07-22-2009, 08:08 AM
nachoman Wrote:1) how long do you expect your trains?
Hummm i guess thats a very important question lol. I suppose i would like to run trains down to the lower level between 10-20 cars.... All trains going down or up the helix would be pulled by 3-4 70 Tonners, 2 SW1500's, or 2 Genset locos, which is how the real M&ET moves freight on there tracks in the Beard Industrial District.
nachoman Wrote:2) what is the thickness of your layout base?
Im not sure yet, but im thinking ill be be using 1-2" blue foam. Most likely ill be sticking with the 1" blue foam, cuz thats what i can get (living in Cali) the stuff in the Tongue & Groove 2x8' panels. I might double up on the foam to make it a total of 2", i just dont know as of yet. Im thinking i would be fine with just 1" as the M&ET is on VERY flat land, and i have not seen much terrain except for minor changes around structures in such, in which i can just add foam below the layout/module and carve out.... So im going to say 1" foam for my base is going to be my final answer lol. 1" foam plus probably 1/2" ply if i use ply for the real base. I havnt decided on the actual construction of the layout section and the module sections yet....
If you need more info, i can certainly give it some thought and jot down my ideas about the construction of the layout and module bases....
Now the Free-Mo module bases would be a whole different story, but i dont plan on hooking any of the Free-Mo modules up to where the Helix would connect top and bottom levels so this shouldnt be so important right now.