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Freeway for your layout...

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  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 2,392 posts
Freeway for your layout...
Posted by Tracklayer on Saturday, September 3, 2005 4:03 PM
I saw something kind of neat a while back. A guy had made a freeway for one end of his layout by using belts with cars glued or afixed to them some how that ran in opposite directions with the help of electric fan motors. The cars came out of tunnels and went back into tunnels on each side of the layout to help hide when they went under the table and came back up. He even had a couple of over passes to add to the effect. He could control the speed to go from early morning snails pace to weekend race track. It was really neat, and probably not all that expensive to put together.

Just thought someone out there might like and want to use the idea.

Tracklayer
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 2,844 posts
Posted by dinwitty on Saturday, September 3, 2005 6:34 PM
I've tried stuff, I have a trucking set, but I will be selling it eventually, I figger that I am in the hobby for the trains, not the cars.
So my cars will be very static...

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 3, 2005 7:07 PM
While I am not sure I will have an automated roadway, I do tend to move my vehicles around the layout, no not driving them but restaging them in different scenes, so I can have a feel of change on the layout, AND spread the dust-free shadows around [:I]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 3, 2005 9:38 PM
I have enough problems keeping the trains running so I doubt that I would fool around with automobiles; however, it is an interesting idea.
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Corpus Christi, Texas
  • 2,377 posts
Posted by leighant on Saturday, September 3, 2005 10:03 PM
I wonder about the scenes with what should be a high speed highway and cars sitting there not moving. Doesn't seem quite right. But moving belts, etc. to make them move would require some special treatment of the ends of the highway that doesn't fit the other things I want to do.

Maybe I could just model a buy highway with traffic all stopped for construction, while a billboard overlooking the scene says "Next Time Take the Train."
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Midtown Sacramento
  • 3,340 posts
Posted by Jetrock on Monday, September 5, 2005 7:16 PM
I would consider big freeways to belong in the "offensive things on your layout" thread! Talk about a real-life thing you don't want to be reminded of when you're playing with trains!
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Morgantown, WV
  • 1,459 posts
Posted by cheese3 on Monday, September 5, 2005 7:32 PM
I have seen that before, it was cool but on a small layout like mine it would take away from the tains. But it is a good idea.

Adam Thompson Model Railroading is fun!

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