Benchwork - Roadbed
22 Stories Up - Decision Point (1)
A continuation to the story following my progress of the Central Vermont RR's Barre Branch layout's construction.
This topic represents a major decision point in the construction due to an unexpected consideration.
The idea is to work up each module individually, putting down the roadbed, track, wiring, and turnout controls while the module rests in an easily workable state, and than join it to the next one once that is completed.
Calling all BIG brains - help needed on curve radius determination
I'm now working on the upper track of the alcove expansion and I've run into a problem on trying to figure what radius is necessary to continue the track from the existing area. The reason that I need to know the radius is because I want to use Fast Tracks (one of MRH sponsors) "Sweep Sticks" track laying tools and they are purchased in specific radius. I thought about just making up a number of templates (using cardboard or 1" foamboard) and through the process of trial & error trying different ones until I found a radius that works.
Richfield RailRunners
Hello All, Our 5th week of work and we ave about a 3rd of the layout up. Last week we built a 3 turn helix using spline roadbed. It looks GREAT and the trains move up and down perfectly. This week we are going to put electrical drops in and continue laying track.
The "Greater Nickel Plate" Lives!
Have finally begun to make progress on my layout. Am using luan sheathing for the backdrop (see photos) and have managed to get 80% of the work done. Table is 52 inches in height and 30 inches in depth. I've tried make the best use of the space available given furnaces; doors; laundry and even electrical outlets. Hence, the layout consists of a point-to-point design with a small port area at one end.
layout building
Ok guys I would like to know I building my layout and need to find out with the bench work do you use all plywood for a base or do you just cut the plywood just for the track and then use 2 inch foam as the scenery base. Its seems to me that it would be a waste to use plywood then 2 inch blue foam on top of it. and if you use all plywood for the base then how do you make hills and creeks and rivers. Thanks for all the help guys
Could use a little advice with N scale
Hey everyone! Names Dennis and I've finally decided after a long time to Design a new layout and could use some, any, advice haha. I've always built small basic layouts in HO that I could roll under my bed and taught myself everything over the past threw Trial and Error. I've come to the decision I want to put my collection of N scale trains into a home on a large layout rather then stored in boxes. I'm also looking into investing in a NCE power cab system and start running DCC, but ill worry about that once i have track. Ultamitly I'm wanting to build a m
XTrkCAD accuracy
Kudos to the developer of XTrkCAD. The LK&O track plan was created using it. My construction approach is to use the print function of XTrkCAD to create a 1:1 blueprint which I will use initially for open grid benchwork construction, specifically the positioning of cross-members so as not to interfere with switch machine locations. Afterwards, I plan on using the same print to mark track centers for cookie cutter and approximate spline locations.
Swept away by SweepSticks(tm)!
This is a shamless plug for one of our sponsors, Fast Tracks (http://www.handlaidtrack.com/). I have been reading about their SweepSticks(tm) track laying tool and since I was getting ready to lay some ME code 83 HO track around a 30" radius curve in my alcove expansion I thought I'd give them a try. When I checked their website it showed "out of stock". I emailed the good folks at FT and they promptly said that they do weekly production runs and if I got the order in by Monday they would expedite it. Sure enough, I got the order quickly and found that
Replacement Layout Lighting
Hi all-
About 2 years ago I installed some inexpensive halogen track lighting for my layout as I liked the white light that it generated but also found the heat generated from the lamps to be a secondary bonus as my basement is only indirectly heated. However over the course of the past couple of years I've come to notice that the lenses on the bulbs have started to yellow and as such one of the primary reasons for choosing this lighting is no longer valid.
Masonite Splines
I have started my adventures into spline construction (after getting some tip's last night from the superentendant of nearly everything) i set up a test and took 2 short splines and used "all pourpus adhesive caulk" on them insted of yellow glue and let them set over night the result was very good i could not get them to pry appart even when useing a screw driver on them. So hear are some pictures of my progress i will post more as i go. * and keep in mind when you see my helix i Model in N-scale.
"From the Great Northern Pacific RR"
Thanks Bill
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