N Scale Hi Rail - Retro Hollow Core Door Layout

[nuno81291]

Yes actually Point353, the radius of curvature say for a 13” light fixture dome may not look so similar if cut down. The dome in question looks a lot like a dome light fixture given the 1:1 person there for reference. That mini dome battery operated push light looks somewhat promising... do they make a colonial style one?   

[Dave V]

Because cutting it to the correct diameter might be too difficult?

I think it would be difficult if the source material were too small, yes...   

[Point353]

Before anyone else gets their shorts in a knot, I did do a little bit of research before making the suggestion.

The diameter of the Dome in the Science Museum of Virginia is listed as 23.2m.
https://www.fddb.org/domes/the-dome-in-science-museum-of-virginia/
23.2m = 913"
913" / 160 = 5.7"

The diameter of that GE utility light is listed as about 5.5", so the dome section is slightly smaller.
Is that close enough for Retro Tech Layout Project purposes?

[wm3798]

The first thing I'll have to do is layout the footprint of the model, which will likely be compressed to fit the layout.  Once I do that, I'll know what I have to work with.

I might go all 3 d printing... turns out I know a guy!

I do like that the skew of the concourse over the platforms looks to be about 15 degrees...

Lee

[peteski]

Because cutting it to the correct diameter might be too difficult?

No, if the dome material is too large then trimming it to the right diameter will result in a flattened dome.  And if it is too small, it won't do at all.   I think you understand the concept. 

[Point353]

No, if the dome material is too large then trimming it to the right diameter will result in a flattened dome.  And if it is too small, it won't do at all.   I think you understand the concept. 

On what basis did you assume that the dome material might be too large?

[peteski]

On what basis did you assume that the dome material might be too large?

Nevermind - I missed your research into the dimensions of that dome. But if Lee wants to do some selective compression, then we are back to square 1.

[wm3798]

Okay... as I look at the model, I think I will start with available components for the center rotunda...  Probably Atlas Stone Arch bridge sides for the main arch windows. 
The full length of the double arch side is 58' and change (N scale) or 4-5/16" long.  Allowing for a sawblade width, that makes each barrel with an even side 2-1/8" wide, or 28'4" or so.  That would make the concourse 30' or 32' wide, judging by the proportions of the model above, and the base of the rotunda about twice the arch width, or 56'8" outside to outside.  If I make the arch portal 6' deep, that puts the outer band diameter of the dome at 44', or about 3-5/16" diameter, over a square rotunda of 4-1/8".  The rest of the dimensions can flow proportionally from there.

The museum has paper cut out model of the station that they hand out to kids that's pretty close to the proportions I'm looking for.  It has the dome printed as a simple 2-D image that rises only above the front facade, but it will give me the dimensions I need to establish the proper height, banding, and width to work with.  I had picked up a copy, but I'm afraid it was washed out with a tide of recycling some time ago... my daughter, a junior at VCU, promised to go Friday and pick up a fresh one to mail to me.

I'm rummaging through my ample boxes of bits and pieces to see what other components I can fold into the build.  Should be an interesting hodge podge!

Lee

[wm3798]

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a piece of graph paper...

[wm3798]

Well, there's not much retro about this, other than I plan to build it with sheet stock, an X-acto blade, and some glue.




Lee

[davefoxx]

You know me, I loves the RF&P, so I am eagerly following along. 

DFF

[davefoxx]

Now you can get yourself a Rapido TurboTrain in Amtrak Phase 1 paint, because at least one came through Virginia in 1971 before Broad Street Station was taken out of service and passenger service moved over to the Staples Mill Road Station in 1975. 

https://history.amtrak.com/archives/turbotrain-at-petersburg-va.-1971

DFF

[wm3798]

Now you can get yourself a Rapido TurboTrain in Amtrak Phase 1 paint, because at least one came through Virginia in 1971 before Broad Street Station was taken out of service and passenger service moved over to the Staples Mill Road Station in 1975. 

https://history.amtrak.com/archives/turbotrain-at-petersburg-va.-1971

DFF

Oh no, it can't be the Rapido model... This is the Retro Layout!



Lee

[DKS]

Oh no, it can't be the Rapido model... This is the Retro Layout!



Lee

Have you got a high-res version of this image? (I'm serious.)

[wm3798]

I googled Bachmann N scale Turbo train and pulled it off of there... there might be some better ones handy...

Lee