I glued the remaining pieces of foam down this morning and then ran trains on the existing track as a reward for my work. I’ve also started thinking about what I want to do with the new space. My first thought was to run the track around the perimeter and have a diesel servicing area, a river and a residential area, but I’m wondering if I could make better use of the space. I have to think it through and I'm open to suggestions. No photos since it looks the same as it did yesterday but the stuff to hold the foam down while the glue dries is now on the right end of the layout.
This is the track plan before expansion. I think I did something wrong in drawing the track because the tracks meet perfectly on the right. I’m working on the expanded plan.
Yup, that’s a future project, Mark. The overhang is only 4” and the foam is strong enough that it doesn’t need support but it will look a lot better with it.
Thanks Richard. I’m actually happy with the layout as is. I’m expanding because I have the room and it will make for a longer run and more scenery. I enjoy doing some switching but my favorite part of the hobby is watching trains running through different scenes.
The foam is strong enough and may not need support, but if you are like me you WILL lean on it before you get it supported
The two stub sidings along the front of the lower left leg of the layout present a moderately severe S-curve from the R28 switch diverting route, directly to a 12.4R curve back to parallel. Even if everything you have will handle that (including backing up a string of railcars onto the siding), I would opt for a little more margin and use R19's off the switches' diverging routes, creating a much less severe S-curve. It also give you a little more clearance from the mainline for "hand"ling railcars on the sidings while a train passes by on the inner main.
Also, especially where the foam extends unsupported past the framework, ensure those layers are glued together for additional rigidity and durability.
I hear what you’re saying, cbg, however I never lean on the layout, and once I get scenery on it no one else will either. The two layers are glued together making it 2 inches thick and incredibly strong.
As you can see from the photos one siding will only hold one car and the other can hold two short cars or one longer car. The longest freight cars I run are 60’ long. In the small yard I used 28” radius curves since more cars can be handled there.
How do you seal the seams in between sections of EPS? Never had to do but figure caulk would be best?
I was thinking about this and I have three reasons for expanding the layout. First, it will take longer for a train to run a loop and a longer run is more fun. Second, the addition gives a lot more room for scenery. I enjoy building scenery and watching trains run through it. More scenery means more fun for me. Third, when I’m operating trains sitting or standing in the U I can’t see the whole layout at once. Part of it is always out of sight and that makes the layout feel bigger than it is. That’s the long and the short of it.
Thanks Mark. I also like that curve a lot. I enjoy watching trains snaking around the curve. I’m thinking of putting a water feature with a road running through it inside the curve, or maybe a residential area.
This is going to be awesome An entire room for a layout is always good, if you have it. Next update in the future, around the room, maybe? Myself IF I had that much room, I would not want a duck under or lift out. To me it should be, open door, walk in room, run trains But that's me, and I DO NOT have an entire room available. Can't wait to see the new track laid down on the extension.
