09-09-2010, 07:22 AM
That looks really nice Herc. I often wonder how much layout I could have fit into my 16 x 15 space if I had gone N scale. :? But that would be just cruel to start thinking that way right now. 
I haven't thoroughly read through all your posts, and I apologize in advance for not doing so, but noticed your comment about being hesitant to cut the track due to power concerns. If the layout is meant to be portable then why not wire your power buss on each half to terminal blocks and then connect a two pin trailer plug to the terminal strips where the buss wires are hooked up. Do the same on the other half and viola instant connection, just like Free Mo Standards. That way when you are ready to move it you just unplug the trailer plugs. As long as you have already electrically isolated each half, making this mod should not affect your power distribution at all. You can then use rail joiners at the cut sections of rail to help with alignment if anything else. I've broken up my layout into roughly 8 ft "sections" as well and have made this same connection at each joint.
I haven't thoroughly read through all your posts, and I apologize in advance for not doing so, but noticed your comment about being hesitant to cut the track due to power concerns. If the layout is meant to be portable then why not wire your power buss on each half to terminal blocks and then connect a two pin trailer plug to the terminal strips where the buss wires are hooked up. Do the same on the other half and viola instant connection, just like Free Mo Standards. That way when you are ready to move it you just unplug the trailer plugs. As long as you have already electrically isolated each half, making this mod should not affect your power distribution at all. You can then use rail joiners at the cut sections of rail to help with alignment if anything else. I've broken up my layout into roughly 8 ft "sections" as well and have made this same connection at each joint.