Weekend Update 2/14/21

[davefoxx]

I finished the road north of Aberdeen, so I’ve moved to the southside of town.  To extend the road, first, a complex railroad crossing must be built.  Four pieces down, so I’m getting there.



DFF

[wazzou]

Will the sidewalk extend across as well? 
If not, I don't know if I'd have made the road that wide?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

TWELVE eight foot sections???!!!  That'll be one impressive layout!

The basement is a large "L" shape of about 35x30 with the stubby end 15 feet wide. Layout will wrap around the spine and feature at least two 8 foot islands. A branch line (plus return loop for the main) will wrap around the base of the "L". While the return loop with be fully hidden (and rather sharp at 24" radius), the Saxonville branch continues on to New England Frozen Foods and Wonder Bread.

If my napkin math is correct, the branch will be about 60-75% full size, making nearly every passing detail modelable.

There are still LOTS of modelers lisence to be used elsewhere. Westboro and Framingham will be compressed, as will distances between interest points. And a lot of items will be flipped or mirrored north-south so that the more photogenic parts will be in best view. This will likely be most apparent in Westboro where the industries week be flipped to behind the tracks instead  of in front when looking southward. Likewise Dennis in Framingham will face north rather than south.

I may also work in a few self contained mini modules to model parts that can't be easily connected to the layout. For example I need to find a home for the Worcester Union Station. A self contained mobile layout that slides under the main one would be one way. I could also bring it to the Springfield show.

[wazzou]

@daniel_leavitt2000 Do you have a locally based contingent of people you can count on to operate and more importantly help you stage operations for sessions?

[peteski]

@daniel_leavitt2000 Do you have a locally based contingent of people you can count on to operate and more importantly help you stage operations for sessions?

It could be a roundy-round type of a layout. 

Daniel, that's a quite an ambitious project!  Good luck!

[daniel_leavitt2000]

@daniel_leavitt2000 Do you have a locally based contingent of people you can count on to operate and more importantly help you stage operations for sessions?

Just me for now. The plan is to use automation as much as possible. For example, the MBTA trains will be able to operate on their own, programmed to stop at stations along the way. Still trying to figure out the electronics part of that.

And Pete is totally correct. I will make this a point -to - point railroad with hidden return loops for continuous running and staging.

I have not even started looking at what would be needed for said automation save for general ideas where sensors should go. Another automation idea I am starting to look into is the lighting. The layout will have led lighting throughout overhead. I have 4 channels that can reach handle 100w at 12 volts set to dimmable switches. The four channels are for: daytime white, golden white, amber/red and blue. I want to try making a Raspberry Pii system that integrates the daylight color and intensity, with the functions of a fast time 24hr clock.

This is all far ahead of where I am right now and something i will  need help with.

So automaton for most of it while I poke around on the locals. Able to handle a group of operators on occasion. Or just sitt back, watching the trains from my youth pass by the world I once knew l, while downing a few Angry Orchards.

[C855B]

Will the sidewalk extend across as well? 
If not, I don't know if I'd have made the road that wide?

What Dave did there is correct for a lot of locations. Certainly is for here. Concrete sidewalks stop at the tracks and the road asphalt is extended for a paved surface through the rails, then the concrete resumes.

[wazzou]

What Dave did there is correct for a lot of locations. Certainly is for here. Concrete sidewalks stop at the tracks and the road asphalt is extended for a paved surface through the rails, then the concrete resumes.

Okie Dokie.

[SkipGear]

[davefoxx]

Will the sidewalk extend across as well? 
If not, I don't know if I'd have made the road that wide?

Bryan,

Yeah, the sidewalk extends across.  Here's the prototype crossing.  Keep in mind that none of the pieces are glued down yet and will be painted accordingly.



DFF

[wazzou]

Looks like a cool area Dave.

[C855B]

Yeah, the sidewalk extends across.  Here's the prototype crossing.  ...

Interesting. In this case it must be done that way since it's an industrial spur and unlikely to be dug-up for periodic rail/tie maintenance. Asphalt-paved sidewalk areas are normal on mainline crossings where digging it up and then repaving is standard practice.

[davefoxx]

Interesting. In this case it must be done that way since it's an industrial spur and unlikely to be dug-up for periodic rail/tie maintenance. Asphalt-paved sidewalk areas are normal on mainline crossings where digging it up and then repaving is standard practice.

That track is actually part of the wye where the Aberdeen, Carolina & Western Ry. (nee original Norfolk Southern Ry.) meets CSX (nee Seaboard Air Line) in Aberdeen, North Carolina.  I don't have that trackage modeled correctly on my roundy-round layout, but I've at least captured the flavor of town.  That track leads to the AC&W's mainline from Aberdeen to Star, North Carolina.  Interestingly, that crossing has been redone, as I just learned on the AC&W's website.  The Google Maps image needs updating.



EDIT: Actually looking close at the pictures, I think this may actually be the road crossing on the other leg of the wye.

DFF

[C855B]

Yeah, the concrete panels serve the same purpose - removable for maintenance.

[wazzou]

Yeah, the concrete panels serve the same purpose - removable for maintenance.

Well...yeah, but they wear better and the install is easier too.