Port Able Railway v2.0

[sailormatlac]

Mike, I really like the way you described the operation as a point to point. In this case, I see why you don't need an explicite interchange track.

Thanks for your comment. You really kicked me inconciously to move out from my slumber. Having started to build my own version, I'm surprised how it doesn't look toy like at all. I'm planning to raise the layout at 48" to 52" from the floor, it should minimize the smaller radius effect.

What kind of benchwork are you planning to use?

Matt

[Mike Kieran]

Hey Matt.
I'm planning the benchwork height at the same height for shows and tabletop height at home. The benchwork is going to be 3 22x38 inch frames bolted together (Think of Dave Barrow's dominoe plans, but bolted side to side instead). The legs will be 36 inch lengths of pipe that slide into each other and adjust like a portable tent. I also plan on having cross bracing for steadiness.

I'm hoping that the height and the buildings acting as view blocks break up the roundy roundness of the plan.

[sailormatlac]

Mike, I'm not afraid of the runaround effect because your not using it as a continuous loop (well, it can and will probably at shows and that's OK). Your scenery should do the job. Also, the nature of switching makes it a slow operation with lots of back and forward movements that helps a lot. A few weeks ago, when I got a Bachmann mogul, I wasted an hour switching a sawmill siding at scale speed and using bells and whistle correctly. If I had fun? Yes. And I only used about 8 feet of track on a reasonably sized pike. It's the kind of operation I'm looking for.

I'm not settled on the benchwork support. I like your idea about two different heights. I'm thinking about a pair of rollable shelfs bolted together and equiped with wheels.

Looking forward to see your project taking shape!

Matt