I started the module because I have no room for a big layout and for easy storage when not in use. The layout is gonna have all code 55 track. The module is also freelanced but based around the midwest area. Still have to get the track but started some scenary. because I was boared. Started to carve the foam into more of a hill shape.
Is this a table-top sort of module? I like yow you're just diving in and doing it. Thanks for posting pics.
The module sits on top of my shelf so its sort of like that. I got some track and other iteams from woo woo woo to continue the progress. I got all the cork and track installed. Also all of the foam is glued in and carved. Foam makes a big mess but i got a shop vac so its all good:tb-biggrin: Only thing left to do on track is put the turnout throw in and ballest. Were the spur is I plan to put a industy there if any ideas let me now. Things left to do put a backdrop up, finish scenary need to get brown paint, put the road in, get an industry for the spur,and that should conclude the first module.
Okay, just "jumping in" is sometimes good...sometimes not. Are you running DCC or DC? I didn't see any feeders or bus wires underneath. Got some? How are you gonna connect your modules both physically and electrically? Got plans for that? Also, are your turnouts going to be just manually thrown, or are you planning on using something like a Tortoise or one of the several manual devices. Are you going to route power to your frogs or are you going with dead frogs? Are you eventually going to signal your layout? Time to plan for that is before you start laying track because it's got to be divided up into electrically isolated blocks. How long are your trains going to be? Their length determines the size of your passing sidings and the length of your blocks. Got that planned yet? Yup...Styrofoam "bead board" IS messy! It's also not nearly as stable as "extruded Styrofoam insulation" which is what I would recommend you use for your future modules. It's much structurally stronger, will not produce all of the incredible mess that bead board does (it's still messy...just not nearly AS messy!). It's more expensive...about 25 bucks for a 4' X 8' sheet of 2" stuff...but with the size of your modules, it should go a long way. I'm also gonna recommend that you find a prototype plan, or go on Google Earth and scan the region you think you'd like to model...and find some actual trackwork...selectively compress it, but make the turnouts and sidings as much like the prototype as you can. What this does is gets rid of laying down trackage that doesn't function properly. If you see it on the prototype...mainline sidings and rail-served industries...and you make 'em like the prototype you can see from satellite photos (compressing them of course) they'll work for you. If you're interested in making your model railroad look "real", then finding photos of the topography and region you want to model and duplicating the textures, vegetation and colors will go a long way to make you satisfied with your work. Guesswork just doesn't quite do it. I do congratulate you on getting started. Just remember that your trackage and scenery is just as much a model as your cars and engines...you wouldn't start scratchbuilding either of those without researching them would you? Lot of us find that researching the prototype region we like is a lot of fun! Maybe you will too. There's something highly satisfying about building a scene that is very close to a real place...even if you name it something else! Anyway, in any case...have fun! Cheers! Bob Gilmore
To robert3985 the switch will be manually thrown. It will be ran by dc and I have 2 feeders installed. Also I have a good idea of what I want and it will not be prototype. I want to model BN in about the 1960s-1970s era and have that company swithching some sort of industry. Thanks for taking notice in my layout.
Sorry for the lack of updates I have been very busy. I have gotten a lot more scenary done and tried making my own trees. Hopefully soon i will have the track ballested and have and engine up in running. My plans are to have water covering the wood making it a switching and waterfront layout. If you have any other ideas please share.
Waterfront is an interesting topic for me. So please be sure to share some photos of how yours is created.
Started work on the industry that is going to be on the layout and did some ballesting. Next is to start the river/lake who knows. Feedback is always helpful.
