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The Dilemma of the transportable model railroad

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  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, December 23, 2013 10:25 AM

Just to address the light switch problem, I had a situation in my garage where the electrician did not seem to understand when someone enters a dark garage from the house, he does not want to walk clear across to the other side to turn on the light.  The walls were already sheetrocked, though, so I wasn't going to get a 3-way wired in without a lot of work.  I went to the hardware store and found a simple system with one switch that replaces the awkwardly-placed one, and another that is wireless and can be flat-mounted anywhere.  This has worked for 12 years or so, and I've only had to replace the battery once or twice.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Nevada
  • 825 posts
Posted by NevinW on Monday, December 23, 2013 8:04 AM
I was looking at Iain Rice's book on shelf railroads and came to the same conclusion. Keep the sections that fit, connect them with simple "bridges", store the rest of the modules. That appears to be the best solution for now.
  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: US
  • 973 posts
Posted by jmbjmb on Sunday, December 22, 2013 1:39 PM

I had a similar situation when I was in the AF.  I built bookshelf modules per a 1970s era MR article.  They were great and survived several moves.  Basically instead of trying to make everything work together, I made them as what today we call LDEs, then connected them with short sections of non descript general scenary.  Didn't take too long to get the track and be running and since there was nothing special about the connections scenes, I didn't mind trashing them with each move.  They also served as a sort of break (I think Tony Koester has coined a term but can't think of it right now) between each section of concentrated action and detail.

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Sunday, December 22, 2013 12:56 PM

I had an issue on the first incarnation of my indoor layout, the only power plug happened to be above the track level and in a very noticable location, I resolved it by building a removable structure that covered both the outlet but also the power cord. maybe something like this can be done with the light switch, build something removable that will allow access to the switch when the layout is not in use but covers it when it is.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Sunday, December 22, 2013 12:49 PM

Without actually seeing the modules or your track plan my initial reaction would be to choose the sections or modules you like the best, create new sections that connect them up together that fit better into your new space, and store the unusued modules until such time as you move to a new location that enables you to set them up the way you really want. 

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 283 posts
Posted by Lee 1234 on Sunday, December 22, 2013 11:03 AM
Post something we can look at.

Lee

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Nevada
  • 825 posts
The Dilemma of the transportable model railroad
Posted by NevinW on Sunday, December 22, 2013 10:49 AM

My 14 x 14 Tonopah and Tidewater RR is now moved into it's new location in a 10 x 17 3rd car garage.  It was designed as 16"x4' sections that bolt together so it would be easily moved.  Each section has it's own valance and lighting.  Naturally, everything doesn't quite fit.    While some sections fit nicely onto shelves along the walls connecting everything together is another matter.  The door entrance to the garage is such that a continous run is out and point to point is the only way I can see without a truely horrendous duck under.  Looks like there is going to be some tight squeezes too.  I can't figure how I am going to turn the light on after one section goes into place.  Scenery is going to have to be heavlly modified.  ARRRRGH!!   It may be easier to build more modules but that would mean a longer delay forfor running trains.  

Anyone deal with this problem and how did you figure it out?

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