N Scale Hi Rail - Retro Hollow Core Door Layout

[wm3798]

Success!


What had happened was, when I cut in the wye, I did it hastily and sloppily, and then made the mistake of testing it with diesels and a Rivarossi Pacific.

I swear to God those Rivs would run off road if they had an onboard power supply.

Anyway, it's December, and odds are company's coming, so it was time to work out the kinks.

It turns out the long curved Peco that I had installed forced a kink into one of the snap track joints, not enough to foul everything, but enough to be a consistent problem for some of my newer locomotives, such as my Spectrum Connies, Model Power Mikes, and the three articulateds in the fleet.

It would also throw my 6 axle dummies, behind the ConCor PAs and E units.

The solution?  Well, first I tried shortening the point end of the curved turnout, which turned out to be a stupid idea.  The project has now cost me $30, and I never had to leave the house.

The better choice was to locate an electrofrog medium turnout, so the curved point would more closely follow the westbound alignment.
This also let me use a Peco switch motor attached directly to the points.  (The curved unit required one of those table top mount jobbies that end up looking like an Imperial Walker...) 

Once I was satisfied that the alignment was improved, I wired it and soldered the track joints, and turned loose a train behind the Model Power Mike.  It's been running without a flaw for about an hour.

Now I have to repair the upper track and see if I can get that to run my WM Connie again.
More news as it happens.

Lee

[OldEastRR]

Be vewwy vewwy quiet!



I'm hunting Gwemwins!

E. Fudd

OMG  ... Lee, your track subroadbed cuts, cork emplacement, and slashed-out foam scenery bases look as awful as mine!! Makes me feel a lot better knowing I'm not alone in this!! 

[wm3798]

What happens behind the skyboard, stays behind the skyboard!  Fortunately, thanks to that little project, it's less likely that will be a derailment!

Stay tuned for further developments.

Lee

[wm3798]

As work on my house proceeds, I'm getting closer to having an actual kitchen.  This means that shortly, the mini bar I built in the basement will be shedding its 2 burner hot plate and toaster oven, and the undercounter beer fridge will no longer be hosting ham, cheese, and vegetables, its proper purpose being fully restored in service to the Cacapon Mountain Brewing Company.  When this happens, the portable kitchen island will also be relieved of its duties, and the floor space it now occupies will become available for a higher and better purpose.  Here's what I have in mind:



There's a steel column in the middle of the space, which can easily be blended into a back drop.  and enough room surrounding it to flesh out some additional hollow core doors.  I really like how the "front" of the current layout has come together, so I want to keep at least that much intact at one end of the new platform as depicted below.



This will allow me to completely eliminate hidden trackage and substantially expand both the upper and lower loops, and create a yard area where the two can interchange for a much more satisfying operation. 

At this moment, the concept will allow me to use my TTrak modules as the basis for part of the upper loop (the WM for those of you taking notes at home) with the lower B&O loop set up so the HCD sections can be easily separated and relocated, should the need arise.  I'm also going to see about working in a TTrak interface to enable the occasional play group.    The plan is to set the platform high enough so I can continue to use the very convenient and space-efficient workbench set up that has served me well since I built the layout for my office back on the Shore, and provide plenty of room for storing all my hobby detritus more attractively than is possible at the moment.



As for track planning and operations development, it's all pretty much up in the air, but I'm leaning toward retaining the "race track" vibe for multiple trains running at once, simple DC cab control and c80 track to provide activity for my retro fleet, and more scenery favoring my favorite part of the world, which is about 20 minutes from my house.

There's also an urge to model the Laurel Valley in earnest, as a 1950s regional short line, using the steam fleet I've accumulated over the past 5 or 6 years.



Should that come to pass, look for a new Engineering Report as the premise evolves.

I've certainly enjoyed this project, which is why I'd like to incorporate it into the new layout that is evolving in my hyperactive hypothalamus. But I'm going to want to finish the room it's in, which means it has to move away from its cozy corner.  And this could be just the spark I needed to start laying out the lighting in the basement!

Lee

[OldEastRR]

Does this development mean the roundy-round will be restored to its original purpose, and leaving off the long over-extended track congestion that stretched way out on the right side? I really liked that little layout's compact size and track plan and the wealth of interesting scenery that fit the plan so well.

[wm3798]

Office car 900 rolls out of the paint shop.


Still needs a final Dullcote, but the hard part is done.
Lee

[wm3798]

More fun in the Vintage Paint Shop, with a second Laurel Valley Pacific, a heavy Mikado, and a caboose get added to the rapidly expanding steam era fleet.











This steam era layout concept is... dare I say it... picking up steam!

Happy New Year!
Lee

[wm3798]

Not quite ready to launch a new thread, but I've been doing some chin rubbing...

The concept evolves.



The space available for an island style layout is what it is.  The idea of using TTrak modules for parts of the line ends up too restrictive, and/or impractical from a scenery standpoint.  (F'rinstance, the WM circuit is the upper elevation, so using the Cumberland modules would put Wills Creek at a higher elevation than the B&O loop, which should only happen about once a century during a full moon/tropical storm sort of event)  Also, I want to include an interchange track between the two routes, requiring a fairly lengthy run to accommodate old locomotives lifting 10 to 15 car trains up about 2.5"  I want to keep the grades and construction simple, so the two mains would remain dead level, with only the interchange providing the transition.

Also, note that I've included some infrastructure that would be ideal to include, recognizing that it might be a bit snug.  If I'm left with just one turntable, it should be on the LRV/WM level, since I'm mainly going to use the B&O route for running/display, while the upper loop should account for more switching opportunities, and thus motive power flexibility.

Speaking of switching, apart from the existing little areas on the current track plan's upper loop, I'd like to include a mining (WM) and/or quarry (LRV) somewhere, possibly along the skyboard of the existing facing the new work.

Still leaning toward steam era, and sticking with my retro fleet for power, so I'll have to bust this thing up into electrical blocks so I can sort out control.  Being an island it would be nice to have some sort of DC walk-around cab, but as it's a smallish layout, I should't have too much trouble reaching the power to shut things down in the event of some disaster.

Technically speaking, the minimum radius (beyond what's already built) will be 12-3/8", c80 track, Peco turnouts, and perhaps a few scraps of Unitrak here and there (double crossovers where needed, etc.)

Input, feedback, comments and suggestions welcome.
Lee

[Dave V]

I like it!

Now...I would love to see one side of the layout be uber-realistic (to contrast with the retro hi-rail side) but I totally get if that's not your vibe.

The idea of using TTrak modules for parts of the line ends up too restrictive, and/or impractical from a scenery standpoint.  (F'rinstance, the WM circuit is the upper elevation, so using the Cumberland modules would put Wills Creek at a higher elevation than the B&O loop, which should only happen about once a century during a full moon/tropical storm sort of event)
Lee

I totally understand that from a scenery-continuity perspective. I'm having to be very deliberate to make my scenery line up correctly on my scenic-running modules. But yeah, T-TRAK allows for lots of flexibility but is ill-suited for multi-level or grade climbing.

[OldEastRR]

Will  there be an opportunity for Cornersville to be resurrected? Obviously on a corner?
And are you keeping the original backdrop in place?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

You know my feelings on gratuitous turntables homes...

[wm3798]

You know my feelings on gratuitous turntables homes...

Gotta be able to display the hardware.

Lee

[NorthWestGN]

Hey Lee,

I like the finished room plan, the recent additions to the LV steam fleet and the layout proposal!

Get that Kitchen done so you can expand!

Brent

[packers#1]

Gotta be able to display the hardware.

Lee

[PiperguyUMD]

Let me know if Hagerstown needs to be repatriated. Work + audition prep has done more than a break check on my plans for a shelf yard in the garage.