All,
Both the permanent scenery and the temporary scenery have their advantages and disadvantages. I've been involved with one group that did it each way - the great part about the permanent track and scenery was the fast setup time at the venue - the disadvantage was transport.
One thing that I might suggest, permanent scenery or not would be a removable backdrop - if you can remove it, it is considerably easier to stack / move the modules.
-Joey
The Lehigh Valley HiRailers have been using the Independent HiRailers Standards with Gargraves track for over 10 years. These standards have generally worked very well. We can run conventional, TMCC, and DCS with these modules. We have the latest Rev L TIU and "Magic" bulbs at the TIU outputs to help with signal strength.
One challange we presently face is the standard Molex connector. The one specified on HiRailers Unlimited.com has not been available for quite sometime. We are currently exploring the use of Anderson Powerpoles as a suitable alternative. I have been making adapter pigtails, as we do not want to convert everything at once.
One thing to consider with FastTrack is how you will join to the next module. Tracks that go right to the edge of the module are vulnerable to incidental damage. So are the pins, unless they can be removed. Plan for how you want to protect the ends during shipping and handling.
An alternative is the stop the tracks 5" from the edge. This keep the ends from damage. When you set up, you place 10" bridge pieces across the the module interfaces to join the tracks. This also gives you a little wiggle room if your trackwork is not perfectly aligned.
As far as scenery goes, if it is more than 2" tall, it comes off the module. Typically this means roads, very low hills and berms are all that stay on the module. Everything else is either placed singly (time consuming), or on 2" thick builder's foam. The scenicked foam pieces go in separate custom made cardboard boxes.
Switches: A necessary evil. Keep the controls away from the public! Cornfield meets are not desirable!
Accessories are fun to have and keep the public's attention. They are also time consuming to unpackage and setup unless you have given some careful pre-planning to the process.
Backdrops are wonderful for creating the illusion of a model world. We love them. Just don't plan on easily reaching over them to rerail your prized engine.
We find it prudent to station someone outside the layout to deal with those few occurences. They double up as accessible train ambassadors when things are running well. If they have a hand held controler, so much the better. Kids love to blow the whistles!
Chris
LVHR
One challange we presently face is the standard Molex connector. The one specified on HiRailers Unlimited.com has not been available for quite sometime. We are currently exploring the use of Anderson Powerpoles as a suitable alternative. I have been making adapter pigtails, as we do not want to convert everything at once.
One thing to consider with FastTrack is how you will join to the next module. Tracks that go right to the edge of the module are vulnerable to incidental damage. So are the pins, unless they can be removed. Plan for how you want to protect the ends during shipping and handling.
An alternative is the stop the tracks 5" from the edge. This keep the ends from damage. When you set up, you place 10" bridge pieces across the the module interfaces to join the tracks. This also gives you a little wiggle room if your trackwork is not perfectly aligned.
As far as scenery goes, if it is more than 2" tall, it comes off the module. Typically this means roads, very low hills and berms are all that stay on the module. Everything else is either placed singly (time consuming), or on 2" thick builder's foam. The scenicked foam pieces go in separate custom made cardboard boxes.
Switches: A necessary evil. Keep the controls away from the public! Cornfield meets are not desirable!
Accessories are fun to have and keep the public's attention. They are also time consuming to unpackage and setup unless you have given some careful pre-planning to the process.
Backdrops are wonderful for creating the illusion of a model world. We love them. Just don't plan on easily reaching over them to rerail your prized engine.
We find it prudent to station someone outside the layout to deal with those few occurences. They double up as accessible train ambassadors when things are running well. If they have a hand held controler, so much the better. Kids love to blow the whistles!
Chris
LVHR
Im on the west coast. I'd like to build one. Las Vegas would be a great place to put it all together.
I have some information about modules that you and Dennis should find interesting.
Ed Boyle
Ed Boyle
Any news on this?
Gunny
Gunny
quote:Originally posted by gunny:
Any news on this?
Gunny
I think Al K. inspected the Glancy layout during the Avondale HS show yesterday. Nice guy.
quote:Originally posted by SantaFe158:quote:Originally posted by gunny:
Any news on this?
Gunny
I think Al K. inspected the Glancy layout during the Avondale HS show yesterday. Nice guy.
Jake, it was nice to meet you. The layout looked fantastic. It was a big draw, it attracted a crowd and was a big hit with the younger attendees. It is at the right height for viewers of all ages. I met with Victor and Mark and learned a lot of info about the layout construction and design. Thank you. Keep up the good work promoting our wonderful hobby!
Al K.
quote:Originally posted by Al K.:
Jake, it was nice to meet you. The layout looked fantastic. It was a big draw, it attracted a crowd and was a big hit with the younger attendees. It is at the right height for viewers of all ages. I met with Victor and Mark and learned a lot of info about the layout construction and design. Thank you. Keep up the good work promoting our wonderful hobby!
Al K.
It was nice meeting you too. I always enjoy running trains on the layout and seeing the faces of the kids watching.
I had my new GG1 running on the outer track and it was going pretty fast. Surprised a bunch of kids leaning over the tracks when it flew through, but they gave a big smile when it went by.
The layout itself, as you said, is a good height for kids built on standard metal folding table legs (which I'm sure you saw).
With N-track track is spaced so that a standard 5 inch straight will cross the gap.
I am really interested in this idea. My only question is how to handle the larger radii engines
Queen city highrailers have a module standard that they claim was taken from O Gauge magazine. They use gargraves.
Like n trak, the Queen city have 3 parallel tracks.
Originally Posted by olstykke:
My only question is how to handle the larger radii engines
I know the glancy layout uses the bigger Lionel curves for that reason. My Lionel JLC GG1 (an O-72 engine) seemed fine on all the loops I ran it on.
I think Lionel ought to donate track to some of the larger groups as they are getting free advertising out of this
Mikey
As Jake pointed out, the Glancy group uses O-84, O-72 & O-60 curves and 6" spacing without any problems from the long locomotives or the long passenger cars. This also works very well when you are making crossovers like we used to have with our modular layout. There is a space that is 19" wide from edge of roadbed to the inside edge of the facia board for scenery modules to be placed or for scenery to be freely placed to fill in the area. Depending on how many patrons we get per show depends on how much plains is replaced with personal creations.
