Small Switching Layout

zcoast Sep 29, 2010

  1. zcoast

    zcoast TrainBoard Member

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    Evening all,

    New member here, longtime model railroader. My primary interest for the last several years has been Z scale modules built to the Z Bend Track standard, and they are great for running long, mainline, modern freights through relatively well-proportioned scenery at shows (i.e. very little need for 'selective compression').

    However, I now want to build a switching layout that has some gravitas (at least compared to Z), so I've chosen HO; part of the decision was the vast catalog of *stuff* in HO. I am starting this one from scratch, and plan to follow the book "How to Build a Switching Layout" by Lance Mindheim. I chose this book mostly for the emphasis on realism in scenery, structures and the operational design of the layout.

    The "Salado Junction" will be proto-freelanced, set in San Antonio, TX, using SP/SSW gear, with some UP thrown in for kicks. I plan on conducting on-site photo research for reference as well as for 'photo wallpaper' structures, and eventually, hope to have a couple/few 'modules' built on standard hollow-core bi-fold doors (16"x80") that will cover the ~2 mile industrial spur that branches off the UP mainline east of East Yard.

    I still need to finish dismantling my previous layout and purging some rolling stock, track and structure kits to make room for the Salado Junction. Hopefully I will have some pictures up of the building site and progress soon.

    Thanks for reading!!

    -Zc
     
  2. Ironhorseman

    Ironhorseman April, 2018 Staff Member In Memoriam

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    Sounds interesting, Zc! Will there be some photographs of the progress of your project? Also, we're happy to have you here in Trainboard as an active member. :)
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    It will be interesting to follow how you go about achieving your stated goal. Please post a track plan when you have one available.

    Boxcab E50
     
  4. mosslake

    mosslake TrainBoard Member

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    Sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing photos and updates:tb-biggrin:.

    I also have Lance's books (all 3 of them) and am starting a switching layout on 3 bi-fold doors. Mine is based on a 1950s sawmill yard and SP interchange. The ends will have similar profile end plates and 'modular' so they can be changed to suit.
     
  5. zcoast

    zcoast TrainBoard Member

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    Small Switching Layout -- Update #1

    I realize it has been a long time since I first posted, so I wanted to update you all on the progress of the 'Salado Junction Spur'. The benchwork was easy to complete, the only real challenge was ensuring the shelf bracket tracks were level. Once that was accomplished, the door blank was mounted, checked for level side to side and front to back, and then the 1" foam insulation was installed. Next came the fascia, and I used some tempered hardboard I had on hand. I made it a little deeper than called for in the book, because I plan on attaching skirting to it to hide the storage shelving. That's one of the great bits of this particular design -- the shelf brackets go in the highest possible spot on the tracks, leaving almost 2' of track below the layout for storage shelving!

    Once benchwork was complete, I painted the fascia and the foam, then laid the track. I varied slightly from the book here as well, as I decided to use N scale cork to elevate the 'main' slightly, and the spurs are all laid directly on the foam. One detail step I took, which I am very happy with, is cutting out a few ties here and there on the flex track and repositioning the remaining ties to look like a less-well-maintained section of track, which most industrial spur tracks are!

    I then fashioned a cassette out of a 6' 1"x5" plank of pine and a little moulding on the sides, attached a 'tongue' on one end, and mounted a support block with a simple wooden toggle to fasten it to the layout. The other end of the cassette is supported by a simple block of wood, and it comes out level every time. As Lance says...when it comes to cassette mounting systems, Keep It Super Simple!!

    For motive power right now the SJS is running an old UP GP-15 (Proto1k with the MRC DCC sound decoder installed...very easy) as the primary. There is an SP MP14AC (Athearn with DCC & Sound) but that loco is in the shop awaiting repairs, supposedly to the bearings in the trucks. Finally, on order by the SJS is a brand-spankin' new NRE Genset switcher unit...awaiting a suitable DCC unit for that. At present I have completed the single foreground structure, which will be a lighted motorcycle shop, and two background structures - the food distributor and the corn syrup tank. Since this is a proto-freelanced layout, I took the liberty of relocating the Cargill Foods warehouse/distribution center in SE San Antonio (off South WW White), as well as changing slightly the architecture. The other warehouse (still in the pkgs) is also going to be slightly different structurally from the WalMart distribution center as well. Eventually these may be replaced with more accurate buildings, but I am more concerned with learning new techniques and experimenting with new materials to build my skills. I also plan on building a loading ramp for the team track out of concrete, just as it appears in San Antonio.

    So as this holiday season approaches, I have started experimenting with operating schemes, trying to figure out how the layout will be most realistically operated. I may add another cassette at the North end of the layout, or I may build another 'domino' on...but that's for several months in the future. For now I am enjoying operating the SJS (a typical operating session with my very modest roster of 7 cars takes ~35 mins start to finish). I keep the speeds low and I stop at all crossings and turnouts to simulate things like giving the train crew time to throw the switch, confer with the industry manager to discuss car spots, or wait for traffic at the crossing.

    I've attached a couple photos of the area I am modeling and a screenshot of the Google Maps area for reference. I plan on posting more photos over the holidays as I have time.

    Enjoy!

    -Zc
     

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