Benchwork - Roadbed
Shelf Layout Construction
Hello all,
Now that the wife and I have moved into our new house, its time to start the planning stages for a model railroad!
I would like to note that I am following Lance Mindheim's style of design.
Atlas Pier Set modeling question
Hey guys I am to a point in the layout where I don't know how to hide the pier set that I used to traverse up to second level. I want to somehow make it look like a hill or something but I seriously lack in the artistic ability. I would much rather run them around the layout LOL. Any help and pictures would be great. Thanks Keith
Drilling pink foam
Hi folks,
I'm using 2" extruded foam as my bench work. What kind of drill bit can I use to make the small holes for my track feeders?
Thanks, Scott
Turnout control on the RMR
Unfortunately some of my Micro Engineering turnouts have turned out to be less than reliable when thrown by hand, so I decided to try some Bullfrog mechanisms instead. Yesterday I made one Bullfrog unit, and made a recessed panel for five turnout controls. I'm quite pleased with the result, although this means a lot more work. One down - a lot more to go...
Has anybody else had problems with the ME turnouts? Of the last batch of 6 I bought, the spring mechanism only worked on 2 of them. Poor quality control?
Looking for benchwork ideas on multi-deck peninsulas
I have a 3 level multi-deck layout currently in process. I have 2 walls that I have the first level peninsulas installed. Either was done the same way as I learned different configurations from the first one to the second one. To set the stage, the one I just built will have a couple industries on it that will require the benchwork to be more thought out for the top level so I don't have supports in the way. I've learned with this layout that its like a game of chess, I have to keep thinking ahead of my next move or install.
Huntington Junction phase 3 - post construction thoughts
I've got my third phase benchwork complete and most of the track down. Just one more turnout and a few lengths of flex and I'll have all of the mainlines in place and operational. I've been running trains around the upper level and everything works great. My EM-1 will easily pull all the cars I own up the grade without even breaking a sweat. And with quite a few hours running now no derailments anywhere on the layout.
Hollow Core Door Extension
I am scaling by dream layout down from 4x8 to one that would fit on a hollow core door, because it may need to be portable. The door I am looking at is 6' 8" by 36". I would really like to add 7" to the width, making it 6' 8" by 3' 7". My idea would be to stick a piece of pink or blue foam insulation 6' 8" by 7" down the side of the door in the front, where the track plan is flat. To keep the foam from falling, I was considering attaching a sill plate underneath the whole door and foam of ¼ underlayment p
Times Flies when you're . . . .
Living, raising kids, and going through job transitions. And yet I managed to do a little work - just forgot to document it here. I have too many blogs . . . . but here's the stuff you missed.
Moving on, I have new ROW - mostly to accommodate the above ground needs of the family. It has meant redoing the basement and refiguring out how to make a minimal wood shop and a model railroad work in the same space.
How To: Squeeze Bottle Ballast Spreader
Here's a simple, easy and cheap way to make a ballast spreader. Start with any cheap water bottle.
Then remove the stopper and cut the sides off clips that hold it in place.
Lastly I used a step bit to enlarge the hole to 5/16" to work with fine ballast.
The Super Chief - First Complete Run around the N-Scale ATSF Paradigm Division
The layout is now operational and full passenger and freight trains can now be run in both the westbound and eastbound directions and to and from the staging level. The project to complete the area inside of the east helix that will house the engine facility and coach yard is now in the planning stage.
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