Layout

I built a layout years ago with doors for the baseboard.

So what did you use for legs?

How did you join the doors to keep them flush with each other and butted up tight?

Thanks. Roo.

Three hollow core doors were attached to each other using four mending plates. Track pieces ended at the length edge of a door making a 80 inch x 24 inch module. No track cuts were necessary. I used track screws to attach the track. The layout can use saw horses, cabinets, shelf brackets, or pvc pipe for legs. Cube storage is probably best, and provides storage and display areas for train models.

I used turnouts with ground throws and a DC 80 watt power supply. I do not have powered accessories. I attached the DC leads to one track section at the end of the layout. There is only one block (the entire layout).

I am the only operator. I used the couplers that came with the engines and rolling stock. Operations involve setting an engine and one or two cars on the track and driving the train to the loading areas, station, or switch tower.

Sometimes I will couple both engines together and drive around the track in that configuration. All engines are powered.

I painted the doors with latex paint. I used black for the bottom and sides, but used a desert color on the top where the tracks are installed.

I like the track plan, but for those who do not, there are a ton of small track plans out there.

The era for the Layout is the 1970s. By then both the Rural Station and Switch Tower are abandoned. I used two double track Signal Bridges and glued them together to make one bridge that would span three tracks.

So far, I have acquired two engines, six box cars, and two cabeese.

No minimum radius problem on that railroad...

In scale, the layout represents 960 x 96 feet. So, making it prototypical was easy. Only the track and ground throws are attached to the layout. Everything else can be relocated or removed at any time.

So does this layout make noise? Not really, perhaps some when you go through the center module. That module is mainly ten inch sectional track and turnouts. But I soldered all these pieces together before attaching them to the door. Then I lightly sanded the track above each rail joiner until it was level. I used a track screw in every available spot provided by each track piece. I tightened each screw. I did not leave them loose above the tie.

Both outer modules use only forty inch flex track, and these modules make no noise at all. So the least noise is generated by the flex track, followed by the sectional track, and the most noise is generated by the turnouts.

Nevertheless, it is all very quiet because it is 2-Rail Scale, I drive at slow speeds, and I use small trains.

Looks good, nice use of space.  Proves that 2 rail can be done in a small space.  I am working on my own small layout.  Thanks for posting!!   Mike

artfull dodger posted:

Looks good, nice use of space.  Proves that 2 rail can be done in a small space.  I am working on my own small layout.  Thanks for posting!!   Mike

You are welcome Mike. Good luck with your layout!

The layout was constructed with three 80 x 24 inch hollow doors (modules), which can be disassembled for transport. Where two modules connect, I made concrete walkways from the same material as the loading areas. In the attached photo the loading area is in the bottom right corner of the pic.

When I operate I usually set either the Switch Tower, Rural Station, or Signal Bridge in the center of the layout. I position myself on the other side for easy access to the ground throws.

It took almost a year but the layout is mostly complete. Now I am writing a Layout Operations document using MS Word. It will describe the permissible operations for the layout.

I have attached a BNSF map of its Arizona Division track. It shows the locations for Holbrook, Kingman, and Wickenburg. Perhaps my layout is somewhere in the Arizona Division.

I am still messing with this train set, which I totally enjoy. I made a few mistakes, but most of my decisions were OK.  I have not found a yellow bonnet Santa Fe U23B.

The layout is not complicated. I can recommend using a DC power supply with no sound capabilities. Sound is ridiculous, especially on a layout of this size. The locomotives can move at very slow speeds. There is momentum control and the layout does not make excessive noise.

Operations are easy and fun. I do not use waybills, magnets, or couple and uncouple cars from the locomotives. I usually assemble a train in the Loading section next to a loading area with 1 or 2 loaded box cars added to the locomotive.

Then I drive the train to the Main-Line section and the train exits the layout to its destination and is unloaded. The train eventually re-enters the layout and I drive the box cars back to the Loading section where they are loaded again.

STWA, most interesting presentation. Loved the music and the views. Thank you.

Dan Weinhold

I did replace the BN box car with TASD 78329. Look closely at the attached picture of Barstow and see the similarity to Layout's track plan.

I acquired a Southern Pacific SD35, road number 6910. It is not powered and therefore provides utility on a one block layout. I usually place it on the storage section.

The 60s and 70s provided some unusual box cars and regulations that mandated the removal of running boards.

It is time for improvements to Layout. This year, I decided to replace the loading areas with new ones made with a single MDF board that is thicker. All loading areas are mainly the same size and I used several as areas for structures which can function as a loading area despite containing a structure.

In scale, Layout's track sections are 2,880 feet long. I have 4 loading areas, each area is 96 feet long for a total of 384 feet.

I acquired a new 50' box car, GBW 7561. I purchase cars that were made and used in the 60s or 70s, This car was from a lot produced in 1978 and 1979. This will be the last piece of rolling stock for Layout. I will not purchase anymore locos either. I am more than done.

Since the new loading areas, it is not imperative to place any structure on the layout, which makes it more realistic. Obviously, Atlas gets the lions share of the credit, even for a small layout with few details. Atlas products made this layout easy.

The Atlas engines can travel at ridiculously slow speeds because of the MRC throttle, and momentum control is a must. I cannot hear the engine motors, just wheels on the metal track and some clicking and clacking. 

I wanted a layout I could achieve, therefore I only modeled railroad property using scale distances and selectively avoided earth modelling and DCC.