After seeing the Virginian in Model Railroader in the Jan issue I decided it would be a good layout to attempt to build, given the upcoming series on how to do things and available videos etc.
After starting that process I have been a little disappointed in the amount of available information. The track plan downloadable from the database references a grid size, except there is no grid on the plan! I'm not exactly sure how one is supposed to figure out where everything goes, or what types of turnouts to use. I understand that one of the next installments will cover track laying, but I don't want to build the associated benchwork, risers, etc. to find out that I guessed "wrong" and things won't fit as intended.
I did locate the Reid Gap Ry track plan in the database (link here) which gives a nice grid and center point locations for the 22" and 18" curves. It also lists the types of turnouts to use (Walthers Curved, Peco #5, Atlas Snap Switch) for the layout. I thought this might be of use to other folks who are attempting to build this really cool layout as well. If there's enough interest I will share more details of my buildup. I have been working on the legs today, so still have a long ways to go.
Thanks,Dan
Rock Island Xpress After starting that process I have been a little disappointed in the amount of available information. The track plan downloadable from the database references a grid size, except there is no grid on the plan!
After starting that process I have been a little disappointed in the amount of available information. The track plan downloadable from the database references a grid size, except there is no grid on the plan!
You know it is 4 x 8. Print plan on paper. Measure length on paper of 8' length. Draw a line midway across plan - you now have two 4' lengths Halve again - you have 2' intervals. Halve again, you have 1' intervals.
Turn plan 90 degrees. Measure how long the 4' side is on the paper, halve - you have 2' intervals,. halve again - 1' intervals.
Types and sizes of turnouts will come when they come to the track laying.
Stein
Hi Dan,
i really do not understand your complaint.
You start by telling the plan in the data base has no grids, while providing us a few lines later with a link to the very same database with a plan with gridlines.
Maybe you should click one more time on the smaller plan, then you will see the real file, with the gridlines.
Have fun building Reid Cap, though i would prefer building Byron Henderson's waterwing version or my donut version in the very same space.
Are you adding the extensions too?
BTW I wouldn't be to sure about a list of all tracks used, in the last project layouts like the Salt Lake, which was done with Uni-Track, you had to find out the components yourself. This layout is done with flextrack and Atlas c83 snap turnouts in the yard. When you start with drawing the 180 degree curves on the plywood or foam you can't go wrong. The curved turouts at the left would probably be my starting point.
SmilePaul
Rock Island XpressI understand that one of the next installments will cover track laying, but I don't want to build the associated benchwork, risers, etc. to find out that I guessed "wrong" and things won't fit as intended.
I would expect that the March 2012 issue will include all the trackwork details you desire.
But I'm not seeing how one could "guess wrong" on the benchwork since it is specifically laid out in the Feb. 2012 issue. The grid and isometric views on page 35 and the photos on page 36 and 37 include much more benchwork detail than is typical for published plans. This is much more benchwork detail than available for the Reid Gap plan, for example.
As others have noted, if you have room for the Virginian HO 4X8 and its aisles, you probably have room for other interesting alternatives as well.
Best of luck.
Layout Design GalleryLayout Design Special Interest Group
Well the purpose of the post wasn't to complain as much as it was to share the link in case anyone else went through the same process as I did. Being a complete beginner I liked the idea of having a lot of details in the magazine, videos, etc to follow along with. I don't think it's too much to ask that some of that is included if they are billing it as for beginners.
It probably makes more sense to you guys having built things like this before, but this is the first time I've ever had a look at it. I guess it will make more sense to me when I'm done.
I'm curious, what did you find lacking in the benchwork diagrams in the February 2012 issue?
By the way, I don't have both plans in front of me, but I think there are some differences in trackwork between the Reid Gap plan from February 2011 and the Virginian plan that is being built now.
Paul, I haven't seen the waterwing version, or your donut version. Do you have links? I was planning on adding some extensions but was leaving that somewhat open. I would at least like to build the extension yard, perhaps a bit deeper with more track. Just building the 4x8 seems like a big project to me right now so I'm trying to keep it simple.
I didn't really think the benchwork section was lacking that much, although I didn't understand the purpose of the 5" 1x3 with the 45 degree beveled top. The 1x2, 1x3, 2x2 leg construction does not give a flush edge for that additional 5" 1x3 to sit on, so it seems a little out of place. Maybe I'm missing something.
Rock Island XpressPaul, I haven't seen the waterwing version,
I think he was referring to this HO track plan from my website. Fits in the same 8'X10' space as an HO 4X8 and its aisles.
Not really that much harder to build, although it certainly might seem that way at first glance.
Best of luck with your layout.
Byron
Hi Byron,
I do really like your layout there. I had seen it while looking around online previously. For my purposes the 4x8 will work better with the available space. I am putting it in my home office and need to prevent it from completely taking over the room. For a dedicated room that would be pretty fantastic though.
I will post some pictures as I progress.
Rock Island XpressI didn't really think the benchwork section was lacking that much, although I didn't understand the purpose of the 5" 1x3 with the 45 degree beveled top. The 1x2, 1x3, 2x2 leg construction does not give a flush edge for that additional 5" 1x3 to sit on, so it seems a little out of place. Maybe I'm missing something.
According to the circular inset on page 35, and the photo caption on the lower left of page 37, that "scrap piece" of 1X3 is used to make the bottom of the leg wide enough for the casters. As shown in the drawing on page 35, the edge may not end up quite flush with the edge of the 2X2 filler.
The 45 degree cut on the top of that 5" piece of 1X3 seems to be just for appearance to make the bottom of the leg look a little less clunky.
Good luck with your benchwork construction.
cuyama According to the circular inset on page 35, and the photo caption on the lower left of page 37, that "scrap piece" of 1X3 is used to make the bottom of the leg wide enough for the casters. As shown in the drawing on page 35, the edge may not end up quite flush with the edge of the 2X2 filler. The 45 degree cut on the top of that 5" piece of 1X3 seems to be just for appearance to make the bottom of the leg look a little less clunky.
I watched the on-line video of the table construction and don't remember that extra 1X3 being mentioned. Either I missed it, or it was added later.
Rock Island Xpress I do really like your layout there. I had seen it while looking around online previously. For my purposes the 4x8 will work better with the available space. I am putting it in my home office and need to prevent it from completely taking over the room. For a dedicated room that would be pretty fantastic though.
Well, I hope you have a big home office. 4x8 feet doesn't sound like much, but when you add 2 foot wide aisles on three sides for access, you are talking about reserving 8 x 10 feet of floor space for your layout.
Smile, Stein
It will actually fit pretty well. The room is 24x15, and with the casters I will push it into the corner when not in use. I am completely open to suggestions, as at this point the only thing I've built are legs. I really like the layout of the Virginian, and as previously mentioned I need a pretty detailed guide to follow. :)
Rock Island Xpress It will actually fit pretty well. The room is 24x15, and with the casters I will push it into the corner when not in use.
It will actually fit pretty well. The room is 24x15, and with the casters I will push it into the corner when not in use.
For a room that size, the 4x8 is actually a reasonable choice for a first layout. For a smaller room - say 10 x 12 feet, a 4x8 would have been a horribly inefficient use of space. One thing you could do would be to make the 4x8 table actually be 5x9 feet, and use gentler curves - that would allow you to run larger engines, including steam engines.
I don't know that the depth of 4' really buys me all that much, I still like the idea of having two wider sections for turnarounds, connected by a thinner L that is 18-24" deep. The thing that draws me to the Virginian though is the multi level aspect of it, and I like the tunnels. Not sure that you can really do more in the same 4x8 space without going to N scale, which I'd rather not do.
HI,
sounds so familiar, two end-blobs with a thinner L in between. I've seen it before in this thread. So it will become Byron Henderson's (or Cuyama's) plan after all?
Smile
Paul
You're a cheeky bugger aren't you? :)
No, I don't really have the perimeter space that I am willing to give up to use those types of designs, they are nice (especially Byron's) but not what I am looking for.
Due to an upcoming move to a new home this spring, I've had to dismantle my under-construction layout. But I still want to keep busy model railroading, so with that in mind I have decided to start a new project. Building the Virginian... in N scale and moving the calendar forward to the mid 70's.
I'll be able to work on it in our garage and will have something to take with me when we go. I like the design of the layout and I believe it will translate very nicely into N scale. I plan on making a few changes but sticking to the original track plan for the most part. In N scale the mainline can be double tracked and in so doing, switching Rogers yard would still allow for a second train to run around the layout without interfering with yard operations.
I eventually plan to expand the layout once it is relocated into its new home. The 4 x 8 format is an acceptable trade-off for me at this point as it keeps me modeling. My future available layout space is unknown at this point so for now this project will prove to be a satisfying endeavour.
Has anyone else out there thought about doing an N scale Virginian?
Frank B.
Dorval, Canada