Train Room 04/18/2022 update

mike g. posted:

Dave, that's it we have a WINNER! Thanks for all your help! I will be out in the train room today tracing lines the best I can! Wish me luck!

Still want to fiddle with it some more to check clearances, etc., even though I know you'll be making adjustments as you build. Still need to replace several 10" straights with 30" straights and I want to double-check the curves where we used flex track. At least it's nice to have a fairly final plan to work with as you lay things out on the floor. Have fun moving forward.

Hi Dave, maybe you can tell me or maybe someone else can! Is 6" high enough for well cars wit6h double stacked containers?

The MTH site says their RailKing Husky Stack cars are 5" tall. I couldn't find anything that said how tall the Lionel versions are. That probably is sitting flat on a table, so you have to add roadbed, etc. I think I've seen most recommend 7" or more if you want to run such rolling stock. That could become a problem for the upper loop in your design, that grade is already 3.8%.

https://mthtrains.com/30-76413

Raising things to 47" increases the grade to 4.5% and the other one to 3.3%.

I used 6" spacers between levels. With Fastrack my RK and Lionel double stacks just clear. If a screw from the top goes through or a splinter hangs down, they hit. Once I found all those places, no problems. I don't have any Premier stacks, so I can't speak for them.

John H posted:

I used 6" spacers between levels. With Fastrack my RK and Lionel double stacks just clear. If a screw from the top goes through or a splinter hangs down, they hit. Once I found all those places, no problems. I don't have any Premier stacks, so I can't speak for them.

How thick is the upper level decking? SCARM measures from track to track, so if the decking is 1/2", then we need to make the elevation 6 1/2" to barely clear and 7" would be better.

Mike, there are some "S" curves in both reversing loops, so I added some 10" straight pieces. I also replaced some small cuts and the neighboring 10" straights with larger cut pieces where I could. This version has the upper loop and the outdoor run at 47" to give 7" clearance for your double stacks, but I don't like the 4.5% grade in the upper left.

I like that plan much better than the one with the loops in the center of the room.  More yard tracks and sidings.  Does the airfield go on top of the mountain?

I do too Mark. looks like a neat plan. Dave got my attention with that other outside wye and two in one reverse loop a while ago and I have been thinking about doing something similar since seeing that. My current space is bit different though...

Mike seems pleased with the new plan as well, the most important part of this plan. 

Hi Dave, I hadn't heard from anyone for awhile, so I dug out my stack cars and measured them on top of GG piece of track and it was 5 1/2 " I set the underside at 6" and that makes the top at 6 1/2"'s. I think it will still work. Here are a couple of pictures of what I got done today. The last picture is for you Dave!If you look at the 3rd picture down, you can see made a relief cut on the bottom so I could bend the plywood down to the required 2.8%!

Mark and RTR, I am very pleased with the new plan with the reverse loops somewhat hidden in the mountain! Plus I have a little elevation change here and there!

I hope to finish the upper level for the window exit tomorrow before I have to go to work!

Looking good, Mike!!!  

Thanks Mark, its a start. But have a long ways to go, but like I have told others, slow and easy is the plan!

Mike, since you're that far along with bench work, I won't do anything more with the design. I changed the elevation back to 46" and this is the latest version I have. I assume any further changes will be made as your build moves along and I hope you don't run into too many obstacles. I don't know how you plan to build the mountain, but I hope you'll make the top light and removable.

Hi Dave, thanks again! As for the mountain I am going to try what Dustin did for his mountain and try some of that method that Chris A. does with the expanding foam. I will make it light enough that I can build it in sections in the garage and move it into the layout room!

mike g. posted:

Hi Dave, thanks again! As for the mountain I am going to try what Dustin did for his mountain and try some of that method that Chris A. does with the expanding foam. I will make it light enough that I can build it in sections in the garage and move it into the layout room!

Looks like a great plan and execution....just make doubly sure you can easily take that mountain apart or provide generous access to the area of the reversing loops and possible hidden switches. You will be glad you did.

Donald

Mike, I'm looking forward to watching your progress.

Thanks guys, along with a light weight mountain, I am sure I will cut an access hatch from the bottom just in case! LOL Hope never to have to use it, but it will be there if needed!

DoubleDAZ posted:

Mike, there are some "S" curves in both reversing loops, so I added some 10" straight pieces. I also replaced some small cuts and the neighboring 10" straights with larger cut pieces where I could. This version has the upper loop and the outdoor run at 47" to give 7" clearance for your double stacks, but I don't like the 4.5% grade in the upper left.

 

Very impressive work, Dave! 

Where does the golf course go?

HCSader73 posted:

Very impressive work, Dave! 

Where does the golf course go?

Thanks, but I can't take the credit. Moonman started the design and Mike and I collaborated on the rest getting his ideas to into SCARM and making things fit so he could run simulations, etc.

If Mike is a golfer, he can put a small putting green on the floor in the open space now that the large bump-out is gone. I'm sure Mrs Mike is happy with the increased space and cleaner look. too.

Hi Dave and Pete, I am a golfer but if I want to golf I will just go 1/4 of a mile and use there putting green! LOL

Dave, Momma is really happy with the more open space and thinks it going to be better for the grandkids to watch!

Hey Dave, quick question is there a way to get the center track to show up on the plans?

mike g. posted:

Thanks guys, along with a light weight mountain, I am sure I will cut an access hatch from the bottom just in case! LOL Hope never to have to use it, but it will be there if needed!

You'll definitely want an access hatch so you can stand with the mountain removed if you ever need to work on that hidden switch as well as the other 2 switches where reaching across the bench work will be problematic. In fact, I would favor open cookie-cutter decking in that whole area, but I assume you've already laid sheet plywood.

mike g. posted:

Hey Dave, quick question is there a way to get the center track to show up on the plans?

Sure. All you have to do is remove the color coding and toggle "centers" in the settings. BTW, I added some bridges in the "bridges" layer that can be toggled on/off.

Thanks Dave, I couldn't find centers on any of the drop down in scarm! I Just save the one you sent me and it has no center lines. Help I am so slow at this!

I got it, Thanks~!

mike g. posted:

Thanks Dave, I couldn't find centers on any of the drop down in scarm! I Just save the one you sent me and it has no center lines. Help I am so slow at this!

I got it, Thanks~!

That's interesting. I didn't realize the settings didn't came through with the file, but I guess I should have thought of that. Glad to hear you figured it out.

Hey  Mike- I like the new plan. Looks good. You and Dave make a good team.

great work guys.

Bob

Thanks Bob, it was mostly Dave! He has a good eye and understand of what I wanted!

Big Mike G,

Everything is coming a long nicely, congrats!

PCRR/Dave

Mike, you are right about Dave!  He was great to work with on my plan!

Pine Creek Dave, Welcome back!  Cold weather must be here!  How were things up in Potter County?

Mark,

   I am still at the log cabin in Potter County now, things were a mess here.  Had a lightening strike just 35 yards from the front door, 100' tree down, no electric or gas for 5 days. I had a lot of work to do and had to go to my emergency natural gas generator for about a week.  Things looking better now, new Gordon Setter puppy due to arrive here at the log cabin on the 18 of this month.

Things now looking a lot better, will arrive back in Murrysville, Pa about the 20th for Thanksgiving.  Have plans to due a little engineering on the Donovans Reef Christmas layout, before returning to the log cabin.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are real busy around our home, hope to have breakfast with you guys, while I am in Murrysville.

New phone number here at the log cabin training facility, 814-433-6151, give me a call we will set up a time to have breakfast!

All the best,

PCRR/Dave

Dave, I am certainly glad the lightning didn't strike closer to the cabin!!  Congratulations ahead of time on the new pup!!  Have a safe trip back to Murrysville!!  Talk to you later!

Mike/Mark, thanks so much. I've enjoyed working with both of you and look forward to watching the progress.

Mike, I like the changes in elevations too! I have decided that it makes a big difference in the layout and train running, much more interesting. 

Mike and Dave, I just snuck in ok stole copies of your latest plans. Maybe it is time to get my new copy of SCARM fired up and take a look around. I think this really is a pretty interesting plan. Nice work!  

DoubleDAZ posted:

Mike/Mark, thanks so much. I've enjoyed working with both of you and look forward to watching the progress.

Dave, now if I can get building again; Mike passed me up over the summer!  LOL

Dave, welcome back to the modern world! I am glad your safe, missed you being here !

Mark, don't worry, I am sure you will pass me! Lol

Rtr, it's not stealing if no one minds! Have fun with it, I am sure you and Dave will be talking! Lol

You know guys all of you here have made it so I can be where I am now! I mean everyone on this forum, you all are great help.  Just remember this is just the beginning and I'm sure to need lots more help!

You all Rock!

Mike, I know, we each seem to get bogged down at times.  And we don't have the excuse of kid's activities, trips to college, etc, etc. 

Mike/Mark, you're both way ahead of me and I've had my "almost" final plan done for about 2 years. I keep vacillating between GarGraves O42/O54 and Atlas O36/O45 & O45/O54. I'm now leaning toward Atlas and the smaller curves to save work space in the garage. Unlike both of you, I have no operations in mind, I just want to watch trains run. I plan to build the bench work framing for the smaller curves, but then lay decking for the larger curves to see how it looks. I'll then trim the decking as needed. I keep promising myself to get the bench work done, but something always seems to come up, travel or health, plenty of both to deal with this past year. I'm confident I'll get there though!

Yes Dave, I agree you have had a good plan for some time and have had your problems.  Though I wouldn't mind having some travel take some of our time someday.    I'm looking forward to seeing you getting your layout going too!! 

RTR12, if you ever need help don't hesitate to contact me.