Modules - Part 2

Some progress has been made since my last update.  First, household management required a relocation of the module set up.  Therefore the modules have been relocated to the other side of the room as to not block the windows.

After moving the modules, I began building the sub road bed.  Using more 3/4" plywood, I created risers to support the main line at an equal height to the 2" foam I'll use for a scenery base.  I do this because I don't care for the noise created when track is laid directly onto foam.  Even with cork roadbed I find there is too much noise, at least for through tracks.

Mock up of the riser with foam on either side.  Riser is constructed of 3/4" plywood ripped into track wide strips, with 1 1/4" support blocks to establish the correct height.

As I relocated the modules, I determined that the module for the East Outlet bridge was not located properly, so I built two additional modules  that are two feet long to center the bridge within an 8' section (one 2' module on either side of the bridge module, instead of a 4' on one end).  The added bonus is I now have a spare 4' module to use!

 The 8' East Outlet section.  The new 2' modules can be seen in the immediate foreground and in the far background, bridge will be located in the middle of this photo

On the Moosehead Siding end, I doubled the width of the sub roadbed to support the siding.  At this point the sub roadbed haas been secured using a combination of wood glue and nails.  I'm sure that some of you may question my use of nails as opposed to screws, so permit me to explain.  On joints that will not be disassembled, I prefer to use glue to strengthen the joint.  Since the joint is glued, the fastener type becomes unimportant, and either nail or screw could be used.  I have found that using my nailer is faster than screws, and I have had no issues with the wood splitting and I do not have to worry about countersinking the screws.  The photo above shows several joints where you can see the results of this style of construction.

West end of Moosehead Siding 

Roughing in the foam.  The Lackawanna geep will be rebuilt for the Somerset at some future date.

Cork roadbed laid out to mock up where the tracks will go.  The geep is on the main, and the wide strip to the left will be the siding and the storage spur.

 At this point the wooden sub roadbed is fully installed.  I've started working on the foam, but nothing is permanently attached as of yet.  Same goes for the cork roadbed.  Hopefully in the next few weeks I can make progress on that.

Modules - Part 1

Benchwork has begun on the Somerset!  After a long time planning, I have built the first section.  For the Somerset layout, I am using a sectional approach to build the layout.  I am doing this for a few reasons.  First, by building manageable sections I can build each I can build each from the comfort of my workbench.  Second, it affords me the flexibility if I relocate some time in the future to easily remove and move the layout with me.  Third, it allows me in the ability to work on different aspects of the hobby, benchwork, track/wiring, and scenery.  Coincidentally, this is very similar to the The One Module Approach (TOMA) currently being discussed on Trainmasters TV.  The first video of this series can be found here:  http://trainmasters.tv/videos/2017-01-3.  To watch the video you will need a subscription to Trainmasters, which is something I highly recommend to any modeler out there.

For the first scene I will be modeling, I will be building a scene consisting of the west end of CP's Moosehead siding and bridge over the east outlet of the Kennebec River from Moosehead Lake.  This location is approximately four miles east of Somerset Junction and will be used as the eastern end of the CP mainline of my layout.

At the west end of the siding is a short spur for setting off bad orders

CMQ Job 1 passes over the west switch for the siding, with the East Outlet bridge in the distance

To construct these modules I started with a sheet of 3/4" plywood.  Using my table saws I ripped it down to strips approximately 1.25" and 3" of width.  See photo below.

Once all the pieces were cut to width, using one narrow and one wide piece I fashioned them together into a "L" girder.  Using the "L" girders I fabricated four modules measuring 1' by 4' each.  See close up below.

Finally, a few shots of all four modules temporarily setup in the workshop.  I will be relocating them to another area of the workshop soon.

Augusta Show

Today I joined several friends in attending a train show held in Augusta, ME.  As in prior years, we had a few tables at our disposal to offload excess stuff.  As usual, the show had a nice mix of scales and memorabilia, along with a section of doll houses and related supplies.  A great chance to catch up with friends and make a few more.

Just before the doors open

 Plenty of good stuff to be found

HO scale modular layout provided by the Great Falls Model Railroad Club

A nice set of Rapido FL9s lead a short passenger train on the Great Falls layout

An UP led oil train on the Great Falls layout

 The Maine 3-Rail Club had their layout out too

And a few things followed me home

Checking In

Hey Everyone,


It's been a little while since I've posted here.  I'm still here and haven't forgotten about the blog, just been busy (and sick!) so no modeling progress of late.  Things are smoothing out a little so hopefully by this weekend I will have something more to report!