06-18-2014, 04:39 AM
Hi again, Mike.
The more I look at this little plan, the more I like it. Nay; I love it!
In fact - as an ingrained: 'the smaller, the better' typical UK modeller - all that's stopping me running out for a few lengths of 2" x 1" and some thin ply to build this little beauty, is my mission to remain focused on my current build, and also that I'm away in a few days time to sunnier climes. Darned that notion commitment and holidays that get in the way of our great hobby!
I'll let you into a secret, Mike: I went to bed last night with this plan going round in my head. Here's how I reckon I'd do it: the trackbed and industries would be raised off the main base supported by 'L' girder type supports in true model rail roading style so that (part) of the nine inch straight section containing the magnet would accommodate the focus of the scene, namely something like this <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2010/dec/07/owner-fulton-railroad-spur-wants-restore-freight-s/">http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2010/dec/ ... freight-s/</a><!-- m --> a short trestle style bridge. And like the railroad it supports, the theme of the layout would be an independent short line ("oh not another!", I can almost hear some of you scream) set somewhere like Fulton in the mid nineties, with it's single ageing, dull grey, pock marked loco, something like this <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://akronrrclub.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/fc_315c.jpg">https://akronrrclub.files.wordpress.com ... c_315c.jpg</a><!-- m --> or this GP 38 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0902/sbd6242.jpg">http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0902/sbd6242.jpg</a><!-- m --> .
Incidentally, I even checked out Hatton's website (only a half hour's drive or so from me) to discover that the Peco Code 83 range (which I'm dying to try out for testing of smooth running qualities) has added a #5 switch to its range since I last looked ( listed as a 660mm radius, which equates to just under 26" inches in old money so on the better side of the ball park 24" figure I mooted in my post of last night), so for a spend of a tad over 50 quid - currently approx. 85 US Dollars - I could be up & running in next to no time (I even have the Peco point motors to go with them and the SPDT switches to operate them - I'd opt for electrofrog - to say nothing of the baseboard aligners already in my possession - I think almost ALL UK modellers have a supply of these - required to accommodate the clever 'wing' feature of this design).
Actually, I think I might even have a couple of baseboards 18" in width knocking round somewhere, and with said aligners already fitted; just a case of hacking off a bit here and perhaps a bit there......you know how it goes
As you can see, Mike, not that I've given any of this much thought, but again, 'IF' I were to have a bash at this, I'd make the side marked 'handle' the viewing side so that the head shunt - apologies here, I did know the American term for this, but I've gone and clean forgotten it in my excitement! - the end bit where the loco goes 'off-scene' after the bridge, turned towards the viewer and out of sight behind the vegetation (I think I'm right in saying that looking at it from the opposite side, the viewer would see that the track didn't actually go anywhere, rather spoiling the illusion. That's my take, anyway.
Btw, I should have seen this before posting my last, but I'd been viewing it via my iPad and it wasn't until having the benefit of the larger screen of my lptop that this became apparent, so please forgive the drivel about the 'L' shape line going off scene I made mention of.
No. I have to remain focused. The notion of two layouts on the go is ridiculous; I mean, who on earth does that
However, curiosity killed the cat. At least I'd like to determine whether or not the whole thing would fit using Peco#5s. I wonder if Peco's website allows you to print off templates of the Code 83 range like it does with Streamline?
No. I must resist
Now, see what you've started, Mike?
jonte
The more I look at this little plan, the more I like it. Nay; I love it!
In fact - as an ingrained: 'the smaller, the better' typical UK modeller - all that's stopping me running out for a few lengths of 2" x 1" and some thin ply to build this little beauty, is my mission to remain focused on my current build, and also that I'm away in a few days time to sunnier climes. Darned that notion commitment and holidays that get in the way of our great hobby!
I'll let you into a secret, Mike: I went to bed last night with this plan going round in my head. Here's how I reckon I'd do it: the trackbed and industries would be raised off the main base supported by 'L' girder type supports in true model rail roading style so that (part) of the nine inch straight section containing the magnet would accommodate the focus of the scene, namely something like this <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2010/dec/07/owner-fulton-railroad-spur-wants-restore-freight-s/">http://www.fultonsun.com/news/2010/dec/ ... freight-s/</a><!-- m --> a short trestle style bridge. And like the railroad it supports, the theme of the layout would be an independent short line ("oh not another!", I can almost hear some of you scream) set somewhere like Fulton in the mid nineties, with it's single ageing, dull grey, pock marked loco, something like this <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://akronrrclub.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/fc_315c.jpg">https://akronrrclub.files.wordpress.com ... c_315c.jpg</a><!-- m --> or this GP 38 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0902/sbd6242.jpg">http://donsdepot.donrossgroup.net/dr0902/sbd6242.jpg</a><!-- m --> .
Incidentally, I even checked out Hatton's website (only a half hour's drive or so from me) to discover that the Peco Code 83 range (which I'm dying to try out for testing of smooth running qualities) has added a #5 switch to its range since I last looked ( listed as a 660mm radius, which equates to just under 26" inches in old money so on the better side of the ball park 24" figure I mooted in my post of last night), so for a spend of a tad over 50 quid - currently approx. 85 US Dollars - I could be up & running in next to no time (I even have the Peco point motors to go with them and the SPDT switches to operate them - I'd opt for electrofrog - to say nothing of the baseboard aligners already in my possession - I think almost ALL UK modellers have a supply of these - required to accommodate the clever 'wing' feature of this design).
Actually, I think I might even have a couple of baseboards 18" in width knocking round somewhere, and with said aligners already fitted; just a case of hacking off a bit here and perhaps a bit there......you know how it goes
As you can see, Mike, not that I've given any of this much thought, but again, 'IF' I were to have a bash at this, I'd make the side marked 'handle' the viewing side so that the head shunt - apologies here, I did know the American term for this, but I've gone and clean forgotten it in my excitement! - the end bit where the loco goes 'off-scene' after the bridge, turned towards the viewer and out of sight behind the vegetation (I think I'm right in saying that looking at it from the opposite side, the viewer would see that the track didn't actually go anywhere, rather spoiling the illusion. That's my take, anyway.
Btw, I should have seen this before posting my last, but I'd been viewing it via my iPad and it wasn't until having the benefit of the larger screen of my lptop that this became apparent, so please forgive the drivel about the 'L' shape line going off scene I made mention of.
No. I have to remain focused. The notion of two layouts on the go is ridiculous; I mean, who on earth does that
However, curiosity killed the cat. At least I'd like to determine whether or not the whole thing would fit using Peco#5s. I wonder if Peco's website allows you to print off templates of the Code 83 range like it does with Streamline?
No. I must resist
Now, see what you've started, Mike?
jonte