Hey all. Thought I would post an update on what I've accomplished so far. This weekend I was able to get material purchased and get all the modules built thanks to the help of my dad and his arsenal of tools. I'll atach some photos down below. Right now not much to see other than beach work. I'll start working on track laying here in the next week Or two. I'm planning on posting anything update related to this thread and keeping questions separate in the interest of being organized. Ethan
Thanks guys. And yes, that was why I went with the shelf layout is I could set it up and keep my drum set out. I like having both
Ethan, What is the track type you are using? If code 100, I have some good flex track to spare. -Bob T.
Finally got a chance to start laying some track down. I have most of the main line laid around the out side of the layout. I must say that my attempts at flex track this time around are much much better than my previous attempts. I ran an engine and a couple cars down and back and it ran very smoothly, especially through the turn. Pictures below, please excuse the mess. Ethan
Looking good. I'm glad to see that you're using flex track. Outside of turnouts, diamonds, etc., I use flex track exclusively simply because flex track is 4 times as long as snap track. For me, longer sections = fewer joints = fewer opportunities for derailments. Also, the flexibility makes it easier for me to align joints without any gaps like I had years ago with snap track. Some folks recommend expansion gaps in their rail joints about the thickness of a business card. Maybe I should too, but I've never left gaps and I haven't had any problems. I suppose the flex track and adhesive I use give a little if any expansion occurs. You probably already know this but just in case, soldering any joints in curves before laying track will make all the difference in the world when it comes to the smoothness of your curves. - Brandon
Had a lot of free time finally last weekend so I jumped in and got most of my track laid dow . I put on some cars and an engine to test things out. I filled up the yard with some cars and ran an operating session for a little bit. Felt great to be back into the hobby.
Keep up the good work, Ethan. You took the lessons from Bob Wintle and Rick McClellan and put them to work!
Great job Ethan! Glad to see you getting busy with the Greatest hobby in the World. Between your Layout and that Drum set you have some Great Stress relievers.
Great work Ethan! Perhaps, one of these days, we can all decend on your place for an Op Session and a drum solo or two! Bob McKeighan, Lenexa, KS
That is going to be one great layout, Ethan! I like all the switching opportunities. I bet you will have fun kicking cars around with a Frisco geep or two. Ship it on the Frisco!!! Murphy Jenkins
I've had some fun running this layout. Deffinitally different than what I am use to. I'll post a track plan down below Ethan
That is a nice track plan. Is all the track going to be flat, or will some sidings be of different elevations? Ship it on the Frisco!!! Murphy Jenkins
Its suppose to be all flat. Didn't have room for elevation changes on this one. How ever one end of my yard module sets lower than the other so it does have a slight downhill slope. It actually makes it easier to switch cars Ethan
Ethan, my layout is flat also but I like to lay down some blue 1/2 inch and pink 1 inch foam first. It allows for some small elevation changes for streams and ditches. The 1/2 inch blue foam is to help determine how deep the carving has become, a sort of warning track to barrow from baseball terms. In yards it's not a big issue but out on the line you might want to consider it, you won't be sorry. You can see what I'm talking about by looking at layout photos in my albums. Look for the"Boston Mountains Sub-Division" and "Double Track Layout" albums. Both are level track layouts using this method. Joe
Oh, I forgot to mention that my layout is N scale so the 1 1/2 inches of foam would equal 3 inches in HO. That equivalent would be way too much for your situation. I recommend you use at least a single sheet of 1/2 inch foam. That will greatly improve any below track level scenery. You will notice the improvement right away. After that you can determine if you want to add more foam. If you want to include a deep depression to your scenery let me know. I will tell you how to build your benchwork and use foam so it can be accomplished with minimal work effort. Joe
