Wanted to share some photos of the new layout build. I’ve been preparing, and where I needed to, buying wiring materials to complete the major wiring. More…
The layout – as built
Here are some more images of the layout build as it stands at the moment. You’ll note that the layout is freestanding, resting on trestles (hand built with simple woodworking tools in my garage – more on that later in another post).
I’ve included the final trackplan; it’s important for me to point out that you can plan forever on screen, but while ever you don’t take the plan to the baseboard I really cannot see what I have and what I need to do to make the layout visually appealing (well at least that’s how it is for me).
The final track plan. Note the variations between the plan and the actual layout of the trackwork
Basically the whole layout on the trestles
A close-up of the trestles – they’re easy to make, with minimal tools
A view from near the end of the line back toward the loop
A detail shot of the second warehouse siding
Another overview shot of the layout from above the Scrappy’s Recycling spur
Trackwork marked in pencil, track feeds and other major infrastructure items marked
Looking down the length of the layout. I like the serpentine nature of the track work
Track laying
When I begin to lay out the track I print out the track plan, and using a grid marked out on the plan and layout board, begin to match up the plan to the layout.
Then I mark up the top of the layout surface (in this case 2″ blue foam) using a pencil to mark the outside of the ties. This enables me to positively place the cork where I need it to be once the track is removed, drill holes for feeds and frogs, and although not shown in these photos mark out the sub-terrain ‘rod in tube’ locations from the tie bar to the front fascia of the layout.
These markings allow me to dig out the foam before installing the cork, drill the holes in the fascia and install the tubes in place using hot glue. There’ll be a post on that too in the not too distant future for those that may not know about this switch operating method.
I love push (map) pins (as you can see above) especially to postion track while setting out the track plan
Switches: Pt 1 – when laying out switches I use the tie bar at one end…
Switches: Pt 2 – and the frog or guard rails to positively locate the point
I mark up all my track – note the lines drawn along the outside of the ties – also I mark in the feed location for the live frogs (here using Peco points)
All track gets a feed point for each rail
The points get a feed point for each rail – along with the point throw throw mechanism between the tie-bar and the front of the layout (in this case using rod in tube)
Wrap up
That’s it for this post.
I’m finding that time to write posts is really short at the moment – work is an all consuming animal as we live 120 Km from where I work – so I’m adding 4 travel hours a day to what is an already 9-10 hour day. Looking forward to moving back into Melbourne later in the year which will give me a lot of time back in my life.
I have three weeks of holiday coming up in 1 week batches over the next 6 weeks – looking forward to that and to getting more photos and posts out to you all.
Next week I’ll be working broken shifts and will be working on posts covering these topics:
- Layout Build Part 3 post on building Trestles,
- Track laying,
- Switching infrastructure (rod in tube), and
- Wiring.
I hope that you’ll ask any questions that you have either here through the comments, or on the facebook page.
Resources
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