Conrail in New England

[Ian MacMillan]

Doug, thanks for your input. I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

- wider and longer is always better.

TWSS

[Ian MacMillan]

TWSS

LOL

[Ian MacMillan]

Dave,
I just got back from the new house and at quick glance of the layout area it looks like 20' in a straigjt line might not fit due to some walls that I did not know were there. I will know for sure when I can take a tape measure to it next week....however, what is the possibility of adding a curved module to this...either one section in from the left or the right, and it can be an inside curve or outside curve. Min radius of 32". The passenger station can be made less of a dominant feature obviously.

[DKS]

OK, just let me know the size/shape of the space to fit, and I'll tweak it as needed. One thought... would it work to have two curves instead of one? I'm thinking two 45-degree bends to make a three-sided layout, essentially half of a hexagon. This would cut down on the severity of the curve, and might also look more interesting than an ordinary L. The curved sections could also be separate units that you could optionally omit, if you wanted to set up the layout at a show in a straight run.

[Ian MacMillan]

A halfhex may work and look interesting.

[central.vermont]

Ian,

This will take care of those pesky walls that are in the way!  ;D

Jon

[DKS]

OK, so if this is true--

I built the 3 80"x30" sections today and will start working on the leg pockets tomorrow.

Then you have completed benchwork for a layout that won't fit the space. In this case, in order to avoid any (more) demolition, here's a solution: build two 45-degree bend units so the layout will wrap around a corner. The downside (or possibly upside, depending on one's perspective) is the overall size of the layout grows as a result.

This plan shows an assembled layout with overall dimensions of 197 inches square. Depending on how clever you are with construction--particularly with respect to the grades--one or both of the bend units could be left out, and the straight sections connected together directly.



Note that the bend units add a pair of sidings to switch.

Also note that 90-degree bend units could be used as well to create a U-shaped layout. Sticking with a 32-inch minimum radius, such a layout would measure 140 x 202 inches.

[MichaelWinicki]

Also note that 90-degree bend units could be used as well to create a U-shaped layout. Sticking with a 32-inch minimum radius, such a layout would measure 140 x 202 inches.

I like that rendering.  I think visually the angled layout will be far more interesting than the straight version.

[Bendtracker1]

Ian,

When you first started this posting, what David has drawn is it exactly what I was trying to convey.

Not Modular as a track work standard, but modular as in bench work.

Since you have tracks on both sides of each section,  now your not restricted to shape of each section.  As long as you maintain YOUR track spacing from section to section, you can get really creative with the bench work.  It becomes as flexible as you want it to be, and still portable.  These sections could be nothing more than scenery extensions.  One of the modules that we still have is a 2' wide x 19.75" long.  We needed it to fit the layout in my basement so it could be setup between shows.
Of course, space is always the limiting factor, but the length can be changed to suit your need, or use up the maximum amount of space.

If you get a chance to re-visit our site again, take note of some of the shapes that the guys came up with and see how they change the shape of the layout. 

If you were to build a 90° corner, or an "L" shaped section, you could actually bend it around a corner of the room, an inside or outside corner. Or if you wanted a short peninsula, just add a small "T" or "Y" section.

We did a Mall show in Manhattan, KS. in '94 and they were short on space, but they wanted us to bring our system down.  It got down to having us or another layout.  There wasn't enough space for two more layouts.  There was a leg of the mall that was empty because it had two rows of 3'x3' pillars that were spaced in such way that a typical modular layout wouldn't fit.  What we did was to extend one or two of our "Legs" so that they snaked around and through the pillars.  The result was we squeezed our layout in that area of the mall that no one else could use and therefore gave them space for the other layout to go.
When I get home I'll dig through our records and will see if I can find and scan the diagram of the Manhattan layout and post it for you.

Another bonus about these ODD shaped sections, the first three modules that we built were two balloons and and a 4' straight.  It was fairly stable on it's own but we decided to build a 45° section to see how the concept actually panned out in practice.  It was similar to what David drew and when it got added to the others, the entire layout became rock solid steady with just four sections.   Basically, because now it had three points to stand on.

If you move to a different house or room, all you need to do is make a new section to fit or, strip one of the sections that won't work in the new space and rebuild it, or add to it for what you need for the new area.


 

[Ian MacMillan]

OK, so if this is true--

Then you have completed benchwork for a layout that won't fit the space. In this case, in order to avoid any (more) demolition, here's a solution: build two 45-degree bend units so the layout will wrap around a corner. The downside (or possibly upside, depending on one's perspective) is the overall size of the layout grows as a result.

Not really, because it can fit the space with a mod, so I don't feel like I've stepped backwards at all. There is a spot in the basement I think  it will fit but I want options I case my eyes are not right at the space estimate.I may add one bend anywayto make the layout more pleasing to view.

This plan shows an assembled layout with overall dimensions of 197 inches square. Depending on how clever you are with construction--particularly with respect to the grades--one or both of the bend units could be left out, and the straight sections connected together directly.



Note that the bend units add a pair of sidings to switch.

Also note that 90-degree bend units could be used as well to create a U-shaped layout. Sticking with a 32-inch minimum radius, such a layout would measure 140 x 202 inches.

I really like the shape and like Mike said it appears to be more visually pleasing. I will get the measurements next week to see how it fits.

[sirenwerks]

Can I assume you'll have access to all sides, that the 140" x 202" does not push to the wall limits? It would seem a bit cramped, IMO, if it did, on the backside.

[Bendtracker1]

Here is the only sketch I could find of the floor plan for Manhattan, KS

The black squares on the left are the 3'x3' pillars and the white squares on the right were flower pot and benches.

Most of the modules were 2' wide and anywhere from 2' to 8' long.
The yard is 16' long and the on the right end of the layout that looks like "J" are the Ntrak modules that a few of the members had from their previous club.

The original 45° module is just to the left of the "T" module on the left end.  We didn't angle both ends like David has drawn, but rather angled one end only.

[John]

Not really, because it can fit the space with a mod, so I don't feel like I've stepped backwards at all. There is a spot in the basement I think  it will fit but I want options I case my eyes are not right at the space estimate.I may add one bend anywayto make the layout more pleasing to view.
I really like the shape and like Mike said it appears to be more visually pleasing. I will get the measurements next week to see how it fits.

I like this plan, and will be something Ian can build in a relatively short period of time. Given the modeling Ian does, this is going to be a good looking layout ..

[DKS]

Can I assume you'll have access to all sides, that the 140" x 202" does not push to the wall limits?

The 140 x 202 measurement is for a U-shaped version, which is not show. The drawing shows a 197 inch square layout.

Incidentally, Ian, you can build this as an "innie" or an "outie". The original drawing I posted is an outie. Here's an unfinished sketch of an innie--



I can't decide which I like better. I think I'm gravitating toward this one; it's a bit more "embracing" and affords a panoramic effect when you're in the middle of the space.