Hi all,
I am finally getting around to building an N scale layout and wanted to to the 'salt lake route' as per model railroader jan - jun 2010. However, I don't have the magazines (lost a whole years worth somewhere !!!) . I know I can buy them again, but I seem to remember being disappointed that the bench work did not have a 'build list' of the timber along with the actual dimensions of the benchwork. Is anyone able to help out with the dimensions please? Or what would be really good is someone that has built this layout with pictures and details somewhere they might like to share? I have search around on google and would have thought that four years later, quite a few people would have built this buy now as I think it is an excellent layout.
I also did consider doing it in HO scale, but to be fair to the layout, it would end up too big for my available space.
thank you in advance.
I think I have those editions. I'm at work right now, and will check when I get home (unless someone gives you the info in the interim).
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
Found the issues, and you're right -- the build issue (Feb 2010) doesn't provide a materials list at all (everything else does though!!).
There are a few references though that might help.
Given the drawing in MR, and the scale they gave.
narrow tabletop is 3' x 5' 4 1/2" , where it starts to widen.
wide tabletop is 4' x 2' 2", where it meets the angled piece (6' 11" from narrow end).
angled piece is just shy of 18"
hope this helps you out -- but I'm taking guesses based on the drawing in MR, using a ruler with 1/16 (at best) increments, and some napkin math, so the measurements for where the bump-out angle begins/ends is likely to be "off" a bit from the original builder's design.
thank you Dan - that is certainly a start. I thought there might be some people on here that have built this layout as it seemed very popular at the time. I have been googling and youtubing for a few days now and sent emails to those with videos , but as yet - no reply.
I guess I'll make a video diary to help other people once I get going 1
no problem!
Oh, one thing I noticed last night was that the 42" joist is cut at an angle to follow the angled corner that goes there.
I built a variation of the Salt Lake with Kato Unitrack. It has two entry/exit points for off layout staging. The main loop is the superelevated double track. Have fun!
Dan
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/nsheritagelines/photos/albums/863101748/lightbox/1590735432?orderBy=ordinal&sortOrder=asc&photoFilter=ALL#zax/1590735432
The top was made from 4x8, with a 1x4 (roughly) strip cut from a long side and put on the end. Remember, your version doesn't have to be 100% exact to the way they built it. I believe they used like an open grid bench work but I can't remember. For a time I was planning to build the Salt Lake route also with my own fictional railroad (Salt Lake Southern) and I planned to use L-girder style bench work, with an extra girder to support the kick out.
MR orinigally planned with this layout to use the new, at the time, Kato Unitrak featuring super elevated curves. Kato still sells the complete track kit (although over $900 USD) and if you search the katousa sit you can get a little track plan showing where all the pieces go and listing part numbers for the track.
Unfortunetly I, like you, have lost issues over the years, and I'm afraid this is very likely one of them. A little over a year ago we moved, and to make things easier I went through ALL my magazines (not just Model Railroader) and only kept the ones I reallty wanted. Of course, going through them once in a while to find an issue to read, I occasionaly find that I got rid of an issue that I thought I kept. Pretty sure this was one of them.
The moral: never let anyone convince you to toss away your saved magazines.
Or get the 75 year DVD and toss all of them older than 2007... suddenly I have MUCH more space for railroad books.
Currently not available though, supposedly they are coming out with a new replacement for it.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I managed to find the full track pack online for $599 - so that was pretty good I think. Even with shipping to Australia (another $80) it still makes me happy :)
I have looked at the track plan and the bench work. Our local lumber supplier sells in ten foot lengths, so I am figuring I might as well do it ten foot long. I will wait till I get the timber and check it all out. I guess I will have to look at the legs as originally, they only used one set of legs at both ends. If I make it longer the span might be too much.
I am also considering making it a foot wider as to run a road along the edge as the only thing I really did not like about the original layout was the way the road bridge just finishes in mid-air. Whilst I understand why, I think it would be neater to have the road come down and then run along next to the intermodal yard.
hepkat63Hey Dan, can you post your track plan - would be great to see it (or photos?) regards steve
Yeah, I might be able to send it to you ... gotta find the scanner (or, well, I guess the camera) first. yay moving :(