Door layout blues...

[sirenwerks]

Then what you should do is go ahead and buy your house in PG or Anne Arundel Counties now, they're just about giving them away in this market.

OK Lee, living in AA County maybe i missed seeing that line where they're giving away houses. Tell me where it is, and I will go join the queue.

[wm3798]

Have you seen the foreclosure maps at DHCD?  Voof!
Lee

[asciibaron]

Have you seen the foreclosure maps at DHCD?  Voof!
Lee

21144, my old zip has the highest rate in Maryland - go Severn!

as for the door layout blues, there is a reason i ripped out my PRR layout and am back to the design stage, yet again. 

limited space and unknown future... i would build a layout with 2 1'x8' sections and 2 2'x6' sections.  that would easily fit into a Public Storage locker when you move next - just shove it in there the next time you relocate and then take some weekend after the dust settles, drive out, rent a u-haul trailer, and away you go... they have a 5x10' trailer that would work just fine...

-Steve

[ednadolski]

Freemo N-Scale defines standards that can easily be used for a portable home layout:

http://www.geocities.com/w_steiner/ModelRailroading/Free-moN/Main.html

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Dave, I hate to see you waffling here, but take heart. We all do it. I know that personally, I saw my door layout as something to do "today". It's not the grand plan, and, in fact, it's barely related to the grand plan. My goal with it was to have a test bed for scenery and photography, and I think it's done a fine job at that, but it sure doesn't scratch the operational itch.

I personally think you should build new, but adhering to some sort of modular standards (not necessarilly NTRAK, but onetrak would be cool), and start building some scenes. Maybe include a connection to the current layout so you don't have to toss it, but do what scratches your itch. If you build things properly componetized on the modules, you may not even have to toss one if you don't like it.

For example, my most current onetrak module rides on a frame that I had used before. I was unhappy with the old one, so I pulled the styrofoam off the top and started from scratch.

And here, to get you started, this just came across my desk this morning: http://thecrhs.org/?q=Images/CR-GP38-2-8126-CNJ-2-Gallitzen-PA-1077

But the 'curve is tough (righ Ian?), so maybe something more like this:
http://thecrhs.org/?q=Images/CR-6519-at-Harrisburg-PA-Station-1983

[ljudice]

Not sure about giving away houses, but:

http://moggyhollow.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-to-customer-please.html

[davefoxx]

Dr. Dave,

I think if I were in your situation, I would consider rehabilitating the existing layout, because of the potential for mandatory moves over the next several years.  Obviously, this does not cure some of your serious concerns, e.g., sharp curves, roundy-round track plan, and minimal staging, but some of that could be overcome in creative ways.  For example, you could add larger staging tracks and perhaps a working yard and improve the simple staging tracks you have now.  You could also raise the layout, which will make it less apparent that it is a loop.  The cost to redo the layout would be significantly less expensive than starting over, and I wouldn't be concerned with the sunk costs since the layout would survive at least seven more years.

You made a comment recently in another thread about your track and your trees.  If I owned your layout, I would not hesitate to take a hacksaw blade and carefully cut the tops of the mountains off to get inside those tunnels.  I would soak the ballast, remove the code 80, and install code 55.  The hilltops could be easily replaced and patched, including scenery repairs.  If you chose to do so, that would be a good time to consider any scenic upgrades.

I'm not sure that my opinion counts for much, but thanks for allowing me the opportunity to chime in.  I must admit that I am probably biased towards saving the layout, because I have always admired it and would like to see its existence continue.

Dave Foxx

[sizemore]

Then what you should do is go ahead and buy your house in PG or Anne Arundel Counties now, they're just about giving them away in this market.

OK Lee, living in AA County maybe i missed seeing that line where they're giving away houses. Tell me where it is, and I will go join the queue.

I live in Linthicum (Glen Burnie) and make well over the median family income and buying a house here is still hard. My dream home just went for a cool million...IN GLEN BURNIE. My old neighbors ran out of town after getting 450K for a house that needed serious help....


To get back on topic Dave, if it were me a modular wall layout (12"-18") would be the way to go. You could easily make something that fits in it's own "shipping" crate. That way you can build it to fit the woes you have now, as well as make it portable.

Just a thought,
Tim

[SAH]

Dave,

Having read your posts and viewed your models and layout over the last year, I don’t think it’s possible to scratch all your itches given your situation (current or immediate future).  And let’s face it, in 7 years it’s likely you’ll itch in different places anyway.

What I really read in your post is “I have all these great looking powerful locomotives (quite true I might add) and I can’t take full advantage of them, from an operation nor visual standpoint.”

Something as small as a diorama can take care of the visual constraints and might scratch the presentation aspect of your itch. 

The operating aspect is tougher of course.  Modeling the stinkin’ standard RR of the world and all it’s bigness does not help one bit.  They did have some cool branches though.  Picking an interesting subject on one of them and going the super detail route in four stackable sections for transport may get you moving again.  (I’m also sensing your kind of stuck in a rut.)

Steve

[Dave V]

Okay guys, what I'm hearing is this:

If I start over, go modular.  Or, start building modules while keeping the current layout as well.  Or, rehabilitate the current layout (although some shortcomings cannot be overcome).

I agree.  With all three.

I've thought a lot about adding another door, either as a stub-end staging yard (with either an engine terminal or industrial switching area) OR add another loop.  That loop could either be a seperate single-track branch (requiring no modification to the current layout) or as a continuation of the double-track main (requiring extensive mods to the existing layout and potentially rendering it incapable of stand-alone continuous loop ops at some future date, but doubling the mainline run distance).

Hmmm...  If I add anything at all to the current layout it will probably result in my relaying the track in code 55.  Part of me says "if it ain't broke...," but then again it won't ever get less ugly.

So, add another door...  but what to do with it?

Oh, and Ed, that's some XXX hardcore train porn right there...  A CR repaint with a RDG and PC unit behind on the 4-track main?  No fair, man.  No fair!

[JDouglasFisher]

Well, if you decide to do something different, here's an idea...

In keeping with the theme of utilizing some of that awesome PRR power, I'd suggest a double door layout, L Shaped, and model the Elmira Branch in NY State..

Lots of coal, and some other interesting stuff, also very windy, hilly terrain.

Plus, depending on location, gives you an option to model some NYC stuff, or LV, DLW, Erie, Reading, etc.

Big coal trains where cut down in southport yard to about 70 cars because of the terrain going through NY towards Sodus Point.

As for diesels, just about everything worked on the branch at one time or another, including 6 axle Baldwin Sharks.

I've always said if I had a basement, I would model the city of Elmira, circa late 50's with all its variety. Definitely wouldn't get bored.

Just an idea.

Also has a great Yahoogroup specifically for the Branch to boot.

J.....

[TiVoPrince]

Got to say
that a fresh layout with new door(s) seems in order.  Store the current door as servicable for the next move if necessary.  Take a leap and build something different.  Think four track main on a 'domino' style layout using disposable end loops or model a completely different time/place just for grins...

[Dave V]

I'm leaning toward replacing the track on the current layout and adding a second door in an L-shape.   It would be a second self-contained layout, except that it would have a small yard on one side (maybe with a diesel shop like a mini-Enola) with an industrial area on the other side.  It would have a much more urban feel (since I've already captured the more rural aspect of Pennsy).  Industries would include SE PA industries such as a metals factory and a flooring plant.  I may even consider catenary on this section for giggles.

This gives me two independent layouts with some minor degree of staging; if my next location has insufficient space for an L-shaped layout then I can just set up one and store the other.  They can then both be integrated into some future basement empire when I start my second career.  One obvious challenge is scenic continuity; I have mountains that will end abruptly at the edge of the layout; perhaps small "backdrop" segments will help hide this.

This doesn't address the sharpness of my curves; a major limiting factor.  However, the only loco which gives me an intolerable amount of mechanical trouble on the curves is the M1.  I'm thinking it may be more cost effective to replace the light 4-8-2 mechanism with the Spectrum heavy mountain and see if that doesn't make her pulling power more effective.  Otherwise I can live with the awkwardness of 85' and 89' cars on my curves.  The superelevation helps.

This solution, though a compromise, does give me three things I'm after: flexibility to handle variable future layout space (including the option to return to a single self-contained layout), no destruction of hard work put into the current layout, and an inductrial/urban scene.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[asciibaron]

i suggested to Dave that he turn the current layout into one side of a HOG type affair with the existing coal mine on a branch

i think he should stop planning for the next move and build for what he has now - no matter what he plans, it won't work - that's Murphy's law, not mine.



-Steve

[Dave V]

I appreciate Steve's effort.  And it sounds neat.  But I'm thinking it might take up too much space.