Galesburg "City Job"

[w neal]

'Preciate it. No hitch, and small budget. I should be able to do better next year.

[philippe.whyte]

I saw this layout for the first time on the What's Neat show recently.  This prompted me to look up this thread and I have to say I really like your work.  This layout and it's story is inspiring on so many levels.

I'm curious as to what method of connecting and aligning track between modules you have used and are you happy with it?  I'd appreciate knowing the answer if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks,

Philippe

[w neal]

Hello sir,

The rails just run up to the module/section ends as per my previous 90s era modular project. We once had 12 tracks of a passenger terminal that spanned module ends without major issues. The only problems I've encountered are twofold.

One issue is the snagging of the ends of these during cover removal. I have covers for each section to protect scenery. I call them "coffin lids" for fun.

The second problem involves ballasting. The cork, and other underlayments, reacted to being soaked with water. As they say, never ballast and all will be fine. But that's not a realistic option for me. Between the six tracks that cross my yard modules, there were alignment issues once everything had dried. However, I cope. The yard tracks themselves all stayed relatively aligned. The mainline tracks are out of sinc a bit, but since they are largely for display, I cope. Some people solder the rail to a metal plate to avoid ballasting issues. I believe it wouldn't be an issue if one just affixed the flextrack to a non water soluble material.

Other than these 2 issues. I have no trouble at a show, once the sections are aligned. Changes in humidity don't seem to affect me.

Hope that helps.

[philippe.whyte]

Thanks for the info.  Sounds pretty simple actually.

So are the modules aligned by eye with c-clamps or something like that?

[w neal]

Exactly. Its the K.I.S.S. principle. It seems to work for us (me).

However, "sectionals" (modulars) that use door hinges and wooden pegs to help alignment also have merit. I have had layouts with both. The best I have seen uses coffin hardware to really lock in alignment (no really, honest!) Of course, having wood as a base material (that which can absorb water) brings with it certain problems. But for the last 6 years, having been in all kinds of humidity, I'm amazed I have not had more trouble.

[w neal]

Alignment is usually by eye, using a level, etc. Often simply sighting along the track - both from a side view and along the track's length are sufficient. Final alignment is often measured by simply running along a boxcar or two back and forth along the track that spans a module joint. One figures that if the cars can cross easily without issues, all should be fine. One just needs to watch the creation of grades as you progress from module to module.

Some day I'll have to invent self - leveling modules.

[wm3798]

I had a couple of hinged sections on my old layout, and found the best way to ensure alignment, in addition to hardware, was to install the track through the joint, thoroughly glue and ballast it, THEN install the barrel bolts, coffin latches, or whatever for the mechanical alignment...



Then once the glue dries and the ballast cures completely, go back and cut the rails.

Lee

[w neal]

Sound advice from Lee. I concur. I suggest following his method.

I would only add then to protect from snagging the ends of the rails during transport etc. But of course, super glue can affix rail ends in emergencies. Fear not.

[wazzou]

I've used these in the past.

http://americantieandtimber.com/index.html

[w neal]

See y'all at Trainfest, thanks to a little help from my friends. It'll be the same 'ol basic 5 sections. Saul Goode. My new projects will not be there. I could not do them justice this year, but they'll be there in 2020.

[w neal]

Meanwhile, at Trainfest...

Made it at 8 a.m. set modules on legs. Now breakfast at the Pegasus diner right across the street. So nice one can take a leisurely break from setting up a layout...

The lake effect around Lawrence, Decatur, Waterveliet was nasty. The semis compressed the snow into ice. Mind you, I drive a granny car that slips easy.

[w neal]

Ready for Trainfest.

[w neal]

Oh yeah. Good times at Trainfest and good food afterwards. Lots of layouts at the show, more so than ever. Also it seemed like everyone was in a great mood too. Not so many new announcements in N scale, which I'm ok with. Scaletrains doing SP dash 9s in N?, or so I was told. Crikey, I'm going to need some for the WC ore trains!! Kato's 400 train is looking really good. Nothing like being able to shake one of the Kato family member's hands and personally thank him for producing both the 400 train (it's green tinted windows look great) and the Olympian train (still jazzed about the Olympian Hi). Good thing there was no N scale to buy at the show. Yeah right. My friends at Spring Creek got some of my money.

Just a quick Kopps burger for diner, then off to visit the NAPM layout (quite a must)and the Ford Northern layout. Oh, and Leon's for custard. Trust me, just order an "addict". Ah Wisconsin...




More importantly, good friends to hang out with. Nice to have the band back together, as it were!

Oh and nice to visit with Railwire posters too. Shout out to Von Ryan, and the nice fella who flew in from Alaska.
More tomorrow. Torg need sleep. Sleep good.

[MK]

Names or handles of those in the pic?  Maybe duplicate it on the Railwire Friends thread.

[peteski]

Names or handles of those in the pic?  Maybe duplicate it on the Railwire Friends thread.

That photo is from an alternate universe - everything is reversed.