Being new to this forum, I wanted to take this opportunity to describe (future photos soon) my littile 14" x 4 foot switching layout based on the Texas and Pacific in West Texas circa 1954. For those who possess "Model Railroader Track Planning Ideas: 58 track plans from past issues", 1981, my track plan is a modified version of E.S. Seeley's Iron Mountain Line as described in his Designing Portable Layouts article. Rather than Seeleys little ore carrier, I've adapted the operating scheme to that of a subdivision hauling supplies and material to support oil drilling operations. The main product being shipped out is crude oil bound to the refineries.
Seeley's original plan measured 1 x 3.5 feet. I've added a "generous" extra 6 inches for the N-scale dimensions. I've modified certain track arrangements based on the available turn outs that I had available from past layout projects. I started with two 2 x 4 foot insulated foam panels (1.5" thick each) and stacked them on top of each other. It's a sturdy foundation, you have to really try to break the panels in any location.
I glued cork roadbed to the top panel using Liquid Nails adhesive. I've used this product since the early 1990s and have never had any problems with it. I then laid the track (Peco 55 flex track with some Atlas 100) using Dap adhesive caulk. I saw this on the Virginian series videos and must confess that it works quite well in N-scale and has allowed me to omit the need to drill holes in the ties and the use of track nails. BTW, if your not pleased with a segment of track, it easily detaches from the cork roadbed and the DAP residue is extremely easy to clear off of the track's underside with a scouring pad.
All of my turnouts (13) are old Atlas switches purchased years ago. In order to keep cost down, I'm utilizing what I have available, the same is true of the track and cork roadbed. I had a couple of boxes of cork and Peco Flex track lying untouched in my garage.
Because economics is a heavy factor, I've opted for DC control, I've wired the layout for 7 electrical blocks using the simple common rail method. I'll be initially using my old Atlas selectors, but I've priced the SPDT toggle switches at Radio Shack and will eventually use SPDTs replacing the selectors. As you can tell from my description, the layout is truly wired for DC. Digital Command and Control is currently out of my price range for now. I need to allocate funds to purchase a decent running GP-7 and F-7 for future operations. Currently I have a new Kato NW-2 switcher that will handle my initial locomotive needs (Nice running engine!)
I ordered Texas and Pacific decals for the locomotives, should be arriving this week. I have approximately 20 assorted 40 foot freight cars that will match the 1954 time period.
The current status of the layout: Framed the foam boards with completed roadbed, track with cut pieces of lumber using small cut pieces as slats for which the foam board drops in. The foam board provides a nice snug fit. Used Liquid Nails to secure the bottom of the foam board to the wood slats. The layout is very light weight and is easy to move about.
This morning I fed the track feeder wires through drilled holes in the foam bed and all wires are ready to be attached to the Atlas selectors and power pack/throttles.
Next project is to build a control panel for the selectors and a small ledge for the power pack/ throttle. For those who like antiquated power supply, I won't disappoint, as I'm using an old Autopulse Twin Momentum 5 Model 8000. After all these years, it still does the job!
So far, I've spent about two weeks on the layout and have enjoyed these phases of construction. Again, I hope to have photos soon to show where I'm currently at in the process.
Tim Hebert.
Tim
Sounds like your off to a great start. Sometimes you just have to work with what you have on hand and thats great.
Share some pics when you get a chance.
Derek
Congrats, I just converted a veteran Athearn switcher chassis for use under my S scale steeple cab electric, I too am considering a small switching pike so as to perfect the technique of hanging cantanary and building single point turnouts while not disrupting my current layout.
Dave
Thanks Derek. I also wanted to build something from start to finish for a change. My past layouts had to be abandoned mostly due to military moves, but I reasoned that a small, yet challenging, layout would allow me to complete a project and have fun operating it. I've already developed an operating scheme with waybills and such. I plan to put this little jewel through the paces! Yet, while still in the construction phase, I've already thought about how to expand it at a later date, but first this phase must be completed.
I share some photos as soon as I can.
Dave, thanks for the comment. Are modeling Pacific Electric? An assumption since you appear to be an SP man.
Correct, my next endevors will closely replicate the surveyed but never built PE San Fernando line extension which would have provided access into the rich growing districts surrounding Oxnard and Ojai, Ca. SP had these pretty well covered via several branches, so the extension was never constructed, except as my S scale Citrus Belt!
Dave, sounds very interesting. BTW, I live outside of San Diego, actually Escondido. The old orange packing house still stand as well as the ice house. The Santa Fe served Escondido back then. Thought while back that I might model the Escondido Branch, but my West Texas roots kept calling me back!
Concerning the Pacific Electric, I sort of took a crash course in it while spending enormous time on the SP Historical Society's web site. I look forward to your work. The citrus industry looks mighty appealing to model and I'm somewhat envious of you!
Well, I have to install some manual ground throws and I have some spare time to do it now...using Caboose ground throws...yes, left overs from my previous layouts. Want not, waste not.
I have to admit that the SF had some tempting to model packing houses massed in Corona & on the SP at Redlands, by proto-freelancing I can relocate several without the history police becoming involved in my modeling!
One intriguing mystery remains as to what interest Santa Fe had in the Oxnard/Ventura region, they owned no trackage within a hundred miles and SP would never permit a rival, yet they were instrumental in derailing PE's expansion plans, evidence suggest they they intended to build west from Bakersfield on a branch line but were denied access over the Ojai mountains by the Forest Service and no doubt some SP heafty poltical clout.
Back to topic, you'd be surprised how many HO items have been repurposed for my current layout, close enough that fellow S scalers can't tell the difference, waste not want not indeed.
Well, I attempted to load photos showing my progress up to this point, but have been stymied. I submitted one photo to the gallery but will have to wait until its given the OK. Is this the usual protocol for loading images on a post? Or, am I missing something?
Anyways, installed 7 ground throws and found that I'm short three...will need to head to a hobby shop later on.
It looks like my initial photo of the layout is now in the gallery section. I have others that I'll post, but for now, this photo at least shows where I'm currently at in the process.
As can be seen the track and roadbed is glued to the foam board (2 boards glued on top of each other) and placed inside of the wood frame. I'll proved a shot of the bottom side to show that its very similar to putting a mattress on top of a bed frame with wood slats acting as cross supports. I have another photo that will show that one section of the layout is elevated 1/2 inches. The foam board was cut with a knife and the section was raised and glued into place with liquid nails. This obviously left space underneath the raised portion of the foam board that had to be filled in with thinner pieces of foam board to provide support.
Its light, but very sturdy!
More photos coming soon...Tim
Here are a few more photos showing different viewing angles. Once the layout is complete (if that's really possible) I'll set it on top of a waist high book shelf. I'll be able to sit in an office chair and operate the layout. My wife has been asking me about putting a book shelf in our master bedroom's sitting room. Little does she realize that I'm working on that project!
Next projects for the layout will be completing a control panel and hooking-up the wiring to the selectors and power pack so that I can get the trains running. This will enable me to make the proper track adjustments if needed. Then its on to ballasting and scenery.
As I had mentioned at the beginning of this thread, I had secured my Peco flex track to cork road bed with DAP caulk. This allowed me to forgo the anxiety and agitation of drilling holes in the ties which in N-scale tends to be more difficult than it should be, at least in my opinion.
This morning I had removed a section of straight track because line of sight showed too much kinking. I had used a poor selection of my Peco track from a previous project and initially thought to leave it alone, but eventually figured that this would cause operating problems down the road. With my luck problems are usually guaranteed. Detaching the track from the road bed again proved easy and I gently scrapped and sanded the old caulking off of the roadbed then installed a new section of track.
My question to the group: For those who have used the caulking method, how reliable in the long term is this method for keeping the track secured to the roadbed? Does ballasting the track make this a mute point?
Would appreciate any feed back.
A week and a half ago, I had finished attaching all of the feeder wires and running them to a simple set of Atlas selectors. Can't get any simpler than that, yet had a heck of a time with one turnout. My little NW-2 stalled on the straight section, yet ran smoothly through the diverging route. I had no electrical problems with the the rest of my turnouts (9 of them). I spent hours trouble shooting that one turnout, ie rail joiners and such, and foolishly refusing to accept that there was a problem with the turnout itself. Finally went to a nearby hobby shop and bought a new turnout...problem solved...old turnout is a bad turnout.
Below are a few photos of my simple wiring and "control" panel. I have a section of hardboard that will eventually be used as fascia, when the time comes. Trains run fine as of now. I have about four structure kits coming soon in the mail for the lower left "town" on the layout. Once assembled and painted I'll provide an update.