Benchwork - Roadbed
Glenn Westlake Middle School Model Railroad Club--Construction Phase
Well It is time to start up the new blog for the school club for construction and we already have a pretty good start. I won't say much more here just to keep the intro short so read on..
Lowering the level of a siding?
I believe that sidings (and yards) on the prototype were often slightly lower than the main line in order to prevent cars from running away onto the main line. I have also read that emulating this on a model layout enhances the realism and helps to make the siding track look different from the mainline (in addition to other techniques such as using lower profile rail and larger spacing between ties).
I have a couple of questions that someone out there might help answer:
It's time to light the lights!
(With apologies to Kermit the frog)
Thanks to advice from other members of this forum, I've figured out how I'll be installing the lights on my BVLC layout. I've decided to build a shadow box, using pine timber for support and MDF board as the 'roof' of the layout. It has to be self-contained, as my current house is a rental.
Lightweight ceiling layouts
I've installed two ceiling storage lifts to raise two 4x8 layout tables in my two car garage, this way both our cars and layout can share the same space. My question is about options for building lightweight layouts. I'm looking for input for making both the benchwork and the scenery reasonably lightweight, and strong enough to lift.
Horseshoe & Cottonwood Update #4
Finally some trains actually running on the new layout!! Even if it is just a test train.
H&C engine #23 emerges from Tunnel #1 and begins climbing Lubkin Canyon westward towards the Sierra Nevada mountains.
I roughed in the scenery below the bridge to minimize the number of times I need to remove the trestle from here on out.
Cutting plywood
I need to cut off about 3 inches of 1/4" plywood, against the grain, about 3/8 of an inch from the end of the board. Would a diamond wheel on a Dremel rotary tool work or should I use a Dremel Saw-Max?
Shelf layout question - Should plywood be used under XPS or is it just as good gluing the foam to the framework?
I've seen it done both ways by experienced modelers. The layout (main section is 2' x 8'8") is designed to be portable but that's only if I move. I'll be using cork or Woodland Scenics roadbed under the track. Will using plywood on the framework followed by foam be significantly quieter than just gluing the foam to the framework?
Middle school model RR: talk me out of it
Being a teacher is intrinsically rewarding. I work hard during the school year, and get a couple of carefree months off during the summer. Not much pay, but I’ll take the tradeoff.
Roadbed options
Time has come to install the roadbed. There are several commercial made products available for roadbed: cork, camper tape, homasote (440 sound board) being some of the major choices. Of course there are multiple manufactures for each type of roadbed.
My intent is not to start a debate on which product is better for XXX reason, YYY price or ZZZ application. Instead, I want to think a bit outside the box and get thoughts from everyone on a different option.
Layout Update: July 2015 - Main/Third Level DCC Testing Results
I finally completed the wiring for the 4th power district on the main level/third level. This is the track that runs from Michaelson Jct. (aka Ottawa Jct., KS) both to the West Helix and on the branch line that runs over the top of the West Helix to the third level that has the cities of Michaelson (aka Ottawa, KS) and then to Elizabeth City, OK (aka Tulsa, OK).
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