Small Big Box N Scale Shelf Layout - 20"x29"

[mcfunkeymonkey]

While I still love Free-moN, I've given away all my modules except Shoofly, meaning my only "home layout" is my 1'x6' Alameda Belt-in-a-Box shelf switching layout.
I really miss my 23"x41" Mt. Coffin & Columbia River layout:



& the fact that I could just fire it up & zone out or work while watching trains roll round through scenes.
[Crappy trackwork subverted the rolling, thus the scrapping]

A year ago or so, inspired by the small layouts of David K Smith & Chris333, I built some 10"x29" module sections that could be paired back to back to create a table-top roundy round layout:



Or end to end to create a linear switching layout:



Why 10"x29"? Because most important, I designed & built them so they could "stack" & fit into a standard IKEA shelving unit:





Because I know two certainties in life: 
1) I will be moving (again) at some point, & 
2) at least 1 of the kabillion IKEA shelving products my kids' mom has had me assemble over the last 15 years will probably make the move with me.

So here's the rough design I came up with:



Am currently building only the far left pair, but planning for expansion.
Each pairing would fit on another IKEA shelf.
The far right pieces would allow for a longer roundy round layout, an "L", or an interchange option, along with two clamp-on staging/tail tracks.
And here's the long switching shelf option:



Will be DCC:



[plate will be mounted from the interior to reduce profile]

And somewhat modular, being connected with alignment nails & 1/4" bolts:



spaced by this high-tech jig:



Next: Handlaid curved 3-way turnout? Why not?

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Gorilla Glued GapMasters at the boundaries:



Two ties on each side is probably enough, so I can cut them in half.

Put down some cardstock to layout the turnouts:



Will need one 3-way turnout with two curved diverging routes, so I mocked it up on AnyRail using 8 1/2" radii & then "easementing" the section through the frogs a bit to create a template:



For the other side I darkened the rail tops with marker, turned it upside down, & pressed into position to create the diverging route.
In between used Fast Tracks templates:



Building this as all one unit:



Got the ties secured with spray adhesive, then started with the long, straight common rail.
Filed & grinded down the point rail notches before installing--you can see two notches for back-to-back point rails here (between the dark-grey bars indicating where the throwbars will go):



Am tackling the tough 3-way first, and starting from the through rail "up":





Then filling in the mess in the middle:





Trucks run through fine, though I'll probably replace the top guard rail with one that extends right another tie.

The fun part will be cutting the iso gaps & wiring the slide switches not to short stuff out.
Should be fine (I had a 3-way on Mt. Coffin & Columbia River that worked relatively great), though I might have to use a jeweler's saw instead of a Dedeco cutting disc (too big & cuts into neighboring rail).
And the fact that a 3-way turnout has some very short point rails, so the AdaFruit slide switches might throw too far.
Might need to do the z-bend, or cut a channel in the throwbar to take up the travel.
We'll see.

Fun to work on own project again, & outside comfort zone.
Thanks for looking.

[angelob6660]

Man, you have good ideas for designing and placing layouts within shelves. 

 

[hon30critter]

Nice work! Nice materials too.

I'm always interested when I see turnouts being hand made. The fact that yours are in N scale and you are building a three-way turnout is enthralling. Personally I haven't the patience but I admire those who do.

Dave

[wildecoupe]

Love your work!  Great to see you working on something for yourself.  This layout looks like a lot of fun.  Will be checking this thread often!

Tim

[wickman]

That there  is some interesting stuff  going on.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

Thanks for all the kind words.

hon30critter

Personally I haven't the patience but I admire those who do.

Me neither, which is why I have a soccer match / Golden State Warriors on while I'm working.
I cut a couple pieces, file a couple others, notch some already cut, & solder 2-4 that I've finished the last session.

And that takes about 2 hours / 3-4 beers.

Trying to go slow, because if this key 3-way turnout doesn't work, then the whole layout doesn't work.
And I really don't want to do this turnout over 

[mcfunkeymonkey]

After the curved 3-way, the next two "normal" turnouts turned out to take less time than Curry & the Warriors to defeat OKC:





Still have one more turnout to go on this fixture, at the far left:



Once everything is done I'll do the iso cuts.
The fixture on the opposite module should be relatively easy, with the most difficult aspect a crossing very close to the main coming off facing turnouts.
But already messing up one crossing on my Alameda Belt layout should help me mess this on up a little less, or at least in new ways 

["JaBear"]

With the amount of razzle dazzle that Mr Curry comes up with, it’s a wonder that your eyes are not glued to the screen.

Good to be able to view a new build, thanks MC.

Cheers, the Bear.

[mcfunkeymonkey]

With the amount of razzle dazzle that Mr Curry comes up with, it’s a wonder that your eyes are not glued to the screen.

That's why what should take under an hour takes three