HOn30 questions - and perhaps a layout build?

[Chris333]

I remember reading about the crazy grade on the J&S forget where though.

[davefoxx]

I remember reading about the crazy grade on the J&S forget where though.

You might be thinking about the crazy grade and curve on the San Juan Central.  The crazy grade on the J&S is merely a spur.  There are ways to lower that grade on the J&S.  The San Juan Central, however, was practically a one-way model railroad!

DFF

[Chris333]

There is a photo of the J&S somewhere before the scenery and you can see it pretty good. Think I still have the book somewhere.

[davefoxx]

All right.  I have some answers to defend John Olson.  One of my suggestions to lower that grade on the J&S would be to build a dip into the track that goes under the spur.  John Olson already did that.  Here’s the plan.  I’m not saying it’s not steep, but it’s significantly mitigated by splitting the grade between the two routes.



As you can see, the elevation at the curved turnout where the lines diverge is 1-1/2”.  The lower line drops to 0”, and the upper line rises to 3-1/2”.  So, it’s not 0” to 3-1/2” in less than a foot.

That said, all of this is moot, since Dave V. wants no grades.  I just wanted to stand up for John Olson.  I loved his work and was enamored with this layout when I was a preteen.  I had forgotten that Andy Sperandeo was also building the Washita & Santa Fe at the same time in the MR pages in and around 1982.  The golden era of MR to me.  Now, back to Dave Vollmer’s HOn30 planning.

DFF

[Chris333]

Well I don't know what I'm defending, but 

Mainline grade is 4.17% and the branch is 5.5% in that area on a curve

I suggest we joust in order to find the true answer 

[Dave V]

Well I don't know what I'm defending, but 

Mainline grade is 4.17% and the branch is 5.5% in that area on a curve

I suggest we joust in order to find the true answer 

Remember that I'm working in HOn30 with engines whose wheelbases and weights are equivalent to an N scale steam switcher. 

[Chris333]

With a 2x4 layout I'd put a backdrop down the center. This one is only 1x2'


My "big" layout is only 26x60"

[Dave V]

Already have an idea for a backdrop if I use one. But, as sexy as a photo backdrop would be for this project, I think I'm going to want to hand-paint to better match the scenery.

Rather than the Monument Valley style cliffs and buttes, I've been leaning toward Sendoa-style scenery, as in this TrainJunkies backdrop:



Not far from Sedona is Prescott, and a lot of gold came out of those mountains. So something on the border between the Sonoran desert infested with Saguaro cactus and something a little greener with red rock.

[Dave V]

When I was 8, my dad built me the benchwork and laid the track for the Yule Central, a 4 x 6 foot HO standard gauge layout that was the perfect size for me. And the theme was the desert Southwest, which worked great in the wake of a family vacation to Arizona and my brand-new Bachmann warbonnet Santa Fe freight set.

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Pretty simple, and I think it could shirnk down to 2 x 4 with little trouble (heck, 2 x 3 would work) in HOn30. It's not super operational, but again, it's not meant to be a club layout.

It could even handle a central backdrop and a small wooden bridge or two across a dry wash.

[Cajonpassfan]

Well I don't know what I'm defending, but 

Mainline grade is 4.17% and the branch is 5.5% in that area on a curve

I suggest we joust in order to find the true answer

I see your 5.5 and raise you to 11 plus on a 2x4 table...
Otto

[Dave V]

OK folks, I have more questions.

1) What can I use as fascia for a 2 x 4 (preferably with rounded-off corners) that's strong but weighs much less than Masonite? Thinking vinyl, but you guys probably have some much better ideas.

2) I want to integrate the DC controller into the fascia (above). What's the best way to do that (both which DC controller would you recommend and how should I mount it?).

3) If I did a short free-standing backdrop per @Chris333 , what can I make it from that's sturdy, free-standing, and has nearly zero weight?

Thanks in advance!

I guess this question thread is evolving into a layout build thread!

I also need to name this puppy. I want something that's plausible yet whimsical. Tall order, I know. The town I plan to build has to have an Old West sounding name along the lines of Tincup (Malcolm Furlow actually took that name from a real ghost town in Colorado) or Old Stump (Seth McFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West). Considered Rock Ridge from Blazing Saddles but that's probably too on-the-nose and I'd feel obligated to try to match the movie town.

This will be fun!

[timwatson]

I hesitated posting this because it didn’t seem to match your druthers. But given what you just wrote it now seems to be something you could explore. This is simple corrugated plastic board. It’s the stuff you see screenprinted on for our door signs. It’s available at Hobby Lobby for about $3 a 20”x30” sheet. I use Masonite a ton but wanted something similar to what you describe. I laminated the edges and hot glued cross braces inside. You have to use hot “hot glue” to bond it. I was pleasantly surprised with how light and rigid it was. I will be building a small mountain out and back on it when the Blackhawk is done.

It might be something to experiment with.

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[Dave V]

I hesitated posting this because it didn’t seem to match your druthers. But given what you just wrote it now seems to be something you could explore. This is simple corrugated plastic board. It’s the stuff you see screenprinted on for our door signs. It’s available at Hobby Lobby for about $3 a 20”x30” sheet. I use Masonite a ton but wanted something similar to what you describe. I laminated the edges and hot glued cross braces inside. You have to use hot “hot glue” to bond it. I was pleasantly surprised with how light and rigid it was. I will be building a small mountain out and back on it when the Blackhawk is done.

It might be something to experiment with.

No need to hesitate! That's actually a really great solution and now a top contender for what I'm doing! Love it!

If nothing else, that would be great for the fascia! I had been thinking a slab of Gatorboard for the bottom, but I'm not even sure that's necessary. The scenic base will be the usual pink extruded foam.

Yeah, Tim, that's a really great solution there.

EDIT: That also seems to fit the bill for (3)... A white sheet of that stuff for a backdrop!

[Scottl]

That is an amazing idea, I would think that is a great base for a small layout.

My thinking for a small layout base would be 3" or 4" extruded foam board.  I was introduced to this building my current layout and it is super strong and easy to work with.  I've never seen it in home stores, but now that I know to look for it, I see it in the garbage bins at construction sites when I ride through new neighborhoods (esp commercial buildings like grocery stores).  It may be a cold climate product so not widely used but I'm sure if I asked to take some, the workers would not object.

[timwatson]

Adding pink or blue foam would really make it both light and rigid that was my next step as well. I was thinking risers made out of that stuff. The attach the pink foam shell to it all. Kind of like hard shell made of pink foam.