Now that it feels like I am finally building it, it's time to quit the little "how do I do this" stuff and start a proper build thread. This post, is intro and route plan. In the below image, S = staging. I am not quite happy with Tidmouth staging, but Vicarstown staging (in the crawl space) should work if I actually get to Vicarstown, which is on the "second level"
Layout Data
Type: HO scale around the room, partial multilevel, point-to-point
Space: Basement, 23' x 16' shared with washer/dryer and storage
System: Digitrax (Zephyr Extra) with full detection, signalling and computer control.
Mainline: 130', two branches of 20' and 10'
Next up: Framing.
The layout plan called for a curved trestle between Knapford and Tidmouth. My son and I scratch-built one over several months. This is a mini-how-to.
Materials:
First, we built a plywood (1/2") template for the curve(Pic 1). We attached a few pieces of balsa to it as retainers. The 2' stringers took the curve easily. Once the two main stringers were held in place, we started attaching cross members and some diagonal ones - clearly seen in the picture. I was pretty surprised that after all was attached, the bridge deck retained it's shape.
Pic 1: Buildnig the bridge Deck from Balsa
Second (pic 2) shows a bent. Dowels were expensive, so I bought a package of 12" bamboo skewers. They are hard to work with: hard to cut, often not straight and hard to paint. But cheap! The bents took a long time: mitred balsa strips with a hobby knife take patience.
Pic 2: Building a cheap trestle bent from Bamboo Skewers
Third, we started assembling and painting. Because of reach issues we had to do this step by step. Pretty soon it was clear that the structure was going to be very solid. (pic 3)
Pic 3: Bringing the structure together step-by-step
After a looooong time, we finished and the bridge in Pic 5 is in it's location. Hopefullly in the next two weeks it will be installed permanently.
Looking good!
Keep `em coming, those pictures!
2. Benchwork
Work continues on the FVR, with the build thread seriously behind. Benchwork for FVR is quite non-traditional and was built based on two unique requirements:
This resulted in a primarily cantilever mounted to the wall or posts with typical width of 18-20". First, a 2x3 is mounted on the wall with a cantilever cross member every 4 feet. (Picture 1)
On top goes a "frame" ... made out of 1x4" lumber and topped with 1/2" ply. The frame is pretty light and very dimensionally stable. 4" allows all wiring and switch motors to stay comfortably in so I could place this frame fully built ont he ground and not damage anything. (Picture 2)
The 4" depth is enough to do some vertical relief, as I did for a yard which needed to drop down to go under a mainline. (Picture 3)
I am quite happy with this benchwork: I am able to prop up each frame and do bulk of the wiring without braking my back.
3. Trackwork and Electrical Part I
I have been working on trackwork and electrical hookups ... as of now, we have Knapford and Tidmouth tracks installed. The basic Loconet setup is done and so is computer control on about 13 turnouts.
4. Trackwork and Electrical Part II
Construction progressed at a very fast pace over Thanksgiving. Using my pre-schoolers for handing screws and nails (careful!), applying glue and placing track nails did not slow me down as much as I had thought ... but then it is not about the destination, or the journey ... it's about the trackwork so one may start the journey.
Knapford (layout terminus) tracks are complete. Five tracks and one turntable. Four tracks will have passenger platforms and one track will be shared by an LCL freight facility and a factory. All but one are about 6 feet long. Over to the right where you see the sink will be downtown Knapford on a 2" piece of foam.
The mainline from Knapford heads West over the trestle bridge ...
... on to Tidmouth Junction. Tidmouth station has four tracks. You see three here on the left. The track to the right goes to a staging yard disguised as a classification yard. It also has one passenger platform to simulate a train "coming from somwhere".
Then, the railroad continues west ... the sections you see here were framed and installed last weekend.
The Home Depot 16x18 wall mount bracket is incredibly strong. So far, I have required no legs. All is mounted on existing walls and posts.
Thanks for looking! Comments welcome!!
NP.
4. Computer Control
The FVR mainline will be fully detected, signaled and computer controlled. Yards and some industry sidings will have manual throws. I will use the JMRI program to control the layout. Here is the panel for "Tidmouth Sub" ...
Next step is to install signals, 7 of them salvaged from the old layout are functioning well.
NP
5. Knapford Updates, Fall 2017
Tons of construction has occured since the last time I posted, so here's some pictures of progress for the 2017, in the main station at Knapford.
Depot/ Track 2 from the street:
Track 1 (close to the front) and Track 2. A multiple unit train spotted on Track 2.
Station track ladder joining up to the mainline. The mainline curves right toward the aforementioned trestle bridge. All the signals you see here are computer controlled with full detection on switch positoins and train occupancy.