So I've been thinking about some layout ideas and diorama ideas and it hit me, why not make several 2x4 dioramas and design each one so that they can form one layout when all put together. That led me to wonder could I design them to be able move them around to be able to support different types of operations, say put them in an oval for just running trains or have them all in a line in order to form a more point to point style op. I think if I approached this with rules like NTRAK or another club I could make this work, so what are your thoughts?
I don't see why not. You would have to have some corner units that will line up. It will take a lot of planing.
Yes, it can be done. Track placement at all module ends would need to be uniform, to form any "oval" arrangement. But if modules are otherwise used, that measurement is not critical.
I'm not sure how I can make all the ends uniform without having a repeated track arrangement over and over though.
Although I'm not fond of the notion of a rearrangeable layout (mostly because of the severe design restrictions it imposes), you can get around the overly-repeated track arrangement a couple of ways. First, make the modules a little larger, so that the track plan within any given module won't be the same every time--just the ends. Second, make two or perhaps even three different module types. This may reduce the number of possible combinations, but it will compensate with more variety.
There's a fine example of this idea posted on Trainboard recently.. but i don't remember where.. the picture just captured my interest in a big way. EDIT: found it
That's sorta the idea I was going for but since it will be a Appalachian layout there would be alot less track.
This is the major drawback. Unless you do not mind the module fascias not uniformly lining up. If one sticks out six inches beyond the next. Then it can work.
I've often wanted to start a one track club in my area. It's more operation oriented than N-track which I personally find boring. BTW I posted that plan recently and it got removed. *blushing*
It was okay there. But the entire OT drift was removed, and the scan fell victim to that action. oNeTrak, or perhaps try Free-Mo?
I'm working on the same idea: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?146070-Industry-Ave-a-modular-switching-layout Actually you can find a description and pictures of the first module in this thread. The next three modules are already built and are waiting for tracks and turnouts to be laid on. Two of them are shorter modules, one will get a grade crossing. Both two long modules together will give me the chance to run around some cars. Ideas for the next two long modules are already in my brain ... All modules will be combineable in any sequence and in any orientation - and you will see, there will be no uniformity nor tedium. With every new module the possibilities to arrange them together will raise exponentially, so there will be fun in switching cars forever!
Dang,,I accidently deleted member's quote in the Beer Line pics above whilst entering my own...Please repost if you would deem necessary to ..I'm full of mistakes lately...!
One of the main disadvantages of interchangable module construction is the straight line running so the tracks can traverse the joints at the modules interface. It's easy for setup but a little boring. You could build a double module set that has to always be arranged together so you can divert the track to the middle or rear, then back to the front for some variation, or make an extension on the front of a module and curve the track into it and back at the other end. The N gaugers in my club have gotten into T-Trak in a big way. At the last show we setup for we had an 18' X 10' L shaped layout. The 18' side had a straight run and the 10' side was dead straight too. My 8' yard is wider than the standard modules and one track curves toward the front and the other track curves to the back with the yard in the middle. Several viewers have commented on the straightness of the long sides and how boring it is. It's hard with a 2' module to do anything but a straight line.
I decided to do this about, hmmm....seven years ago? I determined that I wanted a modular layout that I could build, move, take to trainshows, and switch the order of the modules around when I had enough space to set it all up in the way I planned for the optimum arrangement. Additionally I surmised that I could work on specific scenes, get them done, then store them in the garage or my show trailer (which I haven't purchased yet) and build all of the modules I needed for my finished layout, setting up the ones I was working on, then breaking them down and storing them, and starting on the new ones...until I had room to set them all up, or maybe transport them to a show and set them up there three times a year. I was able to do the above parameters, but I decided to build long Layout Design Elements (LDE's) based on prototype Union Pacific scenes and operations on the helper district between Ogden Utah, and Wahsatch Utah. I decided to go BIG, with 3' X 6' modules, with integral folding legs, with a railhead to floor height of 52", with a nice, high skyboard on the back with provisions for placing two or three cheap drafting lamps on top of the skyboard supports of each module. I also determined that an LDE would be a minimum of 12' long, and as it's worked out, some LDE's are twice that long, and some scenic/transition LDE's are only 6' long. When the modules are set up, they are back to back with what I term "Horseshoe Curves" on the ends to allow continuous running. Also, a "consist" of two or three large LDE's buckled together can also form a large "Horseshoe Curve" and I have one of those, with another under construction which I take to shows and join up with my partner Gregg Cudworth. The reasons that I went with modules that are a standard length of 6' is this: Four feet is short enough that your eye will see that the trackwork on the ends is always the same (which I didn't want), whereas 6' will make it less obvious. Also, one person can manhandle a 6' module if necessary (8' is too big for one man) and a 12' LDE (or longer) has enough length for my center sidings, which need 9' 8" of parking space to accommodate the longest trains I run on the layout, plus the length for two #8's and one #4wye turnouts on either end of each center siding. Additionally, integral folding legs work great with a 6' length, but are much more difficult to attach on a 4 footer particularly with a railhead to floor height of 52". As it has turned out, I also have two 8' long modules which needed the extra length because of the constraints of my track plan at certain points, such as the Curvo LDE which includes an uphill and downhill grade for each of the mainlines, a bridge where the mainlines cross and immediately enter double tunnels built at different heights to emerge going east as a right hand running double mainline on to Cheyenne. This means that I also have a 4' and 6' dedicated module on one end and a dedicated 6' module on the other end which comprises the 24' long Curvo LDE. FUN!!...for me at least The module ends (joints) within an LDE are not required to be "standard" and the ends of dedicated modules do not have to conform to the 3' width and can be either wider or narrower, but the ends of each LDE conform to my modular standards and can be attached in various ways at shows and in my 11' X 28' trainroom as I complete my modular layout which is much larger than 11' X 28'. By the way, I used Cadrail extensively to get my module sizes, lengths, heights, as well as plan my trackplan. It would have been much more difficult to have created my modular standards without a good model railroad CAD program, and using Cadrail took most of the guesswork out of my final decisions. My standards I arrived at are my own, with influence from Ntrak and Bend Track. The differences are: Skyboards, with no scenery dividers, longer standard modules (6'), wider modules (3'), double track mainlines or single track mainlines (with adapters), code 55 and 40 trackage, no joiner tracks, integral folding legs, L-girder construction, splined Masonite subroadbed with risers, and operation from the front with little or no "crew quarters" because setup is back to back, lights required on the skyboards of each module, much higher railhead to floor height (52"), and grades allowed within LDE's. Hand laid turnouts are also encouraged and the "standard" track is ME code 55 and 40 flex. In my module design, I've chosen to have a 24" minimum radius on visible trackage, with an operational minimum radius of 18" for concealed trackage on mainlines and 16" for branchlines, down to 14" for industries. The 36" width allows plenty of scenery between the double tracked mainlines and the front fascia, and since I'm running the largest steam engines and very long diesels and turbines in my 1951 through 1956 (on the U.P.) time period, 24" mins really look good, especially eased and superelevated. I also do not do the "joiner track" thing, but instead, I run the track to the very edge of the module end, and I don't glue it down for 6" back from the edge, which allows it to be repositioned a bit, then temporarily spiked down to my cork roadbed. I've found this protocol to be very good and look a whole lot better than "joiner tracks" which are a source of problems in any setup. On most joints, I've just socked the rails down, and I don't have any problems with alignment. However on module ends that mate up to another person's modules (Gregg's) I let the track float for five or six inches. I decided to go with Ntrak's spec's for DCC wiring, since they can run huge modular layouts with minimal setup and electrical problems with it. My layout, when finished and set up will inhabit a roughly 40' X 40' space, with 5' aisleways on the outside and 3' minimum aisleways everywhere else. All in all, I really am happy with my modular standards, and although the size of my modules makes them not so easy to reposition by myself, luckily my 26 year old son is also deeply involved in our model railroad endeavors, so I always have help. 'Nuff said. Maybe this post will give you some ideas to fit into your own modular layout preferences and concept. Here are some pics at the Evanston Show in August of 2012. The Echo Yard/Park City Yard/Echo Cliffs LDE 24' long (Four 6' Modules) A "standard" end between the Echo Yard LDE, transistioning into the highly unfinished Taggarts LDE, which is only 6' long (One 6' module) A portion of the Wihemina Pass/Devils Slide LDE which didn't go to the Evanston Show, but stayed in my train room and is 24 feet long (One 8' module, two 6' modules, and 4' of one 6' module) Cheers! Bob Gilmore
