Benchwork - Roadbed
Question about Drawer Glides
I need some roller bearing drawer glides for something in my train room and I have a question:
.png)
When purchasing a 24" drawer glide, does the 24" refer to measurement A (the amount it extends), B (the minimum collapsed length), or C (the total max length when fully extended)?
Non-risky method of ballasting turnouts.
Hello. In video below I will show easy and non-risky method of ballasting turnouts. This method gives good results and is suitable for beginners and those modellers, who don't have large experience in ballasting. Ideal for ballasting complex turnouts (double slips and 3-way turnouts).
The Mud Bay & Western #3 - Roughing in the Benchwork
Based on the overall plan presented in the previous post (The New Plan), it is time to rough in the benchwork.
Part of the benchwork is anchored directly to the walls while the peninsula is self-supporting in the middle of the room. This required two different approaches for support. Around the walls we used shelf brackets. For the peninsula we used an aluminum frame.
Details in the post below ...
Benchwork Tips
Got my plan for the new layout iin our new home done by a professional. Waiting on final plan with minor changes to trackwork coming next week and plan on starting construction by the end of the month.
My plan is for simple benchwork using 2" blue foam as the base for the railroad. Tips for working with this? Most switches are ground throws, but several more that are 20 inches away would be Tortise; tips on installation? Opinions on foam wire cutters? Make my own? Buy?
Slag ballast
Anyone have tips on modeling slag for road bed ballast? It's not quite black as coal but certainly darker than dark gray so it's a bit of a middle ground that I haven't found an alternative for yet.
Arizona rock doesn't have anything that looked right so I'm debating getting a dark gray and mixing black paint powder with it or black ballast and mixing with a lighter color paint powder. However I really have no idea if that will even work.
Another spline question
I'm getting ready to start a real layout and use homosote spline. My question is how tight of a radius will it bend? I will be having a few 20" curves
The Mud Bay & Western #2 - The New Plan
My last post was meant to introduce the topic and provide a brief history of the project so far. Today I want to start with the real meat of the project, the work being done at the new location. This post will be an overview of the plan for refitting the layout into the new room.
The New Location
The original location was in one side of a two car garage. The room we are moving to is located above one stall in a three car garage so the space is roughly the same size and shape, but is slightly bigger.
The Mud Bay & Western
I am finally embarking on my layout project. I am going to use this blog to track the build. I am new to MRH and to blogging so we'll see how this goes. Hope you enjoy it!
Introduction to the Mud Bay & Western
The MB&W is a fictional branch line set in the Puget Sound region in the late 60’s. The design goal is to maximize operation potential in the space available. It is a two-level, operation centric, N scale railroad that uses some less common (I think) techniques in its construction.
Spline roadbed vs other methods
I have become enamored with the flowing look of track built on spline roadbed. While I model in On30, the track gauge is the same as HO, it does require longer ties and more center to center spacing. With that in mind I lowered a section of my bench work about 4” below where the other, plywood, roadbed is already in place to allow a few more riders and some room for scenery below the track level.
>> Posts index
Navigation
Journals/Blogs
Recent Blog posts: