The Mopac: J'ville Industrial branch: an HCD venture

[MichaelT]

So through some discussion with a few guys and contemplating what next; I've decided to take apart the hcd layout I got from a friend (tired of messing with track problems and not real pleased with the configuration anyway), and start a completely new hcd layout. Some conversations with Mr. David Smith has brought me to the following track plan:



which is pretty cool and has almost all of the things I'd like to have in an hcd layout.

One thing I'd like to consider, thought I'd get some of the regulars thoughts:

I'm contemplating instead of using an actual hollow core door, getting 1x3 lumber and building a 30" x 80" frame that would be the same dimensions, and using that instead of the door itself. I know that kind of takes away from the HCD theme, but I'm thinking the framing lumber would be a little easier to handle...dunno, so thought I'd see what some of you reg's think who have more experience with the HCD's themselves.

Anyway, the layout (thanks David) will center around Jacksonville, Arkansas (my hometown) in the mid 70's or so when Mopac was still running strong in Arkansas. The industries might change just a bit, but the layout itself seems to have just about everything I'd need to get going.

I'm going to tear down the old HCD tonight, store the c80 and either use the existing door (have to remove the 1x4's that the former owner attached flat, not sure why), or get a newly used HCD, or the 1x3 framing. That's the first task, and would like to hear the pro's and cons of the doors and the framing from some of you please?

mt

[DKS]

Here's a version with the staging yard set out on the extension. Make the extension a little longer for a healthier staging yard.
 


And if you really wanted to get fancy, you could do a little out-and-back number by tying the staging yard into the main with a wye.

[MichaelT]

I got all the c80 track off the former layout (keeping the top foam layer cause there's a nice rock formation I might use later), but the guy who had it before me glued and screwed 1x4's flat on the bottom of the hollow core door....rrrrrrrrr

Tried chiseling through some of the glue, but it's not working out very well.

Anyone have some tips on removing glued pieces of lumber from a HCD?? If I can get the 1x off without destroying the underside of the door, I can use it. Otherwise I'll have to see what I have on hand. I think I have another 36" door, but know that I have a couple 30" doors.

[Scottl]

Looks like a good layout- I like the last version, although it adds some wiring complexity for the reverse loop. 

If the glue was white glue, soaking it in water may release things.  Better glue does not rehydrate.

[wm3798]

No fear. 

[MichaelT]

Looks like a good layout- I like the last version, although it adds some wiring complexity for the reverse loop. 

If the glue was white glue, soaking it in water may release things.  Better glue does not rehydrate.

No such luck; it's wood glue, and if I know Steve, it's the tite bond water resistant stuff.

[MichaelT]

No fear.

I'd like to keep "some" of the door in tact Lee!!

[MichaelT]

Ok, so that's slow going and it's pulling off a good layer of the door facing; so I checked in the shed and I do have another 36" door, so made a swap and will work on getting the wood off the other door at a later time.

[MichaelT]

Ok so what do you guys think? It's not damaged it too bad, and I can lay/glue the foam on this side so it doesn't show (after sanding it down to get it somewhat flat that is)....

[MichaelT]

9:15pm update

Ok, got all the wood off the door; not too bad I don't think. I put a piece of insulation foam on one beat up corner and glued it with some loctite, going to let that set for awhile and see how it holds to the beat up corner. If that holds ok, I'll be content to lay foam over the entire door and call it good.

[MichaelT]

Dave, what about adding a small runaround on the backside, and a siding off the runaround to the inside? Give one more industry opposite the interchange, and one track could hold cars left by the interchange train...or would that be too busy?

[MichaelT]

10:00pm update:

Ok, the loctite held to the beat up corner pretty well with the foam, so I'm convinced I can use this door. I think I'm done for the night. Tomorrow I'll put some foam pieces together and see how much I have on hand to get glued to the door. On the J'ville spur there is a four hole concrete culvert that the rails run over, and I think I want to add that to the layout. It's not too deep, about ten feet from rails to the bottom of the creek, but I watched the Arkansas Midland engine take two tankers over it Thursday, and I like the look, so want to add the creek and the culvert.

Was listing the current industries that the AKMD serves now;

Graphic Packaging - box company
Ashland - Composite polymer plastics
Univar - chemical company

and going to do some research to what was active when Mopac ran the rails. I know the following had rail service at one time;

Triangle engineering - heavy duty construction/industrial fans
Conestoga Cabinets - cabinets and wood furniture

The line also ran onto the Little Rock Air Base for munitions and other supplies, but don't think I'm going to add that for this HCD, possibly an add on later??

There's also a huge company (Lomanco) that makes home vent products, whirly birds, brick vents, kitchen/bath vents, etc. that doesn't have rail service, but I'm considering adding it to the layout and imagineering a siding for it; would add a number of cars to the layout (boxcars, hoppers for scrap aluminum, flats for bulk equipment, tankers for slurry and cleaning solvents).

So lots to still research and figure out but I'm going to stick really close to the layout design (like the plan David has drawn up for me).

night all.

mt

[DKS]

or would that be too busy?

Actually, I think the layout is almost too busy already as it is. You can add them if you want to (Rule #1), but I wouldn't. What I might do is add a crossover between two tracks of the staging yard to make a runaround there, and possibly add a fourth storage track, to make it more of an operational yard as opposed to strictly staging.

[MichaelT]

Actually, I think the layout is almost too busy already as it is. You can add them if you want to (Rule #1), but I wouldn't. What I might do is add a crossover between two tracks of the staging yard to make a runaround there, and possibly add a fourth storage track, to make it more of an operational yard as opposed to strictly staging.

Yeah you're probably right...bad habit of mine! Ok, so today I'll try and get foam on the layout. I'm figuring a 1" foam layer, and then add some pieces here and there for some undulations and landscape changes.

[davefoxx]

Sorry for not checking in before now, so I realize this is now moot.  But, if I had had the opportunity to stop you, I would have told you to keep that 1" x 4" on the bottom of the door (1) to help stiffen and, hopefully, avoid any sag in the door AND (2) to provide a place to secure table legs.  Otherwise, you can only screw and secure legs to the edge of the door as the middle is, as we all know, hollow.  I used 1" x 4" laterally across the bottom of the old Virginia Central layout to create a place to secure the folding table legs.  On the Aberdeen and Rockfish HCD layout, I used 1" x 3" lengthwise to secure 2" x 2" table legs.  Either is fine, but you will need something to secure the legs to.  If, on the other hand, you are placing the door on top of cabinetry or sawhorses, well, then... nevermind. 

Anyhow, as for the foam base, I would recommend applying 2" foam or, if you have already glued on 1", add another layer of 1" foam.  I made this mistake on the A&R HCD and there was not enough room under the track to get a nice height above rivers and waterways.  I used 2" foam on the Virginia Central and will absolutely repeat this in the future.

DFF