Building the Frisco System 1980 - Construction Project Documentation - HO-Scale Layout

Same problems, different month. You know what I mean.

This month's single work weekend allowed me to build most of the benchwork for the wall that went up last month. Nothing too crazy this time around. Like last time, I started at the end closest to the wall and worked my way out. The lowered area at the back is the scenic area between Iantha and Lamar. The foreground in Kansas Avenue Yard in Springfield. The gap in the plywood is to allow space for both incline tracks to work their way up the wall past the yard.



Now that I have benchwork up on two of the peninsulas I can see how my isle width came out, and I am quite happy with it. I think there will be plenty of room for crews to get past each other.



I ran out of time to build the second trapezoid piece Sunday, so I will have to pick up there next time. I think building that section, the second 8' section for Kansas Avenue Yard and then cutting and installing 2 big curved sections should take up most of the next weekend I get to work with whenever that is.

Once I get those items built and installed, that is were things get tricky. It will be time to build the final wall at that point. I currently have my supply of full sheet plywood setting in that spot.

Once that wall goes up, I will be limited on work space for ripping plywood. I think I will pre build several sections of bench work before I put that wall up so I can maximize my work space for as long as possible.

 

Much to my surprise, I had time to work the past couple weekends. The first job was to build and install the other trapezoid piece. It's amazing how much time is added when dealing with angles. The last set of square sections I was able to build and install in about 30 minutes. This piece took about 3 hours.


After that, the next step was to cut out a curved section for the area between Iantha and Lamar. I remembered to take a picture of my tracing jig this time. I'm using 4 sets of sweep sticks, and several sets of space gauges. The two center sets are the size of the track curves (40 and 42" radius). The outer two sets are 38 and 44" radius. All 4 sets are spaced 2" apart on center. I then trace a line on the inside of the outside sweep sticks. This gives me a consistant curve that is wide enough to accommodate both tracks with room to spare.



With the lines traced onto the plywood, it's time to cut. I'm lucky to have a deep chest of power tools to borrow. This cordless saw is very handy for making these curved cuts since I'm not constantly fighting a power cord. A unit tank train stops to pose in the background.

 

Later in the week, I was able get the big curve and the other pieces all installed back in the corner. This one went together much easier than the first last curve. This area only had one bridge to account for instead of two, so that helped.


Yesterday morning, I got started on the big curve at the end of the peninsula between Lamar and Springfield. It took me a while to make a plan and get going on it. It's still a work in progress, but this is without a doubt the most difficult part of the build. Instead of a double track curve, I need 2 separate curves coming around. The inner curve for the condensed "Springfield Sub" not only has an S curve to plot out, it also needs to start an incline the turn as well. I also had to space sheeting for the east end of Lamar to work with the other line. For reference, the red tape measure is setting approximately where the MFA Elevator is going.



I still have some more plywood to cut out to finish the sheeting over on the west end of Springfield, but that will be a project for next time.