tracks?
Has anyone used EasyMat For Roadbed?
In the most recent issue of MR, there is an article that describes how to cut and use EasyMat for Roadbed. It is a material that is traditionally used for ceramic tile or stone underlayment (leave it up to a model railroader to find alternative uses for anything!!!! LOL) So I went to my local Home Depot to look at the material, and I didn't want to pay $60 to experiment, but was able to get from the dept mgr, a small (few sq inches) sample of the material, and upon inspection, though the thickness is ok for roadbed, I find the material very dry and inflexible (not
Does Gatorfoam need structural support for use as Subroadbed?
In the Layout Design i'm working on for the Protofreelance Pennsylvania & Allegheny RR, I have a situation where I need to have a nod-under and I would like to make this part of the benchwork/subroadbed as thin as possible, without sacrificing strength (to prevent sagging). It will cross an aisle that is 6' wide.
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