Updated 3/5/2022:
- Positioned the base of the Weirton Steel Open Hearth model (part of the base is visible on the left side of the photo below) on the layout to determine exactly where the model would reside. It’s a big footprint! But I was able to finalize its position on the bench work. This will help determine all the other buildings’ positions relative to it and the divider.
- With the base of the mill on the layout, I also determined the position of an access hole that will be used to service the model. The Strip Steel building will sit next to the Open Hearth on top of the access hole. It will be removable and while large, hopefully relatively light. The access hatch is outlined in blue Sharpie. You can see that I measured at least twice.
- Found what Fastenal calls “Type B Connector Bolts” on their website. These have a flat, thin circular head (with a hex socket) and are often used for “knock-down” or easily disassembled furniture (the stuff often made of melamine). These will jut up from under the base and hold the “Lean-To” in place on the model. After disconnecting wires entering the main structure at its terminal strip, the “Lean-To” will be removable for separate transportation. This is necessary, otherwise the model won’t fit through standard 30” width interior doors. The Lean-To will hold electrical components, power supplies, the Arduino, and all the smokestacks. It will be anchored on a 6” wide piece of poplar. I ordered the bolts and flange washers. They will arrive at the local Fastenal outlet for pickup sometime next week.
- I briefly toyed with the idea of cutting out the bench work top around the base of the Open Hearth and fitting the base down directly onto the frame, but rejected the idea. Doing that will make the model harder to move on / off the layout (not that it’s going to be a regular or easy operation). Instead, I plan to install handles at the rear edge of model (jutting up from the base) and a fixed caster dipping into a hole cut in the bench work. That will allow a person standing in the access hole to lift the model so that the caster sits on the bench work. The model can then be pulled forward and off the layout from the front.
Not that there's a lot of visible progress to show for all the steam that's been pouring out of my ears (i.e. thinking), but I'm hoping that with this planning out of the way some real forward momentum can be achieved soon.
More when I know it. 
George
