Progress Update Nov. 10, 2023 All track is now down. Most of the simplistic wiring is in place Train is running smoothly including pushing 8 cars through 3 or more turnouts. Coffee Tower is painted white and waiting for simple detailing and more K-cup boxes. The Yard: Back to Front: Tk 4: Need to Know Only Cars Tk 3: Arrivals Tk 2: Departures TK 1) Yard Queens. Note the 'Bobber' on Tk 1. It is from Christmas 1960. I believe it is an old 'Mantua' kit. I found it, (again), while packing to move.
Random Thought Just Now I have a lot of left over. Intended Uses for the Foam 'Block out' buildings and other structures. That is, make close 'mockups' for size and place hodlers. Build some form of 'viaduct' / bridge or two Build hilss and mountains Bumpers New Idea Create largish building to hold power supply and various switches.
I'm curious; when you say "back to front" for the yard tracks, that brings up a question. Does that mean when viewed "from the pit (middle)" or from outside (the POV of the photo, and your audience?).
@BigJake < bemused grin > Foised on my own petard. The yard positioning is as if I was standing on the outside. Though, < clears throat > using logic and observational skills you might have guessed since that bobber is too old to have compatible couplers and the boxcar does not have any at all. Still, A good point and I'll have to renumber them mentally. Notes: The 'Need to Know' cars only service the 'Grandure Car Works' where I hope to design and build my own transfer caboose and an excursion train. There are also working on secret new bridge designs using foam. As much as I would like to 'run' the bobber' I don't want to change it. I'm thinking maybe I can physically wire it another car.
It's all good; I just wondered if this layout was to be operated from the "pit" (in the middle, accessed via a lift-out section or duck-under or would you operate from the outside. Your "yard queens" could be part of a RIP track scene, where railcars are sent occasionally for minor maintenance. You can decide what that means, but normally couplers, door latches, brake hoses, brake shoes, or wheelsets are replaced there as needed. Having it up front (to you/the viewer,) you could make an interesting scene of it. Add a HD forklift, or cherry picker, or overhead gantry crane, and some timber cribbing (RR ties), wheelsets, and maybe a small equipment/tool shed. The RIP track can be yet another destination for dropping of damaged railcars and picking up repaired ones, just like any other industry.
First the Concept Bridges. I Want to Make Bridges. The tables of the GandG are at 2 levels, 38" and 34" This was done so I can have bridges without inclines. Second: Came the Bridge Designs 100s of them, well, Okay, quite a few. The Winner: Forth: Make it out of 1/2" foam. Argh! Finally: A bile of rubble. Sigh. Conclusion: I just can't get / make / build that arch. Next Up: Straight Lines This time I intend to correct many of the mistakes made in attempting the arch. 1) Build separately from layout 2) Measure 3) Measure again 4) Make sure you have all of the tools and material. Enjoy
@BigJake Yes, I'll be operating from the 'Pit' via a *crawl* under. I'm going to respond to the rest in the 'Main' thread in 'HO'
An elliptical curve, with horizontal major axis, is not suitable a bridge support arch. A catenary (the curve a suspended wire under the force of gravity would take, but inverted) would be best in theory, but the bridge deck's weight drives the ideal curve toward a parabola. Parabolas are used in many heavy, arched support bridges. This would be a very broad parabola, but the sharpest radius (and still not that sharp) would be at the apex, not at the ends of the bridge. The following page has construction methods for conic section curves using pins and string: https://www.imaginary.org/film/mathlapse-constructions-by-pin-and-string-conics
@BigJake Ya, I know intuitively the physics involved. I learned a *lot* on my 'Kenner' 'Bridge and Building' set I had as a kid, (8yo to 12yo) and from my father an EE engeer and generalist. Doesn't matter. I still want my arch bridge and will figure out a way to build one in the next year or so. Right now? My intended method was a fail. 1/2" Foam would not 'make the curve'. Edit: Thank you for the link. That looks very interesting. ☻ Thank you for the posting. I built a bridge today using foam padding from a 'flat pack'. Pics tomorrow I hope. Next bridge a very simplistic semi-cantalever: Very close to scale. That is based on 1" thick foam. Span 30" Height: 4" Another Simple Bridge: Very close to scale. That is based on 1" thick foam Span: 30"s Height: 4"s Note: The bridges will not be tightly fastened down so they can be replaced / swapped out.
@BigJake and everyone Today's Bridge: Notes: Bridge made from black corner padding in a 'flat pack'. Used T-pins to hold it in place and white glue for adhesive. White glue is not ideal what for my purposes it will work. Better pic tommorrow I hope.
Nice Bobber. Mine is the same but black roofs and hook n loop connectors which I have to finger out how to replace. And also would like to light it as well. Let us know how the bridge works out. In the past I just went out and looked at existing versions. Best wishes.
@Shortround 'Loop and Hook', I *think* that is what mine has. I 'joined' them using a piece of wire from the loop to the axil of the boxcar. It works quite well, (even backing through turnouts) until it doesn't and then GHA, (giant hand action), is required.
Update: November 18, 2023 95.5% of the track is down in a permanent location. Well, sort of. The following image shows the track as it is now but not accurately. I'd say it is off by 20% in some places. Industrial Area Dashed Lines indicate where I had the track. Dark red lines indicate repositioned. This change Causes more 'switching' Allows for a better use of the space Allows for buildings / structures Black Mountain Track passes through the mountain. The track is part of the 'Gryphin Car Works' Very strange noises come from inside the mountain The Interchange Across the top in gray Goes off the 'Oblivion' where is picks up 'Unobtanium' from the 'ACT RR' It will likely be continued into a deep mountain where cars will be dropped off. The Yard Holds about 20 short, (38'~50'), freight cars It leads left toward the main line and industrial area Right is for the 'Excursion Train' and locals dropping off cars for the yard. Edits: Formating and spelling.
'I didn't stay home'.Incline finally built. Over the past several years I have been trying different methods to build an incline to raise the level of the track for different reasons. They were always a fail. This layout has tables at 2 different heights so I could build bridges across a valley. The interchange was always an option which due to serendipity became a subtle feature. Off in the back of the layout it was relegated to obscure but functional. Then as I was placing a prebuilt mountain it got in the way. Wait, what if it it was 2's higher? No, No! NO! It ain't gonna happen. //Phew. Glad that's done with. Sheesh! Sure enough, there it is. In all its glory, ugly but functional. Length: 45"s Rise: 2"s Curve: 18"s to 21"s Bonus: I can now put a 6" bridge behind the 'main line' bridge. Edit: Added 'Bonus', Corrected grammar. Added spacing for readability.
The grade support may not be pretty but it works well and that’s what really matters. The train runs smoothly up and down the grade.
@country joe For now? Yes. By weeks end I want it to look like a retaining wall or rock face of sorts.
Operations Schematic: Notes: When visitors come the Main Line runs as a continuous oval. Operationally it runs East West Grandure yard being in the East Mystrium Mine is in the West Physically the mine is about a foot to the right of the yard. Operationally the train must approach after going West all the way around the 'loop'. There will be a removable Mountain in the way of full circle travel. In any given week a train would: Day 1 Pick up cars at the Grandure Yard Drop those cars off at the Industrial Area Pick up what cars it could at the Industrial Area Proceed to the Mystrium Mine and drop off hoppers Return to the Grandure Yard with cars from Industrial Area Day 2 Pick up cars at Grandure yard Swap cars out at Industrial Area Proceed to the Mystrium Mine and pick up loaded hoppers Proceed to Interchange or Industrial Area (for local use) Return to Grandure Yard Day 3 Pick up hoppers, (filled with Unobtanium), from Interchange Go directly to 'Black Mt Car Works' and drop off Return to Grandure Yard for 'daily' train. Drop off / Pick up / Return etc Repeat with variations as dictated by random cards So, overall it is all about the Mystrium and Unobtanium while also moving cars to and from the Industrial Area. My wife is in charge of the 'Random Cards'. As always your thoughts / ideas / concepts and humor are welcome. Edit: Uploaded the image. Argh! Short term memory sucks.
