Seaboard Central 2.0

[Dave V]

Also, to make it easy to move the thing without the need for a Sawzall.

THIS.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I was also considering a 1" x 4" open grid (joists 16" on center), capped with 1/4" lauan plywood, so I could lay the ubiquitous 2" foam on top.  I would probably use angle brackets or shelf brackets to avoid table legs.  Thoughts?

DFF

There's no real need for the luan top if you're putting that much foam up there.

There are two reasons you might want it: a persistent attachment point for things like wiring and switch machines, and that it'll add some more structural rigidity.

That being said, there are adequate workarounds for both of those things.

[davefoxx]

When Ed and Dave (Foxx) operate there is NO need for man-made delays (work trains and such) to confuse them

They are confused enough

Sadly, this is true.  And, in that confusion, I've been known to do this:



Hey, sometimes, you just can't decide which track to spot a car.

DFF

[Dave V]

Then there was the time I inadvertently thew a crossover on @John's layout with my DT100 while a coal drag was rolling at track speed though it.  Amazingly, throwing it back to the main didn't really help the mess any...   

[Dave V]

Sadly, this is true.  And, in that confusion, I've been known to do this:



Hey, sometimes, you just can't decide which track to spot a car.

DFF

The switch list said track "threeve."

[davefoxx]

BWAHAHAHAHA!!! I love SNL's Celebrity Jeopardy.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Multi Track Drifting!

[mu26aeh]

Most of my layout is constructed of 2'x4' modules/sections.  Some have been thru 4 different setups in 2 houses.  Lumber is 1"x 4" pine.  Other sections sizes were dependent on the location.  Sections are screwed together and can be easily taken down if need be.  Only difference now is I have a center divider running down center of some so that may pose an issue but will cross that bridge if/when I come to it.

[Dave V]

Went down to the train room last night and stared some more.

I came to no particular conclusions except that the Atlas code 55 track on the Enola extension looks worlds better even to my naked eye than does the code 80 flex/Unitrack.  Sigh.

[davefoxx]

Went down to the train room last night and stared some more.

@Dave Vollmer,

I've been doing the same thing all week.  I find it very odd that I am motivated to tear something down that I have been working on for years, thereby reverting the layout to the operational form that it was in 2012.  I think I'm finding that if I pull the trigger on the deconstruction, that will motivate me to finish the train room.  And, of course, finishing the train room is what then opens the possibilities of an around-the-walls-style layout, the thought of which is very exciting.  I've generally only had island style layouts and their inherent disadvantages.

I came to no particular conclusions except that the Atlas code 55 track on the Enola extension looks worlds better even to my naked eye than does the code 80 flex/Unitrack.  Sigh.

I'm not saying that you should go with Atlas Code 55, but you should go with Atlas Code 55.  Did you see the eighty-seven-car train I ran on my layout last week?  It's difficult to believe that Atlas Code 55 isn't reliable when you can do that.

DFF

[Dave V]

I have some ME #6 switches...  I may use those for the crossovers and other critical turnouts just to further enhance reliability.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I have some ME #6 switches...  I may use those for the crossovers and other critical turnouts just to further enhance reliability.

Good.

And if you're really worried about it, just don't cement your switches in and make them easy to replace.

Also, don't plan something that needs a zillion switches. I know that might be tough modeling the Middle Division, but given your modeling tastes, I don't think you really need every interlocking to be functional if the layout is properly designed to facilitate that. I could see you doing something that's got a staging yard, Baree, JACKS, and Lewistown (although that would eat switches up). Just good, solid PRR mainline running.

[Dave V]

Good.

And if you're really worried about it, just don't cement your switches in and make them easy to replace.

Also, don't plan something that needs a zillion switches. I know that might be tough modeling the Middle Division, but given your modeling tastes, I don't think you really need every interlocking to be functional if the layout is properly designed to facilitate that. I could see you doing something that's got a staging yard, Baree, JACKS, and Lewistown (although that would eat switches up). Just good, solid PRR mainline running.

Exactly.  I need to start a JD 2.0 thread.

[eric220]

Exactly.  I need to start a JD 2.0 thread.

With mountains.

[chicken45]

With mountains.

At first, I thought Ed was sketching his breakfast!