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Greetings all! I am working on benchwork for a new HO layout and wanted some feedback from knowledgable modelers... any help appreciated. I haven't built in more than 12 years and some things have changed. The layout will be around the walls with an sizable penninsula. Since the layout room will be in a Florida garage and I am too anxious to build out the room now, I am starting with the penninsula and will move it later to the completed train room. The penninsula features mostly yard area and I have borrowed some track plan from George Sellios' Franklin & South Manchester Line (page 68, March 2004 Model Railroader). A Diamond Scale turntable with Code 83 track is ready to go in as the focal point and I want to do my best to model 1930s era steam. 1) Subroadbed. Since this portion oif the layout will be moved and could be subjected to heat and humidity in a finished room in a garage, I've built L-girder with plywood on top. I've been strongly thinking of covering it with foam insulation boards as I can only think of positive consequences. Thoughts? 2) Track. The turntable bridge has been built with Code 83. I have an entire box of Atlas flextrack from 1988ish... don't know what code rail, but at that time, hobby manufacturers were just starting to think of selling rails in code. At this time I plan a freelance railroad in loosely the same style as the F&SM mentioned above. I want the model railroad to be reliable, look good and run smoothly. What code rail and turnout would be suggested? If different codes are used for main and siding tracks, are the connecting track pieces that adapt the codes? Is Atlas the most reliable but least prototypical? 3) DCC. I think I am sold on the merits of DCC. The nearby club uses Digitrax, so that makes sense. While I prefer to support the local hobby shops, are they the best resource for DCC products, support and/or assistance? 4) Kits. I am an excellent kit-builder and fairly sloppy scratchbuilder. My wife says I follow directions well! [:)] Any suggestions on where to find a wood trestle (as pictured page 70, March 2004 Model Railroader) or roundhouse (page 67, same issue)? Thanks and happy railroading!
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