SpaceMouseAll the track is on one level. The only parts framed down are the river and the front which will be an extention of the canyon. This way I can layout the track on a flat surface. To do it with a cookie cutter means that I would have to build up the scenery to the level of the track from a foot below the rails and then another 18" above it. I'd then have to provide some sort of frame for the 30" rise in scenery structure or build it up with foam
Regardless of whether you use your method or risers, you still have to support the same amount of scenery between the "track" level and the water level. So that's a wash.
Regardless of whether you use your method or risers, you still have to support the scenery that goes above the track level. So that's a wash.
With risers you build a grid the footprint of your railroad and support the surface on which the track (and whatever you want else) rests. It can be flat, it can be inclined. The supported surfaces can be as big or as small as you like. If you want to cover the whole thing solid in plywood, not a problem. Regardless of whether you use your method or risers you still have the ability to lay all the track on a flat surface. So that's a wash.
What you gain with risers is flexibility if you change your mind or your plans. Since you don't ever do that 8-) your method will work fine. If you are mounting anything under the roadbed (such as switch linkages) with your method and happen to position a switch where the linkage interferes with a cross brace you are pretty much left with on the choice of moving the switch (impacting the track plan). On the other hand with risers, all you have to do is move the riser, flip the riser to the other side of the joist, flip the direction of the riser, shorten the length of the riser or split a long riser into two narrower risers. While you have had to make multiple grids on odd angles, with risers none of that is necessary, Everything, except the footprint of the base grid and the surface the track is on, is cut at a right angle. If you decide that it would look better if the top of the river canyon was 3 inches wider, it will be a major undertaking to make that change with your system. With risers, 20 minutes trimming the plywood and you are done.
Whatever works for you is great. You do a wonderful job cutting all those angles to match your track plan. Risers just have less complicated carpentry and more flexibility.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Great to see you again Spacemouse! The layout is so much larger than it looks by simply looking at the plan-view of the track plan.
It looks like you now have the pictures to document a nice website step-by-step to go along with your Yards/Staging Primer. For example, the insight provided about "one level" construction and why or why not to use cookie-cutter. Do keep us pictures-updated on the layout.
Conemaugh Road & Traction circa 1956
Chip's back in action!
And mad skills to you for the benchwork!
rrinker A database? And I thought I was bad... Actually, if I went to the trouble of putting my stuff in a database I'd probably also build some sort of automated picker to pull the proper bin when I selected an item in the database. Hmm, if I scaled that down to small bins to hold rolling stock, that migth be a great way to store stuff off the layout..new project! LOL. --Randy
A database? And I thought I was bad... Actually, if I went to the trouble of putting my stuff in a database I'd probably also build some sort of automated picker to pull the proper bin when I selected an item in the database. Hmm, if I scaled that down to small bins to hold rolling stock, that migth be a great way to store stuff off the layout..new project! LOL.
--Randy
"Automated picker"?? Is that a euphemism for a kid?
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
dehusman If you used risers to support your track you could simplify your benchwork and scenery construction 100%.
If you used risers to support your track you could simplify your benchwork and scenery construction 100%.
How?
All the track is on one level. The only parts framed down are the river and the front which will be an extention of the canyon. This way I can layout the track on a flat surface. To do it with a cookie cutter means that I would have to build up the scenery to the level of the track from a foot below the rails and then another 18" above it. I'd then have to provide some sort of frame for the 30" rise in scenery structure or build it up with foam.
Not a good trade off as far as I'm concerned. My first layout was cookie cutter. I know how to do it.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker 2 things: Plastic tubs and a label maker. The plastic tubs make great storage, keep the damp out (if there is any on the floor), and stack neatly under the layout. And putting labels on all 4 sides makes it easy to find the one you're looking for without pulling a dozen out and opening them to see what's inside. This wa smy plan for fillign the basement with an around the walls shelf layout yet still have storage. The benchwork was high enough to stack two of the taller tubs and completely line the space under the layout. A LOT of storage capacity. --Randy
2 things: Plastic tubs and a label maker. The plastic tubs make great storage, keep the damp out (if there is any on the floor), and stack neatly under the layout. And putting labels on all 4 sides makes it easy to find the one you're looking for without pulling a dozen out and opening them to see what's inside. This wa smy plan for fillign the basement with an around the walls shelf layout yet still have storage. The benchwork was high enough to stack two of the taller tubs and completely line the space under the layout. A LOT of storage capacity.
Thanks Randy,
I use a similar system. I use grey stackable bins from my old vitamin mail order company. You can see them in this pic if you look through the benchwork.
I only label them with letters as I don't spend a lot of time sorting stuff into them. Rather I stuff things into them as fast as I can noting which item is in which bin in an Access database. Then when I need something I look it up. The system has worked pretty well and what I'm finding is I rarely go into them at all. If I don't look at a bin for over a year. I get rid of the stuff in it (with discretion.)
Looking great. It is good to see you back in action.
Chris
Lancaster, CA
Check out my railroad at: Buffalo and Southwestern
Photos at:Flicker account
YouTube:StellarMRR YouTube account
It's been a couple years since I tore down the Rock Ridge and Train City. Now it's making a comeback. I haven't been around lately, but I haven't been idle either. For the last 5 weeks of weekends, I've been building the benchwork for the Rock Ridge and Train City II.
Here's the over view:
I tried for about 20 months to come up with a plan I liked for the area marked Phase III but finally gave up and went for a new location. Finally, I took the center of the room with plans to use the layout for storage and move the stuff off the walls. I'll then take over the rest of the room as I clear the walls. You'll see what I mean in later photos.
This is what is being built now.
The right side is the old PRR Indiana Branch
Here is a closer view.
Finally, here is the benchwork. All the track will be on the top layer. The different levels will be all scenic. Naturally mountains will rise up above the top level.