EASILY MOVEABLE LAYOUT ""HELP""

[Anonymous]

HELLO ,, I AM TRYING TO BUILD CONSTRUCT EVEN BUY A SMALL SCALE HO LAYOUT,, ONE WICH CAN BE EASILY MOVED ,LIGHTWEIGHT AND STORED AWAY ,IVE SUSCRIBED TO MODEL RAILROAD MAG. AND JUST NEVER SEEM TO FIND WHAT IM LOOKING FOR...LET ME EXPLAIN... IM LIMITED IN SPACE FOR SOMETHING PERMANENT.. SO COOKIE CUTTER IF IM RIGHT MEANS "MODULES THAT CAN BE PUT TOGETHER TO FORM A LAYOUT SAY 4x8 ?? A SHELF LAYOUT 2x8-OR FURTHER LONGER ?? IT SEEMS THAT I JUST GET MORE FRUSTRATED AND SPEND MONEY ie:BOOKS MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPSTIONS,TRAIN SHOWS, AND GET NOWHERE FASTER,,IAN PACE DID AN ARTICLE LAST OCT. 03 THRU ?? AND THERE WAS NO DETAILED LAYOUT DRAWING SUPPLIED WITH THE MAG.ONLY A SMALL SCALE RENDERING,,AND A LATER ISSUE WAS HAND LAYING TRACK,,

[Big_Boy_4005]

Let's start with "cookie cutter". This is a style of table surface, usually plywood, that is cut out to allow sections to be raised up for grades. It could be done with foam I guess, but I'm not the foam Guru.

Modular is like building blocks. Small layout sections, often like dioramas, that fit together to form a larger layout.

A shelf layout, is generally long and narrow, with no specific dimensions to limit it. You could build one 40' long or 3' long. Usually shelf style is not well suited to loops of track.

Don't panic, we can help, how big is your space, and how often will you need to move the layout?

[Jetrock]

First, please stop shouting!! We can hear you just fine.

"Cookie-cutter" refers to a style of layout benchwork, it refers to a sheet of plywood or other stiff material cut out to reflect the contours of the benchwork, with resulting empty spaces later filled in by scenery.

What you're looking for is called "modular" or "sectional" layouts--layouts which are intended to be separated into pieces for ease of transport. That is what I'm doing myself, so I've done a bit of homework on it. You can build a sectional or modular layout to any conceivable size--large modular railroad clubs (each member builds a module) can fill large rooms or small gymnasiums with connected 2x4 foot modules.

If you're referring to the current "Roque Bluffs" railroad project series by Iain Rice, the installment with dimensions for the benchwork came in between the initial article with the track plan and the article on handlaying track. The first article did include a track plan, which wasn't super precise, but MR articles typically don't have super precise track plans.

If you're a beginner, though, Roque Bluffs might be kind of a stretch--it is built using the more exacting and precise "Proto:87" standards. There are plenty of track plans for simple shelf layouts knocking about, and articles to help introduce you to the basics of tracklaying, etcetera.

My advice is to get some sectional track and a chunk of plywood (or whatever material you prefer) and start playing with some track ideas. Make use of an existing track plan or just make something up and see how it runs--while I'm not an advocate of the bare-bones "trainset running on plywood" school of thought, it's better to have that than no layout at all and a growing closetful of expensive model railroad components doing nothing.

[dehusman]

Using all caps is considered "shouting" on chat lists.

You probably want some form of sectional layout.
First I'll define a couple terms:
Sectional - the layout breaks into pieces and the tracks cross the joints between sections at unique locations. The sections have to be put together in one configuration.
Modular - the layout breaks into regularly shaped sections. The tracks cross the module joints in a fixed arrangement so the modules can be rearranged in any order.
Domino - a form of a sectional layout.

I think you are looking for a sectional layout. I would build the benchwork (and wiring) like a module. You can search the NMRA site for modular standards. The most basic is a framework of 1x4's with a tabletop of 1/2 in plywood, then 2x2 legs that bolt onto the framework. You can use the ideas for the benchwork, and how to do the wiring, you don't have to use the standards for the trackwork on top (unless you want to do modules).
For the track plan, I would look for "Domino" track plans on the web or do a search for "domino" or "David Barrow" in the magazine search on this site. I don't know what you are looking for in the way of a "detailed" layout drawing. The plans in his article are typical of those published for model railroads.

For a sectional layout you will want to design it so switches do not straddle a joint. One of the most common ways to work the joints is to cut the track so there is a 9 in or 6 in gap over the joints and then you can slip in a 9" or 6" piece of sectional track over the joint. Another way is to leave only a 1 or 2" gap and then bridge it with just a piece of rail held in place by two rail joiners. The quality of the fit between the sections will determine which is the best for you.

Are you looking for a switching layout or a loop type layout where the trains can go around in a continuous loop?

Dave H.

[Anonymous]

You could do something like a smallish switching layout with two 2x4 foot modules. They can be easily stored away when not in use. You can even make them to set up on a table, instead of with their own legs. One of the local clubs has a switching layout that is portable (although not really light weight - it could be modified to be much lighter). The track plan is based on John Allen's "Time Saver".

For starters on small track plans, try these links:

http://www.carendt.com/ -> really small layouts!
http://www.naisp.net/users/mfischer/m_train2.htm -> som eideas in N that might translate to HO with modifications. There are some shelf switching layouts about 1/2 way down the page.

For modular info, try these:

http://www.railwaybob.com/Modules/MRIndex.htm -> railway bob's comprehensive "how-to" on foam top modules.
http://www.hotrak.ca/ -> the local modular club. Check their links section for even more modular info.

Good luck!

Andrew

[Anonymous]

so very sorry,, i am not shouting ,, nor am i mad,, i am not a regular computer chat room writer or user ,, e-mail is not used often ,, and i do NOT intend to ofend ANYONE ,, Please excuse my lack of skills at typing and computer usage ,, ,, if the Caps Lock was on ,, then thats how I left it ,, SORRY

[dehusman]

No problemo.

Did your questions get answered?

Dave H.

[Jetrock]

Indeed, no offense is taken, Kevin--it's just that lower case text (with appropriate capitalization) is easier to read than ALL CAPS.

Anyhow--as we menitoned above, some of us are also building sectional layouts and would be happy to share some ideas.

I'm in kind of a special situation--I have the first portion of a sectional layout built, but am also starting a modular traction club and so some of my pieces will be standardized for use in modular layouts elsewhere, while others will be custom-sized to fit my rather restricted space.

How much space do you have, kevin, and what are you looking for in a layout??