New to Subway - Layout question

quote:

Originally posted by newtoO:
Hi Bluelince4,

Thanks, I may take you up on that. I am newer to this and don't have the modeling experience and skills many of you have, especially in the building structures area.

I have also been checking out your videos for NJHiRailers, love the layout and the elevated.

Here is a technical question for you, I used O36 curves in my design because I wanted them to be tight like a real EL but, would even consider O27 in a spot to go around a skyscraper etc. if it would work. Have you tried that all? Can the MTH and Lionel subway cars handle that tight of a radius?

Thanks,

Chris

quote:

Originally posted by J. S. Bach:
Chris,
Check out the East Penn group:

http://www.eastpenn.org/

quote:

Originally posted by bluelinec4:

quote:

Originally posted by newtoO:
Hi Bluelince4,

Thanks, I may take you up on that. I am newer to this and don't have the modeling experience and skills many of you have, especially in the building structures area.

I have also been checking out your videos for NJHiRailers, love the layout and the elevated.

Here is a technical question for you, I used O36 curves in my design because I wanted them to be tight like a real EL but, would even consider O27 in a spot to go around a skyscraper etc. if it would work. Have you tried that all? Can the MTH and Lionel subway cars handle that tight of a radius?

Thanks,

Chris

Chris
It depends on the car The Railking MTh cars can use O27 as long as you leave the stock couplers on them If you put the shorty couplers on they will not negotiate O27 Most of the cars will negotiate O36

quote:

Originally posted by leavingtracks:
Chris...here is a picture of my elevated...




Alan

quote:

Originally posted by leavingtracks:
Hi Chris....

To answer your main question, it is a combination of a variety of things. I had an idea of what I wanted based on pictures of different elevated in various cities. I had the girders cut out and for a while had a local contact that could do this. About half way through the project, I lost my local person so had to use Jim at Bridgeboss to produce some of the components. I had worked with Jim before on my trainshed so was familiar with his abilities. He is willing to do any custom work you need. The uprights / supports you see in the picture were made by Jim to fit my girders and like the girders I had made, are not part of a commercially available system. I used plastic sheets, foam core, wood, etc. to get the effect you see in the picture.

So...this all depends on what kind of "EL" structure you want to model and how much you want to do yourself. Without a doubt, the systems that are now available from Bridgeboss, NJ Highrailers, and Trainworxs are options you should investigate. Each produce a system that looks great but you could build all or part of your elevated using a custom design of your own.

If you want more details, just PM me and I'll be more than happy to help.

Alan