The first and second modules are detailed in this OGR thread: https://ogrforum.com/...odular-subway-layout
This third module is going to be a bit of a fantasy layout: underground, a rendition of a station on the first IRT subway line on the Upper West Side of Manhattan; above, a rendition of Old San Juan. So, a combination of two of my favorite things. 😃
Photos to come as soon as I figure out why my new A32 Galaxy phone is not letting me upload photos to the OGR site. 🤔
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Laying out track to ensure compatibility with the other modules.
Inserting and spiking stained basswood ties, and ballasting, after painting track with Rustoleum flat black.
I've got to follow this one.
Building and placing dummy third rail using beads, wire staples and styrene strip for chairs, and code 125 brass rail painted Rustoleum primer.
Forming third rail cover board from 1/32" x 3/16" basswood.
Cutting slots in the wood on alternate sides to facilitate bending:
Using a contour gauge to get the required curvature of the board, then wetting the board and pinning it into place to dry.
It took several tries repeatedly wetting and shaping the board without breaking it before the contour was "good enough".
The above pics represent about three months' progress. It's been sloooooow. But on the other hand, rushing to complete it means no more fun building.
@West Side Joe posted:The above pics represent about three months' progress. It's been sloooooow. But on the other hand, rushing to complete it means no more fun building.
That's a great attitude. I' have to start looking at some of my long term projects that way.
How about a little description of how you curved the cover boards?
@coach joe posted:How about a little description of how you curved the cover boards?
I edited the pics above to describe what I did.
Cover board stained and assembled with supports.
Marking trajectory of ends and middle of Lionel R27 cars to determine contour of platform edge.
Marking locations of platform extenders.
Joe, that is awesome! You are going to build platform extenders like the ones at South Ferry and 14th ST?
I'm going to try. 😃
Cool!!!!! Oh and I meant the modules that you are building are awesome!
Looking real good!
Using the contour gauge to transfer the trajectory tracing of the car bodies, first to a paper template and then to a sheet of 0.060" styrene sheet.
Mocking up the platform sections to test clearances.
Great work - I'm enjoying your progress!
this is going to be good!
Possible design for the station walls, using a photo of the Times Square original station wall as a starting point.
The medallions on either side are by the Puerto Rican artist Ana Santiago. Other examples of her work can be seen here:
https://www.pinterest.com/diafe2000/yolos-art/
Exploring number and placement of platform extenders, and studying photos of extenders at 14th St and South Ferry.
Starting to install stationary portions of platform extenders.
The moving portion of the platform extenders will be glued to a transparent sheet of plastic that will slide back and forth under the platform. The plan is to use Peco PLS-100 Smart Switches to move the plastic sheet. Here I am exploring how to cut the sheet so that the portion not supporting the extenders is not visible.
Help me out with the beam of light under the platform. Which stations do you remember having those lights?
Joe, will the stationary portions and moving portions inter twine or slide one under the other?
@West Side Joe posted:Help me out with the beam of light under the platform. Which stations do you remember having those lights?
The stations that have moving platforms have lights under that come on when the platform moves out to the stopped train
@coach joe posted:Joe, will the stationary portions and moving portions inter twine or slide one under the other?
They will slide under one another. Not prototypical, but getting them to intertwine would take a bit more craftmanship than I think I'm capable of. I'm hoping that the effect will be reasonably similar.
@ThatGuy posted:The stations that have moving platforms have lights under that come on when the platform moves out to the stopped train
OK. A good reason to go to NYC to pay a visit to the Lex. Ave. 14th Street station and check out those lights. Although ANY reason is good enough for me to visit NYC and the subway. 😁
Terrific modeling Joe, What is the idea of the moving platform in the actual subway? I haven't used the subway in so many years I cant remember when... looks like an entire new world from what I remember...
Original subway stations were pretty short, and they were soon extended for longer trains. But in some cases the extensions had to be built on curves, and the cars were too far from the platform in those locations, so extenders were installed.
The extenders are retracted until the train comes to a stop in the station, then they extend to fill in the gap between the platform and the car doors. Once the doors close, the train waits for the extenders to retract, then it can leave the station.
First test of platform extenders.
OK those moving extenders are really impressive. Can't say I would put the time into working that out for my layout - but WOW!
Joe the extenders work and look great. I notice the back end of the one sticks out past the platform when retracted in the videos. Is that going to be a problem for final installation or will that end of the platform be bigger in the module?
That won't be visible when the rear wall of the station is in place.
I remember the ones at the South Ferry station. They were cool. Closed the gap created by the turnaround curve.
John
That station is no longer in use. There is now a new full-length South Ferry terminal that replaced the old, too-short, curved original station. I'm going to miss it.
Joe, great feat with the platform extension. Nice smooth flow and does good job replicated the real thing. Didn't know its no longer functioning in subway system. Will be a nice visual on your layout that for sure.
Detail of one of the four mechanisms to slide the lower part of the extenders forward and back.
I remember the extenders at both 14th ST and South Ferry.
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