CPR Mountain Division “Kicking Yahk Pass”(April 29 2020)

File didn't open. Looks like it didn't upload properly as it's only 1K in size.

 Yes I have technical difficulties(me lol). I will try figure it out

Al

Hey Albert,

How's it going? No pretzel? Too bad.

 

Anyway, I opened your attached file and it's blank. No layout, no anything. You saved a fresh start.

 

Just click on add attachments, then point the file chooser to the location where it is saved on your computer. It's My Documents by default, click on it, and click ok.

 

On our end, we have to right-click it and "save target as", then open it with SCARM after it lands.

 

I am interested to see your new idea. The pretzel was cool and was borrowed by a few forum members. You have a good eye and imagination for making a lot happen in the space that have.

  I guess I had to wait a spell to finally have it say "Success"

 I hope this is it, I had to scan it and reformat? I don't know. Hopefully this works

Al

  I think this plan has a little more interesting operating, as trains have to go up and over. I was thinking to two trains operating on the mainline and maybe switcher for around the yard.

  Minimum is O72 with O84. Scenery....well, lets say very mountainous terrain.

 Grades should be OK( 3%?). Atlas TT and two roundhouse kits(I had to do it)

   I have some of the other plans that evolved from my original pretzel layout to this one, I case anyone would like to see them posted.

  I will see If I can post my crappy basement plan as well

Al

here's some shots of the new version

I really like both designs actually but before I comment further where would you be able to stand next to the layout and what are your thoughts on access to the center yard in the event of a derailment? 

 Yes there would be an access located beside the yard. Didn't really get that far on where that would be located. May have scenery on door that swings down?

  Lots of ideas for sure. Presently trying to ensure I have enough table top for this plan

Al

I really like all of the plans
I'm building a medium size --- roughly 10x20 --- layout now
Access to center without cutouts is a problem
Something similar to what you are doing is on my radar

Are any of the track plans standard Atlas, etc ?
Thx
Joe S

Good Luck

What is the overall size of the layout?

Well since my last post here I was laid off from my job and just recently started construction. I did post last week on the "what did you do to your layout today" thread.
Here are updates in my construction using 2" foam board(cheap). Things are coming along rather well so far.
Al

Nice to see it's coming alive!

 

Sorry about the job deal. That sucks.

 

The foam technique may really have been the simplest way to deal with building these grades and elevations.

 

Nice work.

Cool --- nice seeing the layout come alive

Did not know you were using Fastrack --- looks great

 

Joe S   

  Layout is basically 16'x 8' with an 8'x 8' off one side. Its all I can really fit in my basement unfortunately. On a positive note, it makes things a little more manageable without having "too much" layout(if that's possible)and I can probably get things done.

  So far I haven't installed pop ups yet for access and I've been crawling on top of the layout to get at the hard to reach places. That's why I made the bench work out of 2x4 for framing and 1/2" plywood top.

   It seemed easier to do foamboard as opposed to the "cookie-cutter" method of grade work, as mentioned by Carl.

  I did have to eliminate the one siding on the top main where the reverser loop was, due to actual space constraints. It looks like the grades will be tolerable with most of my motive power and the fact that freight trains will be only 8 or so cars in length.

  I will be constructing some bridges and trestles so it wont look to closed in, down the road. Priority is to get trains running and then pick and choose what I feel like working on.

   Al

Here are a few pics of recent progress. Almost done completing the mainline trackage, probably by the end of the weekend. Drilled holes for all the wire drops on the switches and I will neeed to drill more when and where I decide to add power connections to the track. I will be soldering 2/18 awg stranded cable for these.
   Soon time to get out the hot wire and do some basic carving. Then buy some tan coloured paint for the flat surfaces and some grey for the vertical surfaces. I purchased a can of expandable spray foam to fill gaps at various locations as well and will post some pics of this after
Al

It is so cool to see it come alive. You didn't say much about making the basement area into a train room. I recall the early photos. You put a lot of time into that.

 

You may want to start running with one connection for track power. If the train slows in an area, check the track tabs first. Mike of Lionel has a "continuity with FasTrack" video on youtube that shows how to slightly bend the track tabs.

 

If that doesn't fix it, then add a drop.

 

If 18awg is what you have, that's fine, but 16awg is tried and true.

 

Thanks for update.

Great progress, Al.

Your home made method of elevating the track is brilliant.  How are you notching the risers so they become flexible in the curves?  I'm guessing it's just a saw or box cutter slice 1/2 way through every inch or so.

A guy could go broke doing it all with Woodland Scenics foam.  Hopefully you find using foam helps quiet Fastrack.  I look forward to your impressions once all is up and running.  I might just rethink doing mine using your method.

 

Bruce

 

 

Well, I have finally been able to run some trains on the layout! I have had to "blast" some additional clearances out on curves at various locations when running my CP Selkirk and heavyweight passenger cars, with my hot wire soldering gun. All and all I'm happy to say the 2-10-4 will haul 4 MTH heavyweight cars up all the grades with minimal slipping. I built all my custom bridges with 1/4" mdf board so all track sub road bed is able to handle the weight of the trains without relying on the support of just the fastrack.
   In response to Bruces query on the foam construction, this how I went about it.
First I purchased 2" and 3" foamboard in 4'x8' sheets. For the risers I ripped them in 7.5" widths on my tablesaw. With the blade fully extended I could not cut all the way thru so I would have to flip and turn the sheet around to cut all the way thru.
    Once ripped into the appropriate width, I proceeded to cut the "slots" along one side only at approx 1 to 2" intervals.
Of course you need to adjust the blade depth of the cut so there is still atleast 3/4" of material left. This will allow the sheet to bend at whatever your desired radius is.
   You may need to make the cuts closer together if you require tighter radius bends.
I need to state you should be very confident in using a table saw as it can be dangerous repetative work and a table saw is unforgiving if you are not cautious.
   All track was laid out on 2" foamboard sheets which covered my 1/2" plywood table top. With the track laid out I traced out the upper routes with black marker. With the risers cut and easily bendable to curves I could now use white glue to affix them to the base foamboards.
I used 3" nails placed along the marked lines to hold the curves in place while the glue dried.
Hopefully this helps those who might want to try this method of construction as it is quite fast once you have all your risers precut.
    One negative is that cutting the foamboard on a tablesaw is MESSY and it gets everywhere so have a shop vac handy lol.
Al

I thought about the mess made by using a power tool to cut foam.  Best done in an enclosed space where you can confine and trap the debris.  That is, unless a winter scene is what you're modeling...then let'r rip!

 

Gotta admit, notching out foam to add clearance has to be the easiest form of adjustment.  Not so much when working with wooden supports.

 

Bruce