Oh no! I'm Having THOSE Kinds of Thoughts Again!

[davefoxx]

DKS,

It just occurred to me that we could do the same thing that was done on the A&R HCD layout.  That is, install code 55 on the SBD main, which could use either Atlas #5 or #7 turnouts.  In other words, I wouldn't have to build those two turnouts or even the third one that represents the lead to the SOU interchange. 

DFF

[John]

Build the little 2x4, and add a HCD 12" length of the left into a little yard ... join them both with a hinge that you can remove the pin from ... and you have portable - kitchen table - spare room layout

[DKS]

Here's a thought. Taking a tip from the original HCD version, add a pair of triangular bumps to the ends of the 2 x 4 to make it 2 x 4.5, and it eases the pain of the end curves enough to allow for an even longer runaround--
 

[davefoxx]

DKS,

I'm away from a computer, and, unfortunately, I can't see your latest plan on my mobile version of TRW. Sounds intriguing, though! I'll be sure to check it out as soon as I get home later tonight. Thanks for your efforts and time.

Dave

[DKS]

Thanks for your efforts and time.

My pleasure. I'm sure not going anywhere with this knee.

[davefoxx]

That looks sharp!  In my mind's eye, before I was actually able to see your plan, this is what I envisioned with your description of triangular bumps at the ends.  In actual construction, I might actually use convex ends, rather than angled, but that's only for aesthetics and shouldn't affect the track plan, which I really like.  Small and manageable.  Just what I need, so I can actually be expected to make reasonable progress on a layout.  

What radius did the ends turn out to be in your plan?  Below 10"?   If so, I really should consider a 30" x ??" plan.  If 10" or above, especially considering the easements built in with the curved turnouts, I'll likely stick to 24" x ??".  The advantage of a 24" depth is because the 2" foam in my area is only 24" wide.  I'd have to join it to create a deeper layout, and my experience is that the foam is not perfectly uniform and those seams take work to make them flat.

For benchwork, I was thinking two layers of 2" foam.  It will be plenty sturdy for its size (and light) and the top layer could be relieved to build the areas below track level, e.g., the creek.  I've got a scrap of 1" foam that might just be large enough for the backdrop.

[DKS]

What radius did the ends turn out to be in your plan?  Below 10"?

Just about 10" throughout, so you should be good to go with 24-inch depth.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, David!  Hope you're feeling better soon.

[davefoxx]

DKS,

I laid out some turnout templates on a piece of foam tonight, but it's tight.  Any chance, if it's not too much of a problem, to have you forward a 1:1 plan of the 24" x 54" layout?  Sure would be helpful to calculate the angle of the tangent track (as compared to the layout edge) in Aberdeen and figure out where the curved turnouts fit in the curves.

Thanks,
Dave

[DKS]

Here you are. I made a few minor tweaks to smooth out the curves better. Let me know if you need any other adjustments.
 
http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/images/df2x4_121.jpg

[davefoxx]

Thanks, David!  I'll try to print the plan out at work today and hopefully get the track plan finalized this weekend.  If I can scrounge enough cork roadbed at my other house, I may be able to finish that task this weekend.

EDIT: Got it!  Used blockposters.com as recommended when we designed the A&R HCD layout.  Worked beautifully.  The track plan printed out at approximately 4.7 by 2.1 feet.  That should get me close enough to figure out how to fit the turnouts in.  By the way, the whole thing took only fifteen sheets of paper.  Gotta love small layouts! 

[davefoxx]

I settled on a 24" x 54" layout, although I will likely add an inch or so to the width before applying a fascia, so the track is not so close to the edge on the Raeford side.  As you can see, I recycled some #7 turnouts from the A&R HCD layout, which altered the geometry enough that I had to lose the siding (call it the Southern Ry. interchange) on the Aberdeen side and parallel the SBD main with the layout edge.  This allowed me to keep the minimum radius at 10".

(Pardon the picture: I took it with my Blackberry on the back porch):


I installed all of the cork roadbed, the SBD mainline with Atlas code 55 track, and started installing ties for handlaid code 40 for the A&R track.  The curved turnout you see at bottom left is not permanently installed, because I still haven't bought that jeweler's saw to cut the necessary rail gaps.  But, an order to MBK will likely go in tonight.  I have two or three more curved turnouts to build (depending on if the first turnout I built is actually functional) and two #6s.  I'll either need to buy a FastTracks #6 template (which would be nice to have in the toolbox), buy some prefab code 40 #6 turnouts, or try to freehand them without a jig.  I would prefer to build it myself and don't think I'm proficient enough to build a turnout without a jig yet, so I'll likely have to buy the Fast Tracks template.

Honestly, I think this size layout is appropriate for me: (1) I tend to work very slow; (2) space is a problem at our house for a layout; (3) this is much more manageable for me to practice handlaying track; (4) it's much more likely that I can get a layout this size to a reasonable state of completion; and (5) I'm an admitted roundy-rounder, who is lucky enough to have several RW friends who allow me to get my ops fix satisfied on their excellent layouts.  Thanks go out to David K. Smith who designed the plan on a whim but gave me the inspiration to get something accomplished.

DFF

P.S. One thought that just occurred to me as I was editing my post is to add a section about 24" long and 6" (or less) deep to the front, that would allow me to add a two track yard that could hold five or six cars.  I would branch off the SBD main with a #7R just to the left of the #7L turnout at the bottom right in the photo above.  While I could probably continue that scabbed in piece across the front and get that SOU interchange in, that would likely spaghetti up Aberdeen too much.  I'll think about it.

[DKS]

I tend to work very slow...

I dunno, Dave, considering I posted this whim of a plan less than a week ago, you've gotten further than some fellows I've seen in an equivalent amount of time. Good going--I'll be keeping my eye on this one!

Edit: I've started a new mini-blog for you over on my track plans pages: http://whiteriverandnorthern.net/plan-18.htm

[Dave V]

Dave, you know, you have the perfect-sized layout for setting up at a train show!

[davefoxx]

Dave, you know, you have the perfect-sized layout for setting up at a train show!

Yep, which is exactly why I plan to try to do everything right on this little layout.  And, one day, when we move to a larger home where I have the room for a larger layout, this one can be repurposed for duty just as you recommended.  In other words, it won't go to waste, as Lee feared, and, in the meantime, it will satisfy my roundy-round needs.