CSX Hanover Subdivision

[txronharris]

Layout looks great. Lots of great scene and motive power there. Nice work.

[mu26aeh]

My time frame is a little past when this structure stood, but I'm going to get one anyway.  Super excited to see Medford Trains doing this in N scale. 

Coming soon (hopefully) to a new Version 2.0


Hoping to see the freight house in the future as well.  One can hope can't he ?

[PiperguyUMD]

My time frame is a little past when this structure stood, but I'm going to get one anyway.  Super excited to see Medford Trains doing this in N scale. 

Coming soon (hopefully) to a new Version 2.0


Hoping to see the freight house in the future as well.  One can hope can't he ?

I can’t wait to get mine! Any idea how long the Hanover turntable was?

[mu26aeh]

Jim's latest update, might have a few at Timonium in a couple weeks.  Just so happens I have the following week off of work...

[mu26aeh]

Just an FYI, I plan on hosting an open house in conjunction with National Model Railroading month on Nov 3 from 10am-4pm.  Stop by if you didn't get a chance during Septembers Mainline Hobby Supply open house/layout tour event.

[mu26aeh]

I was able to pick up the engine house this weekend, Jim actually shipped it before he left Florida so he had a couple to sell at the show (limited space in luggage).  I managed to get one side put together, skinned with corrugated metal and windows set in place

[mu26aeh]

I continued work on Medford Trains latest N scale release, the Hanover Engine House.  It's complete per the kit instructions, but I'm going to detail the interior and have an idea to make the doors operable instead of being glued open/shut.  The prototype building was torn down by CSX in the late 1980s/early 1990s, so I will be giving it a new lease on life on my "future" layout.  I say future layout because my current version does not include Center St where this building was located.  So this will either be a shelf or module queen until that happens.

[davefoxx]

Who said anything about foolin ?  This was a gift from my mother in law and I'm in a funk with my current layout.  Maybe it's a sign...

I hope you don’t mind me bringing this conversation over here.  I had no idea of your dissatisfaction, but believe me, I’ve been there.  I thought you were plugging right along with the double-decking project.  So, let’s continue the discussion.  Quite often, that will rejuvenate the excitement for a project, especially a new one.

DFF

[Erik aka Ngineer]

What a great engine shed!

[Blazeman]

Yikes, Adam!  No more Hanover?  I know you have a few things on your mind  more important than trains, so your malaise is reasonable.  And the hobby is supposed to be an escape, not a burden.

Maybe  build something on the order of a 4X8 you can use to run and watch trains.  Don't get intricate.  Different scenery from Hanover for sure. With your skill level, you could have something in place in a few months.

 See if that rejuvenates you.

[mu26aeh]

Eh, it's all a ruse  . I've got too much wrapped into the division to swap wholeheartedly like that. 

The funk is real though, have to get back at it.  I'm thinking what will get it going is just start ripping things up.  Destruction is good 

[davefoxx]

Eh, it's all a rouse  . I've got too much wrapped into the division to swap wholeheartedly like that. 

"Ancient Chinese secret, huh?"   

[Blazeman]

Eh, it's all a ruse  . I've got too much wrapped into the division to swap wholeheartedly like that. 

The funk is real though, have to get back at it.  I'm thinking what will get it going is just start ripping things up.  Destruction is good 

Maybe an intense ops session or two will get you back in the groove.  Enough of us are within an hour or two away to make that happen. And doing that exposes any glitches and design problems.

[mu26aeh]

I hope you don’t mind me bringing this conversation over here.  I had no idea of your dissatisfaction, but believe me, I’ve been there.  I thought you were plugging right along with the double-decking project.  So, let’s continue the discussion.  Quite often, that will rejuvenate the excitement for a project, especially a new one.

DFF

I'm happy with the layout in that it shows and runs well during open house events.  After a good track cleaning prior, I can run trains most of the day with very little issues.  It's the OPS side of things that bug me.  Trying to run as the proto does, I'm missing the biggest part in that being the Center St yard facility.  This is where the power for the D795/797 and Rock runner lays over and trains originate/terminate.  Obviously, I knew these were missing when I started the layout but figured I could start the train at the staging.  But then the second thing that comes up is that Smiths siding is in wrong location/orientation, so it makes a westbound pickup more work than it needs to be.  Next is run length and a problem with most layouts.  Switching eastbound, by the time you get to AgCom your end of train is still hanging out in yard limits in Hagerstown.  Also at AgCom, though I did extend the layout here to get more straight away originally, your switching moves are on a 2% turnback curve that can be problematic.

Adding the second deck will spread out the locations and will allow the addition of Center St, and Smiths Siding to a point.  Smiths might not be as long as I'd like, but will be easier to pickup/set out for CSX and YorkRail.  It will obviously add the run time of the trains and will allow Bittinger to be modeled more accurately.  Currently I'm working thru how to support the second deck over the majority of the layout as that is in the middle of the room.  The second deck won't be very wide, probably 12-18" max either side of skyboard, where as the lower deck is at most 24" deep.  My current skyboard is 1x2 frames, mounted to the benchwork via L brackets.  This allows for a fairly upright skyboard but not a lot of stability if I were to add the second deck.  I'm thinking that attaching the deck to the helix will secure it at one end (where AgCom and Bittinger currently is )  and it would be secured to the wall at the other end. 

[John]

Adam -- I don't remember if you've ever been to my basement .. but the M&O is two decks as well .. I have a drop ceiling in place and use that as an anchor point for 2x2's that support the upper deck ..

This first shot shows where I tie the support into the grid .. I use a wood screw and drive it through the support .. but if you can, tie it into a ceiling joist for some extra strength ..


 
This next shot just shows the "blob" .. and how I bring supports from the central post -- I use simple angle brackets to keep the upper level in place .. it's about 17 inches from one level to the other



This is a better view of the supports -- the are 4 feet apart -- since the entire layout is a series of 1x4 and 4x4 grids (lower level)



And finally -- this is how I tie the 2x2 in at the bottom to give it directional stability --





the whole thing is pretty modular and will allow whomever has to dismantle it when I'm done for to get it out of the basement pretty easy