Mcfunkymonkey - I guess you are just right. Looking at the pics and the videos. I assume that the actual dimensions of the middle sections 8´ 1/4" by 2´1/4" and the end sections thus need to be 4´1/2" by 2´1/4".
And you need to the cork bed right to the very edge. Unfortunately MR did not cover the issue of aligning and fastening track of sectional or modular layouts at all in the report "Build the Beer Line".
Are the end sections 1/4" wider, or are the side sections 1/4" narrower?
Since I've been starting to put together my own sectional layout, I've been fumbling with the fascia issue:
If each side section is 2' wide, adding 1/8" masonite fascia around would add a 1/4" strip in the middle when all put together. They say that the end unit is 4' wide, but wouldn't it have to be 4'1/4" to include the two fascia widths in the middle? (And then cork up to edge of fascia for tight fit?)
Or am I missing something? (besides me marbles: those disappeared a long, long time ago )--Mark
M.C. Fujiwara
My YouTube Channel (How-to's, Layout progress videos)
Silicon Valley Free-moN
Yesterday, the postman brought me the MRHA book about the Beer Line. This most helpful info to select the right kind of rolling stock and to understand the operation of this line. Also the pics give you a good impression of what to look for when modelling the Beer Line.
MR staff did an excellent job in capturing the flavour of this line in such a small space!
The MILW had 100 L-3 2-8-2s, which were USRA heavy 2-8-2s. BLI did make these.
The more common L-2 class looked close to a Light 2-8-2.
http://www.oldmilwaukeeroad.com/content/progress/photopages/photo09b.htm
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
Thanks for the info! I do have a 2-8-2, a USRA Light Mike from BLI. Did the Milwaukee Road own such locos?
I´d like to use my steamer in the transition period from steam to Diesel...
Sir MadogA Big Boy on the Beer Line? Someone must have turned a switch in the wrong direction...
The Milwaukee did have some 2-6-6-2s. They got close to the Beer Line, pushing trains out of the Muskego yard area up to Glendale/ North Milwaukee.
The line was usually operated with switchers over most of its existance. Transfer runs saw 2-8-2s or F-unit sets get to some of the yards, but most work was done by the switchers.
I think the Beer Line is truly a switching layout and those 6-axle SD´s should have a more" stationary" role on this layout. A Big Boy on the Beer Line? Someone must have turned a switch in the wrong direction...
Hi Ulrich,
I looked at doing the Beer line layout at 4ft wide as space is tight here as well and my six axle locos didnt look right on it with the reduce width i would check with the big boy even though it is articulated well it will go round the curves smoothly.
I love this concept; I have several drawings for modular layouts from 4 x 8 to 6 x 10 to 10 x 16...
Space is at a premium in my basement-less; attic-less; and the stuff-filled garage of my Texas home. Whatever I build will have to be rackable. I would like to be able to transport it to shows as well...
Lee,
you are quite right, N scale allows a lot more realism in a given space than HO does in the same space. In my younger days I was, in terms of scale, all the way "down" to Z scale. Remember MR´s report on the Gotthard line in Z scale? Unfortunately, my eyes just refuse to work on such small things - so that´s why HO is the minimum for me. Btw, You don´t need to be half-blind and have shaky hands to be an HO modeller, but if you are, HO is the way to stay in the hobby.
So what you're saying is that HO gaugers are, by and large, old, blind and shakey? I've always felt that way, personally. But I'm glad you've articulated it here!
But seriously, folks... I think the Beer Line is an ideal design for N scale, and would be made all the better if done on the same size tables. The buildings could be much larger, more track and industries could be accommodated, and the yard could be much bigger both in functional length and number of tracks. And most importantly, the urban scene can be, well, more urban looking!
Lee
Route of the Alpha Jets www.wmrywesternlines.net
One of the nice features of the Milwaukee Road Beer Line layout is it´s fully modular concept, allowing it to be moved, to be presented at shows, or even assembled in a different way and extended. It will be stored along the wall, but moved into the middle of the room for operating sessions.
The Beer Line in N scale - certainly a good thing if your eyes are still ok and your hands steady.
What about beer line in N? I personally don't have much interest, or room for that matter even though in N scale it would be roughly around 7 x 2 1/2 feet...wait maybe I do have room. Anywho, anyone thinking of or already working on an N scale Beer Line? I remember reading something about it in forums but I think it may have just been someone else also asking about N scale beer line.
Yes, I have a 13' 6" x 5' layout with duck-under. Not the ideal height but there are other reasons for that. But I have to share the room with the laundry and guest bed, and whilst I could fit in a 4' wide layout, it would take up more room than I have at present, allowing access to all sides.
Brian W.
http://www.riansgeneralphotos.fotopic.net/c1222160.html
http://www.riansgeneralphotos.fotopic.net/c779711.html
www.deadwoodcityrailroad.blogspot.com
Sir Madog ... in good ol´Europe, space is rare and precious - the 4´ width is the max, already.
... in good ol´Europe, space is rare and precious - the 4´ width is the max, already.
I'll suggest then, that perhaps an island is not always the best choice, once one considers the need for aisles all the way around (or at leats on three sides). But everyone has their own set of requirements.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
... in good ol´Europe, space is rare and precious - the 4´ width is the max, already. Most layouts here have a 14.2" min. radius. Marklin has designed its "Big Boy" to be able to negotiate that curve!
And then, of course, the question should be, "Why limit yourself to 4' width and thus to 18" radius and having the main line take the curved path through SnapSwitches?"
Simply adding a bit of width would allow one to resolve these problems and make for a better looking and operating layout.
Otherwise a terrific layout, I wish MR had used the opportunity of a sectional layout to break out of the 4-foot "sacred sheet" width.
ByronModel RR Blog Layout Design Gallery
The image in the track data base (January 2009) clearly shows two Snap Switches (upper right, lower left), and one curved Peco code 100 switch (far left)
Co-owner of the proposed CT River Valley RR (HO scale) http://home.comcast.net/~docinct/CTRiverValleyRR/
Thanks, Mike, for your answer. Sometimes you just need a little kick to untangle that gordian knot - I guess I have solved my problem.
This nis the way the plan now looks.
To me, that´s close enough to the original.
Thanks, again!
I think they used the Atlas Snap-Switches and Peco code 100 curved in the locations listed, and everything else was Peco code 83. Not all product lines have everything needed, sometimes you need to get products from different makers to get everything to fit.
The Atlas Snap-Switch is pretty much an 18' radius turn on top of a 9" straight. Easy substitution into a sectional track layout, but the turn is awful tight. In this use (low speeds, small trains) it works out fine.
A friend of mine saw MR´s project layout "Buuild the Beer Line" and was just fascinated with it. I have been trying to put the layout into a track plan using Peco Code 83 track and nos. 5 and 6 turnouts.
At a first glance, as you can see by the attached plan, everything just looks fine, but the position of the Atlas Snap-switches and the proposed Peco code 100 curved turnout give me a problem that I cannot solve - see the red circles in below plan:
Help - how did you, MR people, do this?